These objects of interest were soon arranged , and the girls went to admire Merry 's golden butter cups among the green leaves , under which lay the ice that kept the pretty flowers fresh . The boys were down below , where the cackling was very loud , but not loud enough to drown the sonorous bray which suddenly startled them as much as it did the horses outside . A shout of laughter followed , and away went the lads , to see what the fun was , while the girls ran out on the balcony , as someone said , `` It 's that rogue of a Grif with some new joke . '' It certainly was , and , to judge from the peals of merriment , the joke was a good one . In at the gate came a two-headed donkey , ridden by Grif , in great spirits at his success , for the gate-keeper laughed so he never thought to ask for toll . A train of boys followed him across the ground , lost in admiration of the animal and the cleverness of her rider . Among the stage properties of the Dramatic Club was the old ass 's head once used in some tableaux from `` Midsummer Night 's Dream . '' This Grif had mended up , and fastened by means of straps and a collar to poor Graciosa 's neck , hiding his work with a red cloth over her back . One eye was gone , but the other still opened and shut , and the long ears wagged by means of strings , which he slyly managed with the bridle , so the artificial head looked almost as natural as the real one . The funniest thing of all was the innocent air of Graciosa , and the mildly inquiring expression with which she now and then turned to look at or to smell of the new ornament as if she recognized a friend 's face , yet was perplexed by its want of animation . She vented her feelings in a bray , which Grif imitated , convulsing all hearers by the sound as well as by the wink the one eye gave , and the droll waggle of one erect ear , while the other pointed straight forward . The girls laughed so at the ridiculous sight that they nearly fell over the railing , and the boys were in ecstasies , especially when Grif , emboldened by his success , trotted briskly round the race-course , followed by the cheers of the crowd . Excited by the noise , Graciosa did her best , till the false head , loosened by the rapid motion , slipped round under her nose , causing her to stop so suddenly that Grif flew off , alighting on his own head with a violence which would have killed any other boy . Sobered by his downfall , he declined to mount again , but led his steed to repose in a shed , while he rejoined his friends , who were waiting impatiently to congratulate him on his latest and best prank . The Committee went their rounds soon after , and , when the doors were again opened , every one hurried to see if their articles had received a premium . A card lay on the butter cups , and Mrs. Grant was full of pride because her butter always took a prize , and this proved that Merry was walking in her mother 's steps , in this direction at least . Another card swung from the blue quilt , for the kindly judges knew who made it , and were glad to please the little girl , though several others as curious but not so pretty hung near by . The cats were admired , but , as they were not among the animals usually exhibited , there was no prize awarded . Gus hoped his hens would get one ; but somebody else outdid him , to the great indignation of Laura and Lotty , who had fed the white biddies faithfully for months . Jack was sure his rabbit was the biggest there , and went eagerly to look for his premium .
But neither card nor Bun were to be seen , for the old rascal had escaped for the last time , and was never seen again ; which was a great comfort to XXXXX , who was heartily tired of him .
Committee Grant Grif Gus Jack cackling quilt race-course tableaux waggle