Page:Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920).djvu/44

18 wave me good-by, and, as he did, he glanced upward. Even at that distance I saw the look of amazement on his face. Then he came bolting back.

“Ismay, the house is on fire!” I shrieked, as I flew to the door.

“Sue,” cried Max, “I saw Fatima, or her ghost, at the garret window a moment ago!”

“Nonsense!” I cried. But Ismay was already half way up the stairs and we followed. Straight to the garret we rushed. There sat Fatima, sleek and complacent, sunning herself in the window.

Max laughed until the rafters rang.

“She can’t have been up here all this time,” I protested, half tearfully. “We would have heard her meowing.”

“But you didn’t,” said Max.

“She would have died of the cold,” declared Ismay.

“But she hasn't,” said Max.

“Or starved,” I cried.

“The place is alive with mice,” said Max. “No, girls, there is no doubt the cat has been here the whole fortnight. She must have followed Huldah Jane up here, unobserved, that day. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear her crying — if she did cry. But perhaps she didn’t, and, of course, you sleep downstairs. To think you never thought of looking here for her!”