It became necessary as George Voss sat at supper with his father and Madame Voss that he should fix the time of his return to Colmar, and he did so for the early morning of the next day but one.

He had told Madame Faragon that he expected to stay at Granpere but one night.

He felt, however, after his arrival that it might be difficult for him to get away on the following day, and therefore he told them that he would sleep two nights at the Lion d'Or, and then start early, so as to reach the Colmar inn by mid-day.
'I suppose you find the old lady rather fidgety, George ?' said Michel Voss in high good humour.
George found it easier to talk about Madame Faragon and the hotel at Colmar than he did of things at Granpere, and therefore became communicative as to his own affairs.

Michel too preferred the subject of the new doings at the house on the other side of the Vosges.

His wife had given him a slight hint, doing her best, like a good wife and discreet manager, to prevent ill-humour and hard words.
'He feels a little sore, you know.