第16章

"Hi！hi！Oh,pleasedostopandgetme！I\'mlost,nooars,nobodytofixthesail！Oh,oh！pleasecome！"screamedJill,wavingherhatfranticallyastheotherboatskimmedbyandthemanstaredatherasifshereallywasamermaidwithafishytail。

"Keepstill！I\'llcomeaboutandfetchyou！"hecalledout;andJillobeyed,sittinglikealittleimageoffaith,tillwithagooddealofshiftingandflappingofthesail,theotherboatcamealongsideandtookherintow,Afewwordstoldthestory,andinfiveminutesshewassittingsnuglytuckedupwatchingartunpleasantmassoflobstersflapaboutdangerouslynearhertoes,whiletheboatboundedoverthewaveswithadelightfulmotion,andeveryinstantbroughthernearerborne。Shedidnotsaymuch,butfeltagooddeal;andwhentheymettwoboatscomingtomeether,mannedbyveryanxiouscrewsofmenandboys,shewassopaleandquietthatJackwasquiteboweddownwithremorse,andFranknearlypitchedthebicycleboyoverboardbecausehegaylyaskedJillhowsheleftherfriendsinEngland。Therewasgreatrejoicingoverher,forthepeopleontherockshadheardofherloss,andranaboutlikeantswhentheirhillisdisturbed。OfcoursehalfadozenamiablesoulspostedofftotheWillowstotellthefamilythatthelittlegirlwasdrowned,sothatwhentherescuersappearedquiteacrowdwasassembledonthebeachtowelcomeher。ButJillfeltsousedupwithherownshareoftheexcitementthatshewasgladtobecarriedtothehousebyFrankandJack,andlaiduponherbed,whereMrs。Hammondsoonrestoredherwithsugar—coatedpills,andwordsevensweeterandmoresoothing。

Otherpeople,busiedwiththeirownpleasures,forgotallaboutitbythenextday;butJillrememberedthathourlongafterward,bothawakeandasleep,forherdreamsweretroubled,andsheoftenstartedupimploringsomeonetosaveher。Thenshewouldrecallthemomentwhen,feelingmosthelpless,shehadaskedforhelp,andithadcomeasquicklyasifthattearfullittlecryhadbeenheardandanswered,thoughhervoicehadbeendrownedbythedashofthewavesthatseemedreadytodevourher。Thismadeadeepimpressiononher,andasenseofchildlikefaithintheFatherofallbegantogrowupwithinher;forinthatlonelyvoyage,shortasitwas,shehadfoundaveryprecioustreasuretokeepforever,toleanon,andtoloveduringthelongervoyagewhichallmusttakebeforewereachourhome。

Chapter22AHappyDay"Ohdear！Onlyaweekmore,andthenwemustgoback。Don\'tyouhatethethoughtsofit？"saidJack,ashewasgivingJillherearlywalkonthebeachoneAugustmorning。

"Yes,itwillbedreadfultoleaveGertyandMamieandallthenicepeople。ButI\'msomuchbetterIwon\'thavetobeshutupagain,evenifIdon\'tgotoschool。HowIlongtoseeMerryandMolly。

Dearthings,ifitwasn\'tforthemIshouldhategoinghomemorethanyoudo,"answeredJill,steppingalongquitebriskly,andfindingitveryhardtoresistbreakingintoaskiporarun,shefeltsowellandgay。

"Wishtheycouldbehereto—daytoseethefun,"saidJack,foritwastheanniversaryofthefoundingoftheplace,andthepeoplecelebrateditbyallsortsoffestivity。

"I\'didwanttoaskMolly,butyourmotherissogoodtomeI

couldn\'tfindcouragetodoit。Mammytoldmenottoaskforathing,andI\'msureIdon\'tgetachance。IfeeljustasifIwasyourtrulybornsister,Jack。"

"That\'sallright,I\'mgladyoudo,"answeredJack,comfortably,thoughhismindseemedalittleabsentandhiseyestwinkledwhenshespokeofMolly。"Now,yousitinthecubby—house,andkeepquiettilltheboatcomesin。Thenthefunwillbegin,andyoumustbefreshandreadytoenjoyit。Don\'trunoff,now,Ishallwanttoknowwheretofindyoubyandby。"

"Nomorerunningoff,thankyou。I\'llstayheretillyoucome,andfinishthisboxforMolly;shehasabirthdaythisweek,andI\'vewrittentoaskwhatday,soIcansenditrightupandsurpriseher。

Jack\'seyestwinkledmorethaneverashehelpedJillsettleherselfintheboat,andthenwithawhoophetoreoverthebeach,asifpractisingfortheracewhichwastocomeoffintheafternoon。

Jillwassobusywithherworkthattimewentquickly,andth~

earlyboatcameinjustasthelastpinkshellwasstuckinitsplace。

Puttingtheboxinthesuntodry,sheleanedoutofhernooktowatchthegaypartiesland,andgostreamingupthepieralongtheroadthatwentbehindthebankthatshelteredher。Flocksofchildrenwererunningaboutonthesand,andpresentlystrangersappeared,eagertoseeandenjoyallthedelightsofthisgala—day。

"There\'safatlittleboywholookseversomuchlikeBoo,"saidJilltoherself,watchingthepeopleandhopingtheywouldnotcomeandfindher,sinceshehadpromisedtostaytillJackreturned。

Thefatlittleboywasstaringabouthiminablissfulsortofmaze,holdingawoodenshovelinonehandandtheskirtsofayounggirlwiththeother。HerbackwasturnedtoJill,butsomethinginthelongbrownbraidwithafly—awaybluebowhangingdownherbacklookedveryfamiliartoJill。SodidthegraysuitandtheJapaneseumbrella;butthehatwasstrange,andwhileshewasthinkinghownaturalthebootslooked,thegirlturnedround。

"Why,howmuchshelookslikeMolly！Itcan\'tbe——yes,itmight,I

dobelieveitis！"criedJill,startingupandhardlydaringtotrustherowneyes。

Asshecameoutofhernestandshowedherself,therecouldbenodoubtabouttheothergirl,forshegaveoneshoutandcameracingoverthebeachwithbotharmsout,whileherhatblewoffunheeded,andthegayumbrellaflewaway,tothegreatdelightofallthelittlepeopleexceptBoo,whowasupsetbyhissister\'simpetuousrush,andlayuponhisbackhowling。Mollydidnotdoalltherunning,though,andJillgotherwish,for,neverstoppingtothinkofherself,shewasoffatonce,andmetherfriendhalf—waywithanansweringcry。Jrwasaprettysighttoseethemrunintooneanother\'sarmsandhugandkissandtalkandskipinsuchastateofgirlishjoytheynevercaredwhosaworlaughedattheirinnocentraptures。

"Youdarlingdear！wheredidyoucomefrom？"criedJill,holdingMollybybothshoulders,andshakingheralittletobesureshewasreal。

"Mrs。Minotsentforustospendaweek。Youlooksowell,Ican\'tbelievemyeyes！"answeredMolly,pattingJill\'scheeksandkissingthemoverandover,asiftomakesurethebrightcolorwouldnotcomeoff。

"Aweek？Howsplendid！Oh,I\'vesuchheapstotellandshowyou;

comerightovertomycubbyandseehowlovelyitis,"saidJill,forgettingeverybodyelseinherdelightatgettingMolly。

"ImustgetpoorBoo,andmyhatandumbrella,IleftthemallbehindmewhenIsawyou,"laughedMolly,lookingback。

ButMrs。MinotandJackhadconsoledBooandcollectedthescatteredproperty,sothegirlswentonarminarm,andhadafinetimebeforeanyonehadthehearttodisturbthem。Mollywascharmedwiththeboat,andJillverygladtheboxwasdoneinseason。Bothhadsomuchtotellandhearandplan,thattheywouldhavesatthereforeverifbathing—timehadnotcome,andthebeachsuddenlylookedlikeabedofredandyellowtulips,foreveryonetookadip,andthestrangersaddedmuchtothefun。

Mollycouldswimlikeaduck,andquitecoveredherselfwithglorybydivingoffthepier。JackundertooktoteachBoo,whowasapromisingpupil,beingsoplumpthathecouldnotsinkifhetried。

Jillwassoonthrough,andlayonthesandenjoyingtheanticsofthebatherstillshewassofaintwithlaughtershewasgladtohearthedinner—hornanddothehonorsoftheWillowstoMolly,whoseroomwasnexthers。

Boat—racescamefirstintheafternoon,andthegirlswatchedthem,sittingluxuriouslyinthenest,withtheladiesandchildrencloseby。Thesailing—matcheswereveryprettytosee;butMollyandJillweremoreinterestedintherowing,forFrankandthebicycleboypulledoneboat,andthefriendsfeltthatthisonemustwin。Itdid,thoughtheracewasnotveryexcitingnortheprizeofgreatworth;

buttheboysandgirlsweresatisfied,andJackwasmuchexalted,forhealwaystoldFrankhecoulddogreatthingsifhewouldonlydropbooksand"goinonhismuscle。"

Foot—racesfollowed,and,burningtodistinguishhimselfalso,Jackinsistedontrying,thoughhismotherwarnedhimthattheweaklegmightbeharmed,andhehadhisowndoubtsaboutit,ashewasalloutofpractice。However,hetookhisplacewithahandkerchieftiedroundhishead,redshirtandstockings,andhissleevesrolledupasifhemeantbusiness。JillandMollycouldnotsitstillduringthisrace,andstoodonthebankquitetremblingwithexcitementasthehalf—dozenrunnersstoodinalineatthestarting—postwaitingfortheword"Go！"

Offtheywentatlastoverthesmoothbeachtothepolewiththeflagatthefurtherend,andcveryonewatchedthemwithmingledinterestandmerriment,fortheywereadrollset,andtherunningnotatallscientificwithmostofthem。Oneyoungfishermanwithbigbootsoverhistrousersstartedoffatagreatpace,poundingalonginthemostdoggedway,whilealittlechapinatightbathing—suitwithverythinlegsskimmedbyhim,lookingsolikeasand—piperitwasimpossibletohelplaughingatboth。Jack\'sformertrainingstoodhimingoodsteadnow;forhewenttoworkinprofessionalstyle,andkeptasteadytrottilltheflagpolehadbeenpassed,thenheputonhisspeedandshotaheadofalltherest,severalofwhombrokedownandgaveup。ButCoxandBaconheldongallantly;andsoonitwasevidentthatthesturdylegsintheknickerbockersweregainingfast,forJackgavehisankleanuglywrenchonaroundpebble,andtheweakkneebegantofail。Hedidhisbest,however,andquiteabreezeofenthusiasmstirredthespectatorsasthethreeboyscamedownthecourselikemettlesomehorses,panting,pale,orpurple,buteachboundtowinatanycost。

Now,Bacon！"Goit,Minot！Hithimup,Cox！Jack\'sahead！""No,heisn\'t！""Heretheycome！""Bacon\'sdoneit！"shoutedtheotherboys,andtheywereright;Baconhadwon,forthegraylegscameinjusthalfayardaheadoftheredones,andMinottumbledintohisbrother\'sarmswithhardlybreathenoughlefttogaspout,good—humoredly,"Allright,I\'mgladhebeat！"

Thenthevictorwascongratulatedandborneoffbyhisfriendstorefreshhimself,whilethelookers—onscatteredtoseeagameoftennisandtheshootingoftheArcheryClubupatthehotel。Jackwassoonrested,and,makinglightofhisdefeat,insistedontakingthegirlstoseethefun。Sothey\'droveupintheoldomnibus,andenjoyedtheprettysightverymuch;fortheyoungladieswereinuniform,andthebroadgreenribbonsoverthewhitedresses,thegayquivers,longbows,andbigtargets,madealivelyscene。Theshootingwasgood;ahandsomedamselgottheprizeofadozenarrows,andeveryoneclappedinthemostenthusiasticmanner。

MollyandJilldidnotcareabouttennis,sotheywenthometorestanddressfortheevening,becausetotheirmindsthedancing,theillumination,andthefireworkswerethebestfunofall。Jill\'swhitebuntingwithcherryribbonswasverybecoming,andthelivelyfeetinthenewslipperspattedthefloorimpatientlyasthesoundofdancemusiccamedowntotheWillowsaftertea,andtheothergirlswaltzedonthewidepiazzabecausetheycouldnotkeepstill。

"Nodancingforme,butMollymusthaveagoodtime。You\'llseethatshedoes,won\'tyou,boys？"saidJill,whoknewthathershareofthefunwouldbelyingonasetteeandwatchingtherestenjoyherfavoritepastime。

FrankandJackpromised,andkc~ttheirwordhandsomely;fortherewasplentyofroominthegreatdancing—hallatthehotel,andthebandinthepavilionplayedsuchinspiringmusicthat,asthebicycleboysaid,"Everyonewhohadalegcouldn\'thelpshakingit。"Mollywastwirledabouttoherheart\'scontent,andflewhitherandthitherlikeabluebutterfly;foralltheladslikedher,andshekeptrunninguptotellJillthefunnythingstheysaidanddid。

Asnightdarkenedfromallthehousesinthevalley,onthecliffsandalongtheshorelightsshoneandsparkled;foreveryonedecoratedwithgaylanterns,andseveralyachtsinthebaystrungcoloredlampsaboutthelittlevessels,makingaprettypictureonthequietsea。Jillthoughtshehadneverseenanythingsolikefairy—land,andfeltverylikeoneinadreamasshedroveslowlyupanddownwithMamie,Gerty,Molly,andMrs。Coxinthecarriage,sothatshemightseeitallwithouttoomuchfatigue。Itwasverylovely;andwhenrocketsbegantowhizz,fillingtheairwithgoldenrain,ashowerofcoloredstars,fierydragons,orglitteringwheels,thegirlscouldonlyshriekwithdelight,andbegtostayalittlelongereachtimetheprudentladyproposedgoinghome。

Ithadtobeatlast;butMollyandJillcomfortedthemselvesbyalongtalkinbed,foritwasimpossibletosleepwithglaresoflightcomingeveryfewminutes,flocksofpeopletalkingandtrampingbyintheroad,andburstsofmusicfloatingdowntothem~sthcoldcrbutnotwiserrevellerskeptupthemerrimenttillalatehour。

They\'droppedoffatlast;butJillhadthenightmare,andMollywaswakedupbyaviolentjerkingofherbraidasJilltriedtotowheralong,dreamingshewasaboat。

Theyweretoosleepytolaughmuchthen,butnextmorningtheymademerryoverit,andwenttobreakfastwithsuchhappyfacesthatalltheyoungfolkspronouncedJill\'sfriendamostdelightfulgirl。WhatagoodtimeMollydidhavethatweek！Otherpeopleweregoingtoleavealso,andthereforemuchpicnicking,boating,anddrivingwascrowdedintothelastdays。Clambakesontheshore,charadesinthestudio,sewing—partiesattheboat,eveningfrolicsinthebigdining—room,farewellcalls,gifts,andInvitations,allSortsofplansfornextsummer,andvowsofeternalfriendshipexchangedbetweenpeoplewhowouldsoonforgeteachother。Itwasverypleasant,tillpoorBooinnocentlyaddedtotheexcitementbypoisoningafewofhisneighborswithabadlobster。

Theambitiouslittlesoulpinedtocatchoneofthesemysteriousbutlovelyredcreatures,andspentdaysfishingonthebeach,investigatingholesandcorners,andtaggingaftertheoldmanwhosuppliedthehouse。Onedayafterahighwindhefoundseveral"lobs"washeduponthebeach,and,thoughdisappointedattheircolor,hepickedoutabigone,andsetofftoshowhisprizetoMolly。Half—wayhomehemettheoldmanonhiswaywithabasketoffish,andbeingtiredoflugginghiscontributionlaiditwiththeothers,meaningtoexplainlater。Noonesawhimdoit,astheoldmanwasbusywithhispipe;andBooranbacktogetmoredearlobs,leavinghistreasuretogointothekettleandappearatsupper,bywhichtimehehadforgottenallaboutit。

Fortunatelynoneofthechildrenateany,butseveralolderpeopleweremadeill,andquiteapanicprevailedthatnightasoneaftertheothercalledupthedoctor,whowasboardingcloseby;andgoodMrs。Grey,thehostess,ranaboutwithhotflannels,bottlesofmedicine,anddistractedmessagesfromroomtoroom。Allwerecomfortablebymorning,butthefriendsofthesuffererslayinwaitfortheoldfisherman,andgavehimagoodscoldingforhiscarelessness。ThepoormanwasprotestinghisinnocencewhenBoo,whowaspassingby,lookedintothebasket,andaskedwhathadbecomeofhislob。Afewquestionsbroughtthetruthtolight,andagenerallaughputeveryoneingoodhumor,whenpoorBoomildlysaid,bywayofexplanation,"IfoughtIwashelpin\'Mrs。Dray,andI\'didwanttoseethedreenlobcomeoutallredwhensheboiledhim。ButIfordot,andIdon\'tfinkI\'lleverfindsuchanicebigoneanymore。"

"Foroursakes,Ihopeyouwon\'t,mydear,"saidMrs。Hammond,whohadbeennursingoneofthesufferers。

"It\'sluckywearegoinghometo—morrow,orthatchildwouldbethedeathofhimselfandeverybodyelse。Heisperfectlycrazyaboutfish,andI\'vepulledhimoutofthatoldlobster—potonthebeachadozentimes,"groanedMolly,muchafflictedbythemishapsofheryoungcharge。

Therewasagreatbreakingupnextday,andtheoldomnibuswentofftothestationwithBaconhangingonbehind,thebicycleboyandhisironwhirligigatop,andheadspoppingoutofallthewindowsforlastgood—byes。OurpartyandtheHammondsweregoingbyboat,andwereallreadytostartforthepierwhenBooandlittleHarryweremissing。Molly,themaid,andbothboysrandifferentwaystofindthem;andallsortsofdreadfulsuggestionswerebeingmadewhenshoutsoflaughterwereheardfromthebeach,andthetruantsappeared,proudlydragginginHarry\'slittlewagonadeaddevil—fish,asthenativescallthatuglythingwhichlookslikeamagnifiedtadpole——allheadandnobody。

"We\'vedothim！"calledtheinnocents,tugginguptheirprizewithsuchsolemnsatisfactionitwasimpossibletohelplaughing。

"Ialwayswantedtotatchawhale,andthisisababyone,Ifink。A

boysaid,whentheywantedtodietheycornedonthesandanddidit,andwesawthisonegodeadjustnow。Ain\'tliepretty？"askedBoo,displayingtheimmensemouthwithfondpride,whilehisfriendflappedthetail。

"Whatareyougoingtodowithhim？"saidMrs。Hammond,regardingherinfantasifsheoftenaskedherselfthesamequestionaboutherboy。

"Waphimupinapaperandtatehimhometopaywid,"answeredHarry,withsuchconfidenceinhisbigblueeyesthatitwasveryhardtodisappointhishopesandtellhimthetreasuremustbeleftbehind。

Wailsofdespairburstfrombothchildrenasthehard—heartedboystippedoutthelittlewhale,andhustledtheindignantfishermenonboardtheboat,whichhadbeenwhistlingforthemimpatiently。

Boorecoveredhisspiritsfirst,andgulpingdownasobthatnearlyshookhishatoff,consoledhiscompanioninafflictionandconvulsedhisfriendsbytakingfromhispocketseverallittlecrabs,theremainsofajelly—fish,andsuchacollectionofpebblesthatFrankunderstoodwhyhefoundthefatboysuchaburdenwhenheshoulderedhim,kickingandhowling,inthelateruntotheboat。

ThesedelicatetoyshealedthewoundsofBooandHarry,andtheyweresoonhappilywalkingthelittle"trabs"aboutinsideastonewalloftheirownbuilding,whiletheothersrestedaftertheirexertions,andlaidplansforcomingtotheWillowsanotheryear,aspeopleusuallydidwhohadoncetastedthewholesomedelightsandcordialhospitalityofthischarmingplace。

Chapter23CattleShowThechildrenwerenottheoniyoneswhohadlearnedsomethingatPebblyBeach。Mrs。Minotbadtalkedagooddealwithsomeverysuperiorpersons,andreceivedlightuponvarioussubjectswhichhadmuchinterestedorperplexedher。Whiletheladiesworkedorwalkedtogether,theynaturallyspokeoftenestandmostearnestlyabouttheirchildren,andeachcontributedherexperience。Mrs。

Hammond,whohadbeenaphysicianformanyyears,waswiseinthecareofhealthylittlebodies,andthecureofsickones。Mrs。

Channing,whohadread,travelled,andobservedmuchinthecauseofeducation,hadmanyusefulhintsaboutthetrainingofyoungmindsandhearts。Severalteachersreportedtheirtrials,andallthemotherswereeagertoknowhowtobringuptheirboysandgirlstobehealthy,happy,usefulmenandwomen。

Asyoungpeopledonotcareforsuchdiscussions,wewillnotdescribethem,butastheimpressiontheymadeupononeofthemammasaffectedourheroandheroine,wemustmentionthechangeswhichtookplaceintheirlifewhentheyallgothomeagain。

"Schoolbeginsto—morrow。Oh,dear！"sighedJack,ashelookeduphisbooksintheBirdRoom,adayortwoaftertheirreturn。

"Don\'tyouwanttogo？Ilongto,butdon\'tbelieveIshall。Isawourmotherstalkingtothedoctorlastnight,butIhaven\'tdaredtoaskwhatthey\'decided,"saidJill,affectionatelyeyingthelong—unusedbooksinherlittlelibrary。

"I\'vehadsuchajollygoodtime,thatIhatetobeshutupalldayworsethanever,Don\'tyou,Frank？"askedJack,withavengefulslapatthearithmeticwhichwasthetormentofhislife。

"Well,IconfessIdon\'thankerforschoolasmuchasIexpected。

I\'drathertakeaspinontheoldbicycle。Ourroadsaresogood,itisagreattemptationtohireamachine,andastonishthenatives。

That\'swhatcomesofidleness。Sobraceup,myboy,andgotowork,forvacationisover,"answeredFrank,gravelyregardingthetallpileofbooksbeforehim,asiftryingtowelcomehisoldfriends,ortyrants,rather,fortheyruledhimwitharodofironwhenheoncegavehimselfuptothem。

"Ah,butvacationisnotover,mydears,"saidMrs。Minot,hearingthelastwordsasshecameinpreparedtosurpriseherfamily。

"Gladofit。Howmuchlongerisittobe？"askedJack,hopingforaweekatleast。

"Twoorthreeyearsforsomeofyou。"

"What？"criedallthree,inutterastonishment,astheystaredatMamma,whocouldnothelpsmiling,thoughshewasverymuchinearnest。

"ForthenexttwoorthreeyearsIintendtocultivatemyboys\'

bodies,andlettheirmindsrestagooddeal,frombooksatleast。

Thereisplentytolearnoutsideofschool—houses,andIdon\'tmeantoshutyouupjustwhenyoumostneedalltheairandexerciseyoucanget。Goodhealth,goodprinciples,andagoodeducationarethethreeblessingsIaskforyou,andIamgoingtomakesureofthefirst,asafirmfoundationfortheothertwo。"

"But,mother,whatbecomesofcollege？"askedFrank,ratherdisturbedatthischangeofbase。

"Putitoffforayear,andseeifyouarenotbetterfittedforitthenthannow。"

"ButIamalreadyfitted:I\'veworkedlikeatigerallthisyear,andI\'msureIshallpass。"

"Readyinoneway,butnotinanother。Thathardworkisnopreparationforfouryearsofstillharderstudy。Ithascostyoutheseroundshoulders,manyaheadache,andconsumedhourswhenyouhadfarbetterhavebeenontheriverorinthefields。Icannothaveyoubreakdown,assomanyboysdo,orpullthroughatthecostofill—healthafterward。Eighteenisyoungenoughtobeginthesteadygrind,ifyouhaveastrongconstitutiontokeeppacewiththeeagermind。Sixteenistooyoungtosendevenmygoodboyoutintotheworld,justwhenhemostneedshismother\'scaretohelphimbethemanshehopestoseehim。"

Mrs。Minotlaidherhandonhisshoulderasshespoke,lookingsofondandproudthatitwasimpossibletorebel,thoughsomeofhismostcherishedplanswerespoilt。

"Otherfellowsgoatmyage,andIwasratherpleasedtobereadyatsixteen,"hebegan。Butsheadded,quickly,"Theygo,buthowdotheycomeout？Manylosehealthofbody,andmanywhatismorepreciousstill,moralstrength,becausetooyoungandignoranttowithstandtemptationsofallsorts。Thebestpartofeducationdoesnotcomefrombooks,andthegoodprinciplesIvaluemorethaneitheroftheotherthingsaretobecarefullywatchedovertillfirmlyfixed;thenyoumayfacetheworld,andcometonorealharm。Trustme,dear,Idoitforyoursake;sobearthedisappointmentbravely,andintheendIthinkyouwillsayI\'mright。"

"I\'lldomybest;butIdon\'tseewhatistobecomeofusifwedon\'tgotoschool。Youwillgettiredofitfirst,"saidFrank,tryingtosetagoodexampletotheothers,whowerelookingmuchimpressedandinterested。

"Nodangerofthat,forIneversentmychildrentoschooltogetridofthem,andnowthattheyareoldenoughtobecompanions,I

wantthemathomemorethanever。Therearetobesomelessons,however,forbusymindsmustbefed,butnotcrammed;soyouboyswillgoandreciteatcertainhourssuchthingsasseemmostimportant。Butthereistobenostudyingatnight,noshuttingupallthebesthoursoftheday,nohurryandfretofgettingonfast,orskimmingoverthesurfaceofmanystudieswithoutlearninganythoroughly。"

"SoIsay！"criedJack,pleasedwiththenewidea,forheneverdidlovebooks。"IdohatetobedrivensoIdon\'thalfunderstand,becausethereisnotimetohavethingsexplained。Schoolisgoodfunasfarasplaygoes;butIdon\'tseethesenseofmakingafellowlearneightyquestionsingeographyoneday,andforgetthemthenext。

"Whatistobecomeofme,please？"askedJill,meekly。

"YouandMollyaretohavelessonshere。IwasateacherwhenI

wasyoung,youknow,andlikedit,soIshallbeschool—ma\'am,andleavemyhouse—keepinginbetterhandsthanmine。Ialwaysthoughtthatmothersshouldteachtheirgirlsduringtheseyears,andvarytheirstudiestosuitthegrowingcreaturesasonlymotherscan。

"Thatwillbesplendid！WillMolly\'sfatherlethercome？"criedJill,feelingquitereconciledtostayingathome,ifherfriendwastobewithher。

"Helikestheplanverymuch,forMollyisgrowingfast,andneedsasortofcarethatMissDawescannotgiveher。Iamnotahardmistress,andIhopeyouwillfindmyschoolapleasantone。"

"IknowIshall;andI\'mnotdisappointed,becauseIwasprettysureIcouldn\'tgototheoldschoolagain,whenIheardthedoctorsayI

mustbeverycarefulforalongtime。Ithoughthemeantmonths;

butifitmustheyears,Icanbearit,forI\'vebeenhappythislastonethoughIwassick,"saidJill,gladtoshowthatithadnotbeenwastedtimebybeingcheerfulandpatientnow。

"That\'smygoodgirl！"andMrs。Minotstrokedthecurlyblackheadasifitwasherownlittledaughter\'s。"Youhavedonesowell,I

wantyoutogoonimproving,forcarenowwillsaveyoupainanddisappointmentbyandby。Youallhavegotacapitalstartduringthesesixweeks,soitisagoodtimetobeginmyexperiment。Ifitdoesnotworkwell,wewillgobacktoschoolandcollegenextspring。"

"HurrahforMammaandthelongvacation！"criedJack,catchinguptwobigbooksandwhirlingthemroundlikeclubs,asiftogethismusclesinorderatonce。

"NowIshallhavetimetogototheGymnasiumandstraightenoutmyback,"saidFrank,whowasgrowingsotallheneededmorebreadthtomakehisheightsymmetrical。

"Andtoridehorscback。IamgoingtohireoldJaneandgetoutthelittlephaeton,sowecanallenjoythefineweatherwhileitlasts。

MollyandIcandriveJill,andyoucantaketurnsinthesaddlewhenyouaretiredofballandboating。Exerciseofallsortsisoneofthelessonswearetolearn,"saidMrs。Minot,suggestingallthepleasantthingsshecouldtosweetenthepillforherpupils,twoofwhomdidlovetheirbooks,notbeingoldenoughtoknowthatevenanexcellentthingmaybeoverdone。

"Won\'tthatbegay？I\'llgetdownthesaddleto—day,sowecanbeginrightoff。Lemrides,andwecangotogether。HopeoldJanewilllikeitaswellasIshall,"saidJack,whohadfoundanewfriendinapleasantladlatelycometotown。

"Youmustseethatshedoes,foryouboysaretotakecareofher。

Wewillputthebarninorder,andyoucandecidewhichshallbehostlerandwhichgardener,forIdon\'tintendtohirelaborontheplaceanymore。Ourestateisnotalargeone,anditwillbeexcellentworkforyou,mymen。"

"Allright！I\'llseetoJane。Ilovehorses,"saidJack,wellpleasedwiththeprospect。

"Myhorsewon\'tneedmuchcare。Ipreferabicycletoabeast,soI\'llgetinthesquashes,picktheapples,andcoverthestrawberrybedwhenitistime,"addedFrank,whohadenjoyedthefreelifeatPebblyBeachsomuchthathewaswillingtoprolongit。

"Youmayputmeinahen—coop,andkeepmethereayear,ifyoulike。Iwon\'tfret,forI\'msureyouknowwhatisbestforme,"saidJill,gayly,asshelookedupatthegoodfriendwhohaddonesomuchforher。

"I\'mnotsurethatIwon\'tputyouinaprettycageandsendyoutoCattleShow,asasampleofwhatwecandointhewayoftamingawildbirdtillitisnearlyasmeekasadove,"answeredMrs。Minot,muchgratifiedattheamiabilityofherflock。

"Idon\'tseewhythereshouldnotbeanexhibitionofchildren,andprizesforthegoodandprettyones,aswellasforfatpigs,finehorses,orhandsomefruitandflowers——Idon\'tmeanababyshow,butboysandgirls,sopeoplecanseewhattheprospectisofagoodcropforthenextgeneration,"saidFrank,glancingtowardthetowerofthebuildingwheretheyearlyAgriculturalFairwassoontobeheld。

"Yearsago,therewasaprettycustomhereofcollectingalltheschoolstogetherinthespring,andhavingafestivalattheTownHall。Eachschoolshoweditsbestpupils,andtheparentslookedonatthebloomingflowershow。Itwasapityitwasevergivenup,fortheschoolshaveneverbeensogoodasthen,northeinterestinthemsogreat";andMrs。Minotwondered,asmanypeopledo,whyfarmersseemtocaremorefortheircattleandcropsthanfortheirchildren,willinglyspendinglargesumsonbigbarnsandcostlyexperiments,whiletheschool—housesareshabbyandinconvenient,andthecheapestteacherspreferred。

"Ralphisgoingtosendmybust。Heaskedifhemight,andmothersaidYes。Mr。Germanthinksitverygood,andIhopeotherpeoplewill,"saidJill,noddingtowardthelittleplasterheadthatsmileddownfromitsbracketwithherownmerrylook。

"Icouldsendmymodel;itisnearlydone。Ralphtoldmeitwasacleverpieceofwork,andheknows,"addedFrank,quitetakenwiththeideaofexhibitinghisskillinmechanics。

"AndIcouldsendmystarbedquilt！TheyalwayshavethingsofthatkindatCattleShow";andJillbegantorummageintheclosetfortheprideofherheart,burningtodisplayittoanadmiringworld。