CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
IThe Sovereigns of England[9]
IIThe Lady in the Gray Cloak[18]
IIIBilly Bumps' Banquet[27]
IVThe Basket Ball Team in Trouble[42]
VThe Stone in the Pool[57]
VIJust Out of Reach[66]
VIIThe Core of the Apple[75]
VIIILycurgus Billet's Eagle Bait[84]
IXBob Buckham Takes a Hand[101]
XSomething About Old Times[112]
XIThe Strawberry Mark[122]
XIITea With Mrs. Eland[134]
XIIINeale Suffers a Shortening Process[145]
XIVThe First Rehearsal[156]
XVThe Hallowe'en Party[167]
XVIThe Five-dollar Gold Piece[175]
XVIIThe Mysterious Letter[184]
XVIIIMiss Pepperill and the Gray Lady[193]
XIXA Thanksgiving Skating Party[198]
XXNeale's Endless Chain[206]
XXIThe Corner House Thanksgiving[212]
XXIIClouds and Sunshine[217]
XXIIISwiftwing, the Hummingbird[228]
XXIVThe Final Rehearsal[240]
XXVA Great Success[247]

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
She truly did well in this performance[Frontispiece]
At the moment the eagle dropped with spread talons,the big dog leaped[103]
They saw two huge pumpkin lanterns grinning awelcome from the gateposts[173]
The scaffolding pulled apart slowly, falling forwardthrough the drop[238]

THE CORNER HOUSE
GIRLS IN A PLAY


CHAPTER I
THE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND