I shrieked , as I flew to the door . `` Sue , '' cried Max , `` I saw Fatima , or her ghost , at the garret window a moment ago ! '' `` Nonsense ! '' I cried . But Ismay was already half way up the stairs and we followed . Straight to the garret we rushed . There sat Fatima , sleek and complacent , sunning herself in the window . Max laughed until the rafters rang . `` She ca n't have been up here all this time , '' I protested , half tearfully . `` We would have heard her meowing . '' `` But you did n't , '' said Max . `` She would have died of the cold , '' declared Ismay . `` But she has n't , '' said Max . `` Or starved , '' I cried . `` The place is alive with mice , '' said Max . `` No , girls , there is no doubt the cat has been here the whole fortnight . She must have followed Huldah Jane up here , unobserved , that day . It 's a wonder you did n't hear her crying -- if she did cry . But perhaps she did n't , and , of course , you sleep downstairs . To think you never thought of looking here for her ! ''
`` It has cost us over a hundred dollars , '' said Ismay , XXXXX a malevolent glance at the sleek Fatima .
To ago as at if in of until up with