He ate his breakfast , licked his chops , and climbed into Anne 's lap . Anne 's heart misgave her . This poor creature loved her -- trusted her . How could she be a party to this destruction ? `` Here , take him , '' she said hastily to Phil . `` I feel like a murderess . '' `` He wo n't suffer , you know , '' comforted Phil , but Anne had fled . The fatal deed was done in the back porch . Nobody went near it that day . But at dusk Phil declared that Rusty must be buried . `` Pris and Stella must dig his grave in the orchard , '' declared Phil , `` and Anne must come with me to lift the box off . That 's the part I always hate . '' The two conspirators tip-toed reluctantly to the back porch . Phil gingerly lifted the stone she had put on the box . Suddenly , faint but distinct , sounded an unmistakable mew under the box . `` He -- he is n't dead , '' gasped Anne , sitting blankly down on the kitchen doorstep . `` He must be , '' said Phil incredulously . Another tiny mew proved that he was n't . The two girls stared at each other . `` What will we do ? ''
questioned XXXXX .
Anne Phil Pris Rusty Stella chops day misgave murderess orchard