A rap at the door

"Come in, do come in, it's so terribly cold today."

"Thankee, thankee kind miss, are your parents at home?"

"Why, no sir, they are out at market."

"What are they doing at the market, young miss?"

"Buying bread to lay on the table, sir."

"And who shall eat this bread?"

"Why, my parents and I, sir, for my brother is dead."

"Dead and gone, dead and gone, a pity."

"Pity, sir?"

"A pity you have no one here with you."

"Oh, I'm not alone sir, for I have a cat to keep me company."

"A cat is no companion for a little girl."

"But she is the witch's cat, sir."

"The witch's cat! Dear me, what does she say to you?"

"That you'd be coming today, sir."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir. That's why I have tea ready, sir. Just for you."

"How kind. But I must not stay long. Are you ready to be off?"

"Of course not, sir, my parents are expecting me to be here tonight."

"But they expect nothing, young miss."

"Then, sir, where are we to go?"

"To the mountains of darkness, and by all means, bring the cat."

"But she is not ready to go, sir."

"Then we shall travel alone on the road to Hell."