
Jack of Both Sides - The Story of a School War - BY - FLORENCE COOMBE - Author of "Boys of the Priory School" "A Chum Worth Having" "Her Friend and Mine" &c. - ILLUSTRATED BY S. B. PEARSE - BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED LONDON GLASGOW AND DUBLIN
JACK OF BOTH SIDES
CHAPTER I - THE JOKE THAT FAILED
CHAPTER II - TOPPIN'S DIVE
CHAPTER III - THE CHICKEN AND THE BICYCLE
CHAPTER IV - A KNOCK AT THE WINDOW
CHAPTER V - THE STORM BREAKS
CHAPTER VI - THE MARCH HARE'S REVENGE
CHAPTER VII - HANNAH THE HOUSEMAID
CHAPTER VIII - JACK'S MAIDEN SPEECH
At Brincliffe School, a boarding house, a new class of day‑pupils has just been admitted, stirring up old resentments among the resident boarders. The opening scene finds a basket of stale bread tossed between the two groups, sparking a heated exchange that reveals the deep‑seated rivalry and the teasing that defines daily life. Through dialogue and vivid description, the narrator introduces Mason, Jack Brady, and their fellow newcomers as they confront the hostile welcome. The clash over something as simple as lunch becomes a micro‑cosm of the larger social divide on campus.
As the term progresses, the boys must learn to survive the unspoken rules of a school where status is measured by who sleeps under the same roof. Alliances shift, jokes turn sharp, and the newcomers discover both cruelty and camaraderie in the knit community. The story balances humor with earnest reflection, offering a lively portrait of adolescence, loyalty, and the struggle to find one's place amid entrenched traditions. Listeners will be drawn into the spirited world of Brincliffe, feeling the tension and hope that accompany every classroom and playground encounter.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (113K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Dave Morgan, Paul Stephen, Fox in the Stars and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-01-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
Best known for lively children's stories set in schools and adventurous corners of the British world, this early 20th-century writer had a gift for brisk plots and warm-hearted character sketches. Her books often mix mischief, friendship, and moral courage in a way that still feels inviting.
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