Now the lovely June days had come,everything began to look really summer-like;school would soon be over,and the young people were joyfully preparing for the long vacation.
"We are all going up to Bethlehem.We take the seashore one year and the mountains the next.Better come along,"said Gus,as the boys lay on the grass after beating the Lincoins at one of the first matches of the season.
"Can't;we are off to Pebbly Beach the second week in July.Our invalids need sea air.That one looks delicate,doesn't he?"asked Frank,giving Jack a slight rap with his bat as that young gentleman lay in his usual attitude admiring the blue hose and russet shoes which adorned his sturdy limbs.
"Stop that,Captain!You needn't talk about invalids,when you know mother says you are not to look at a book for a month because you have studied yourself thin and headachy.I'm all right";and Jack gave himself a sounding slap on the chest,where shone the white star of the H.B.B.C.
"Hear the little cockerel crow!you just wait till you get into the college class,and see if you don't have to study like fun,"said Gus,with unruffled composure,for he was going to Harvard next year,and felt himself already a Senior.
"Never shall;I don't want any of your old colleges.I'm going into business as soon as I can.Ed says I may be his book-keeper,if Iam ready when he starts for himself.That is much jollier than grinding away for four years,and then having to grind ever so many more at a profession,"said Jack,examining with interest the various knocks and bruises with which much ball-playing had adorned his hands.
"Much you know about it.Just as well you don't mean to try,for it would take a mighty long pull and strong pull to get you in.
Business would suit you better,and you and Ed would make a capital partnership.Devlin,Minot,&Co.sounds well,hey,Gus?""Very,but they are such good-natured chaps,they'd never get rich.
By the way,Ed came home at noon today sick.I met him,and he looked regularly knocked up,"answered Gus,in a sober tone.
"I told him he'd better not go down Monday,for he wasn't well Saturday,and couldn't come to sing Sunday evening,you remember.I must go right round and see what the matter is";and Jack jumped up,with an anxious face.
"Let him alone till to-morrow.He won't want anyone fussing over him now.We are going for a pull;come along and steer,"said Frank,for the sunset promised to be fine,and the boys liked a brisk row in their newly painted boat,the "Rhodora.""Go ahead and get ready,I'll just cut round and ask at the door,It will seem kind,and I must know how Ed is.Won't be long";and Jack was off at his best pace.
The others were waiting impatiently when he came back with slower steps and a more anxious face.
"How is the old fellow?"called Frank from the boat,while Gus stood leaning on an oar in a nautical attitude.
"Pretty sick.Had the doctor.May have a fever.I didn't go in,but Ed Sent his love,and wanted to know who beat,"answered Jack,stepping to his place,glad to rest and coo1himself.
"Guess he'll be all right in a day or two";and Gus pushed off,leaving all care behind.
"Hope he won't have typhoid--that's no joke,I tell you,"said Frank,who knew all about it,and did not care to repeat the experience.
"He's worked too hard.He's so faithful he does more than his share,and gets tired out.Mother asked him to come down and see us when he has his vacation;we are going to have high old times fishing and boating.Up or down?"asked Jack,as they glided out into the river.
Gus looked both ways,and seeing another boat with a glimpse of red in it just going round the bend,answered,with decision,"Up,of course.Don't we always pull to the bridge?""Not when the girls are going down,"laughed Jack,who had recognized Juliet's scarlet boating-suit as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Mind what you are about,and don't gabble,"commanded Captain Frank,as the crew bent to their oars and the slender boat cut through the water leaving a long furrow trembling behind.
"Oh,ah!I see!There is a blue jacket as well as a red one,so it's all right.
"Lady Queen Anne,she sits in the sun,As white as a lily,as brown as a bun,"sung Jack,recovering his spirits,and wishing Jill was there too.
"Do you want a ducking?"sternly demanded Gus,anxious to preserve discipline.
"Shouldn'tmind,its so warm."
But Jack said no more,and soon the "Rhodora"was alongside the "Water Witch,"exchanging greetings in the most amiable manner.
"Pity this boat won't hold four.We'd put Jack in yours,and take you girls a nice spin up to the Hemlocks,"said Frank,whose idea of bliss was floating down the river with Annette as coxswain.
"You'd better come in here,this will hold four,and we are tired of rowing,"returned the "Water Witch,"so invitingly that Gus could not resist.
"I don't think it is safe to put four in there.You'd better change places with Annette,Gus,and then we shall be ship-shape,"said Frank,answering a telegram from the eyes that matched the blue jacket.
"Wouldn't it be more ship-shape still if you put me ashore at Grif's landing?I can take his boat,or wait till you come back.Don't care what I'd o,"said Jack,feeling himself sadly in the way.
The good-natured offer being accepted with thanks,the changes were made,and,leaving him behind,the two boats went gayly up the river.He really did not care what he did,so sat in Grif's boat awhile watching the red sky,the shining stream,and the low green meadows,where the blackbirds were singing as if they too had met their little sweethearts and were happy.