"In mid-morning, Qwilleran set out from the barn carrying a baker's box tied with red plaid ribbon. He said goodbye to the cats, told them where he was going, and estimated when he would return. The more you talk to cats, he believed, the smarter they become. Koko was disturbingly smart. Qwilleran called him a fine fellow and had a great deal of respect for him. Yum Yum was a dainty little female with winning ways and a fondness for laps, the contents of wastebaskets, and small shiny objects she could hide under the rug. He gave them some parting instructions. "Don't answer the phone. Don't pull the plug on the refrigerator. Don't open the door to poll-takers." They looked at him blankly."