midday
` Ah , my boy , I am going to play a good joke on you ! ' `` It was a terrible joke -- it is that still , Monsieur ! Listen to what happened ! I got my exchange all right : it is on that account I have eight days ' leave ; but next Monday , November 21st , before midday , I must report to my new regiment . But this regiment , the 257th Infantry , is in garrison at Verdun ! ... You grasp it ? '' `` I begin to , '' murmured Fandor .