It was a pretty sight to see them run into one another 's arms and hug and kiss and talk and skip in such a state of girlish joy they never cared who saw or laughed at their innocent raptures . `` You darling dear ! where did you come from ? '' cried Jill , holding Molly by both shoulders , and shaking her a little to be sure she was real . `` Mrs. Minot sent for us to spend a week . You look so well , I ca n't believe my eyes ! '' answered Molly , patting Jill 's cheeks and kissing them over and over , as if to make sure the bright color would not come off . `` A week ? How splendid ! Oh , I 've such heaps to tell and show you ; come right over to my cubby and see how lovely it is , '' said Jill , forgetting everybody else in her delight at getting Molly . `` 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 , XXXXX 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 .
Frank Jack Minot Molly afternoon bathing-time dinner-horn left sailing-matches week