He was a modest, unassuming lad, and had been hardly more than a boy when George Voss had left Granpere.
From time to time George had seen some friend from the village, and had thus heard tidings from home.

Once, as has been said, Madame Voss had made a pilgrimage to Madame Faragon's establishment to visit him; but letters between the houses had not been frequent.
Though postage in France--or shall we say Germany ?--is now almost as low as in England, these people of Alsace have not yet fallen into the way of writing to each other when it occurs to any of them that a word may be said.

Young Greisse had seen the landlady, who now never went upstairs among her guests, and had had his chamber allotted to him, and was seated at the supper-table, before he met George Voss.

It was from Madame Faragon that George heard of his arrival.
'There is a neighbour of yours from Granpere in the house,' said she.
'From Granpere?
And who is he ?' 'I forget the lad's name; but he says that your father is well, and Madame Voss.

He goes back early to-morrow with the roulage and some goods that his people have bought.