Fits and fires were the pet afflictions , with a general massacre now and then by way of change . Nan was never tired of inventing fresh combinations , and Daisy followed her leader with blind admiration . Poor Teddy was a frequent victim , and was often rescued from real danger , for the excited ladies were apt to forget that he was not of the same stuff their longsuffering dolls . Once he was shut into the closet for a dungeon , and forgotten by the girls , who ran off to some out-of-door game . Another time he was half drowned in the bath-tub , playing be a `` cunning little whale . '' And , worst of all , he was cut down just in time after being hung up for a robber . But the institution most patronized by all was the Club . It had no other name , and it needed none , being the only one in the neighborhood . The elder lads got it up , and the younger were occasionally admitted if they behaved well . Tommy and Demi were honorary members , but were always obliged to retire unpleasantly early , owing to circumstances over which they had no control . The proceedings of this club were somewhat peculiar , for it met at all sorts of places and hours , had all manner of queer ceremonies and amusements , and now and then was broken up tempestuously , only to be re-established , however , on a firmer basis . Rainy evenings the members met in the schoolroom , and passed the time in games : chess , morris , backgammon , fencing matches , recitations , debates , or dramatic performances of a darkly tragical nature . In summer the barn was the rendezvous , and what went on there no uninitiated mortal knows . On sultry evenings the Club adjourned to the brook for aquatic exercises , and the members sat about in airy attire , frog-like and cool . On such occasions the speeches were unusually eloquent , quite flowing , as one might say ; and if any orator 's remarks displeased the audience , cold water was thrown upon him till his ardor was effectually quenched . Franz was president , and maintained order admirably , considering the unruly nature of the members . Mr. Bhaer never interfered with their affairs , and was rewarded for this wise forbearance by being invited now and then to behold the mysteries unveiled , which he appeared to enjoy much . When Nan came she wished to join the Club , and caused great excitement and division among the gentlemen by presenting endless petitions , both written and spoken , disturbing their solemnities by insulting them through the key-hole , performing vigorous solos on the door , and writing up derisive remarks on walls and fences , for she belonged to the `` Irrepressibles . '' Finding these appeals in vain , the girls , by the advice of Mrs. Jo , got up an institution of their own , which they called the Cosy Club . To this they magnanimously invited the gentlemen whose youth excluded them from the other one , and entertained these favored beings so well with little suppers , new games devised by Nan , and other pleasing festivities , that , one by one , the elder boys confessed a desire to partake of these more elegant enjoyments , and , after much consultation , finally decided to propose an interchange of civilities .
The members of the Cosy Club were invited to adorn the rival establishment on certain XXXXX , and to the surprise of the gentlemen their presence was not found to be a restraint upon the conversation or amusement of the regular frequenters ; which could not be said of all Clubs , I fancy .
Bhaer Club Demi Nan Tommy backgammon evenings hours recitations whale