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 Molly 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 . A young lady in the town owned a donkey , a small , gray beast , who insisted on tripping along the sidewalks and bumping her rider against the walls as she paused to browse at her own sweet will , regardless of blows or cries , till ready to move on . Expressing great admiration for this rare animal , Grif obtained leave to display the charms of Graciosa at the Fair . Little did she guess the dark designs entertained against her dignity , and happily she was not as sensitive to ridicule as a less humble-minded animal , so she went willingly with her new friend , and enjoyed the combing and trimming up which she received at his hands , while he prepared for the great occasion . When the morning of September 28th arrived , the town was all astir , and the Fair ground a lively scene .
The air was full of the lowing of cattle , the tramp of horses , squealing of indignant pigs , and clatter of tongues , as people and animals streamed in at the great gate and XXXXX their proper places .
adorned alarmed deserted finished flitting found get run scrubbed trimming