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long brown braid with a fly…away blue bow hanging down her back
looked very familiar to Jill。 So did the gray suit and the Japanese
umbrella； but the hat was strange； and while she was thinking how
natural the boots looked； the girl turned round。
〃Why； how much she looks like Molly！ It can't beyes； it might； I
do believe it is！〃 cried Jill； starting up and hardly daring to trust
her own eyes。
As she came out of her nest and showed herself； there could be no
doubt about the other girl； for she gave one shout and came racing
over the beach with both arms out； while her hat blew off
unheeded； and the gay umbrella flew away； to the great delight of
all the little people except Boo； who was upset by his sister's
impetuous rush； and lay upon his back howling。 Molly did not do
all the running； though； and Jill got her wish； for； never stopping to
think of herself； she was off at once； and met her friend half…way
with an answering cry。 Jr was a pretty sight to see them run into
one another's arms and hug and kiss and talk and skip in such a
state of girlish joy they never cared who saw or laughed at their
innocent raptures。
〃You darling dear！ where did you come from？〃 cried Jill； holding
Molly by both shoulders； and shaking her a little to be sure she was
real。
〃Mrs。 Minot sent for us to spend a week。 You look so well； I can't
believe my eyes！〃 answered Molly； patting Jill's cheeks and kissing
them over and over； as if to make sure the bright color would not
come off。
〃A week？ How splendid！ Oh； I've such heaps to tell and show you；
come right over to my cubby and see how lovely it is；〃 said Jill；
forgetting everybody else in her delight at getting Molly。
〃I must get poor Boo； and my hat and umbrella； I left them all
behind me when I saw you；〃 laughed Molly； looking back。
But Mrs。 Minot and Jack had consoled Boo and collected the
scattered property； so the girls went on arm in arm； and had a fine
time before anyone had the heart to disturb them。 Molly was
charmed with the boat； and Jill very glad the box was done in
season。 Both had so much to tell and hear and plan； that they
would have sat there for ever if bathing…time had not come； and
the beach suddenly looked like a bed of red and yellow tulips； for
everyone took a dip； and the strangers added much to the fun。
Molly could swim like a duck； and quite covered herself with glory
by diving off the pier。 Jack undertook to teach Boo； who was a
promising pupil； being so plump that he could not sink if he tried。
Jill was soon through； and lay on the sand enjoying the antics of
the bathers till she was so faint with laughter she was glad to hear
the dinner…horn and do the honors of the Willows to Molly； whose
room was next hers。
Boat…races came first in the afternoon； and the girls watched them；
sitting luxuriously in the nest； with the ladies and children close
by。 The sailing…matches were very pretty to see； but Molly and Jill
were more interested in the rowing； for Frank and the bicycle boy
pulled one boat； and the friends felt that this one must win。 It did；
though the race was not very exciting nor the prize of great worth；
but the boys and girls were satisfied； and Jack was much exalted；
for he always told Frank he could do great things if he would only
drop books and 〃go in on his muscle。〃
Foot…races followed； and； burning to distinguish himself also； Jack
insisted on trying； though his mother warned him that the weak leg
might be harmed； and he had his own doubts about it； as he was all
out of practice。 However； he took his place with a handkerchief
tied round his head； red shirt and stockings； and his sleeves rolled
up as if he meant business。 Jill and Molly could not sit still during
this race； and stood on the bank quite trembling with excitement as
the half…dozen runners stood in a line at the starting…post waiting
for the word 〃Go！〃
Off they went at last over the smooth beach to the pole with the
flag at the further end； and cveryone watched them with mingled
interest and merriment； for they were a droll set； and the running
not at all scientific with most of them。 One young fisherman with
big boots over his trousers started off at a great pace； pounding
along in the most dogged way； while a little chap in a tight
bathing…suit with very thin legs skimmed by him； looking so like a
sand…piper it was impossible to help laughing at both。 Jack's
former training stood him in good stead now； for he went to work
in professional style； and kept a steady trot till the flagpole had
been passed； then he put on his speed and shot ahead of all the
rest； several of whom broke down and gave up。 But Cox and
Bacon held on gallantly； and soon it was evident that the sturdy
legs in the knickerbockers were gaining fast； for Jack gave his
ankle an ugly wrench on a round pebble； and the weak knee began
to fail。 He did his best； however； and quite a breeze of enthusiasm
stirred the spectators as the three boys came down the course like
mettlesome horses； panting； pale； or purple； but each bound to win
at any cost。
Now； Bacon！ 〃Go it； Minot！ Hit him up； Cox！ Jack's ahead！〃 〃No；
he isn't！〃 〃Here they come！〃 〃Bacon's done it！〃 shouted the other
boys； and they were right； Bacon had won； for the gray legs came
in just half a yard ahead of the red ones； and Minot tumbled into
his brother's arms with hardly breath enough left to gasp out；
good…humoredly； 〃All right； I'm glad he beat！〃
Then the victor was congratulated and borne off by his friends to
refresh himself； while the lookers…on scattered to see a game of
tennis and the shooting of the Archery Club up at the hotel。 Jack
was soon rested； and； making light of his defeat； insisted on taking
the girls to see the fun。 So they'd rove up in the old omnibus； and
enjoyed the pretty sight very much； for the young ladies were in
uniform； and the broad green ribbons over the white dresses； the
gay quivers； long bows； and big targets； made a lively scene。 The
shooting was good； a handsome damsel got the prize of a dozen
arrows； and everyone clapped in the most enthusiastic manner。
Molly and Jill did not care about tennis； so they went home to rest
and dress for the evening； because to their minds the dancing； the
illumination； and the fireworks were the best fun of all。 Jill's white
bunting with cherry ribbons was very becoming； and the lively feet
in the new slippers patted the floor impatiently as the sound of
dance music came down to the Willows after tea； and the other
girls waltzed on the wide piazza because they could not keep still。
〃No dancing for me； but Molly must have a good time。 You'll see
that she does； won't you； boys？〃 said Jill； who knew that her share
of the fun would be lying on a settee and watching the rest enjoy
her favorite pastime。
Frank and Jack promised； and kc~t their word handsomely； for
there was plenty of room in the great dancing…hall at the h