“Pardon me for interrupting, Marica– I can see you are busy on that clickedyclack machine– but I happened to notice as I was making my rounds this evening that the door… ”

“Excuse me for interrupting you, Missy, but just what does ‘making your rounds’ mean? What did you get into?”

“Why Marica! It sounds as if you think I was ‘up to no good’ as I’ve heard them say. As I said, I was just making my rounds, checking the perimeter and so forth.”

“R.U.F.F.”

“That is Rocky’s job, girl.”

“Quite right but I note that he did not inform you of the breach in security.”

“RUFFFFF????”

“Do tell.”

“The door to my sister’s room is wide open. That little kitty of hers is highly vulnerable.”

“Rrrruuuuff!”

“Now, Rocky. There’s no need for you to get so protective. Missy wouldn’t hurt a hair on Snap’s head, would you, girl? I am, in fact, aware that the door is open. I opened it. I think Snaps will be just fine.”

“I’m not so sure… . Perhaps I should just go check on her.”

“Rrrruuuffff!”

“Boy! Calm yourself. Snaps will be fine, Missy. You stay right here.”

“ruffff!”

“My Dear Friend, I don’t know what you think is so amusing. I just wanted to check on the little kitty. In any case, the unanswered question  is why the door is open– why did you open it, Marica?”

“Ruff?”

“I thought Snaps might like to take a leisurely stroll around the living room tonight.”

“Ruff??”

“No, boy. Daughter C will not be coming home this evening.”

“Well, if that’s the case, perhaps I should go check on her just one more time before I turn in, don’t you think?”

“No. I don’t think you should do that. You stay right here.”

“Rufffff!!“