She threw out grain for the handsome jays , the jaunty robins , and the neighbors ' doves , who came with soft flight to trip about on their pink feet , arching their shining necks as they cooed and pecked . Carrots and cabbage-leaves also flew out of the window for the marauding gray rabbit , last of all Jack 's half-dozen , who led him a weary life of it because they would not stay in the Bunny-house , but undermined the garden with their burrows , ate the neighbors ' plants , and refused to be caught till all but one ran away , to Jack 's great relief . This old fellow camped out for the winter , and seemed to get on very well among the cats and the hens , who shared their stores with him , and he might be seen at all hours of the day and night scampering about the place , or kicking up his heels by moonlight , for he was a desperate poacher . Jill took great delight in her pretty pensioners , who soon learned to love `` The Holly Tree Inn , '' and to feel that the Bird Room held a caged comrade ; for , when it was too cold or wet to open the windows , the doves came and tapped at the pane , the chippies sat on the ledge in plump little bunches as if she were their sunshine , the jays called her in their shrill voices to ring the dinner-bell , and the robins tilted on the spruce boughs where lunch was always to be had . The first of May came on Sunday , so all the celebrating must be done on Saturday , which happily proved fair , though too chilly for muslin gowns , paper garlands , and picnics on damp grass . Being a holiday , the boys decided to devote the morning to ball and the afternoon to the flower hunt , while the girls finished the baskets ; and in the evening our particular seven were to meet at the Minots to fill them , ready for the closing frolic of hanging on door-handles , ringing bells , and running away . `` Now I must do my Maying , for there will be no more sunshine , and I want to pick my flowers before it is dark . Come , Mammy , you go too , '' said Jill , as the last sunbeams shone in at the western window where her hyacinths stood that no fostering ray might be lost . It was rather pathetic to see the once merry girl who used to be the life of the wood-parties now carefully lifting herself from the couch , and , leaning on her mother 's strong arm , slowly take the half-dozen steps that made up her little expedition . But she was happy , and stood smiling out at old Bun skipping down the walk , the gold-edged clouds that drew apart so that a sunbeam might give her a good-night kiss as she gathered her long-cherished daisies , primroses , and hyacinths to fill the pretty basket in her hand . `` Who is it for , my dearie ? '' asked her mother , standing behind her as a prop , while the thin fingers did their work so willingly that not a flower was left . `` For My Lady , of course . Who else would I give my posies to , when I love them so well ? '' answered Jill , who thought no name too fine for their best friend . `` I fancied it would be for Master Jack , '' said her mother , wishing the excursion to be a cheerful one . `` I 've another for him , but she must have the prettiest . He is going to hang it for me , and ring and run away , and she wo n't know who it 's from till she sees this . She will remember it , for I 've been turning and tending it ever so long , to make it bloom to-day . Is n't it a beauty ? ''
and XXXXX held up her finest hyacinth , which seemed to ring its pale pink bells as if glad to carry its sweet message from a grateful little heart .
Jack Jill cabbage-leaves left muslin pensioners poacher posies robins sunbeams