CHAPTER XXIX . WE LOSE A FRIEND Our beautiful October was marred by one day of black tragedy -- the day Paddy died . For Paddy , after seven years of as happy a life as ever a cat lived , died suddenly -- of poison , as was supposed . Where he had wandered in the darkness to meet his doom we did not know , but in the frosty dawnlight he dragged himself home to die . We found him lying on the doorstep when we got up , and it did not need Aunt Janet 's curt announcement , or Uncle Blair 's reluctant shake of the head , to tell us that there was no chance of our pet recovering this time . We felt that nothing could be done . Lard and sulphur on his paws would be of no use , nor would any visit to Peg Bowen avail . We stood around in mournful silence ; the Story Girl sat down on the step and took poor Paddy upon her lap . `` I s ` pose there 's no use even in praying now , '' said Cecily desperately . `` It would n't do any harm to try , '' sobbed Felicity . `` You need n't waste your prayers , '' said Dan mournfully , `` Pat is beyond human aid . You can tell that by his eyes . Besides , I do n't believe it was the praying cured him last time . '' `` No , it was Peg Bowen , '' declared Peter , `` but she could n't have bewitched him this time for she 's been away for months , nobody knows where . '' `` If he could only TELL us where he feels the worst ! '' said Cecily piteously . `` It 's so dreadful to see him suffering and not be able to do a single thing to help him ! '' `` I do n't think he 's suffering much now , '' I said comfortingly . The Story Girl said nothing . She passed and repassed her long brown hand gently over her pet 's glossy fur .
XXXXX lifted his head and essayed to creep a little nearer to his beloved mistress .
Blair Bowen Cecily Dan Paddy Pat Peter XXIX day months