"Take Buster away, Fatty," said Larry in excitement "He'll scare Dark Queen and she'll run away."
Buster was shut up in a shed, much to his indignation. He nearly tore the door down in his eagerness to escape. Dark Queen quietened down when Fatty led the dog away. She sat up there in the tree, purring.
"She's thin," said Daisy.
"And look how muddy she is," said Larry. "Her coat is dirty and tangled. Let's take her to Miss Harmer. What a surprise she will have!"
Luke has a Better Time.
Dark Queen allowed Daisy to lift her gently down from the tree. Then the five of them made their way with Luke down the drive, and into the garden next door.
They went to the cat-house, and on the way they met Lady Candling. She cried out in surprise when she saw a cat in Daisy's arms.
"You mustn't take my cats out of their house! Did Miss Harmer let you?"
"It's Dark Queen!" said Larry. "She suddenly appeared in Pip's garden just now, Lady Candling!"
"Good gracious!" said Lady Candling, most astonished. She glanced at Dark Queen's tail and saw the little ring of light hairs that grew there. "Yes — it's my beautiful Dark Queen. Wherever has she been? She looks thin and half-starved."