
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
A small town schoolboy discovers that a dazzling silk handkerchief—bright with dragons and rainbow hues—has become the new badge of status among his friends, the self‑styled Outlaws. Suddenly, the plain white squares he has always used feel like a symbol of his own inadequacy, and he becomes determined to claim a piece of the colorful trend for himself.
The narrative follows William as he navigates the stubborn pragmatism of his mother, the quiet indifference of his father, and the expectations of his tight‑knit gang. Through witty dialogue and vivid domestic scenes, the story captures the frustration of a child who feels both powerless and fiercely proud, while hinting at larger questions about identity, class, and the simple desire to stand out. Warmly observed and gently humorous, the first act offers a portrait of youthful ambition set against the everyday realities of a working‑class household.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (337K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United Kingdom: George Newnes, 1925.
Credits
Alan, deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2022-01-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1890–1969
Best known for creating the unruly, unforgettable William Brown, this English writer mixed sharp humor with a real understanding of childhood. Her stories stayed popular for decades and helped make the Just William books a classic of British children's literature.
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