“I always wanted to tatch a whale, and this is a baby one, I fink.  A boy said, when they wanted to die they comed on the sand and did it, and we saw this one go dead just now.  Ain’t he pretty?” asked Boo, displaying the immense mouth with fond pride, while his friend flapped the tail.

“What are you going to do with him?” said Mrs. Hammond, regarding her infant as if she often asked herself the same question about her boy.

“Wap him up in a paper and tate him home to pay wid,” answered Harry, with such confidence in his big blue eyes that it was very hard to disappoint his hopes and tell him the treasure must be left behind.

Wails of despair burst from both children as the hard-hearted boys tipped out the little whale, and hustled the indignant fishermen on board the boat, which had been whistling for them impatiently.  Boo recovered his spirits first, and gulping down a sob that nearly shook his hat off, consoled his companion in affliction and convulsed his friends by taking from his pocket several little crabs, the remains of a jelly-fish, and such a collection of pebbles that Frank understood why he found the fat boy such a burden when he shouldered him, kicking and howling, in the late run to the boat.  These delicate toys healed the wounds of Boo and Harry, and they were soon happily walking the little “trabs” about inside a stone wall of their own building, while the others rested after their exertions, and laid plans for coming to the Willows another year, as people usually did who had once tasted the wholesome delights and cordial hospitality of this charming place.

Chapter XXIII

Cattle Show

The children were not the only ones who had learned something at Pebbly Beach.  Mrs. Minot had talked a good deal with some very superior persons, and received light upon various subjects which had much interested or perplexed her.  While the ladies worked or walked together, they naturally spoke oftenest and most earnestly about their children, and each contributed her experience.  Mrs. Hammond, who had been a physician for many years, was wise in the care of healthy little bodies, and the cure of sick ones.  Mrs. Channing, who had read, travelled, and observed much in the cause of education, had many useful hints about the training of young minds and hearts.  Several teachers reported their trials, and all the mothers were eager to know how to bring up their boys and girls to be healthy, happy, useful men and women.

As young people do not care for such discussions, we will not describe them, but as the impression they made upon one of the mammas affected our hero and heroine, we must mention the changes which took place in their life when they all got home again.

“School begins to-morrow.  Oh, dear!” sighed Jack, as he looked up his books in the Bird Room, a day or two after their return.

“Don’t you want to go?  I long to, but don’t believe I shall.  I saw our mothers talking to the doctor last night, but I haven’t dared to ask what they decided,” said Jill, affectionately eying the long-unused books in her little library.