"Now,Mr.Jack,it is a moral impossibility to get all those things into one trunk,and you mustn't ask it of me,"said Mrs.Pecq,in a tone of despair,as she surveyed the heap of treasures she was expected to pack for the boys.
"Never mind the clothes,we only want a boating-suit apiece.
Mamma can put a few collars in her trunk for us;but these necessary things must go,"answered Jack,adding his target and air-pistol to the pile of bats,fishing-tackle,games,and a choice collection of shabby balls.
"Those are the necessaries and clothes the luxuries,are they?Why don't you add a velocipede,wheelbarrow,and printing-press,my dear?"asked Mrs.Pecq,while Jill turned up her nose at "boys' rubbish."
"Wish I could.Dare say we shall want them.Women don't know what fellows need,and always must put in a lot of stiff shirts and clean handkerchiefs and clothes-brushes and pots of cold cream.
We are going to rough it,and don't want any fuss and feathers,"said Jack,beginning to pack the precious balls in his rubber boots,and strap them up with the umbrellas,rods,and bats,seeing that there was no hope of a place in the trunk.
Here Frank came in with two big books,saying calmly,"Just slip these in somewhere,we shall need them.""But you are not to study at all,so you won't want those great dictionaries,"cried Jill,busily packing her new travelling-basket with all sorts of little rolls,bags,and boxes.
"They are not dics,but my Encyclopedia.We shall want to know heaps of things,and this tells about everything.With those books,and a microscope and a telescope,you could travel round the world,and learn all you wanted to.Can't possibly get on without them,"said Frank,fondly patting his favorite work.
"My patience!What queer cattle boys are!"exclaimed Mrs.Pecq,while they all laughed."It can't be done,Mr.Frank;all the boxes are brim full,and you'll have to leave those fat books behind,for there's no place anywhere.""Then I'll carry them myself";and Frank tucked one under each arm,with a determined air,which settled the matter.
"I suppose you'll study cockleology instead of boating,and read up on polywogs while we play tennis,or go poking round with your old spy-glass instead of having a jolly good time,"said Jack,hauling away on the strap till all was taut and ship-shape with the bundle.
"Tadpoles don't live in salt water,my son,and if you mean conchology,you'd better say so.I shall play as much as I wish,and when I want to know about any new or curious thing,I shall consult my Cyclo,instead of bothering other people with questions,or giving it up like a dunce";with which crushing reply Frank departed,leaving Jill to pack and unpack her treasures a dozen times,and Jack to dance jigs on the lids of the trunks till they would shut.
A very happy party set off the next day,leaving Mrs.Pecq waving her apron on the steps.Mrs.Minot carried the lunch,Jack his precious bundle with trifles dropping out by the way,and Jill felt very elegant bearing her new basket with red worsted cherries bobbing on the outside.Frank actually did take the Encyclopedia,done up in the roll of shawls,and whenever the others wondered about anything--tides,lighthouses,towns,or natural productions--he brought forth one of the books and triumphantly read therefrom,to the great merriment,if not edification,of his party.
A very short trip by rail and the rest of the journey by boat,to Jill's great contentment,for she hated to be shut up;and while the lads roved here and there she sat under the awning,too happy to talk.
But Mrs.Minot watched with real satisfaction how the fresh wind blew the color back into the pale cheeks,how the eyes shone and the heart filled with delight at seeing the lovely world again,and being able to take a share in its active pleasures.
The Willows was a long,low house close to the beach,and as full as a beehive of pleasant people,all intent on having a good time.Agreat many children were swarming about,and Jill found it impossible to sleep after her journey,there was such a lively clatter of tongues on the piazzas,and so many feet going to and fro in the halls,She lay down obediently while Mrs.Minot settled matters in the two airy rooms and gave her some dinner,but she kept popping up her head to look out of the window to see what she could see.Just opposite stood an artist's cottage and studio,with all manner of charming galleries,towers,steps,and even a sort of drawbridge to pull up when the painter wished to be left in peace.He was absent now,and the visitors took possession of this fine play-place.Children were racing up and down the galleries,ladies sitting in the tower,boys disporting themselves on the roof,and young gentlemen preparing for theatricals in the large studio.
"What fun I'll have over there,"thought Jill,watching the merry scene with intense interest,and wondering if the little girls she saw were as nice as Molly and Merry.
Then there were glimpses of the sea beyond the green bank where a path wound along to the beach,whence came the cool dash of waves,and now and then the glimmer of a passing sail.
"Oh,when can I go out?It looks so lovely,I can't wait long,"she said,looking as eager as a little gull shut up in a cage and pining for its home on the wide ocean.
"As soon as it is a little cooler,dear,I'm getting ready for our trip,but we must be careful and not do too much at once.'Slow and sure'is our motto,"answered Mrs.Minot,busily collecting the camp-stools,the shawls,the air-cushions,and the big parasols.
"I'll be good,only do let me have my sailor-hat to wear,and my new suit.I'm not a bit tired,and I do want to be like other folks right off,"said Jill,who had been improving rapidly of late,and felt much elated at being able to drive out nearly every day,to walk a little,and sit up some hours without any pain or fatigue.