`` Does n't it seem a long , long time to you since we left home this afternoon ? '' asked the Story Girl . `` And yet it is only a few hours . '' Only a few hours -- true ; yet such hours were worth a cycle of common years untouched by the glory and the dream . 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 XXXXX see him suffering and not be able to do a single thing to help him ! ''
Besides If beyond by for of on since to worth