then he tried to find his way straight across the garden , but he became more and more puzzled . presently , he came to a pond where mr . mcgregor filled his water - cans . a white cat was staring at some gold - fish ; she sat very , very still , but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were alive . peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her ; he had heard about cats from his cousin , little benjamin bunny . he went back towards the tool - shed , but suddenly , quite close to him , he heard the noise of a hoe -- scr - r - ritch , scratch , scratch , scritch . peter scuttered underneath the bushes . but presently , as nothing happened , he came out , and climbed upon a wheelbarrow , and peeped over . the first thing he saw was mr . mcgregor hoeing onions . his back was turned towards peter , and beyond him was the gate !
a white cat was staring at some gold fish ; she sat very , very still .
what was the white cat doing near the pond ?
what was the white cat doing near the pond ?