XXIII. 

 EPILOGUE. 



" THERE is no company too good to part," says an old 

 proverb, and the time came when the portmanteaus 

 had again to be packed, closed, and strapped up for 

 the return. 



" Already ! " sighed Kene*, who had been occupied 

 all the morning with the unpleasant task. 



" Already ! " repeated mechanically Ldon and the 

 doctor. 



It must be, however. The end of the vacation was 

 at hand, and Uncle Bob himself would only be able to 

 stay a week longer at Yillers. The yearly leave that 

 his position in the medical schools at Paris permits him 

 to take was on the point of expiring, and professional 

 duty required his speedy return. 



They sat down to table, without much appetite, it 

 must be admitted, and at the very moment when the 

 meal was finished the door was opened and the ser- 

 vant announced 



