Oak paused, sniffing the air before continuing. “You may come out now.”
The cats emerged from behind the sofa. “There we are,” Oak said, “and aren't we both pretty?”
The cats walked taller when they heard this. He produced something from his pocket, I couldn't see what, and offered it to them. They came straight to his hand, in turn accepting some kind of treat.
“You can't just let them in here,” Rose protested, “they'll queer the readings.”
“I think,” he replied with a laugh, “the readings are queer enough all by themselves.”
