We will just fill up the grave quietly and put a flat stone over the top . '' `` It is n't much like my idea of a funeral , '' muttered Sara Ray discontentedly . `` Never mind , we 're going to have a real obituary about him in Our Magazine , '' whispered Cecily consolingly . `` And Peter is going to cut his name on top of the stone , '' added Felicity . `` Only we must n't let on to the grown-ups until it is done , because they might say it was n't right . '' We left the orchard , a sober little band , with the wind of the gray twilight blowing round us . Uncle Roger passed us at the gate . `` So the last sad obsequies are over ? '' he remarked with a grin . And we hated Uncle Roger . But we loved Uncle Blair because he said quietly , `` And so you 've buried your little comrade ? '' So much may depend on the way a thing is said . But not even Uncle Blair 's sympathy could take the sting out of the fact that there was no Paddy to get the froth that night at milking time . Felicity cried bitterly all the time she was straining the milk . Many human beings have gone to their graves unattended by as much real regret as followed that one gray pussy cat to his . CHAPTER XXX . PROPHECIES `` Here 's a letter for you from father , '' said Felix , tossing it to me as he came through the orchard gate . We had been picking apples all day , but were taking a mid-afternoon rest around the well , with a cup of its sparkling cold water to refresh us . I opened the letter rather indifferently , for father , with all his excellent and lovable traits , was but a poor correspondent ; his letters were usually very brief and very unimportant . This letter was brief enough , but it was freighted with a message of weighty import .
I sat gazing stupidly XXXXX the sheet after I had read it until Felix exclaimed , `` Bev , what 's the matter with you ?
So at because by for from like on through to