The Meadow-Brook Girls on the Tennis Courts

In Short

This is a classic example of the early 20th-century "series book" for young women, blending athletic competition with lighthearted summer adventure. The story follows a group of friends who, having never held a racquet, are thrust into a high-stakes tennis tournament by their mischievous boy companions, the "Tramp Club." Through intensive coaching and the guidance of a champion player, the girls transform from novices into formidable competitors. It remains a charming, period-specific relic that captures the era's earnest enthusiasm for outdoor activity and youthful pluck.

The Story

The Meadow-Brook Girls are camping in the hills when their friends, the Tramp Club, arrive with a bold, if slightly reckless, proposal: they have entered the girls into the upcoming Atlantic Coast Tennis Tournament. The catch is that the girls have never played the game. While initially skeptical, the girls—led by the determined Harriet Burrell—decide to accept the challenge rather than let their friends down.

The boys provide a net and clear a makeshift court in the woods, but progress is slow and discouraging. The girls’ play is erratic, and the boys fear they have made a grave mistake. The situation grows more complicated when a series of setbacks occurs, including a sprained ankle for a key coach and persistent interference from a mysterious spy who shadows their practice. Realizing they need professional guidance, the group secures the help of an English champion, P. Earlington Disbrow, who is visiting the area. Despite his own injury, Disbrow applies rigorous technical training, helping the girls understand the mechanics of the game and, more importantly, the mental discipline required to compete.

As the tournament approaches, the Meadow-Brook Girls face internal and external pressures. They discover that their rivals include the antagonistic Scott Sisters, who have a history of bad blood with the group. On the eve of the competition, the girls’ camp is sabotaged—tents are slashed and their preparation is nearly derailed. Undeterred, they proceed to the tournament grounds.

In the opening rounds, the girls surprise observers with their resilience. Harriet and her younger partner, Tommy, navigate through the bracket, gaining confidence with every set. They eventually face the Scott Sisters in the final match. Despite the physical toll of their training and the stress of the sabotage, Harriet and Tommy play with newfound focus and skill. They narrowly defeat the sisters in a hard-fought battle, securing the silver cup. The story concludes with a celebratory evening at camp. The identity of their saboteur is confirmed to be the Scott siblings, but the girls, now victorious and vindicated, choose to rise above the pettiness. The book ends with the girls falling into a well-earned sleep, the precious trophy serving as the ultimate reward for their unexpected five-week journey.

How It Unfolds

The surprise entry The boys announce they have registered the girls for the Atlantic Coast Tennis Tournament, leaving the group shocked and entirely unprepared. Harriet decides they will not merely participate, but win, setting a high standard for their upcoming training.

Clearing the court The group constructs a crude court in the woods to begin their practice. The girls demonstrate immediate, if unrefined, potential, while the boys struggle to hide their anxiety over the girls' lack of experience.

A mentor arrives Realizing their own coaching is insufficient, the group recruits a professional, P. Earlington Disbrow, to refine their technique. He emphasizes the importance of wrist control and tactical awareness, pushing the girls past their initial frustrations.

The tournament begins The girls arrive at the tournament grounds despite facing sabotage and personal injury. They observe their competition and find that their training, while rushed, has given them a unique brand of determination.

The final victory Harriet and Tommy defeat their rivals in a dramatic final match. The victory is secured not just by talent, but by the "Meadow-Brook spirit" of persistence, leaving the group triumphant and satisfied.

The People

Harriet Burrell is the natural leader of the group, possessing a calm, unshakable focus and the resilience to turn a "sorry figure" at the net into a champion. Her determination serves as the anchor for the team. Tommy, the "towheaded" youngest member of the group, provides comic relief with her persistent lisp and youthful energy, yet she proves a capable partner for Harriet in the finals. Margery Brown, who describes herself as "fat and round," is the only girl who chooses not to play, often acting as a foil for the others' intense athletic ambitions. George Baker, the captain of the Tramp Club, is a "long-headed" and earnest leader who feels the weight of the girls’ success on his shoulders. P. Earlington Disbrow serves as the bridge between amateur enthusiasm and professional form, acting as the catalyst for the girls' technical growth through his quiet, expert guidance.

In Its Own Voice

“I shall just perish from doing nothing. We have been up here nearly two days and nothing has happened.”

Margery expresses the group’s initial restlessness before the tournament challenge provides them with a purpose.

“You needn’t tell me you don’t know anything about the game.”

Captain George is astounded when he observes Harriet instinctively balancing a racquet correctly, hinting at her hidden potential.

“I think, as I did when you asked me that question some time ago, that the Meadow-Brook team will attract considerable attention by their playing in the Coast Tournament.”

Disbrow offers a professional, measured assessment of the girls’ improbable development to the anxious boys.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is an exploration of the "enthusiasm" that defines youth—the capacity to believe in an impossible goal and work until it becomes reality. It argues that skill is less important than the "pluck" required to stay on the court when one is being beaten. The narrative frames the tournament not merely as a test of athleticism, but as a moral victory against those who use underhanded tactics, such as the Scott siblings. It champions the idea that collective support and a refusal to be "quitters" can bridge the gap between novice status and mastery, provided one is willing to accept the guidance of those who know the path.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the nostalgic, earnest atmosphere of early 20th-century juvenile fiction will find this a quick and breezy experience. The book captures a specific, idealized version of summer life where adventure is found in the woods, and character is forged on the playing field. It feels like a time capsule of a more optimistic, if somewhat simplistic, era of girlhood literature.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-typical language, including the occasional phonetic spelling of a lisp (like "th" for "s") and the somewhat rigid, stereotypical attitudes toward gender roles of the 1914 publication date. While the plot is straightforward and follows a very predictable "underdog" arc, the charm lies in the group's unwavering solidarity and their relentless, almost humorous, insistence on winning. It is not a deep psychological study, but it is a warm, unpretentious story about the rewards of sticking to a goal. You will likely walk away from it remembering the "Meadow-Brook spirit"—a persistent, cheerful drive that makes the impossible feel like a mere hurdle. It is best enjoyed in small sittings, perhaps with a sense of humor about its occasional melodrama.