Chapter I: Front Matter

THE CHILDREN ON THE TOP FLOOR

BOOKS BY NINA RHOADES

"The Brick House Series"

ONLY DOLLIE
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
New cover design. Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

THE LITTLE GIRL NEXT DOOR
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

THE CHILDREN ON THE TOP FLOOR
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

HOW BARBARA KEPT HER PROMISE
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

LITTLE MISS ROSAMOND
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

PRISCILLA OF THE DOLL SHOP
Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson
Large 12mo Cloth $1.00

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

BOSTON

THE

CHILDREN ON THE TOP FLOOR

BY

NINA RHOADES

Author of "Only Dollie," "The Little Girl Next Door," and
"Winifred's Neighbors"

_ILLUSTRATED BY BERTHA G. DAVIDSON_

BOSTON

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

Copyright, 1904, by Lee and Shepard

_All rights reserved_

The Children on the Top Floor

Published August, 1904.

Norwood Press

Berwick & Smith Co.

Norwood, Mass.

U. S. A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. A Mishap and Its Consequences 7

II. Betty's Temptation 20

III. Winifred's Thank Offering 34

IV. Gathering Clouds 48

V. Winifred to the Rescue 65

VI. Friends in Need 80

VII. A Chance for Jack 93

VIII. The Doctor's Verdict 105

IX. Suspense 115

X. A Letter and a Surprise 124

XI. At Navesink 140

XII. Drifting 153

XIII. "His Lordship" 171

XIV. Jack's New Friend 180

XV. Something Happens 196

XVI. Uncle Jack 211

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
The next hour passed very pleasantly.
_(Frontispiece)_. 144

Little Betty Randall gazing disconsolately
down on the debris of her three cream cakes, 10

Betty found them all laughing heartily over
"My Grandmother's Cat" 94

What a delightful afternoon that was! 111

That sail down the bay was a new and very
delightful experience 136

"There aren't any oars, and we're drifting" 159

"It is very good," said Lord Carresford 189

"I'm the happiest boy in the world," said
Jack 219

THE CHILDREN ON THE TOP FLOOR