And so it was that when Sister Theckla had told all that she knew, then
the lady knew (as she always had said she had known), past all
doubting, that Bessie Bell had really found what she most wished for.
But we do not know how long it was before Bessie Bell really understood
that the Wisest Woman in the world, who knew what little girls had
almost forgotten how to remember, was her own Mother.
* * *
* *
*
When all the people on the high, cool mountains heard about all that
the lady knew, and all that Sister Theckla told, and all that Bessie
Bell had found, they were all as glad as they could be.
And when the boy with the long-striped-stocking-legs heard all about it
he said: "That is fine! Bessie Bell said that she would find a
Mama--and she has!"