The weary women looked at each other, and now the tears came. “Why couldn’t the plane have come?” “I haven’t the courage to pull anymore on the bandage. It won’t come.” Grimly Betty stood up again and picked up the kettle to go for more water. Into the bitter silence penetrated a far-off hum. “Am I hearing anything, or am I imagining things?” “It’s the plane, Betty, it’s the plane.” “The women took half a minute to throw themselves into each other’s arms, weeping and laughing. “The plane won’t delay. Get the suitcase. Make Lila change her dress!” “Where are those sheets we washed yesterday?” The plane could already be seen over the forest trees and came steadily on to circle over the compound. Only a few minutes later, Lila and her child were flying high over the jungle on the way to Cuiaba. • • • Two months later a truck brought them home again. Fairy was well and hardly scarred. Lila was smiling. Tears and smiles are a part of every woman’s life, and fourteen- year-old Lila knew them both. The two missionary mothers knew them, too. The heart that is ready to bear another’s burdens will always find them to bear.
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