They were better for getting out and having a frolic.

She stood beside Miss Laura for a long time, watching the calves, and laughing a great deal at their awkward gambols.

They wanted to play, but they did not seem to know how to use their limbs.
They were lean calves, and Miss Laura asked her aunt why all the nice milk they had taken had not made them fat.

"The fat will come all in good time," said Mrs.Wood.

"A fat calf makes a poor cow, and a fat, small calf isn't profitable to fit for sending to the butcher.