three o'clock in the afternoon
She carried this rancour so far , in fact , as to style the Emperor that `` Corsican ogre , '' and even to deny him the possession of any military genius , an asseveration that amused the veteran immensely . Nevertheless , in spite of these diverse political sentiments , and the ever recurring and annoying question of the boundaries of the two gardens , Madame Barbançon was , at heart , sincerely devoted to her employer , and attended assiduously to his every want , while the veteran , for his part , would have sorely missed his irascible housekeeper 's care and attentions . The spring of 1844 was fast drawing to a close . The May verdure was shining in all its freshness ; three o'clock in the afternoon had just sounded ; and though the day was warm , and the sun 's rays ardent , the pleasant scent of freshly watered earth , combined with the fragrant odour of several small clumps of lilacs and syringas , testified to the faithful care the commander bestowed upon his garden , for from a frequently and laboriously filled wash-tub sunk in the earth , and dignified with the name of reservoir , the veteran had just treated his little domain to a refreshing shower ; nor had he , in his generous impartiality , excluded his housekeeper 's vegetable beds and kitchen herbs from the benefits of his ministrations . The veteran , in his gardening costume of gray linen jacket and big straw hat , was now resting from his labours in the arbour , already nearly covered with a vigorous growth of clematis and honeysuckle . His sunburned features were characterised by an expression of unusual frankness and kindness , though a heavy moustache , as white as his bristling white hair , imparted a decidedly martial air to his physiognomy . After wiping the sweat from his forehead with a blue checked handkerchief and returning it to his pocket , the veteran picked up his pipe from a table in the arbour , filled and lighted it , then , establishing himself in an old cane-bottomed armchair , began to smoke and enjoy the beauty of the day , the stillness of which was broken only by the occasional twitter of a few birds and the humming of Madame Barbançon , who was engaged in gathering some lettuce and parsley for the supper salad .