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 of a cat who wo n't be got rid of ? '' `` We must chloroform him , '' said Phil briskly . `` That is the most humane way . '' `` Who of us knows anything about chloroforming a cat ? '' demanded Anne gloomily . `` I do , honey . It 's one of my few -- sadly few -- useful accomplishments . I 've disposed of several at home . You take the cat in the morning and give him a good breakfast . Then you take an old burlap bag -- there 's one in the back porch -- put the cat on it and turn over him a wooden box .
Then take a two-ounce bottle of chloroform , uncork it , and slip it under the edge XXXXX the box .
about at by for if in of on that with