第15章

andFrankwentpacingonagainwiththebrightlookhiseyesalwaysworewhenhelistenedtomusicorreadofsomenobleaction。

"That\'swhatMerrysaidwhensheandMollycameinontheirwayhome。ButMollyfeltdreadfully,andsodidMabel。Shebroughtmetheseflowerstopress,forweareallgoingtokeepsometorememberdearEdby,"saidJill,carefullysmoothingoutthelittlebellsasshelaidtheliliesinherhymn—book,forshetoohadhadathoughtfulhourwhileshelayalone,imaginingallthatwentoninthechurch,andsheddingafewtendertearsoverthefriendwhowasalwayssokindtoher。

"Idon\'twantanythingtorememberhimby。Iwassofondofhim,I

couldn\'tforgetifItried。IknowIoughtnottosayit,butIdon\'tseewhyGodlethimdie,"saidJack,withaquiverinhisvoice,forhislovingheartcouldnothelpachingstill。

"No,dear,wecannotseeorknowmanythingsthatgrieveusverymuch,butwecantrustthatitisright,andtrytobelievethatallismeantforourgood。Thatiswhatfaithmeans,andwithoutitwearemiserable。Whenyouwerelittle,youwereafraidofthedark,butifIspokeortouchedyou,thenyouweresureallwaswell,andfellasleepholdingmyhand。Godiswiserandstrongerthananyfatherormother,soholdfasttoHim,andyouwillhavenodoubtorfear,howeverdarkitseems。"

"Asyoudo,"saidJack,goingtositonthearmofMamma\'schair,withhischeektohers,willingtotrustasshebadehim,hutgladtoholdfastthelivinghandthathadledandcomfortedhimallhislife。

"EdusedtosaytomewhenIfrettedaboutgettingwell,andthoughtnobodycaredforme,whichwasverynaughty,\'Don\'tbetroubled,Godwon\'tforgetyou;andifyoumustbelame,Hewillmakeyouabletobearit,"saidJill,softly,herquicklittlemindallalivewithnewthoughtsandfeelings。

"Hebelievedit,andthat\'swhyhelikedthathymnsomuch。I\'mgladtheysungitto—day,"saidFrank,bringinghisheavydictionarytolayonthebookwheretheflowerswerepressing。

"Oh,thankyou！Couldyouplaythattuneforme？I\'didn\'thearit,andI\'dloveto,ifyouarewilling,"askedJill。

"I\'didn\'tthinkIevershouldwanttoplayagain,butI\'do。Willyousingitforher,mother？I\'mafraidIshallbreakdownifItryalone。

"Wewillallsing,musicisgoodforusnow,"saidMamma;andinratherbrokenvoicestheydidsingEd\'sfavoritewords:

"NotasparrowfallethbutitsGodclothknow,Justaswhenhismandatelaysamonarchlow;

Notaleafletmoveth,butitsGodclothsee,Thinknot,then,Omortal,Godforgetteththee。

FarmoreprecioussurelythanthebirdsthatflyIsaFather\'simagetoaFather\'seye。

E\'enthyhairsarenumbered;trustHimfullandfree,CastthycaresbeforeHim,Hewillcomfortthee;

FortheGodthatplantedinthybreastasoul,Onhissacredtablesdcththynameenroll。

Cheerthineheart,then,niortal,neverfaithlessbe,Hethatmarksthesparrowswillrememberthee。"

Chapter21PebblyBeach"Now,Mr。Jack,itisamoralimpossibilitytogetallthosethingsintoonetrunk,andyoumustn\'taskitofme,"saidMrs。Pecq,inatoneofdespair,asshesurveyedtheheapoftreasuresshewasexpectedtopackfortheboys。

"Nevermindtheclothes,weonlywantaboating—suitapiece。

Mammacanputafewcollarsinhertrunkforus;butthesenecessarythingsmustgo,"answeredJack,addinghistargetandair—pistoltothepileofbats,fishing—tackle,games,andachoicecollectionofshabbyballs。

"Thosearethenecessariesandclothestheluxuries,arethey？Whydon\'tyouaddavelocipede,wheelbarrow,andprinting—press,mydear？"askedMrs。Pecq,whileJillturneduphernoseat"boys\'

rubbish。"

"WishIcould。Daresayweshallwantthem。Womendon\'tknowwhatfellowsneed,andalwaysmustputinalotofstiffshirtsandcleanhandkerchiefsandclothes—brushesandpotsofcoldcream。

Wearegoingtoroughit,anddon\'twantanyfussandfeathers,"

saidJack,beginningtopackthepreciousballsinhisrubberboots,andstrapthemupwiththeumbrellas,rods,andbats,seeingthattherewasnohopeofaplaceinthetrunk。

HereFrankcameinwithtwobigbooks,sayingcalmly,"Justsliptheseinsomewhere,weshallneedthem。"

"Butyouarenottostudyatall,soyouwon\'twantthosegreatdictionaries,"criedJill,busilypackinghernewtravelling—basketwithallsortsoflittlerolls,bags,andboxes。

"Theyarenotdics,butmyEncyclopedia。Weshallwanttoknowheapsofthings,andthistellsabouteverything。Withthosebooks,andamicroscopeandatelescope,youcouldtravelroundtheworld,andlearnallyouwantedto。Can\'tpossiblygetonwithoutthem,"saidFrank,fondlypattinghisfavoritework。

"Mypatience！Whatqueercattleboysare！"exclaimedMrs。Pecq,whiletheyalllaughed。"Itcan\'tbedone,Mr。Frank;alltheboxesarebrimfull,andyou\'llhavetoleavethosefatbooksbehind,forthere\'snoplaceanywhere。"

"ThenI\'llcarrythemmyself";andFranktuckedoneundereacharm,withadeterminedair,whichsettledthematter。

"Isupposeyou\'llstudycockleologyinsteadofboating,andreaduponpolywogswhileweplaytennis,orgopokingroundwithyouroldspy—glassinsteadofhavingajollygoodtime,"saidJack,haulingawayonthestraptillallwastautandship—shapewiththebundle。

"Tadpolesdon\'tliveinsaltwater,myson,andifyoumeanconchology,you\'dbettersayso。IshallplayasmuchasIwish,andwhenIwanttoknowaboutanyneworcuriousthing,IshallconsultmyCyclo,insteadofbotheringotherpeoplewithquestions,orgivingituplikeadunce";withwhichcrushingreplyFrankdeparted,leavingJilltopackandunpackhertreasuresadozentimes,andJacktodancejigsonthelidsofthetrunkstilltheywouldshut。

Averyhappypartysetoffthenextday,leavingMrs。Pecqwavingheraprononthesteps。Mrs。Minotcarriedthelunch,Jackhispreciousbundlewithtriflesdroppingoutbytheway,andJillfeltveryelegantbearinghernewbasketwithredworstedcherriesbobbingontheoutside。FrankactuallydidtaketheEncyclopedia,doneupintherollofshawls,andwhenevertheotherswonderedaboutanything——tides,lighthouses,towns,ornaturalproductions——

hebroughtforthoneofthebooksandtriumphantlyreadtherefrom,tothegreatmerriment,ifnotedification,ofhisparty。

Averyshorttripbyrailandtherestofthejourneybyboat,toJill\'sgreatcontentment,forshehatedtobeshutup;andwhiletheladsrovedhereandthereshesatundertheawning,toohappytotalk。

ButMrs。Minotwatchedwithrealsatisfactionhowthefreshwindblewthecolorbackintothepalecheeks,howtheeyesshoneandtheheartfilledwithdelightatseeingthelovelyworldagain,andbeingabletotakeashareinitsactivepleasures。

TheWillowswasalong,lowhouseclosetothebeach,andasfullasabeehiveofpleasantpeople,allintentonhavingagoodtime。A

greatmanychildrenwereswarmingabout,andJillfounditimpossibletosleepafterherjourney,therewassuchalivelyclatteroftonguesonthepiazzas,andsomanyfeetgoingtoandfrointhehalls,ShelaydownobedientlywhileMrs。Minotsettledmattersinthetwoairyroomsandgavehersomedinner,butshekeptpoppingupherheadtolookoutofthewindowtoseewhatshecouldsee。Justoppositestoodanartist\'scottageandstudio,withallmannerofcharminggalleries,towers,steps,andevenasortofdrawbridgetopullupwhenthepainterwishedtobeleftinpeace。Hewasabsentnow,andthevisitorstookpossessionofthisfineplay—place。Childrenwereracingupanddownthegalleries,ladiessittinginthetower,boysdisportingthemselvesontheroof,andyounggentlemenpreparingfortheatricalsinthelargestudio。

"WhatfunI\'llhaveoverthere,"thoughtJill,watchingthemerryscenewithintenseinterest,andwonderingifthelittlegirlsshesawwereasniceasMollyandMerry。

Thentherewereglimpsesoftheseabeyondthegreenbankwhereapathwoundalongtothebeach,whencecamethecooldashofwaves,andnowandthentheglimmerofapassingsail。

"Oh,whencanIgoout？Itlookssolovely,Ican\'twaitlong,"shesaid,lookingaseagerasalittlegullshutupinacageandpiningforitshomeonthewideocean。

"Assoonasitisalittlecooler,dear,I\'mgettingreadyforourtrip,butwemustbecarefulandnotdotoomuchatonce。\'Slowandsure\'isourmotto,"answeredMrs。Minot,busilycollectingthecamp—stools,theshawls,theair—cushions,andthebigparasols。

"I\'llbegood,onlydoletmehavemysailor—hattowear,andmynewsuit。I\'mnotabittired,andIdowanttobelikeotherfolksrightoff,"saidJill,whohadbeenimprovingrapidlyoflate,andfeltmuchelatedatbeingabletodriveoutnearlyeveryday,towalkalittle,andsitupsomehourswithoutanypainorfatigue。

Togratifyher,theblueflannelsuitwithitswhitetrimmingwasputon,andMammawasjustbuttoningthestoutbootswhenJackthunderedatthedoor,andburstinwithallsortsofgloriousnews。

"Docomeout,mother,it\'sperfectlysplendidonthebeach！I\'vefoundaniceplaceforJilltosit,andit\'sonlyastep。Lotsofcapitalfellowshere;onehasabicycle,andisgoingtoteachustoride。Noendoffunupatthehotel,andeveryoneseemsgladtoseeus。TwoladiesaskedaboutJill,andoneofthegirlshasgotsomeshellsallreadyforher,GertySomebody,andhermotherissoprettyandjolly,Ilikehereversomuch。Theysitatourtable,andWallyistheboy,youngerthanIam,butverypleasant。Baconisthefellowinknickerbockers;justwishyoucouldseewhatstoutlegshe\'sgot！

Coxisthechapforme,though:wearegoingfishingto—morrow。

He\'sgotasweet—lookingmother,andasisterforyou,Jill。Now,then,docomeon,I\'lltakethetraps。"

Offtheywent,andJillthoughtthatveryshortwalktotheshorethemostdelightfulsheevertook;forpeoplesmiledatthelittleinvalidasshewentslowlybyleaningonMrs。Minot\'sarm,whileJackprancedinfront,doingthehonors,asifheownedthewholeAtlantic。Anewworldopenedtohereyesastheycameoutuponthepebblybeachfullofpeopleenjoyingtheirafternoonpromenade。JillsaveonerapturousOh。andthensatonherstool,forgettingeverythingbutthebeautifulblueoceanrollingawaytomeetthesky,withnothingtobreakthewideexpansebutasailhereandthere,apointofrocksononehand,thelittlepierontheother,andwhitegullsskimmingbyontheirwidewings。

Whileshesatenjoyingherself,Jackshowedhismothertheplacehehadfound,andaveryniceoneitwas。Justunderthegreenbanklayanoldboatproppedupwithsomebigstones。Awillowdroopedoverit,thetiderippledupwithinafewyardsofit,andafineviewofthewavescouldbeseenasthey\'dashedovertherocksatthepoint。

"Isn\'titagoodcubby—house？BenCoxandIfixeditforJill,andshecanhaveitforhers。Puthercushionsandthingsthereonthesandthechildrenhavethrownin——thatwillmakeitsoft;thentheseseatswilldofortables;andupinthebowI\'mgoingtohavethatoldrustytinboilerfullofsalt—water,soshecanputseaweedandcrabsandallsorts0cchapsinhforanaquatium,youknow,"

explainedJack,greatlyinterestedinestablishinghisfamilycomfortablybeforeheleftthem。

"Therecouldn\'tbeanicerplace,anditisverykindofyoutogetitready。SpreadtheshawlsandsettleJill,thenyouneedn\'tthinkofusanymore,butgoandscramblewithFrank。Iseehimovertherewithhisspy—glassandsomepleasant—lookingboys,"saidMamma,bustlingaboutingreatspirits。

Sotheredcushionswereplaced,theplaidslaid,andthelittlework—basketsetupontheseat,allreadyforJill,whowascharmedwithhernest,andcuddleddownunderthebigparasol,declaringshewouldkeephousethereeveryday。

Eventheoldboilerpleasedher,andJackracedoverthebeachtobeginhissearchforinhabitantsforthenewaquarium,leavingJilltomakefriendswithsomeprettybabiesdigginginthesand,whileMammasatonthecamp—stoolandtalkedwithafriendfromHarmonyVillage。

Itseemedasiftherecouldnotbeanythingmoredelightfulthantolietherelulledbythesoundofthesea,watchingthesunsetandlisteningtothepleasantbabbleoflittlevoicescloseby。Butwhenthcywenttoteainthegreathall,withsixtablesfullofmerrypeople,andhalfadozenmaidsflyingabout,Jillthoughtthatwasevenbetter,becauseitwassonewtoher。GertyandWallynoddedtoher,andtheirprettymammawassokindandsogay,rhatJillcouldnotfeelbashfulafterthefirstfewminutes,andsoonlookedabouther,sureofseeingfriendlyfaceseverywhere。FrankandJackateasifthesaltairbadalreadyimprovedtheirappetites,aridtalkedaboutBaconandCoxasiftheyhadbeenbosomfriendsforyears。Mammawasashappyastheyforherfriend,Mrs。

Hammond,satcloseby;andthisrosylady,whohadbeenaphysician,cheeredherupbypredictingthatJillwouldsoonberunningaboutaswellasever。

Butthebestofallwasintheevening,whentheelderpeoplegatheredintheparlorsandplayedTwentyQuestions,whilethechildrenlookedonforanhourbeforegoingtobed,muchamusedatthesightofgrownpeoplelaughing,squabbling,dodging,andjokingasiftheyhadallbecomeyoungagain;for,aseveryoneknows,itisimpossibletohelplivelyskirmisheswhenthatgameisplayed。Jilllayinthesofacornerenjoyingitallimmensely;forsheneversawanythingsodroll,andfounditcapitalfuntohelpguessthething,ortrytopuzzletheoppositeside。Herquickwitsandbrightfaceattractedpeople,andinthepausesofthesportsheheldquitealevee,foreverybodywasinterestedinthelittleinvalid。Thegirlsshylymadefriendsintheirownway,themammastoldthrillingtalesoftheaccidentstheirdarlingshadsurvived,severalgentlemenkindlyofferedtheirboats,andtheboys,withthebestintentionsinlife,suggestedstrollsoftwoorthreemilestoRafe\'sChasmandNorman\'sWoe,orinvitedhertotennisandarchery,asifviolentexercisewasthecureforallhumanills。Shewasverygrateful,andreluctantlywentawaytobed,declaring,whenshegotupstairs,thatthesenewfriendswerethedearestpeoplesheevermet,andtheWillowsthemostdelightfulplaceinthewholeworld。

Nextdayanewlifebeganfortheyoungfolks——averyhealthy,happylife;andallthrewthemselvesintoitsoheartily,thatitwasimpossibletohelpgettinggreatgoodfromit,forthesesummerweeks,ifwellspent,workmiraclesintiredbodiesandsouls。

Franktookafancytothebicycleboy,and,beingabletohireoneofthebreakneckarticles,soonlearnedtorideit;andthetwomightbeseenwildlyworkingtheirlonglegsoncertainsmoothstretchesofroad,orgettinguptheirmusclerowingaboutthebaytilltheywerealmostasbrownandnauticalinappearanceandlanguageasthefishermenwholivedinnooksandcornersalongtheshore。

JackstruckupagreatfriendshipwiththesturdyBaconandtheagreeableCox:thelatter,beingabouthisownage,washisespecialfavorite;andtheysoonwerecalledBoxandCoxbytheotherfellows,whichdidnotannoythemabit,asbothhadplayedpartsinthatimmortalfarce。Theyhadcapitaltimesfishing,scramblingovertherocks,playingballandtennis,andrainydaystheytookpossessionofthestudioopposite,drewuptheportcullis,andgallantlydefendedthecastle,whichsomeoftheothersbesiegedwitholdumbrellasforshields,batsforbattering—rams,andbunchesofburrsforcannon—balls。Greatlarkswentonoverthere,whilethegirlsapplaudedfromthepiazzaorchamber—windows,andmadeagayflagforthevictorstodisplayfromthetowerwhenthefightwasover。

ButJillhadthebesttimeofall,foreachdaybroughtincreasingstrengthandspirits,andsheimprovedsofastitwashardtobelievethatshewasthesamegirlwholaysolongalmosthelplessintheBirdRoomathome。SuchlivelylettersasshesentherW1o~he~,allaboulhernewfriends,herfinesails,drives,andlittlewalks;

thegoodtimesshehadintheevening,thelovelythingspeoplegaveher,andshewaslearningtomakewithshellsandsea—weed,andwhatsplendidfunitwastokeephouseinaboat。

Thislastamusementsoongrewquiteabsorbing,andher"cubby,"

asshecalledit,rapidlybecameaprettygrotto,whereshelivedlikealittlemermaid,dailylovingmoreandmorethebeautyofthewonderfulsea,Findingtheboattoosunnyattimes,theboyscutlongwillowboughsandarchedthemovertheseats,layinghemlockbranchesacrosstillagreenroofmadeitcoolandshadyinside。ThereJillsatorlayamonghercushionsreading,tryingtosketch,sortingshells,dryinggaysea—weeds,orwatchinghercrabs,jelly—fish,andanemonesintheoldboiler,nowburiedinsandandedgedaboutwithmossfromthewoods。

Nobodydisturbedhertreasures,butkindlyaddedtothem,andoftenwhenshewenttohernestshefoundfruitorflowers,booksorbon—bons,laidreadyforher。Everyonepitiedandlikedthebrightlittlegirlwhocouldnotrunandfriskwiththerest,whowassopatientandcheerfulafterherlongconfinement,readytohelpothers,andsogratefulforanysmallfavor。Shefoundnowthatthewearymonthshadnotbeenwasted,andwasveryhappytodiscoverinherselfanewsortofstrengthandsweetnessthatwasnotonlyacomforttoher,butmadethoseaboutherloveandtrusther。Thesongsshehadlearnedattractedthebabies,whowouldleavetheirplaytopeepatherandlistenwhenshesungoverherwork。Passers—bypausedtoheartheblithevoiceofthebirdinthegreencage,andotherinvalids,strollingonthebeach,wouldtakeheartwhentheysawthechildsohappyinspiteofhergreattrial。

Theboyskeptalltheirmarinecuriositiesforher,andwerealwaysreadytotakeheraroworasail,asthebaywassafeandthatsortoftravellingsuitedherbetterthandriving。Butthegirlshadcapitaltimestogether,anditdidJillgoodtoseeanothersortfromthosesheknewathome。Shehadbeensomuchpettedoflate,thatshewasgettingrathervainofhersmallaccomplishments,andbeingwithstrangersricher,betterbredandeducatedthanherself,madehermorehumbleinsomethings,whileitshowedhertheworthofsuchvirtuesasshecouldhonestlyclaim。MamieCoxtookhertodriveinthefinecarriageofhermamma,andJillwasmuchimpressedbythefactthatMamiewasnotabitproudaboutit,anddidnotputonanyairs,thoughshehadamaidtotakecareofher。

Gertyworeprettycostumes,andcamedownwithpinkandblueribbonsinherhairthatJillenviedverymuch;yetGertylikedhercurls,andlongedtohavesome,whilehermother,"theladyfromPhiladelphia,"astheycalledher,wassokindandgaythatJillquiteadoredher,andalwaysfeltasifsunshinehadcomeintotheroomwhensheentered。Twolittlesisterswereveryinterestingtoher,andmadeherlongforoneofherownwhenshesawthemgoingabouttogetherandheardthemtalkoftheirpleasanthome,wherethegreatsilkfactorieswere。Buttheyinvitedhertocomeandseethewonderfulcocoons,andtaughthertoknotprettygrayfringeonacushion,whichdelightedher,beingsonewandeasy。

Therewereseveralothernicelittlelasses,andtheyallgatheredaboutJillwiththesweetsympathychildrenaresoquicktoshowtowardthoseinpainormisfortune。Shethoughttheywouldnotcareforapoorlittlegirllikeherself,yethereshewasthequeenofthetroupe,andthisdiscoverytouchedandpleasedherverymuch。

Inthemorningtheycampedroundtheboatonthestoneswithbooks,gaywork,andmerrychatter,tillbathing—time。Thenthebeachwasfulloflifeandfun,foreveryonelookedsodrollintheflannelsuits,itwashardtobelievethattheneatladiesandrespectablegentlemenwhowentintothelittlehousescouldbethesamepersonsasthequeer,short—skirtedwomenwitholdhatstieddown,andbareheaded,barefootedmeninoldsuits,whocameskippingoverthesandtodisportthemselvesintheseainthemostundignifiedways。Theboysracedabout,lookinglikecircus—

tumblers,andthebabieswereregularlittlecupids,runningawayfromthewavesthattriedtokisstheirflyingfeet。

Someoftheyoungladiesandgirlswerefamousswimmers,andlookedveryprettyintheirbrightredandbluecostumes,withloosehairandgaystockings,asthey\'dancedintothewaterandfloatedawayasfearlesslyasrealmermaidens。Jillhadherquietdipandgoodrubbingeachfineday,andthenlayuponthewarmsandwatchingthepranksoftheothers,andlongingtorunanddiveandshoutandtumblewiththerest。Nowthatshewasamongthewellandactive,itseemedhardertobepatientthanwhenshutupandunabletostir。Shefeltsomuchbetter,andhadsolittlepaintoremindherofpasttroubles,itwasalmostimpossibletohelpforgettingthepoorbackandlettingherrecoveredspiritsrunawaywithher。IfMrs。Minothadnotkeptgoodwatch,shewouldhavebeenoffmorethanonce,soeagerwasshetobe"likeothergirls"

again,sodifficultwasittokeeptherestlessfeetquietlyfoldedamongtheredcushions。

Onedayshedidyieldtotemptation,andtookalittlevoyagewhichmighthavebeenherlast,owingtothecarelessnessofthosewhomshetrusted。Itwasagoodlesson,andmadeherasmeekasalambduringtherestofherstay。Mrs。MinotdrovetoGloucesteroneafternoon,leavingJillsafelyestablishedafterhernapintheboat,withGertyandMamiemakinglacebesideher。

"Don\'ttrytowalkorrunabout,mydear。Sitonthepiazzaifyougettiredofthis,andamuseyourselfquietlytillIcomeback。I\'llnotforgettheworstedandthecanvas,"saidMamma,peepingoverthebankforalastwordasshewaitedfortheomnibustocomealong。

"Oh,don\'tforgettheGibraltars！"criedJill,poppingherheadoutofthegreenroof。

"Northebananas,please！"addedGerty,lookingroundoneend。

"Northepinkandblueribbontotieourshell—baskets,"calledMamie,nearlytumblingintotheaquariumattheotherend。

Mrs。Minotlaughed,andpromised,andrumbledaway,leavingJilltoanexperiencewhichsheneverforgot。

Forhalfanhourthelittlegirlsworkedbusily,thentheboyscameforGertyandMamietogototheChasmwithapartyoffriendswhoweretoleavenextday。Offtheywent,andJillfeltverylonelyasthegayvoicesdiedaway。Everyonehadgonesomewhere,andonlylittleHarryHammondandhismaidwereonthebeach。Twoorthreesand—pipersranaboutamongthepebbles,andJillenviedthemtheirnimblelegssomuch,thatshecouldnotresistgettinguptotakeafewsteps。Shelongedtorunstraightawayoverthefirm,smoothsand,andfeelagainthedelightofswiftmotion;butshedarednottryit,andstoodleaningonhertallparasolwithherbookinherhand,whenFrank,Jack,andthebicycleboycamerowinglazilyalongandhailedher。

"Comeforasail,Jill？Takeyouanywhereyoulike,"calledJack,touchedbythelonelyfigureonthebeach。

"I\'dlovetogo,ifyouwillrow。Mammamademepromisenottogosailingwithoutamantotakecareofme。Woulditspoilyourfuntohaveme？"answeredJill,eagerly。

"Notabit;comeoutonthebigstonesandwe\'lltakeyouaboard,"

saidFrank,astheysteeredtotheplacewhereshecouldembarktheeasiest。

"AlltherestaregonetotheChasm。Iwantedtogo,becauseI\'veneverseenit;but,ofcourse,Ihadtogiveitup,asIdomostofthefun";andJillsatdownwithanimpatientsigh。

"We\'llrowyouroundthere。Can\'tland,butyoucanseetheplaceandshouttotheothers,ifthatwillbeanycomforttoyou,"

proposedFrank,astheypulledawayroundthepier。

"Oh,yes,thatwouldbelovely！"andJillsmiledatJack,whowassteering,forshefounditimpossibletobedismalnowwiththefreshwindblowinginherface,thebluewavesslappingagainsttheboat,andthreegood—naturedladsreadytogratifyherwishes。

Awaytheywent,laughingandtalkinggaylytilltheycametoGoodwin\'sRocks,whereanunusualnumberofpeopleweretobeseenthoughthetidewasgoingout,andnowhitespraywasdashinghighintotheairtomakeasightworthseeing。

\'Whatdoyousupposetheyareabout？Neversawsuchalotoffolksatthistime。Shouldn\'twonderifsomethinghadhappened。I

say,putmeashore,andI\'llcutupandsee,"saidthebicycleboy,whowasofaninquiringturn。

"I\'llgowithyou,"saidFrank;"itwon\'ttakebutaminute,andI\'dliketodiscoverwhatitis。Maybesomethingweoughttoknowabout。"

Sotheboyspulledroundintoaquietnook,andthetwoelderonesscrambleduptherocks,todisappearinthecrowd。Five,ten,fifteenminutespassed,andtheydidnotreturn。Jackgrewimpatient,sodidJill,andbadehimrunupandbringthemback。

Gladtoknowwhatkeptthem,Jackdeparted,tobeswallowedupinhisturn,fornotasignofaboydidsheseeafterthat;and,havingvainlystrainedhereyestodiscovertheattractionwhichheldthem,shegaveitup,laydownontheirjackets,andbegantoread。

Thenthetreacheroustide,asitebbedlowerandlowerdownthebeach,begantoluretheboataway;foritwasnotfastened,andwhenlightenedofitsloadwasaneasyprizetothehungrysea,alwaysreadytostealallitcan。Jillknewnothingofthis,forherstorywasdull,thegentlemotionprovedsoothing,andbeforesheknewitshewasasleep。Littlebylittletherunawayboatslidfartherfromtheshore,andpresentlywasfloatingouttoseawithitsdrowsyfreight,whilethecarelessboys,unconsciousofthetimetheywerewasting,lingeredtoseegroupaftergroupphotographedbytheenterprisingmanwhohadtrundledhiscameratotherocks。

Inthemidstofadreamabouthome,Jillwasrousedbyaloudshout,and,startingupsosuddenlythatthesun—umbrellawentoverboard,shefoundherselfsailingoffalone,whilethedistractedladsroaredandbeckonedvainlyfromthecove。Theoarslayattheirfeet,wheretheyleftthem;andthepoorchildwasquitehelpless,forshecouldnotmanagethesail,andeventheparasol,withwhichshemighthavepaddledalittle,hadgonedownwithallsailset。Foraminute,Jillwassofrightenedthatshecouldonlylookaboutherwithascaredface,andwonderifdrowningwasaverydisagreeablething。ThenthesightofthebicycleboystrugglingwithJack,whoseemedinclinedtoswimafterher,andFrankshoutingwildly,"Holdon！Comeback！"madeherlaughinspiteofherfear,itwassocomical,andtheirdistresssomuchgreaterthanhers,sinceitwastheirowncarelessnesswhichcausedthetrouble。

"Ican\'tcomeback！There\'snothingtoholdonto！Youdidn\'tfastenme,andnowIdon\'tknowwhereI\'mgoing！"criedJill,lookingfromtheshoretothetreacherousseathatwasgentlycarryingheraway。

"Keepcool！We\'llgetaboatandcomeafteryou,~roaredFrank,beforehefollowedJack,whohadcollectedhiswitsandwastearinguptherockslikeachamoishunter。

Thebicycleboycalmlysatdowntokeephiseyeontherunaway,callingoutfromtimetotimesuchcheeringremarksas"AllaboardforLiverpool！GivemylovetoVictoria！LuffandbearawaywhenyoucometoHalifax！Ifyouarehardupforprovisions,you\'llfindanappleandsomebaitinmycoat—pocket,"andotherdirectionsforacomfortablevoyage,tillhisvoicewaslostinthedistanceasastrongercurrentboreherswiftlyawayandthebigwavesbegantotumbleandsplash。

AtfirstJillhadlaughedathiseffortstokeepupherspirits,butwhentheboatfloatedroundapointofrockthatshutinthecove,shefeltallalone,andsatquitestill,wonderingwhatwouldbecomeofher。Sheturnedherbacktotheseaandlookedatthedear,safeland,whichneverhadseemedsogreenandbeautifulbefore。UponthehillrustledthewoodthroughwhichthehappypartywerewanderingtotheChasm。Ontherocksshestillsawthecrowdallbusywiththeirownaffairs,unconsciousofherdanger。

Hereandthereartistsweresketchinginpicturesquespots,andinoneplaceanoldgentlemansatfishingpeacefully。Jillcalledandwavedherhandkerchief,butheneverlookedup,andanuglylittledogbarkedatherinwhatseemedtoheramostcruelway。

"Nobodyseesorhearsorcares,andthosehorridboyswillnevercatchup！"shecriedindespair,astheboatbegantorockmoreandmore,andtheloudswashofwaterdashinginandoutoftheChasmdrewnearerandnearer。Holdingonnowwithbothhandssheturnedandlookedstraightbeforeher,paleandshivering,whilehereyestriedtoseesomesignofhopeamongthesteepcliffsthatroseupontheleft。Noonewasthere,thoughusuallyatthishourtheywerefullofvisitors,anditwastimeforthewalkerstohavearrived。

"IwonderifGertyandMamiewillbesorryifI\'mdrowned,"

thoughtJill,rememberingthepoorgirlwhohadbeenlostintheChasmnotlongago。Herlivelyfancypicturedthegriefofherfriendsatherloss;butthatdidnothelporcomforthernow,andasheranxiousgazewanderedalongtheshore,shesaidaloud,inapensivetone,"PerhapsIshallbewreckedonNorman\'sWoe,andsomebodywillmakepoetryaboutme。Itwouldbeprettytoread,butIdon\'twanttodiethatway。Oh,whydidIcome！Whydidn\'tIstaysafeandcomfortableinmyownboat？"

Atthethoughtasobrose,andpoorJilllaidherheaddownonherlaptocrywithallherheart,feelingveryhelpless,small,andforsakenalonethereonthegreatsea。Inthemidstofhertearscamethethought,"Whenpeopleareindanger,theyaskGodtosavethem";and,slippingdownuponherknees,shesaidherprayerasshehadneversaiditbefore,forwhenhumanhelpseemsgoneweturntoHimasnaturallyaslostchildrencrytotheirfather,andfeelsurethathewillhearandanswerthem。

Afterthatshefeltbetter,andwipedawaythedropsthatblindedher,tolookoutagainlikeashipwreckedmarinerwatchingforasail。Andthereitwas！Closeby,comingswiftlyonwithamanbehindit,asturdybrownfisher,busywithhislobster—pots,andquiteunconscioushowlikeanangelhelookedtothehelplesslittlegirlintherudderlessboat。