Bessie Bell leaned against the little fluted post of the gallery to
the cabin that she and Sister Helen Vincula lived in, and decided to
herself that, strange as it was, yet was it true that the whole
world was full of--Ladies.

There were yet stranger things for Bessie Bell to learn.

She had not for long played with those many little girls in all
sorts of clothes, and with larger girls, and with boys,--some with
short-striped-stocking-legs and some with long-striped-stocking-
legs,--before she heard one child say: ``Mama says she will take me
to Sweet Fern Cave to-morrow.''

Or perhaps it was another child who said: ``Mama won't let me wade
in the branch.''

Or another child said: ``Mama says I can have a party for all the
little girls and boys on the mountain next Friday!''

Then another little child said: ``My Mama has made me a beautiful
pink dress, and I will wear that to your party.''

Mama? My Mama?

Bessie Bell leaned against the little fluted post of the gallery to
the cabin where she and Sister Helen Vincula lived, and thought a
great deal about that.

And Bessie Bell wondered a great deal what that could mean: Mama?
My Mama?