`` Ma has a letter a school trustee once writ to my Aunt Jane and that 's how it begins . '' `` Respected Madam , '' wrote the Story Girl . `` We want to ask a very great favour of you and we hope you will kindly grant it if you can . Our favourite cat , Paddy , is very sick , and we are afraid he is going to die . Do you think you could cure him ? And will you please try ? We are all so fond of him , and he is such a good cat , and has no bad habits . Of course , if any of us tramps on his tail he will scratch us , but you know a cat ca n't bear to have his tail tramped on . It 's a very tender part of him , and it 's his only way of preventing it , and he does n't mean any harm . If you can cure Paddy for us we will always be very , very grateful to you . The accompanying small offerings are a testimonial of our respect and gratitude , and we entreat you to honour us by accepting them . `` Very respectfully yours , `` SARA STANLEY . '' `` I tell you that last sentence has a fine sound , '' said Peter admiringly . `` I did n't make that up , '' admitted the Story Girl honestly . `` I read it somewhere and remembered it . '' `` I think it 's TOO fine , '' criticized Felicity . `` Peg Bowen wo n't know the meaning of such big words . '' But it was decided to leave them in and we all signed the letter . Then we got our `` testimonials , '' and started on our reluctant journey to the domains of the witch . Sara Ray would not go , of course , but she volunteered to stay with Pat while we were away .
We did not think it necessary XXXXX inform the grown-ups of our errand , or its nature .
Jane Of Pat by for if in on that to