'Never mind; you tell her. She won't bite you. Tell her also that
I shall be over at Granpere soon to see her and the rest of them.
I'll be over--as soon as ever I can get away.'

'Shall I tell your father that?'

'No. Tell Marie, and let her tell my father.'

'And when will you come? We shall all be so glad to see you.'

'Never you mind that. You just give my message. Come in for a
moment to the kitchen. There's a cup of coffee for you and a slice
of ham. We are not going to let an old friend like you go away
without breaking his fast.'

As Greisse had already paid his modest bill, amounting altogether to
little more than three francs, this was kind of the young landlord,
and while he was eating his bread and ham he promised faithfully
that he would give the message just as George had given it to him.

It was on the third day after the departure of Edmond Greisse that
George told Madame Faragon that he was going home.

'Going where, George?' said Madame Faragon, leaning forward on the
table before her, and looking like a picture of despair.

'To Granpere, Madame Faragon.'

'To Granpere! and why? and when? and how? O dear! Why did you not