three o'clock
It was the hour sacred to coffee and _ pousse-cafe _ , and it was not long before the little hostelry was full to overflowing with officers and men of every arm of the service . There was not a vacant table , and the bright uniforms shone resplendent against the green background of leaves checkered with spots of sunshine . Major Bouroche had just come in and taken a seat beside Rochas , when Jean presented himself with an order . `` Lieutenant , the captain desires me to say that he wishes to see you at three o'clock on company business . '' Rochas signified by a nod of the head that he had heard , and Jean did not go away at once , but stood smiling at Maurice , who was lighting a cigarette . Ever since the occurrence in the railway car there had been a sort of tacit truce between the two men ; they seemed to be reciprocally studying each other , with an increasing interest and attraction . But just then Prosper came back , a little out of temper .