The three main characters in Splendors and Glooms have struggled long and hard in their young lives, so luckily, the book ends on a decidedly hopeful note for all three of them. During Cassandra's funeral, Parsefall looks at his new siblings and thinks about what the future holds for them:
There was going to be roast beef and Yorkshire pudding for dinner, and afterward the grown-ups would go off with their newspapers and embroidery. He saw Clara bow her head to hide a smile, and he turned back to wink at Lizzie Rose. They were waiting, all three of them, for the moment when they could be alone again and free to laugh together. (E.21)
Instead of living in a world where they feel alone and frightened, the three children have found each other, and now they'll never have to be alone again. Even Parsefall, the most pessimistic of the three, can see that things are looking up. He, Lizzie Rose, and Clara have found a family in each other, and they're never going to let go or take it for granted. Aw. Yay.