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parts in that immortal farce。 They had capital times fishing；
scrambling over the rocks； playing ball and tennis； and rainy days
they took possession of the studio opposite； drew up the portcullis；
and gallantly defended the castle； which some of the others
besieged with old umbrellas for shields； bats for battering…rams；
and bunches of burrs for cannon…balls。 Great larks went on over
there； while the girls applauded from the piazza or
chamber…windows； and made a gay flag for the victors to display
from the tower when the fight was over。
But Jill had the best time of all； for each day brought increasing
strength and spirits； and she improved so fast it was hard to believe
that she was the same girl who lay so long almost helpless in the
Bird Room at home。 Such lively letters as she sent her W1o~he~；
all aboul her new friends； her fine sails； drives； and little walks；
the good times she had in the evening； the lovely things people
gave her； and she was learning to make with shells and sea…weed；
and what splendid fun it was to keep house in a boat。
This last amusement soon grew quite absorbing； and her 〃cubby；〃
as she called it； rapidly became a pretty grotto； where she lived
like a little mermaid； daily loving more and more the beauty of the
wonderful sea； Finding the boat too sunny at times； the boys cut
long willow boughs and arched them over the seats； laying
hemlock branches across till a green roof made it cool and shady
inside。 There Jill sat or lay among her cushions reading； trying to
sketch； sorting shells； drying gay sea…weeds； or watching her crabs；
jelly…fish； and anemones in the old boiler； now buried in sand and
edged about with moss from the woods。
Nobody disturbed her treasures； but kindly added to them； and
often when she went to her nest she found fruit or flowers； books
or bon…bons； laid ready for her。 Everyone pitied and liked the
bright little girl who could not run and frisk with the rest； who was
so patient and cheerful after her long confinement； ready to help
others； and so grateful for any small favor。 She found now that the
weary months had not been wasted； and was very happy to
discover in herself a new sort of strength and sweetness that was
not only a comfort to her； but made those about her love and trust
her。 The songs she had learned attracted the babies； who would
leave their play to peep at her and listen when she sung over her
work。 Passers…by paused to hear the blithe voice of the bird in the
green cage； and other invalids； strolling on the beach； would take
heart when they saw the child so happy in spite of her great trial。
The boys kept all their marine curiosities for her； and were always
ready to take her a row or a sail； as the bay was safe and that sort
of travelling suited her better than driving。 But the girls had capital
times together； and it did Jill good to see another sort from those
she knew at home。 She had been so much petted of late； that she
was getting rather vain of her small accomplishments； and being
with strangers richer； better bred and educated than herself； made
her more humble in some things； while it showed her the worth of
such virtues as she could honestly claim。 Mamie Cox took her to
drive in the fine carriage of her mamma； and Jill was much
impressed by the fact that Mamie was not a bit proud about it； and
did not put on any airs； though she had a maid to take care of her。
Gerty wore pretty costumes； and came down with pink and blue
ribbons in her hair that Jill envied very much； yet Gerty liked her
curls； and longed to have some； while her mother； 〃the lady from
Philadelphia；〃 as they called her； was so kind and gay that Jill
quite adored her； and always felt as if sunshine had come into the
room when she entered。 Two little sisters were very interesting to
her； and made her long for one of her own when she saw them
going about together and heard them talk of their pleasant home；
where the great silk factories were。 But they invited her to come
and see the wonderful cocoons； and taught her to knot pretty gray
fringe on a cushion； which delighted her； being so new and easy。
There were several other nice little lasses； and they all gathered
about Jill with the sweet sympathy children are so quick to show
toward those in pain or misfortune。 She thought they would not
care for a poor little girl like herself； yet here she was the queen of
the troupe； and this discovery touched and pleased her very much。
In the morning they camped round the boat on the stones with
books； gay work； and merry chatter； till bathing…time。 Then the
beach was full of life and fun； for everyone looked so droll in the
flannel suits； it was hard to believe that the neat ladies and
respectable gentlemen who went into the little houses could be the
same persons as the queer； short…skirted women with old hats tied
down； and bareheaded； barefooted men in old suits； who came
skipping over the sand to disport themselves in the sea in the most
undignified ways。 The boys raced about； looking like circus…
tumblers； and the babies were regular little cupids； running away
from the waves that tried to kiss their flying feet。
Some of the young ladies and girls were famous swimmers； and
looked very pretty in their bright red and blue costumes； with loose
hair and gay stockings； as they'd anced into the water and floated
away as fearlessly as real mermaidens。 Jill had her quiet dip and
good rubbing each fine day； and then lay upon the warm sand
watching the pranks of the others； and longing to run and dive and
shout and tumble with the rest。 Now that she was among the well
and active； it seemed harder to be patient than when shut up and
unable to stir。 She felt so much better； and had so little pain to
remind her of past troubles； it was almost impossible to help
forgetting the poor back and letting her recovered spirits run away
with her。 If Mrs。 Minot had not kept good watch； she would have
been off more than once； so eager was she to be 〃like other girls〃
again； so difficult was it to keep the restless feet quietly folded
among the red cushions。
One day she did yield to temptation； and took a little voyage which
might have been her last； owing to the carelessness of those whom
she trusted。 It was a good lesson； and made her as meek as a lamb
during the rest of her stay。 Mrs。 Minot drove to Gloucester one
afternoon； leaving Jill safely established after her nap in the boat；
with Gerty and Mamie making lace beside her。
〃Don't try to walk or run about； my dear。 Sit on the piazza if you
get tired of this； and amuse yourself quietly till I come back。 I'll
not forget the worsted and the canvas；〃 said Mamma； peeping over
the bank for a last word as she waited for the omnibus to come
along。
〃Oh； don't forget the Gibraltars！〃 cried Jill； popping her head out of
the green roof。
〃Nor the bananas； please！〃 added Gerty； looking round one end。
〃Nor th