Late that night, the doorbell at 2 Kirk Street rang.
Ding!
The clear ringing made Pendragon lift his head from his cat bed. He had just eaten four dried fish and a bowl of baked chicken kibble, then drunk a bowl of water.
But under Arthur's gentle strokes, he soon lowered his head again, purring as he drifted back into a deep sleep.
Just as Amanda had said, orange cats really were suitable for first-time cat owners.
At least, after coming home, Pendragon hadn't bounded all over the place. He had simply eaten, eaten, and eaten some more, then slept.
Of course, perhaps the injury to his hind leg hadn't fully healed?
Whatever the reason, Arthur was now thoroughly enjoying having a cat.
What could lift his spirits more than petting a cat?
Naturally, petting a good-natured, affectionate cat.
With the faintest smile on his lips, Arthur walked toward the front door.
Malinda stood outside.
Wearing a Deerstalker Hat and a khaki trench coat, with a pipe between her teeth, Malinda said as soon as she saw Arthur, "You'd better have a cat that can do somersaults. Otherwise... hmph."
Her voice was neither loud nor soft.
It was just loud enough for the neighbors awakened by the doorbell to hear.
Hearing the faintly coquettish words, those neighbors muttered something, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
Once Malinda entered 2 Kirk Street and the door closed behind her, her expression returned to normal, and she headed straight for the Medium's Hall.
"Oh?"
"You really got a cat?"
She looked at Pendragon in surprise, anticipation rising in her eyes before fading into disappointment.
She had spotted his injured hind leg.
"Were you really hoping to see a cat do somersaults?"
Arthur sat behind his desk and asked, looking surprised.
He had