Seven o'clock
He remained sitting there , with his arms hanging down , vaguely trying to discover some means to set matters straight , but without success , and he said to himself : `` It is only lucky that I have George ... without him I should be very miserable . '' Then he thought he would consult Limousin , but the recollection of the hatred that existed between his friend and the servant made him fear lest the former should advise him to turn her away , and again he was lost in doubts and unhappy uncertainty . Just then the clock struck seven , and he started up . Seven o'clock , and he had not even changed his clothes yet ! Then nervous and breathless , he undressed , put on a clean shirt , and hastily finished his toilet , as if he had been expected in the next room for some event of extreme importance , went into the drawing-room , happy at having nothing to fear . He glanced at the newspaper , went and looked out of the window , and then sat down on the sofa again , when the door opened , and the boy came in , washed , brushed and smiling , and Parent took him up in his arms and kissed him passionately ; then he tossed him into the air , and held him up to the ceiling , but soon sat down again , as he was tired with all his efforts , and taking George onto his knee , he made him ride a cock-horse , and the child laughed and clapped his hands , and shouted with pleasure , as his father did also , for he laughed until his big stomach shook , for it amused him almost more than it did the child . He loved him with all the heart of a weak , resigned , ill-used man .