`` 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 any one 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 every one 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 every one 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 , XXXXX ! ''
Cox Jill afternoon dinner-horn flagpole knickerbockers left rowing sailing-matches wrench