some of them stole off to those cryptical realms which are known only to cats and which villagers say are on the moon 's dark side , whither the cats leap from tall housetops , but one small black kitten crept upstairs and sprang in carter 's lap to purr and play , and curled up near her feet when she lay down at last on the little couch whose pillows were stuffed with fragrant , drowsy herbs .