`` Pat is dead , '' said the Story Girl hopelessly , as we returned one evening from a bootless quest to Andrew Cowan 's where a strange gray cat had been reported -- a cat which turned out to be a yellowish brown nondescript , with no tail to speak of . `` I 'm afraid so , '' I acknowledged at last . `` If only Peg Bowen had been at home she could have found him for us , '' asserted Peter . `` Her skull would have told her where he was . '' `` I wonder if the wishbone she gave me would have done any good , '' cried Cecily suddenly . `` I 'd forgotten all about it . Oh , do you suppose it 's too late yet ? '' `` There 's nothing in a wishbone , '' said Dan impatiently . `` You ca n't be sure . She TOLD me I 'd get the wish I made on it . I 'm going to try whenever I get home . '' `` It ca n't do any harm , anyhow , '' said Peter , `` but I 'm afraid you 've left it too late . If Pat is dead even a witch 's wishbone ca n't bring him back to life . '' `` I 'll never forgive myself for not thinking about it before , '' mourned Cecily . As soon as we got home she flew to the little box upstairs where she kept her treasures , and brought therefrom the dry and brittle wishbone . `` Peg told me how it must be done . I 'm to hold the wishbone with both hands , like this , and walk backward , repeating the wish nine times . And when I 've finished the ninth time I 'm to turn around nine times , from right to left , and then the wish will come true right away . '' `` Do you expect to see Pat when you finish turning ? '' said Dan skeptically .
None of us had any faith XXXXX the incantation except Peter , and , by infection , Cecily .
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