But Joseph rashly sat up and yawned . Rusty , burning to avenge his disgrace , swooped down upon him . Joseph , pacific by nature , could fight upon occasion and fight well . The result was a series of drawn battles . Every day Rusty and Joseph fought at sight . Anne took Rusty 's part and detested Joseph . Stella was in despair . But Aunt Jamesina only laughed . `` Let them fight it out , '' she said tolerantly . `` They 'll make friends after a bit . Joseph needs some exercise -- he was getting too fat . And Rusty has to learn he is n't the only cat in the world . '' Eventually Joseph and Rusty accepted the situation and from sworn enemies became sworn friends . They slept on the same cushion with their paws about each other , and gravely washed each other 's faces . `` We 've all got used to each other , '' said Phil . `` And I 've learned how to wash dishes and sweep a floor . '' `` But you need n't try to make us believe you can chloroform a cat , '' laughed Anne . `` It was all the fault of the knothole , '' protested Phil . `` It was a good thing the knothole was there , '' said Aunt Jamesina rather severely . `` Kittens HAVE to be drowned , I admit , or the world would be overrun .
But no decent , grown-up cat should be done XXXXX death -- unless he sucks eggs . ''
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