noon
The moment his energies were dammed at one point , they burst forth with fresh vigor at another . The only object about the office that was left undisturbed was Minerva , a large black cat which the stenographer told him belonged to Mr. Randolph Bartlett . Quin was hopelessly committed to cats in general , and to black cats in particular , and the fact that this one met with Mr. Bangs 's marked disfavor made him champion her cause at once . One noon hour , in his first week , he was sitting alone in the inner office , scratching Minerva 's head in the very spot behind the ear where a cat most likes to be scratched , when a lively voice from the doorway demanded : `` Well , young man , what do you mean by making love to my cat in my absence ? '' `` She flirted with me first , '' said Quin . Then he took a second look at the stranger and got up smiling . `` You are Mr. Bartlett , I believe ? ''