about noon
Then it was certain that he had not fallen . Perhaps the Germans had driven him ahead of them , and he would rejoin the French at some distant point . The morning passed , slow and bright , but it did not bring Lannes . General Vaugirard himself came about noon , a huge purring man in a huge puffing automobile . He cast an approving eye over Bougainville 's work , and puffing his cheeks still wider whistled a low , musical note . `` It could not have been done better , '' he said . Then he caught sight of John and exclaimed : `` Ah , here is our young American , he who has been transformed into a good Frenchman !