Jack and Jill (1880)
Chapter One: The Catastrophe
There are three sledding paths in Harmony Village. Joe says to Jill that she wouldn't dare take the biggest one, so she insists that her friend Jack Minot take her down it several times. The final time they crash; Jack breaks his leg and hits his head, and Jill hurts her back. Jack's sled is named Thunderbolt. Jill's real name is Janey Pecq.
Chapter Two: Two Penitents
Jack, an athletic boy, is horrified at the prospect of three weeks in bed. Jill's injury is more concerning. She blames herself for the accident and says she'll be the best girl ever if she ever gets out of her room. We learn that Mrs. Pecq is an Englishwoman and Jill's dead father was French Canadian.
Chapter Three: Ward No. 1
After four days they're getting cabin fever. Jack's older brother Frank, an academic sort, rigs up a clothesline to send things back and forth - oranges, letters, books, guava jelly, and a kitten. Gus, Ed, and Joe visit Jack and eat up the dishes the old ladies of the village sent him. They tease Jack for putting a kiss in his letter to Jill.
Chapter Four: Ward No. 2
Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed. Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
Chapter Five: Secrets
The girls sit in a circle with their backs to each other in order to make their Christmas presents. They know a surprise is in progress at the Minot house, but they don't know what it is. These chapters are short.
Chapter Six: Surprises
Dr. Whiting and Frank move Jill to Jack's house.
The great room was entirely changed; for now it looked like a garden, or one of the fairy scenes children love, where in-doors and out-of-doors are pleasantly combined. The ceiling was pale blue, like the sky; the walls were covered with a paper like a rustic trellis, up which climbed morning-glories so naturally that the many-colored bells seemed dancing in the wind. Birds and butterflies flew among them, and here and there, through arches in the trellis, one seemed to look into a sunny summer world, contrasting curiously with the wintry landscape lying beyond the real windows, festooned with evergreen garlands, and curtained only by stands of living flowers. A green drugget covered the floor like grass, rustic chairs from the garden stood about, and in the middle of the room a handsome hemlock waited for its pretty burden. A Yule-log blazed on the wide hearth, and over the chimney-piece, framed in holly, shone the words that set all hearts to dancing, “Merry Christmas!”
The best part? Jill and Mrs. Pecq are going to stay there.
Jill gives him blue mittens she made. He gives her a turquoise ring. They all stand around the tree and sing.
Chapter Seven: Jill's Mission
The two glue Jack's stamp collection into his new album. Frank scolds him for not doing his Latin and Jack throws the album at Frank. Jill, left alone, sees a note on the floor and thinking it's Frank's to Annette, picks it up. She falls over but is able to get back up. It's from Mrs. Minot to her sister and she mentions the doctor fears Jill's injury is permanent. Mrs. Minot comes home and sees that Jill is guilty of something. She confesses and Mrs. Minot tells her about Lucinda, a bedridden woman she knew.
Chapter Eight: Merry and Molly
Merry is a farmer's daughter with three older brothers literally named Tom, Dick, and Harry, She's fifteen, which makes me wonder even more about Jill's exact age. I did grow up on a cul-de-sac where kids played together regardless of age, but I'm still curious.
Anyway, Merry enjoys dainty things and romantic dreams but seldom gets them. So she finds some old pictures in the garret and puts them on her wall.
She had worked all the afternoon, and only finished at supper time, so the candles had to be lighted that the toilette might look its best, and impress the beholders with an idea of true elegance. Unfortunately, the fire smoked a little, and a window was set ajar to clear the room; an evil-disposed gust blew in, wafting the thin drapery within reach of the light, and when Merry threw open the door proudly thinking to display her success, she was horrified to find the room in a blaze, and half her labor all in vain.
The brothers put it out quickly with only a little harm done to the carpet.
Molly's father's housekeeper, Miss Bathsheba, is old and getting “careless” so she decides to step up. Does the dishes, covers holes in the sofa, and patches some clothes. Miss Bat objects to Boo having a hot bath just after lunch. She gets her father's permission when he comes home, but going to bed with wet hair gives him croup.
Molly is Maria Louisa and he is Napoleon Bonaparte. No wonder they call him Boo.
Chapter Nine: The Debating Club
The boys' club debates whether girls should go to college with them. (I wrote for them at first.) A funny contrast to their last topic, whether summer or winter is more fun.
JOE: Girls belong at home darning stockings. Boys would do better without them.
GRIF: Girls don't have the strength for rowing races and other larks.
NARRATOR: Grif is unaware that college is for studying.
GUS: Why not? Jill is best in her class and Mabel is the best in hers.
ED: Which includes Joe.
Ralph, a 19 year old dude who occasionally indulges the boys with his presense, gives them impressions of several Dickens characters that leave them rolling with laughter.
Chapter Ten: The Dramatic Club
After falling in Chapter 7, Jill has to lie on a board for two hours each day. The club meets at the Minot house to prepare for Sleeping Beauty. They argue over the costumes and who should play the princess until Merry suggests they let Jill have the part.
Chapter Eleven: “Down Brakes”
Well-behaved Frank does an uncharacteristic thing. He and Gus hang out by the railroad station, admiring engine No. 11. “I’d give ten dollars if I could run her up to the bend and back,” he says. And then Joe appears and lifts the switch, so they take a little joyride, first forward and then in reverse.
Needless to say, the stationmaster is pissed and they get fined $25. Jack is pleased that Frank did something worse than him. Molly teases him by leaving Boo's toy train and two headless dolls on his porch.
Chapter Twelve: The Twenty-Second of February
What's the best way to celebrate Washington's birthday? In California we had a week off school to go skiing or visit our grandparents. In an Alcott novel it's tableaux. First Boo chopping down the tree and Gus as Dad Washington. That's a myth invented by Mason Locke Weems but I don't think LMA could have known it.
Ed found enough musicians to make up an orchestra. They play songs to go with the crossing of the Delaware, the Daughters of Liberty replacing tea with coffee, Cornwallis surrendering with Jack as Lafeyette, the miserable winter at Valley Forge, ball at Trenton with the girls singing, and the family portrait.
“Now I don’t see what more they can have except the death-bed, and that would be rather out of place in this gay company,” says an old man to Gus' dad, who replies that Gus wouldn't be seen in public in a nightshirt. It's Frank as the Minute Man statue and Ralph as Daniel Chester French - the book doesn't name him, just says the sculptor. Everyone loves the piece de resistance, except Grif shouts “All aboard!”
Then Sleeping Beauty with Jill, and Ralph as Mother Goose with a real goose and various kids as Miss Muffet etc.
Chapter Thirteen: Jack has a Mystery
Jack needs money but won't say why. Jill suggests he use his printing press to make cards and they get the $2.75 that way.
Mr. Acton - unlike Teacher in Under the Lilacs he gets a name - punishes Jack for going to a saloon at recess. Joe saw him there, Jack confesses he went to pay Jerry Shannon, one of the wild boys. He won't say why.
Chapter Fourteen: And Jill Finds It Out
Jack mutters in his sleep and Jill hears something about Bob, a boy who moved to the next town over. Aha, she thinks, that's who the money was for. She writes to Bob and he responds that yes, Jack paid his debt to Shannon, and Bob had him promise not to tell. Mrs. Minot is proud that her son stuck to his word, comparing him to Casabianca. Frank, like Sybil in Moods, thinks that boy was a fool.
Chapter Fifteen: Saint Lucy
Mrs. Minot tells Jack, Jill, and Frank a story with thinly-veiled versions of themselves. The good news is that in a few months Jill will be allowed to walk again.
Chapter Sixteen: Up at Merry's
Merry does her cleaning. She's been working on the dining-room, adding flowers and a “pretty shade of pressed autumn leaves.” As much as she wants to get back to Ivanhoe, she has socks to mend. Then her mother sends her to fetch a recipe from Miss Bat.
On her way back she passes Ralph looking very happy. “David German” wants to take him to Rome in fall. He'll write to her and she says she'll write back but her letters must be boring compared to his. “I didn’t know you had any worries,” he says, “for you always seemed like one of the happiest people in the world, with so many to pet and care for you, and plenty of money, and nothing very hard or hateful to do. You’d think you were well off if you knew as much about poverty and work and never getting what you want, as I do.”
She invites him in for supper and gives him a flower to put in plaster. Can you feel the love tonight?
Chapter Seventeen: Down at Molly's
Molly feeds her nine cats and tells them the shocking news that Miss Bat is cleaning! Yet what is the cause? Molly has no idea, but Miss Bat overheard two hard-of-hearing ladies talking about Molly and Boo
Her dad is home for once and sees her making shirts for Boo. He thought Miss Bat did the sewing. Molly has been learning from Mrs. Pecq. He tells her to spend as much as she likes on summer clothes.
“How nice it will seem to have a plenty of new, neat dresses all at once, and be like other girls! Miss Bat always talks about economy, and has no more taste than a- caterpillar.” Molly meant to say “cat,” but remembering her pets, spared them the insult.
LOL, I love her.
He gives her to key to her mother's things and she tears up with joy.
So the little missionaries succeeded better in their second attempt than in their first; for, though still very far from being perfect girls, each was slowly learning, in her own way, one of the three lessons all are the better for knowing- that cheerfulness can change misfortune into love and friends; that in ordering one’s self aright one helps others to do the same; and that the power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.
There are 24 chapters and 4 of them have final sentences that begin with So. Okay, that's not very many, but it's enough that I noticed it.
Chapter Eighteen: May Baskets
The job now in hand was May baskets, for it was the custom of the children to hang them on the doors of their friends the night before May-day; and the girls had agreed to supply baskets if the boys would hunt for flowers, much the harder task of the two. Jill had more leisure as well as taste and skill than the other girls, so she amused herself with making a goodly store of pretty baskets of all shapes, sizes, and colors, quite confident that they would be filled, though not a flower had shown its head except a few hardy dandelions, and here and there a small cluster of saxifrage.
Due to the late spring there aren't enough flowers to be picked so they have to buy some. Jill sends her basket to Mrs. Minot. Molly to Grif with a thorn “to pay for the tack he put in my rubber boot.” Ed gives several to old people and a little Irish girl. Ralph leaves Merry one with a bas-relief of the lily she gave him in her chapter.
Chapter Nineteen: Good Templars
Gus' uncle is giving a haycart ride, but Jack and Frank have to be at their Temperance Club meeting to nominate Bob for membership. Reverend Mr. Chauncey, an old friend of their grandfather, visits the town. He also belongs to a club and gives a public speech on the subject.
Jeez, 90% of this book is boring as hell.
Chapter Twenty: A Sweet Memory
Ed dies of some illness. Jack and Frank both cry, aww.
It is often said that there should be no death or grief in children’s stories. It is not wise to dwell on the dark and sad side of these things; but they have also a bright and lovely side, and since even the youngest, dearest, and most guarded child cannot escape some knowledge of the great mystery, is it not well to teach them in simple, cheerful ways that affection sweetens sorrow, and a lovely life can make death beautiful? I think so, therefore try to tell the last scene in the history of a boy who really lived and really left behind him a memory so precious that it will not be soon forgotten by those who knew and loved him.
The whole town shows up for his funereal. Jill presses the flowers to keep.
Chapter Twenty-One: Pebbly Beach
Vacation at the bay. Frank learns to ride a bicycle. Jack and his new friends fish and play tennis and baseball.
Jill enjoys herself very much. One day the boys forget to moor her boat, she falls asleep, and it floats away. After saying a prayer, she gets rescued by a lobsterman.
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Happy Day
Molly and Boo join them for a week. Frank and “the bicycle boy” win the boat race. Jack runs in thefootrace. Molly and Jill watch a girls' archery contest. Then a dance and a firework show. Boo catches a lobster that makes a few people ill. Luckily one of the women boarding at the house is a physician.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Cattle Show
Mrs. Minot announces that her boys won't return to school. But college! says Frank. You'll wait until you're 18. she says. They need to spend more time working on healthy bodies.
Ralph wins a prize at the fair for his bust of Jill, and a woman hires him to make one of her son. Merry gets one for butter and Jill for her quilt.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Down the River
The girls sew while Mrs. Minot reads to them from Mrs. Strickland's Queens of England. Merry used to dream about being a queen, but she's learned to enjoy ruling the home. Molly wants to travel and see the world. Jill wants to be famous, “ambitious in spite of the newly acquired meekness, which was all the more becoming because her natural liveliness often broke out like sunshine through a veil of light clouds.”
However, we're told that Merry marries Ralph and lives in Italy, Molly, a spinster, keeps house and raises Boo, and Jill is happy with her husband Jack.
The next day they have a picnic at the river. Ralph comes late with the news that he's going to Rome.
Here we will say good-by to these girls and boys of ours as they sit together in the sunshine talking over a year that was to be for ever memorable to them, not because of any very remarkable events, but because they were just beginning to look about them as they stepped out of childhood into youth, and some of the experiences of the past months had set them to thinking, taught them to see the use and beauty of the small duties, joys, and sorrows which make up our lives, and inspired them to resolve that the coming year should be braver and brighter than the last.
There are many such boys and girls, full of high hopes, lovely possibilities, and earnest plans, pausing a moment before they push their little boats from the safe shore. Let those who launch them see to it that they have good health to man the oars, good education for ballast, and good principles as pilots to guide them as they voyage down an ever-widening river to the sea.
This entry was originally posted at https://nocowardsoul.dreamwidth.org/44553.html
There are three sledding paths in Harmony Village. Joe says to Jill that she wouldn't dare take the biggest one, so she insists that her friend Jack Minot take her down it several times. The final time they crash; Jack breaks his leg and hits his head, and Jill hurts her back. Jack's sled is named Thunderbolt. Jill's real name is Janey Pecq.
Chapter Two: Two Penitents
Jack, an athletic boy, is horrified at the prospect of three weeks in bed. Jill's injury is more concerning. She blames herself for the accident and says she'll be the best girl ever if she ever gets out of her room. We learn that Mrs. Pecq is an Englishwoman and Jill's dead father was French Canadian.
Chapter Three: Ward No. 1
After four days they're getting cabin fever. Jack's older brother Frank, an academic sort, rigs up a clothesline to send things back and forth - oranges, letters, books, guava jelly, and a kitten. Gus, Ed, and Joe visit Jack and eat up the dishes the old ladies of the village sent him. They tease Jack for putting a kiss in his letter to Jill.
Chapter Four: Ward No. 2
Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed. Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
Chapter Five: Secrets
The girls sit in a circle with their backs to each other in order to make their Christmas presents. They know a surprise is in progress at the Minot house, but they don't know what it is. These chapters are short.
Chapter Six: Surprises
Dr. Whiting and Frank move Jill to Jack's house.
The great room was entirely changed; for now it looked like a garden, or one of the fairy scenes children love, where in-doors and out-of-doors are pleasantly combined. The ceiling was pale blue, like the sky; the walls were covered with a paper like a rustic trellis, up which climbed morning-glories so naturally that the many-colored bells seemed dancing in the wind. Birds and butterflies flew among them, and here and there, through arches in the trellis, one seemed to look into a sunny summer world, contrasting curiously with the wintry landscape lying beyond the real windows, festooned with evergreen garlands, and curtained only by stands of living flowers. A green drugget covered the floor like grass, rustic chairs from the garden stood about, and in the middle of the room a handsome hemlock waited for its pretty burden. A Yule-log blazed on the wide hearth, and over the chimney-piece, framed in holly, shone the words that set all hearts to dancing, “Merry Christmas!”
The best part? Jill and Mrs. Pecq are going to stay there.
Jill gives him blue mittens she made. He gives her a turquoise ring. They all stand around the tree and sing.
Chapter Seven: Jill's Mission
The two glue Jack's stamp collection into his new album. Frank scolds him for not doing his Latin and Jack throws the album at Frank. Jill, left alone, sees a note on the floor and thinking it's Frank's to Annette, picks it up. She falls over but is able to get back up. It's from Mrs. Minot to her sister and she mentions the doctor fears Jill's injury is permanent. Mrs. Minot comes home and sees that Jill is guilty of something. She confesses and Mrs. Minot tells her about Lucinda, a bedridden woman she knew.
Chapter Eight: Merry and Molly
Merry is a farmer's daughter with three older brothers literally named Tom, Dick, and Harry, She's fifteen, which makes me wonder even more about Jill's exact age. I did grow up on a cul-de-sac where kids played together regardless of age, but I'm still curious.
Anyway, Merry enjoys dainty things and romantic dreams but seldom gets them. So she finds some old pictures in the garret and puts them on her wall.
She had worked all the afternoon, and only finished at supper time, so the candles had to be lighted that the toilette might look its best, and impress the beholders with an idea of true elegance. Unfortunately, the fire smoked a little, and a window was set ajar to clear the room; an evil-disposed gust blew in, wafting the thin drapery within reach of the light, and when Merry threw open the door proudly thinking to display her success, she was horrified to find the room in a blaze, and half her labor all in vain.
The brothers put it out quickly with only a little harm done to the carpet.
Molly's father's housekeeper, Miss Bathsheba, is old and getting “careless” so she decides to step up. Does the dishes, covers holes in the sofa, and patches some clothes. Miss Bat objects to Boo having a hot bath just after lunch. She gets her father's permission when he comes home, but going to bed with wet hair gives him croup.
Molly is Maria Louisa and he is Napoleon Bonaparte. No wonder they call him Boo.
Chapter Nine: The Debating Club
The boys' club debates whether girls should go to college with them. (I wrote for them at first.) A funny contrast to their last topic, whether summer or winter is more fun.
JOE: Girls belong at home darning stockings. Boys would do better without them.
GRIF: Girls don't have the strength for rowing races and other larks.
NARRATOR: Grif is unaware that college is for studying.
GUS: Why not? Jill is best in her class and Mabel is the best in hers.
ED: Which includes Joe.
Ralph, a 19 year old dude who occasionally indulges the boys with his presense, gives them impressions of several Dickens characters that leave them rolling with laughter.
Chapter Ten: The Dramatic Club
After falling in Chapter 7, Jill has to lie on a board for two hours each day. The club meets at the Minot house to prepare for Sleeping Beauty. They argue over the costumes and who should play the princess until Merry suggests they let Jill have the part.
Chapter Eleven: “Down Brakes”
Well-behaved Frank does an uncharacteristic thing. He and Gus hang out by the railroad station, admiring engine No. 11. “I’d give ten dollars if I could run her up to the bend and back,” he says. And then Joe appears and lifts the switch, so they take a little joyride, first forward and then in reverse.
Needless to say, the stationmaster is pissed and they get fined $25. Jack is pleased that Frank did something worse than him. Molly teases him by leaving Boo's toy train and two headless dolls on his porch.
Chapter Twelve: The Twenty-Second of February
What's the best way to celebrate Washington's birthday? In California we had a week off school to go skiing or visit our grandparents. In an Alcott novel it's tableaux. First Boo chopping down the tree and Gus as Dad Washington. That's a myth invented by Mason Locke Weems but I don't think LMA could have known it.
Ed found enough musicians to make up an orchestra. They play songs to go with the crossing of the Delaware, the Daughters of Liberty replacing tea with coffee, Cornwallis surrendering with Jack as Lafeyette, the miserable winter at Valley Forge, ball at Trenton with the girls singing, and the family portrait.
“Now I don’t see what more they can have except the death-bed, and that would be rather out of place in this gay company,” says an old man to Gus' dad, who replies that Gus wouldn't be seen in public in a nightshirt. It's Frank as the Minute Man statue and Ralph as Daniel Chester French - the book doesn't name him, just says the sculptor. Everyone loves the piece de resistance, except Grif shouts “All aboard!”
Then Sleeping Beauty with Jill, and Ralph as Mother Goose with a real goose and various kids as Miss Muffet etc.
Chapter Thirteen: Jack has a Mystery
Jack needs money but won't say why. Jill suggests he use his printing press to make cards and they get the $2.75 that way.
Mr. Acton - unlike Teacher in Under the Lilacs he gets a name - punishes Jack for going to a saloon at recess. Joe saw him there, Jack confesses he went to pay Jerry Shannon, one of the wild boys. He won't say why.
Chapter Fourteen: And Jill Finds It Out
Jack mutters in his sleep and Jill hears something about Bob, a boy who moved to the next town over. Aha, she thinks, that's who the money was for. She writes to Bob and he responds that yes, Jack paid his debt to Shannon, and Bob had him promise not to tell. Mrs. Minot is proud that her son stuck to his word, comparing him to Casabianca. Frank, like Sybil in Moods, thinks that boy was a fool.
Chapter Fifteen: Saint Lucy
Mrs. Minot tells Jack, Jill, and Frank a story with thinly-veiled versions of themselves. The good news is that in a few months Jill will be allowed to walk again.
Chapter Sixteen: Up at Merry's
Merry does her cleaning. She's been working on the dining-room, adding flowers and a “pretty shade of pressed autumn leaves.” As much as she wants to get back to Ivanhoe, she has socks to mend. Then her mother sends her to fetch a recipe from Miss Bat.
On her way back she passes Ralph looking very happy. “David German” wants to take him to Rome in fall. He'll write to her and she says she'll write back but her letters must be boring compared to his. “I didn’t know you had any worries,” he says, “for you always seemed like one of the happiest people in the world, with so many to pet and care for you, and plenty of money, and nothing very hard or hateful to do. You’d think you were well off if you knew as much about poverty and work and never getting what you want, as I do.”
She invites him in for supper and gives him a flower to put in plaster. Can you feel the love tonight?
Chapter Seventeen: Down at Molly's
Molly feeds her nine cats and tells them the shocking news that Miss Bat is cleaning! Yet what is the cause? Molly has no idea, but Miss Bat overheard two hard-of-hearing ladies talking about Molly and Boo
Her dad is home for once and sees her making shirts for Boo. He thought Miss Bat did the sewing. Molly has been learning from Mrs. Pecq. He tells her to spend as much as she likes on summer clothes.
“How nice it will seem to have a plenty of new, neat dresses all at once, and be like other girls! Miss Bat always talks about economy, and has no more taste than a- caterpillar.” Molly meant to say “cat,” but remembering her pets, spared them the insult.
LOL, I love her.
He gives her to key to her mother's things and she tears up with joy.
So the little missionaries succeeded better in their second attempt than in their first; for, though still very far from being perfect girls, each was slowly learning, in her own way, one of the three lessons all are the better for knowing- that cheerfulness can change misfortune into love and friends; that in ordering one’s self aright one helps others to do the same; and that the power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.
There are 24 chapters and 4 of them have final sentences that begin with So. Okay, that's not very many, but it's enough that I noticed it.
Chapter Eighteen: May Baskets
The job now in hand was May baskets, for it was the custom of the children to hang them on the doors of their friends the night before May-day; and the girls had agreed to supply baskets if the boys would hunt for flowers, much the harder task of the two. Jill had more leisure as well as taste and skill than the other girls, so she amused herself with making a goodly store of pretty baskets of all shapes, sizes, and colors, quite confident that they would be filled, though not a flower had shown its head except a few hardy dandelions, and here and there a small cluster of saxifrage.
Due to the late spring there aren't enough flowers to be picked so they have to buy some. Jill sends her basket to Mrs. Minot. Molly to Grif with a thorn “to pay for the tack he put in my rubber boot.” Ed gives several to old people and a little Irish girl. Ralph leaves Merry one with a bas-relief of the lily she gave him in her chapter.
Chapter Nineteen: Good Templars
Gus' uncle is giving a haycart ride, but Jack and Frank have to be at their Temperance Club meeting to nominate Bob for membership. Reverend Mr. Chauncey, an old friend of their grandfather, visits the town. He also belongs to a club and gives a public speech on the subject.
Jeez, 90% of this book is boring as hell.
Chapter Twenty: A Sweet Memory
Ed dies of some illness. Jack and Frank both cry, aww.
It is often said that there should be no death or grief in children’s stories. It is not wise to dwell on the dark and sad side of these things; but they have also a bright and lovely side, and since even the youngest, dearest, and most guarded child cannot escape some knowledge of the great mystery, is it not well to teach them in simple, cheerful ways that affection sweetens sorrow, and a lovely life can make death beautiful? I think so, therefore try to tell the last scene in the history of a boy who really lived and really left behind him a memory so precious that it will not be soon forgotten by those who knew and loved him.
The whole town shows up for his funereal. Jill presses the flowers to keep.
Chapter Twenty-One: Pebbly Beach
Vacation at the bay. Frank learns to ride a bicycle. Jack and his new friends fish and play tennis and baseball.
Jill enjoys herself very much. One day the boys forget to moor her boat, she falls asleep, and it floats away. After saying a prayer, she gets rescued by a lobsterman.
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Happy Day
Molly and Boo join them for a week. Frank and “the bicycle boy” win the boat race. Jack runs in thefootrace. Molly and Jill watch a girls' archery contest. Then a dance and a firework show. Boo catches a lobster that makes a few people ill. Luckily one of the women boarding at the house is a physician.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Cattle Show
Mrs. Minot announces that her boys won't return to school. But college! says Frank. You'll wait until you're 18. she says. They need to spend more time working on healthy bodies.
Ralph wins a prize at the fair for his bust of Jill, and a woman hires him to make one of her son. Merry gets one for butter and Jill for her quilt.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Down the River
The girls sew while Mrs. Minot reads to them from Mrs. Strickland's Queens of England. Merry used to dream about being a queen, but she's learned to enjoy ruling the home. Molly wants to travel and see the world. Jill wants to be famous, “ambitious in spite of the newly acquired meekness, which was all the more becoming because her natural liveliness often broke out like sunshine through a veil of light clouds.”
However, we're told that Merry marries Ralph and lives in Italy, Molly, a spinster, keeps house and raises Boo, and Jill is happy with her husband Jack.
The next day they have a picnic at the river. Ralph comes late with the news that he's going to Rome.
Here we will say good-by to these girls and boys of ours as they sit together in the sunshine talking over a year that was to be for ever memorable to them, not because of any very remarkable events, but because they were just beginning to look about them as they stepped out of childhood into youth, and some of the experiences of the past months had set them to thinking, taught them to see the use and beauty of the small duties, joys, and sorrows which make up our lives, and inspired them to resolve that the coming year should be braver and brighter than the last.
There are many such boys and girls, full of high hopes, lovely possibilities, and earnest plans, pausing a moment before they push their little boats from the safe shore. Let those who launch them see to it that they have good health to man the oars, good education for ballast, and good principles as pilots to guide them as they voyage down an ever-widening river to the sea.
This entry was originally posted at https://nocowardsoul.dreamwidth.org/44553.html