For a week they over-fed him and made much of him.

Then, the excitement cooling, he found himself dropping back into his old position, and didn't like it, and went next door again.
"The next door people had also missed him, and they likewise greeted his return with extravagant ebullitions of joy.

This gave the cat an idea.
He saw that his game was to play the two families off one against the other; which he did.

He spent an alternate fortnight with each, and lived like a fighting cock.

His return was always greeted with enthusiasm, and every means were adopted to induce him to stay.