This reminded Mrs. Menotti that as yet Rico knew none of the circumstances leading up to her discovery, so she began from the beginning and related the events in the proper order. When she finished, there was a grand jubilee among the children, because they realized that there was nothing to hinder Rico's coming to live with them immediately.
After the commotion had somewhat subsided, Rico said to Mrs. Menotti: "You must let nothing here be changed because this good fortune has come to me. I will simply come and live with you, and we shall all be at home, and you can be our mother."
"O Rico, to think it should be you of all people!" exclaimed Mrs. Menotti. "How well Stineli has advised us to let our troubles be made right, and how soon the answer came! I gladly give the property over to you, and I gladly remain here, too. I will be a true mother to you, Rico, for I have long loved you as an own son. You and Stineli must call me mother after this. We shall be the happiest family in all Peschiera."
"Now we must finish our song," burst out Silvio, who felt so happy that his feelings needed an outlet. Rico and Stineli were no less jubilant, and they sang merrily.
Rico was about to put up his violin, when Stineli said, "I should like to stop with a different song, Rico; can you guess which one?"
"Yes, I can." Then they sang in gratitude to God and in sweet memory of the dear old grandmother who taught it to them:
"He never will refuse His aid
If you a prayer will send;
Whatever in His care is laid
Shall have a happy end.
Then let the blessing onward go,
And cause it not to stay,
That you may rest in peace below
And happy be alway."