thought and money can give you, but--so was Aunt Maria beautiful at your age, before vanity and selfishness----" "Uncle Johnny, I've known for a long time--that you didn't love me! That's why I've been so nasty to Jerry. You love her----" "Bonnie!" Uncle Johnny's arm was around her now. He half shook her. "Foolish girl! I love you now just the way I loved that mite of a baby. I've always been fonder of you than any of the others and I'm mighty fond of them. But you were the first--the most wonderful one." "But you'd like to have me--like Jerry?" "Yes," he answered, very decidedly. "I'd like to have you--that kind of a girl, who walks straight with her head up--and sees big visions--and grows toward them." "I hate goody-goody girls," sighed poor Isobel. "So do I!" laughed Uncle Johnny. "But you couldn't hate a girl who would rather make someone else happy than win in a swimming match?" "N-no, and I wouldn't blame Jerry if she'd just enjoy seeing me miserable--I've been so nasty to her. And she _isn't_ goody-goody, either! She's just----" "A very normal, unspoiled, happy girl who's always been so busy thinking of everything else that she's never had a moment to think of herself. Now to show that you forgive my two-a-penny lectures, will you let me eat dinner with you off your tray? And what are you doing with these books? And did you know Dr. Bowerman's going to let you try crutches on Sunday?" Two hours later, when Jerry, a little shyly, tiptoed into Isobel's room to say good-night, Isobel impulsively pulled her head down to the level of her own and kissed her. She wanted to tell Jerry what Uncle Johnny had made her feel and see but she could not find the right words, and Jerry wanted to tell her that she wouldn't for the world trade the jolly afternoon they had had together for any swimming match, but _she_ couldn't find the right words, so each just kissed the other, wondering why she was so happy! "I'm going to walk on crutches Sunday, Jerry." "Oh, great! It will only be a little while before you're back in school, Isobel." "Good-night, Jerry." "Good-night, Isobel!" CHAPTER XXIII THE THIRD VIOLINIST "Hello! Is that you, Gyp? I want Centre 2115, please. Is this Mr. Westley's house? Is that _you_, Gyp?.... This is Pat Everett. _Listen_----" came excitedly over the wire, though Gyp was listening as hard as she could. "Peg and I've found _the black-and-white man_!"