midday
Next morning they were at Cologne . `` Sir , '' said Benedict to the officer , `` I am accustomed , every time that I pass through this town , to provide myself with Farina 's eau-de-Cologne for my dressing-table . If you are not pressed for time I would propose two things to you : in the first place my word of honour to play fair and not give you the slip before reaching the frontier ; in the second place , a good breakfast for these gentlemen and you , all breakfasting together at the same table without any distinction of rank , like brothers . Then we will take the midday train , unless you prefer to trust my word that I will go straight to Paris . '' The officer smiled . `` Sir , '' said he , `` we will do what you please . I should like you to carry away the impression that we are only uncivil and tormentors when we are ordered to be .