questions, or giving it up like a dunce”; with which crushing reply
Frank departed, leaving Jill to pack and unpack her treasures a
dozen times, and Jack to dance jigs on the lids of the trunks till
they would shut.
A very happy party set off the next day, leaving Mrs. Pecq waving
her apron on the steps. Mrs. Minot carried the lunch, Jack his
precious bundle with trifles dropping out by the way, and Jill felt
very elegant bearing her new basket with red worsted cherries
bobbing on the outside. Frank actually did take the Encyclopedia,
done up in the roll of shawls, and whenever the others wondered
about anything–tides, lighthouses, towns, or natural productions–
he brought forth one of the books and triumphantly read therefrom,
to the great merriment, if not edification, of his party.
A very short trip by rail and the rest of the journey by boat, to Jill’s
great contentment, for she hated to be shut up; and while the lads
roved here and there she sat under the awning, too happy to talk.
But Mrs. Minot watched with real satisfaction how the fresh wind
blew the color back into the pale cheeks, how the eyes shone and
the heart filled with delight at seeing the lovely world again, and
being able to take a share in its active pleasures.
The Willows was a long, low house close to the beach, and as full
as a beehive of pleasant people, all intent on having a good time. A
great many children were swarming about, and Jill found it
impossible to sleep after her journey, there was such a lively
clatter of tongues on the piazzas, and so many feet going to and fro
in the halls, She lay down obediently while Mrs. Minot settled
matters in the two airy rooms and gave her some dinner, but she
kept popping up her head to look out of the window to see what
she could see. Just opposite stood an artist’s cottage and studio,
with all manner of charming galleries, towers, steps, and even a
sort of drawbridge to pull up when the painter wished to be left in
peace. He was absent now, and the visitors took possession of this
fine play-place. Children were racing up and down the galleries,
ladies sitting in the tower, boys disporting themselves on the roof,
and young gentlemen preparing for theatricals in the large studio.
“What fun I’ll have over there,” thought Jill, watching the merry
scene with intense interest, and wondering if the little girls she saw
were as nice as Molly and Merry.
Then there were glimpses of the sea beyond the green bank where
a path wound along to the beach, whence came the cool dash of
waves, and now and then the glimmer of a passing sail.
“Oh, when can I go out? It looks so lovely, I can’t wait long,” she
said, looking as eager as a little gull shut up in a cage and pining
for its home on the wide ocean.
“As soon as it is a little cooler, dear, I’m getting ready for our trip,
but we must be careful and not do too much at once. ‘Slow and
sure’ is our motto,” answered Mrs. Minot, busily collecting the
camp-stools, the shawls, the air-cushions, and the big parasols.
“I’ll be good, only do let me have my sailor-hat to wear, and my
new suit. I’m not a bit tired, and I do want to be like other folks
right off,” said Jill, who had been improving rapidly of late, and
felt much elated at being able to drive out nearly every day, to
walk a little, and sit up some hours without any pain or fatigue.
To gratify her, the blue flannel suit with its white trimming was
put on, and Mamma was just buttoning the stout boots when Jack
thundered at the door, and burst in with all sorts of glorious news.
“Do come out, mother, it’s perfectly splendid on the beach! I’ve
found a nice place for Jill to sit, and it’s only a step. Lots of capital
fellows here; one has a bicycle, and is going to teach us to ride. No