“Ooh,” said Ethel, and “Ugh,” said Cherry, but Minerva said,
“Lawdy, I wondered what I had done with that.”
“Where’s the cat, James?”
“I’m afraid she’s sunk. She ain’t here. That’s certain.”
“That’s too bad. Coming up?”
“Yes, sir. No use looking any more. She’s gone down.”
I began to pull in the rope, and James began to ascend. Suddenly there was a splash and simultaneously I was pulled forward, and almost went into the well myself.
Minerva shrieked and so did Ethel and Cherry, but James’s voice rose assuringly.
“All right. Missed my footing. My, but this water’s cold.”
We could hear him spluttering.