"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 drew apart, whispering among themselves and looking beamingly into one another's faces.
They were startled suddenly by a great voice, crying out in anguish—