Chapter 1

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY 186

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE '----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.

THE RECTORY CHILDREN