BOOK I

THREE AGAINST THE WORLD

CHAPTER PAGE I. SPARROW HALL 9

II. SHOVELSTRODE 20

III. IN THE RAIN 31

IV. FATE'S AFTERTHOUGHT 40

V. THE HERO 53

VI. THICK WOODS 63

VII. OVER THE GATES OF PARADISE 75

VIII. BRAMBLETYE 86

IX. SOME PEOPLE ARE HAPPY--IN DIFFERENT WAYS 97

X. TONY BACKS AN OUTSIDER 109

XI. DISILLUSION AT SIXTEEN 122

XII. CHILDREN DANCING IN THE DUSK 135

XIII. KEEPING CHRISTMAS 145

XIV. WOODS AT DAWN 161

XV. THE SERMON ON FORGIVENESS 173