noon
It happened at a moment when Willett , seated at the right of `` the lady of the house , '' with Lilian at his dexter side , had caught the eye of his hostess , and , after the manner of the day , had raised his brimming sherry glass and , bowing low , was drinking to her health , a feat the general had thrice performed already . `` If I 'd only known of this , gentlemen , '' said their host , but a moment earlier , with resultant access of cordiality , `` and could have found a drop of Angostura about the post , we 'd have had a ` pick-me-up ' before dinner , but d'you know I -- I seldom have bitters about me . I 've no use for cocktails . I never touch a drop of stingo before twelve at noon or after twelve at night . I agree with old Bluegrass . Bluegrass was post surgeon at the Presidio when the Second Artillery came out in ' 65 , right on the heels of the war , and he did his best to welcome them -- especially Breck , their adjutant , also a Kentuckian . Then he was ordered East , and he left Breck his blessing , his liquor case , and this admonition -- Breck told it himself .