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

CHAPTER I

A MISHAP AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

"Will you please let me have two cream cakes?"

The young woman behind the counter of the small bakery glanced kindly at
the maker of this request, a little girl in a rather neat-looking dress,
with a dark, earnest face and a pair of big, solemn brown eyes.

"They're nice and fresh to-day," she remarked pleasantly; "they came out
of the oven only an hour ago."

The customer smiled.

"I'm glad," she said; "my little brother is very fond of cream cakes."

"And how is your little brother to-day?" the woman questioned, at the
same time selecting three large, fat cream cakes from the heaped up
dish on the counter.

"He's pretty well, thank you. Oh, excuse me, but you're giving me three;
I only asked for two."

"Never mind about that, it's all right. Too bad your little brother
can't get out these fine spring days, isn't it?"

A troubled, wistful look c