Maybe he was planning a party knowing you were going to be gone and he vocalised his concern that you might not leave in time. I'll bet they had a blast with all of their friends over; broke out the catnip, turned on some tunes, leaped over "tall" tables, and generally caroused. Did you find any broken glasses or dead mice that looked as though they'd been made into a pin cushion or were run over by a steam roller? Party-Time, mom and dad are gone!