il the news that Benny had outlined; described the
happy departure of the children, who had spent their convalescence at
the pleasant summer home, all rosy-cheeked, and shouting over the joy
they had had. Then she went on to dilate on the wonderful qualities of
her adopted son Benny, who, it appeared, was making progress in every
branch of education.

"I may be prejudiced, my dear," the good old lady wrote, "but I am bound
to say that Martha agrees with me in thinking him a _most remarkable_
child."

Miss Bond further told of the event of the neighbourhood, the building
of Mr. Galusha Pennypacker's new house. The neighbourhood of so many
little children, his friendship with Benny, "but more than all, his
_remembrance of you_, my dear Hildegarde," had, it appeared, wrought a
marvellous change in the old hermit. The kindly neighbours had met him
half-way in his advances, and were full of good-will and helpfulness;
and when, by good fortune, his miserable old shanty had burned down one
summer night, the whole neighbourhood had turned out and built him a
snug cottage which would keep him comfortable for the rest of his days.

"Mr. Pennypacker came here yesterday to invite
Benny to drink tea with him (I employ the current
expression, my dear, though of course the child
drinks nothing but milk at his tender age; I have
always considered tea a beverage for the aged, or
those who are not robust), and in the course of
conversation, he begged me _most earnestly_ to
convey to you the assurance that, in his opinion,
the comfort which surrounds his later days is
owing entirely to you. His actual expression,
though not refined, was forcible, and Martha
thinks you would like to hear it:

"'I was a-livin' a hog's life, an' I should ha'
died a hog's death if it hadn't been for that
gal.'

"I trust your dear mother will not think it coarse
to have repeated these words. There is something
in the very mention of swine that is repugnant to
ears polite, but Martha was of the opinion that
you would prefer to have the message in his own
words. And I am bound to say that Galusha
Pennypacker, though undoubtedly _an eccentric_, is
a thoroughly well-intentioned person."

"Dear Cousin Wealthy!" said Hildegarde, a