"I apologize," said Coal to Ember. "Let's not fight unless there's nothing else to do."
"Fighting is an occupation for those who don't think," said White Owl.
Lowboy nudged his brother.
"Talks just like a copy book, doesn't he?" said Lowboy.
"He has to keep up his reputation," said Highboy.
"Ssh," said White Owl, "I hear the cat."
Everybody became as still as a mouse. Coal and Ember crouched, ready to spring, and Highboy and Lowboy, rather frightened, took hold of hands and pressed against the wall. They could hear the soft pat-pat of padded feet in the hall.
Two yellow eyes shone in the doorway, and the Cat entered. He stood in the middle of the room with his tail waving to and fro and looked suspiciously from side to side.
Both Firedogs growled; the Cat spit; White Owl cried, "Who-oo-o," and flew down from his perch. In a twinkling Hortense was running down the hall, hand in hand with Highboy and Lowboy, behind Coal and Ember.
Up the stairs ran the Cat with the Firedogs after him, up the stairs to the third floor and through the door to the attic.