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 Jill 's friend a most delightful girl . What a good time Molly did have that week ! Other people were going to leave also , and therefore much picnicking , boating , and driving was crowded into the last days . Clambakes on the shore , charades in the studio , sewing-parties at the boat , evening frolics in the big dining-room , farewell calls , gifts , and invitations , all sorts of plans for next summer , and vows of eternal friendship exchanged between people who would soon forget each other . It was very pleasant , till poor Boo innocently added to the excitement by poisoning a few of his neighbors with a bad lobster . The ambitious little soul pined to catch one of these mysterious but lovely red creatures , and spent days fishing on the beach , investigating holes and corners , and tagging after the old man who supplied the house . One day after a high wind he found several `` lobs '' washed up on the beach , and , though disappointed at their color , he picked out a big one , and set off to show his prize to Molly . Half-way home he met the old man on his way with a basket of fish , and being tired of lugging his contribution laid it with the others , meaning to explain later . No one saw him do it , as the old man was busy with his pipe ; and Boo ran back to get more dear lobs , leaving his treasure to go into the kettle and appear at supper , by which time he had forgotten all about it . Fortunately none of the children ate any , but several older people were made ill , and quite a panic prevailed that night as one after the other called up the doctor , who was boarding close by ; and good Mrs. Grey , the hostess , ran about with hot flannels , bottles of medicine , and distracted messages from room to room . All were comfortable by morning , but the friends of the sufferers lay in wait for the old fisherman , and gave him a good scolding for his carelessness . The poor man was protesting his innocence when Boo , who was passing by , looked into the basket , and asked what had become of his lob . A few questions brought the truth to light , and a general laugh put every one in good humor , when poor Boo mildly said , by way of explanation , -- `` I fought I was helpin ' Mrs. Dray , and I did want to see the dreen lob come out all red when she boiled him . But I fordot , and I do n't fink I 'll ever find such a nice big one any more . '' `` For our sakes , I hope you wo n't , my dear , '' said Mrs. Hammond , who had been nursing one of the sufferers . `` It 's lucky we are going home to-morrow , or that child would be the death of himself and everybody else . He is perfectly crazy about fish , and I 've pulled him out of that old lobster-pot on the beach a dozen times , '' groaned Molly , much afflicted by the mishaps of her young charge . There was a great breaking up next day , and the old omnibus went off to the station with Bacon hanging on behind , the bicycle boy and his iron whirligig atop , and heads popping out of all the windows for last good-byes . Our party and the Hammonds were going by boat , and were all ready to start for the pier when Boo and little Harry were missing .
XXXXX , the maid , and both boys ran different ways to find them ; and all sorts of dreadful suggestions were being made when shouts of laughter were heard from the beach , and the truants appeared , proudly dragging in Harry 's little wagon a dead devil-fish , as the natives call that ugly thing which looks like a magnified tadpole -- all head and no body .
Bacon Clambakes Hammonds Jill Molly mishaps morning sakes sewing-parties week