I only want to be useful." Aunt Elizabeth started and looked at the door.

"I thought I heard something," she said.

They both listened.
"Perhaps it was the parrot," said Maggie.
Aunt Elizabeth smiled bravely.
"There are often noises in an old house like this," she said.

The black cat came towards them, slowly, with immense dignified indifference.

He swung his tail as though to show them that he cared for no one.