between George and his father. They walked together up into the
mountains, and looked after the wood-cutting, and discussed the
prospects of the inn at Colmar. Michel was disposed to think that
George had better remain at Colmar, and accept Madame Faragon's
offer. 'If you think that the house is worth anything, I will give
you a few thousand francs to set it in order; and then you had
better agree to allow her so much a year for her life.' He probably
felt himself to be nearly as young a man as his son; and then
remember too that he had other sons coming up, who would be able to
carry on the house at Granpere when he should be past his work.
Michel was a loving, generous-hearted man, and all feeling of anger
with his son was over before they had been together two days. 'You
can't do better, George,' he said. 'You need not always stay away
from us for twelve months, and I might take a turn over the
mountain, and get a lesson as to how you do things at Colmar. If
ten thousand francs will help you, you shall have them. Will that
make things go straight with you?' George Voss thought the sum
named would make things go very straight; but as the reader knows,
he had another matter near to his heart. He thanked his father; but
not in the joyous thoroughly contented tone that Michel had
expected. 'Is there anything wrong about it?' Michel said in that
sharp tone which he used when something had suddenly displeased him.

'There is nothing wrong; nothing wrong at all,' said George slowly.
'The money is much more than I could have expected. Indeed I did
not expect any.'

'What is it then?'

'I was thinking of something else. Tell me, father; is it true that