He coolly curled up in Anne 's lap and began to purr . `` He has evidently adopted you , '' laughed Priscilla . `` I wo n't BE adopted , '' said Anne stubbornly . `` The poor creature is starving , '' said Phil pityingly . `` Why , his bones are almost coming through his skin . '' `` Well , I 'll give him a square meal and then he must return to whence he came , '' said Anne resolutely . The cat was fed and put out . In the morning he was still on the doorstep . On the doorstep he continued to sit , bolting in whenever the door was opened . No coolness of welcome had the least effect on him ; of nobody save Anne did he take the least notice . Out of compassion the girls fed him ; but when a week had passed they decided that something must be done . The cat 's appearance had improved . His eye and cheek had resumed their normal appearance ; he was not quite so thin ; and he had been seen washing his face . `` But for all that we ca n't keep him , '' said Stella . `` Aunt Jimsie is coming next week and she will bring the Sarah-cat with her . We ca n't keep two cats ; and if we did this Rusty Coat would fight all the time with the Sarah-cat . He 's a fighter by nature . He had a pitched battle last evening with the tobacco-king 's cat and routed him , horse , foot and artillery . '' `` We must get rid of him , '' agreed Anne , looking darkly at the subject of their discussion , who was purring on the hearth rug with an air of lamb-like meekness . `` But the question is -- how ?
How can four unprotected females get rid XXXXX a cat who wo n't be got rid of ? ''
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