Here's a short story:

CHAPTER XXIV. THE BEWITCHMENT OF PAT 

We were all in the doleful dumps--at least, all we "young fry" were, and even the grown-ups were sorry and condescended to take an interest in our troubles. Pat, our own, dear, frolicsome Paddy, was sick again--very, very sick. 

On Friday he moped and refused his saucer of new milk at milking time. The next morning he stretched himself down on the platform by Uncle Roger's back door, laid his head on his black paws, and refused to take any notice of anything or anybody. In vain we stroked and entreated and brought him tidbits. Only when the Story Girl caressed him did he give one plaintive little mew, as if to ask piteously why she could not do something for him. At that Cecily and Felicity and Sara Ray all began crying, and we boys felt choky. Indeed, I caught Peter behind Aunt Olivia's dairy later in the day, and if ever a boy had been crying I vow that boy was Peter. Nor did he deny it when I taxed him with it, but he would not give in that he was crying about Paddy. Nonsense! 

"What were you crying for, then?" I said. 

"I'm crying because--because my Aunt Jane is dead," said Peter defiantly. 

"But your Aunt Jane died two years ago," I said skeptically. 

"Well, ain't that all the more reason for crying?" retorted Peter. "I've had to do without her for two years, and that's worse than if it had just been a few days."  (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: Was everyone happy?
Guess: no

Question: What mood were they in?
Guess: doleful

Question: Did anyone notice?
Guess: yes

Question: Who?
Guess: the grown-ups

Question: Why were they upset?
Guess: Paddy, was sick again

Question: When did they start acting up?
Guess: Firday

Question: What was something that was an indicator?
Guess: he moped

Question: What else?
Guess: refused his milk

Question: Did it respond to anyone?
Guess: no

Question: What made them even more upset?
Guess: he give one plaintive little mew,

Question: When?
Guess: when the Story Girl caressed him

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: What did it mean?

why she couldn't she do something for him