`` No , he is n'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 drove 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 every one 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 , wo n'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 kept 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 , `` Every one who had a leg could n'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 every one 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 . It had to be at last ; but Molly and Jill comforted themselves by a long talk in bed , for it was impossible to sleep with glares of light coming every few minutes , flocks of people talking and tramping by in the road , and bursts of music floating down to them as the older but not wiser revellers kept up the merriment till a late hour . They dropped off at last ; but Jill had the nightmare , and Molly was waked up by a violent jerking of her braid as Jill tried to tow her along , dreaming she was a boat .
They were too sleepy to laugh much then , but next morning they made merry over it , and went to breakfast with such happy faces that all the young folks pronounced XXXXX 's friend a most delightful girl .
Jill Mamie Molly bunting evening left minutes night right settee