Even to be in agreement with him, or to seem to be so, was more than I could make out to endure.
'You could scarce be expected to stomach them,' said I civilly, 'after having just digested your parole.' He whipped round on his heel and turned on me a countenance which I dare say he imagined to be awful; but another fit of sneezing cut him off ere he could come the length of speech.
'I have not tried the dish myself,' I took the opportunity to add.

'It is said to be unpalatable.

Did monsieur find it so ?' With surprising vivacity the Colonel woke from his lethargy.

He was between us ere another word could pass.
'Shame, gentlemen!' he said.

'Is this a time for Frenchmen and fellow-soldiers to fall out?
We are in the midst of our enemies; a quarrel, a loud word, may suffice to plunge us back into irretrievable distress.