Not the least interesting incidents and episodes [in "Tops and Bottoms"] are those dealing with [Beaty's gradual transformation from slum girl to proper lady under the guidance of the spinster Felicity]….

The relations of the gentle Felicity with her strong-minded friend Agatha, her rival in the art of flower gardening, are described with delicious subtlety of humor…. Miss Streatfeild's gift of delicate satire is here displayed at its best.

Felicity's younger sister Mabel had married a social inferior, a hard-working professional juggler known in music-hall circles as Tiny Timpson. When Mabel died in an accident, Felicity conceived it her duty to go on tour with Tiny as unpaid governess for his children. Sadly she arranged to rent her beloved cottage, Little Thole, and, taking Beaty along, joined the bereaved family. How Beaty tried to adapt herself to vaudeville life while yearning for the lost joys of Little Thole...