“From the farm?” I said in dismay.
“Yes, I just heard Farmer Gleason tell one of the men that soon you'll all be going back to Boston.”
“Why, the summer has passed like a dream,” I said.
“Perhaps you'll come back next summer,” said Aunt Tabby.
“Oh! I hope so,” I said. “I just love this place.”
“Slyboots is a lot better for her visit,” said Aunt Tabby. “Her eyes look quite strong now.”
“She strained them trying to see mice and rats in the Boston streets when she was cold and hungry,” I said. “She was all run down.”
“We are just like human beings in that way,” said Aunt Tabby. “If we're not properly fed and housed, all our bodily functions suffer.”
“What's a function?” asked Joker slyly. “You're trying to talk Bostonese, like Serena, Aunt Tab.”
Aunt Tabby thoughtfully licked her paw and said nothing.