`` It sounds easy , '' said Anne dubiously . `` It IS easy . Just leave it to me . I 'll see to it , '' said Phil reassuringly . Accordingly the chloroform was procured , and the next morning Rusty was lured to his doom . 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 XXXXX the kitchen doorstep .
Phil in into like murderess near on to under with