“It’s all very well,” said Mr. Literal to the Masked Lady, “for him to be making friends with that giant,” and he nodded his head toward Everychild and his companion, “but just the same, I could wish to see him in better company.  Look at the giant’s eyes.  Visionary eyes.  Very little precise thinking going on back of a pair of eyes like that!”

The Masked Lady replied quietly:  “It’s only little creatures who consider precision the first of all merits.  Let them alone.”

Everychild’s attention was attracted then by Jack, whose manner had suddenly changed and who now approached the giant with a mysterious smile on his lips.

“You know,” said Jack, “I was only joking awhile ago when I spoke roughly to you.”

“Ah, it’s all right then,” replied the giant in a tone of relief.

“Yes, I was only joking.  Just my way of getting acquainted.”  And he continued to smile.

Presently he added meditatively.  “A big chap like you—­it must be wonderful to be as strong as you are.  The way you ought to be able to handle a sword—­I suppose you carry a sword, of course?”

“Nothing like it!” replied the giant.

“You don’t say so!  A terrible bludgeon then, no doubt?”

“No.  You see, my taste doesn’t run in that direction.  When I’m wishing for power or fame I think of . . . it’s a little difficult to explain.  Wings.  I wish for powerful big wings, so that time and space couldn’t hold me back.”

“Wings!  That sounds funny!” said Jack.  “But a sling-shot, at least—­of course you carry a fine sling-shot around with you?”

“No, nor a sling-shot.”  The giant extended his arms with a candid gesture, so that Jack might see he was wholly unarmed.

Then a very amazing thing happened.  Jack the Giant Killer suddenly uttered a cry of triumph.  “Fool that you are!” he exclaimed, “to confess that you are helpless!  Do you suppose we are deceived by your make-believe friendliness?  Prepare to die!” And he lowered his sword with a swift flourish.

So terrible was his manner that it seemed the giant was really lost.  Every one felt this.  Grettel clasped her hands tensely and a light at once fearful and eager leaped into her eyes.  Hansel drew back as if to be out of the way of danger.  The giant, pale yet unflinching, arose.

It was then that Everychild, springing to the side of the giant, cried out in a ringing tone—­

“Stay!”

The giant calmly lifted his hand and gazed into space; and at that moment, from out the depths of the forest, came a commanding voice, exclaiming—­

“Jack the Giant Killer!  Jack the Giant Killer!”

The voice was distant, yet sonorous and stern.

Everychild looked to see who it was that had spoken:  and whom should he behold emerging from the forest but Father Time!  He carried his scythe and sand-glass, and he moved forward with majesty, yet with haste.  He fixed his gaze upon Jack and uttered one more thrilling word—­“Stop!”