It had been hard, dragging the supplies here through tunnels and cave ways, and, of course, with every trip she had to carry Catkin, who seemed heavier every time. But she was ready now. She had only to load the boat, and conditions at sea were perfect. The tide had brought in the fog, and soon it would be twilight. No such chance would come again.“We’re going in a boat, my little Dais—Catkin—my little one, my baby,” she whispered softly, rocking Catkin. “The tide will carry us away from here, and evil Husk will never get you, and we’ll never come back here, we’ll find a lovely place to live, and your mother and father…” She hesitated, twitching uneasily. “I’m your mother now. I’m your real mother. It’s me that’s looked after you. You’re my little baby.”“How’s the forepaw?” Juniper asked Needle. He held her tightly in the cloak, both for her warmth and his own.“It’s better since you bandaged it up,” she said.“And the hind paw?”“So’s that.
