The Masked Lady replied:  “Nothing delights me so much as to have children and their parents find each other.  That is my highest dream—­to bring together the parents and children who have lost each other.”

“And shall I find them?”

“I think you are on the way even now to find them—­perhaps sooner than you dare to hope.”

“If I could find them now,” continued Everychild, “I think I could willingly give up my search for—­for the truth.  It seemed a wonderful thing to seek for when I began, but I am not anxious to do so any more.”

There was a new note in her voice as she replied, “Truth is very close to those who still seek, but who have ceased to be anxious.”

He did not know why the words should have thrilled him so.  If he could find the truth, after all, and still have his parents again!  He permitted his eyes to rest on the Masked Lady’s rather forbidding face.  And then he began impulsively—­“Dear lady! . . .”

“Yes, Everychild?” she returned gently.

He sought eagerly for the right words.  “I did not know it myself for a long time,” he said, “But I think I know now . . .”

“I am waiting, Everychild!”

His voice almost failed him.  “There was such a long time that I thought I feared you a little,” he continued, “—­when it seemed better to stand quite apart from 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.