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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 ~ 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； everyone 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； hut 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 Jack；
who was heartily tired of him。
Ralph's bust was the best of all； for not only did it get a prize； and
was much admired； but a lady； who found Jill and Merry rejoicing
over it； was so pleased with the truth and grace of the little head；
that she asked about the artist； and whether he would do one of her
own child； who was so delicate she feared he might not live long。
Merry gladly told the story of her ambitious friend； and went to
find him； that he might secure the order。 While she was gone； Jill
took up the tale； gratefully telling how kind he had been to her；
how patiently he worked and waited； and how much he longed to
go abroad。 Fortunately the lady was rich and generous； as well as
fond of art； and being pleased with the bust； and interested in the
young sculptor； gave him the order wher~ he came； and filled his
soul with joy by adding； that； if it suited her when done； it should
be put into marble。 She lived in the city； and Ralph soon arranged
his work so that he could give up his noon hour； and go to model
the child； for every penny he could earn or save now was very
precious； as he still hoped to go abroad。
The girls were so delighted with this good fortune； that they did
not stay for the races； but went home to tell the happy news；
leaving the boys to care for the cats； and enjoy the various matches
to come off that day。
〃I'm so glad I tried to look pleasant when I was lying on the board
while Ralph did my head； for the pleasantness got into the clay
face； and that made the lady like it；〃 said Jill； as she lay resting on
the sofa。
〃I always thought it was a dear； bright little face； but now I love
and admire it more than ever；〃 cried Merry； kissing it gratefully； as
she remembered the help and pleasure it had given Ralph。
Chapter 24 Down the River
A fortnight later； the boys were picking apples one golden October
afternoon； and the girls were hurrying to finish their work； that
they might go and help the harvesters。 It was six weeks now Since
the new school began； and they had learned to like it very much；
though they found that it was not all play； by any means。 But
lessons； exercise； and various sorts of housework made an
agreeable change； and they felt that they were learning things
which would be useful to them all their lives。 They had been
making underclothes for themselves； and each had several neatly
finished garments cut； fitted； and sewed by herself； and trimmed
with the pretty tatting Jill made in such quantities while she lay on
her sofa。
Now they were completing new dressing sacks； and had enjoyed
this job very much； as each chose her own material； and suited her
own taste in the making。 Jill's was white； with tiny scarlet leaves
all over it； trimmed with red braid and buttons so like
checkerberries she was tempted to eat them。 Molly's was gay； with
bouquets of every sort of flower； scalloped all round； and adorned
with six buttons； each of a different color； which she thought the
last touch of elegance。 Merry's； though the simplest； was the
daintiest of the three； being pale blue； trimmed with delicate
edging； and beautifully made。
Mrs。 Minot had been reading from Miss Strickland's 〃Queens of
England〃 while the girls worked； and an illustrated Sliakspeare lay
open on the table； as well as several fine photographs of historical
places for them to look at as they went along。 The hour was over
now； the teacher gone； and the pupils setting the last stitches as
they talked over the lesson； which had interested them
exceedingly。
〃I really believe I have got Henry's six wives into my head right at
last。 Two Annes； three Katherines； and one Jane。 Now I've seen
where they lived and heard their stories； I quite feel as if I knew
them；〃 said Merry； shaking the threads off her work before she
folded it up to carry home。
〃King Henry the Eighth to six spouses was wedded；
One died； one survived； two divorced； tw