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 . Every one 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 every one 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 danced into the water and floated away as fearlessly as real mermaidens .
XXXXX 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 .
Gerty Jill bathing-time bon-bons circus-tumblers cocoons hemlock jelly-fish mermaidens months