hour before noon
` Why , no , sir , no , ' said the Colonel ; ` I am a man of peace . But when you presoom , sir , to dictate what a man shall drink , and when you presoom to object to the theme upon which he chooses to converse -- why , do n't you see ? ' ` No , ' said Paul , ` I do not see . If you choose to renew this conversation to-morrow , that is my hotel , and I shall be pleased to meet you there at any hour before noon . ' ` Now , ' the Colonel answered , taking him by the sleeve in alcoholic friendship , ` you are becoming shirty , and your tone is warlike . And that , Mr. Armstrong , is unreasonable . Perhaps you know now that I am an old traveller .