Elizabeth, Betsy, and Bess—schoolmates

In Short

Set in a close-knit American village, Amy Ella Blanchard’s 1914 juvenile novel follows imaginative Elizabeth Hollins and her steady schoolmates as they face the trials of late childhood. Between attic plays, schoolhouse squabbles, and country outings, the girls contend with subtle peer pressures, monetary constraints, and academic ambitions. Supported by warm-hearted townspeople, a local artist, and their beloved schoolteacher, Miss Jewett, the heroines learn to master their temperaments and take pride in their true selves. Blanchard’s story has retained its appeal through its authentic capture of youth’s minor tragedies, innocent pleasures, and enduring female friendships.

The Story

The narrative opens in the comfortable attic of the Hollins home, where young Elizabeth and her loyal companion Betsy lose themselves in elaborate historical roleplay. Imagining themselves aboard the Mayflower as John Alden and Priscilla, they steer an old rocking-chair across a simulated ocean, build shelters from broken umbrellas, and range over imaginary wildernesses. This vibrant interior life offers Elizabeth a haven from the small anxieties of daily life, including her sensitivity over her bright auburn hair.

At school, social friction emerges with the arrival of Corinne Barker, a vain newcomer who flaunts her fine jewelry and city experiences. Corinne stirs self-consciousness among the girls, making disparaging remarks about red hair and attempting to dictate local fashions. While Betsy briefly experiments with new hairstyles, her deep devotion to Elizabeth prompts her to defend her friend's distinct looks, declaring that artists adore true auburn hair. Meanwhile, social boundaries are tested around holiday gatherings; when an invitation to Bess Ferguson’s formal New Year’s party goes astray, Elizabeth feels wounded, but the misunderstanding is eventually cleared, allowing the girls to join together in celebration.

Life outside the classroom brings its own unexpected adventures. Sent on an errand down a country hill, Elizabeth flees in terror from what she insists is a wild lynx, only to be rescued by the local blacksmith, Jim Powers, and her brother Bert. In another instance, Elizabeth finds herself in trouble at school when a mouse loose in her desk causes a scene; she takes the blame to shield her brother Bert, who left his nibbled lunch box behind, until Betsy privately sets their teacher, Miss Jewett, straight about what really happened.

Elizabeth’s artistic sensibilities find guidance through her friendship with Mr. Kemp, a lighthearted local painter whom she dubs "Mr. Titian." After meeting him in the fields while he sketches, Elizabeth becomes a frequent visitor to his studio, an abandoned chicken house converted into a workspace on her family's property. Mr. Kemp encourages her imagination, teaches her to see beauty in her natural hair, and includes her in community tableaux, dressing her as a Dresden shepherdess and a classical portrait model.

As the school year nears its end, the community learns that their teacher, Miss Jewett, is to be married and step down. Simultaneously, an anonymous donor establishes two academic scholarships to the town's Academy for the top-ranking students. Elizabeth, whose family struggles with the financial burden of her older brother Dick's college expenses, sees the scholarship as her best path to higher education. Working diligently alongside Betsy, Elizabeth prepares for the final examinations.

When the results are declared, Elizabeth wins the girl's scholarship, while Betsy earns honorable mention. It is revealed that Elizabeth's earnings from modeling for Mr. Kemp, along with a gift from her formidable relative Aunt Eunice, allow her to purchase a prized nasturtium hat for Miss Jewett’s wedding. The story closes at the wedding ceremony, where Elizabeth, Betsy, and Bess stand together in their finest dresses to celebrate their teacher, looking back one last time at the locked door of their old schoolhouse as they step into the future.

How It Unfolds

Attic adventures Elizabeth and Betsy transform an old rocking-chair into a ship bound for the New World, acting out the roles of Pilgrims and frontiersmen. Their energetic play ends in a laughter-filled shipwreck on a trunk, setting the stage for their imaginative companionship.

Social trials The arrival of Corinne Barker introduces vanity and petty judgment into the schoolyard. Corinne mocks Elizabeth's auburn hair, prompting Betsy to step forward publicly in defense of her best friend's appearance.

The party misunderstanding A mislaid postal invitation leaves Elizabeth believing she has been left out of Bess Ferguson's grand New Year's party. Mrs. Ferguson discovers the mistake in time, allowing Elizabeth to attend in a golden frock refreshed by her family.

The mouse in the desk When a mouse appears in the schoolroom, Elizabeth catches it to prevent a panic but ends up accused of bringing the pest to class. Betsy investigates the clues, discovers Bert's damaged lunch box, and quietly clears Elizabeth's name with Miss Jewett.

Meeting the artist Elizabeth meets Mr. Kemp, an artist who introduces her to famous painters and praises her red hair as worthy of Titian. Their acquaintance grows as they convert a weather-beaten farm building into a working studio and collaborate on costumed tableaux.

The scholarship competition Miss Jewett announces that two high school scholarships are available for the highest-performing students, inspiring Elizabeth to work tirelessly. The prospect offers a way to continue her education without burdening her family's limited budget.

Triumph and farewell Elizabeth secures the girl's scholarship, while Betsy earns honorable mention for her performance. The girls gather in yellow, white, and blue dresses for Miss Jewett's wedding, bidding a bittersweet farewell to their old schoolhouse.

The People

• Elizabeth Hollins is an expressive, dramatic girl who longs for beauty and formal education. She struggles with self-consciousness over her hair and her family's modest finances, but her vivid imagination and generous nature carry her through schoolroom conflicts to win the coveted Academy scholarship.
• Betsy is Elizabeth's steadfast, practical companion. Less prone to dramatic flourishes, she offers quiet loyalty, defending Elizabeth against unkind remarks and clearing up misunderstandings on her friend's behalf without seeking credit.
• Bess Ferguson is a schoolmate who enjoys hostessing formal gatherings and imitating city manners. Though occasionally swayed by pretentious friends, her underlying goodwill draws her back to her long-standing village companions.
• Corinne Barker is a trendy, self-satisfied newcomer whose boastful talk and sharp comments about others introduce friction into the schoolyard.
• Mr. Kemp ("Mr. Titian") is an easygoing painter who sets up a local studio. He treats Elizabeth as an equal in conversation, values her dramatic flair, and builds her confidence by comparing her features to classical art.
• Miss Jewett is the dedicated schoolteacher whose upcoming marriage and departure frame the end of the girls' shared school days.

In Its Own Voice

“We shall reach our haven in good time. Methinks I see a faint upheaval yonder which has a degree of permeance not like the restless sea.” Elizabeth adopts high-flown language while steering an attic rocking-chair during a game of Pilgrims with Betsy.

“There is nothing in the world so beautiful as auburn hair. True auburn hair is very rare, my uncle says.” Betsy confronts a schoolyard bully who has been mocking Elizabeth’s appearance.

“I consider that you surely have earned it. Let us see if we can find some sort of simple frame for it.” Mr. Kemp reassures Elizabeth that her work as an art model fully pays for the portrait he gifts her.

What It's Really About

Beneath its domestic incidents, the novel examines the transition from childhood fantasy to real-world self-definition. It explores how young girls build self-esteem against shallow social standards, showing that true confidence comes from creative expression and supportive relationships rather than material possessions. Financial self-reliance is another central theme: Elizabeth's desire to attend the Academy without burdening her parents drives her academic discipline, proving that personal effort can overcome limited means. Above all, the book celebrates small-town solidarity, demonstrating how quiet acts of defense and understanding between friends form the bedrock of character.

Why Read It Today

Amy Ella Blanchard’s work offers a clear, affectionate window into early-twentieth-century American girlhood. Modern readers will appreciate its gentle humor, detailed domestic settings, and absence of synthetic melodrama. The dialogue carries a period flavor—ranging from childish pretend-talk to regional domestic phrasing—that feels authentic rather than grand.

While the narrative pace reflects the deliberate, episodic nature of classic juvenile series fiction, the core relationships remain relatable. Readers who enjoy classic domestic stories like Little Women or Anne of Green Gables will find a familiar comfort in Elizabeth's imaginative outbursts and Betsy's steady loyalty. It is a quiet, refreshing read that honors the real emotional weight of childhood friendships.

<ElicitationsGroup message="To explore this era of youth literature further:"> <Elicitation label="Compare this book with Anne of Green Gables" query="Compare Elizabeth, Betsy, and Bess--Schoolmates with L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables in terms of tone, themes, and portrayals of girlhood."/> <Elicitation label="Analyze the role of art and imagination in the novel" query="Analyze how art, play, and imagination function as tools for character development in Elizabeth, Betsy, and Bess--Schoolmates."/> </ElicitationsGroup>