Physiology was one of the favorite studies , and Mrs. Hammond often came in to give them a little lecture , teaching them to understand the wonders of their own systems , and how to keep them in order -- a lesson of far more importance just then than Greek or Latin , for girls are the future mothers , nurses , teachers , of the race , and should feel how much depends on them . Merry could not resist the attractions of the friendly circle , and soon persuaded her mother to let her do as they did ; so she got more exercise and less study , which was just what the delicate girl needed . The first of the new ideas seemed to prosper , and the second , though suggested in joke , was carried out in earnest , for the other young people were seized with a strong desire to send something to the Fair . In fact , all sorts of queer articles were proposed , and much fun prevailed , especially among the boys , who ransacked their gardens for mammoth vegetables , sighed for five-legged calves , blue roses , or any other natural curiosity by means of which they might distinguish themselves . Ralph was the only one who had anything really worth sending ; for though Frank 's model seemed quite perfect , it obstinately refused to go , and at the last moment blew up with a report like a pop-gun . So it was laid away for repairs , and its disappointed maker devoted his energies to helping Jack keep Bun in order ; for that indomitable animal got out of every prison they put him in , and led Jack a dreadful life during that last week . At all hours of the day and night that distracted boy would start up , crying , `` There he is again ! '' and dart out to give chase and capture the villain now grown too fat to run as he once did . The very night before the Fair , Frank was wakened by a chilly draught , and , getting up to see where it came from , found Jack 's door open and bed empty , while the vision of a white ghost flitting about the garden suggested a midnight rush after old Bun . Frank watched laughingly , till poor Jack came toward the house with the gentleman in gray kicking lustily in his arms , and then whispered in a sepulchral tone , -- `` Put him in the old refrigerator , he ca n't get out of that . '' Blessing him for the suggestion , the exhausted hunter shut up his victim in the new cell , and found it a safe one , for Bun could not burrow through a sheet of zinc , or climb up the smooth walls . Jill 's quilt was a very elaborate piece of work , being bright blue with little white stars all over it ; this she finished nicely , and felt sure no patient old lady could outdo it . Merry decided to send butter , for she had been helping her mother in the dairy that summer , and rather liked the light part of the labor . She knew it would please her very much if she chose that instead of wild flowers , so she practised moulding the yellow pats into pretty shapes , that it might please both eye and taste . Molly declared she would have a little pen , and put Boo in it , as the prize fat boy -- a threat which so alarmed the innocent that he ran away , and was found two or three miles from home , asleep under the wall , with two seed-cakes and a pair of socks done up in a bundle . Being with difficulty convinced that it was a joke , he consented to return to his family , but was evidently suspicious , till Molly decided to send her cats , and set about preparing them for exhibition . The Minots ' deserted Bunny-house was rather large ; but as cats can not be packed as closely as much-enduring sheep , Molly borrowed this desirable family mansion , and put her darlings into it , where they soon settled down , and appeared to enjoy their new residence . It had been scrubbed up and painted red , cushions and plates put in , and two American flags adorned the roof . Being barred all round , a fine view of the Happy Family could be had , now twelve in number , as Molasses had lately added three white kits to the varied collection . The girls thought this would be the most interesting spectacle of all , and Grif proposed to give some of the cats extra tails , to increase their charms , especially poor Mortification , who would appreciate the honor of two , after having none for so long .
But XXXXX declined , and Grif looked about him for some attractive animal to exhibit , so that he too might go in free and come to honor , perhaps .
American Bun Frank Greek Jack Minots Molly darlings quilt second