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 . Jill 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 . Now that she was among the well and active , it seemed harder to be patient than when shut up and unable to stir . She felt so much better , and had so little pain to remind her of past troubles , it was almost impossible to help forgetting the poor back and letting her recovered spirits run away with her . If Mrs. Minot had not kept good watch , she would have been off more than once , so eager was she to be `` like other girls '' again , so difficult was it to keep the restless feet quietly folded among the red cushions .
One XXXXX she did yield to temptation , and took a little voyage which might have been her last , owing to the carelessness of those whom she trusted .
Cox Jill Mamie Minot Philadelphia bathing-time curiosities day mermaidens months