. We play lots of things,
like basketball in the field, so we are healthy. My room-mate is
Peggy Starr, a very young girl, often tiresome.
This is Sunday, and all the girls write home, so I write you,
dear, dear, regular parents. I think of you a great deal. Mr.
and Mrs. Benjamin are just like you, that is why I love them so
dearly. I am glad we are poor and have only each other, aren't
you? I know some people named Max and Wally, who are rich. They
have so much golf, and parties that they can't ever bother with
their child, except to scold her. But you care about me, don't
you? And you like to hear what I do at school. I would be
lonesome without you.
I will try hard to do good, because I love you so much.
Your loving daughter,
ISABELLE.

Mrs. Benjamin finished them, then looked at the girl, whose face was
turned away, and her smile was very tender. She spoke simply, without a
touch of sentimentality.

"Dear, they are very sweet and loving letters. I am glad thee thinks Mr.
Benjamin and I are like thy 'regular parents.'"

Isabelle looked at her shyly.

"Suppose we make an agreement, Isabelle. Thee is to write a short letter
to thy father every Sunday, and the rest of the letter hour can be
devoted to thy 'regular parents.' This letter thee will post to me,
and--since I have no 'regular daughter'--every Sunday afternoon I will
post a letter to thee. Is that a bargain?"

"Oh, yes!" cried the girl, flaming to meet this suggestion--this
understanding. "Oh, dear Mrs. Benjamin," she added, "you are so
love-ful!"

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The new relationship established between Mrs. Benjamin and Isabelle was
so precious to the little girl that she abandoned her banner of revolt
once for all, and gave herself up to the congenial atmosphere of Hill
Top. It was the only home she had ever known, since home is a matter of
love and people rather than bricks and stones.

The secret correspondence was a complete outlet for Isabelle's
imagination, and she pored over the letters her "regular mother" wrote
her with utter devotion. She put them away to keep for all her life.
They were indeed wonderful letters, full of the fine idealism, the
working philosophy that inspired the Benjamins. When there was some
misdemeanour, or some fractured rule to be c