10 PRINT FN F$("KNIGHTS"): REM STRIP THE FIRST LETTER
20 PRINT FN L$("SOCKS"): REM STRIP THE LAST LETTER
30 PRINT FN B$("BROOMS"): REM STRIP BOTH THE FIRST AND LAST LETTER
100 END

9000 DEF FN F$(A$)=RIGHT$(A$,LEN(A$)-1)
9010 DEF FN L$(A$)=LEFT$(A$,LEN(A$)-1)
9020 DEF FN B$(A$)=FN L$(FN F$(A$))