m you and look at you from a distance. But
you've been so good a friend that now at last . . ."

"At last, Everychild?"

He timidly sought her hand; and having found it he stood with downcast
eyes. "At last I know I--I love you!"

Still standing with downcast eyes he could not know how radiantly she
appeared before him. He could not see how the mask fell from her face
at last. The Masked Lady no more, but Truth herself in all her glory!

She cried out triumphantly, "Lift up your eyes, Everychild, and look at
me!"

He lifted his eyes slowly, gaining courage little by little. And when
he looked upon her an expression of amazement and swiftly dawning
delight was in his eyes.

"You are--oh, it is you!" he cried, fearing even yet to name her.

"It is I," she said.

And he was not fearful of her now. Truth at last--and yet she was one
who had been near him a long time and had often aided him.

"But you are beautiful!" he cried at last in wonder and delight.

"I am always beautiful to those who love me," she said.

"But oh, dear lady," he cried, "could you not have helped me to know
you in the beginning?"

"Ah," she replied, "each soul must find me for itself."

Then she put her arm about him and comforted him for long days and
nights of wandering.

They were interrupted soon by the other children who came forward
eagerly. They too had come to tell their dream; and Everychild watched
joyously while Truth--to him the Masked Lady no more--reassured them by
saying that even now they were on their way to find their parents. And
the children gathered together in groups and agreed that they all
wished very much to see their parents again.

And then Everychild listened attentively while Truth declared to the
assembled band: "If you would really find your parents again, and be
happy with them, you must promise one thing only: that you will love
them better than you love yourselves."

And all the children, having forgotten many of the hardships they had
undergone at home, replied almost in one voice--

"We promise!"

Then after they had remained silent a little while, wondering how they
were to find their parents, from whom they had wandered so far, they
began to inquire how so difficult a thing could be brought about; and
they were informed that it was true that one great obstacle still lay
in the way of their return to their parents, but that perhaps it would
be possible to remove that obstacle.

They