CONTENTS

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CHAPTER I
The Parlour behind the Shop[1]

CHAPTER II
Those Young Ladies[18]

CHAPTER III
A Trying Child[34]

CHAPTER IV
Biddy has some New Thoughts[51]

CHAPTER V
Celestina[66]

CHAPTER VI
The Window in the Wall[83]

CHAPTER VII
On the Seashore[99]

CHAPTER VIII
A Nice Plan[117]

CHAPTER IX
A Secret[134]

CHAPTER X
Biddy's Escapade[151]

CHAPTER XI
And its Consequences[169]

CHAPTER XII
Another Birthday[186]


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

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'——and—oh, Alie, I have so torn my frock, and it's my afternoon one—my new merino'[27]
'Little girl,' she called, when she got close to the other child[75]
'It's like a magic-lantern; no, I mean a peep-show'[89]
'I would like to go there,' she said[115]
A secret[148]
——carrying between them a little dripping figure, with streaming hair, white face, and closed eyes[161]
'Now, Biddy. Open your eyes'[195]


'O little hearts! that throb and beat,
With such impatient, feverish heat,
Such limitless and strong desires.'—Longfellow.