Two brothers, Herbert and James, lived with their mother and a cat named Edgar. James was particularly attached to the cat. When he had to leave town for several days, he left Herbert meticulous instructions about the pet's care.
At the end of his first day away, James telephoned his brother. "How is Edgar?"
"Edgar is dead," Herbert answered.
There was a pause. Then James said, "Herbert, you're insensitive. You know how close I was to Edgar; you should have broken the news to me slowly. When I asked about Edgar tonight, you should have said, 'Edgar's on the roof, but I have called the fire department to get him down.' Tomorrow when I call, you could have said the firemen were having trouble but you were hopeful they would succeed. When I call the third time, you could have told me the firemen did their best, but unfortunately Edgar fell off the roof and was at the veterinarian's. Then on my last call, you could have said that although everything possible had been done, Edgar had died. That's the way a sensitive man would have told me. And, oh, before I forget," James added, "how is Mother?"
"Oh," Herbert said, pausing for a moment, "She's on the roof."