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 on fire ! '' 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 XXXXX the cold , '' declared Ismay .
At ago as of on than that to until up