Jill 's white bunting with cherry ribbons was very becoming , and the lively feet in the new slippers patted the floor impatiently as the sound of dance music came down to the Willows after tea , and the other girls waltzed on the wide piazza because they could not keep still . `` No dancing for me , but Molly must have a good time . You 'll see that she does , wo n't you , boys ? '' said Jill , who knew that her share of the fun would be lying on a settee and watching the rest enjoy her favorite pastime . Frank and Jack promised , and kept their word handsomely ; for there was plenty of room in the great dancing-hall at the hotel , and the band in the pavilion played such inspiring music that , as the bicycle boy said , `` Every one who had a leg could n't help shaking it . '' Molly was twirled about to her heart 's content , and flew hither and thither like a blue butterfly ; for all the lads liked her , and she kept running up to tell Jill the funny things they said and did . As night darkened from all the houses in the valley , on the cliffs and along the shore lights shone and sparkled ; for every one decorated with gay lanterns , and several yachts in the bay strung colored lamps about the little vessels , making a pretty picture on the quiet sea . Jill thought she had never seen anything so like fairy-land , and felt very like one in a dream as she drove slowly up and down with Mamie , Gerty , Molly , and Mrs. Cox in the carriage , so that she might see it all without too much fatigue . It was very lovely ; and when rockets began to whizz , filling the air with golden rain , a shower of colored stars , fiery dragons , or glittering wheels , the girls could only shriek with delight , and beg to stay a little longer each time the prudent lady proposed going home . It had to be at last ; but Molly and Jill comforted themselves by a long talk in bed , for it was impossible to sleep with glares of light coming every few minutes , flocks of people talking and tramping by in the road , and bursts of music floating down to them as the older but not wiser revellers kept up the merriment till a late hour . 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 , XXXXX about with hot flannels , bottles of medicine , and distracted messages from room to room .
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