` Why , Miss Ridley , it was I who advertised for a Persian cat -- on Sue 's behalf . She and Ismay have decided that they want a cat like Fatima for themselves . ' `` You should have seen how she beamed . She said she knew you always really liked cats , only you would never own up to it . We clinched the dicker then and there . I passed her over your hundred and ten dollars -- she took the money without turning a hair -- and now you are the joint owners of Fatima . Good luck to your bargain ! '' `` Mean old thing , '' sniffed Ismay . She meant Aunt Cynthia , and , remembering our shabby furs , I did n't disagree with her . `` But there is no Fatima , '' I said , dubiously . `` How shall we account for her when Aunt Cynthia comes home ? '' `` Well , your aunt is n't coming home for a month yet . When she comes you will have to tell her that the cat -- is lost -- but you need n't say WHEN it happened . As for the rest , Fatima is your property now , so Aunt Cynthia ca n't grumble . But she will have a poorer opinion than ever of your fitness to run a house alone . '' When Max left I went to the window to watch him down the path . He was really a handsome fellow , and I was proud of him . At the gate he turned to wave me good-by , and , as he did , he glanced upward . Even at that distance I saw the look of amazement on his face . Then he came bolting back .
`` Ismay , the house is XXXXX fire ! ''
At as down of on over than that to with