As for color , if a once black cat had been well and thoroughly singed the result would have resembled the hue of this waif 's thin , draggled , unsightly fur . Anne `` shooed , '' but the cat would not `` shoo . '' As long as she stood he sat back on his haunches and gazed at her reproachfully out of his one good eye ; when she resumed her walk he followed . Anne resigned herself to his company until she reached the gate of Patty 's Place , which she coldly shut in his face , fondly supposing she had seen the last of him . But when , fifteen minutes later , Phil opened the door , there sat the rusty-brown cat on the step . More , he promptly darted in and sprang upon Anne 's lap with a half-pleading , half-triumphant `` miaow . '' `` Anne , '' said Stella severely , `` do you own that animal ? '' `` No , I do NOT , '' protested disgusted Anne . `` The creature followed me home from somewhere . I could n't get rid of him . Ugh , get down . I like decent cats reasonably well ; but I do n't like beasties of your complexion . '' Pussy , however , refused to get down . He coolly curled up in Anne 's lap and began to purr . `` He has evidently adopted you , '' laughed Priscilla . `` I wo n't BE adopted , '' said Anne stubbornly . `` The poor creature is starving , '' said Phil pityingly . `` Why , his bones are almost coming through his skin . '' `` Well , I 'll give him a square meal and then he must return to whence he came , '' said Anne resolutely . The cat was fed and put out .
In the morning he was still XXXXX the doorstep .
as at from in of on through until upon with