eight o'clock
In the mean time George Voss was thriving at Colmar , -- as the Vosses did thrive wherever they settled themselves . But he sent no word to his father , -- nor did his father send word to him , -- though they were not more than ten leagues apart . Once Madame Voss went over to see him , and brought back word of his well-doing . Exactly at eight o'clock every evening a loud bell was sounded in the hotel of the Lion d'Or at Granpere , and all within the house sat down together to supper . The supper was spread on a long table in the saloon up-stairs , and the room was lighted with camphine lamps , -- for as yet gas had not found its way to Granpere . At this meal assembled not only the guests in the house and the members of the family of the landlord , -- but also many persons living in the village whom it suited to take , at a certain price per month , the chief meal of the day , at the house of the innkeeper , instead of eating in their own houses a more costly , a less dainty , and probably a lonely supper . Therefore when the bell was heard there came together some dozen residents of Granpere , mostly young men engaged in the linen trade , from their different lodgings , and each took his accustomed seat down the sides of the long board , at which , tied in a knot , was placed his own napkin .