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 hotel,and the band in the pavilion played such inspiring music that,as the bicycle boy said,"Everyone who had a leg couldn't help shaking it."Molly was twirled about to her heart's content,and flew hither and thither like a blue butterfly;for all the lads liked her,and she kept running up to tell Jill the funny things they said and did.
As night darkened from all the houses in the valley,on the cliffs and along the shore lights shone and sparkled;for everyone decorated with gay lanterns,and several yachts in the bay strung colored lamps about the little vessels,making a pretty picture on the quiet sea.Jill thought she had never seen anything so like fairy-land,and felt very like one in a dream as she drove slowly up and down with Mamie,Gerty,Molly,and Mrs.Cox in the carriage,so that she might see it all without too much fatigue.It was very lovely;and when rockets began to whizz,filling the air with golden rain,a shower of colored stars,fiery dragons,or glittering wheels,the girls could only shriek with delight,and beg to stay a little longer each time the prudent lady proposed going home.
