Everychild's heart prompted him to say impulsively, "And you'll go on
with us? You'll not get tired and leave us on the way?"

The giant pondered a moment, and then he replied: "No. My search will
carry me as far as your search is to carry you."

"You haven't told me what it is you're searching for," said Everychild.

There was a long silence, and then the giant replied: "I scarcely liked
to speak of it; yet if we are to be friends, perhaps I may do so. The
truth is, I am seeking my mother."

Everychild felt a little thrilled. He recalled what Mr. Literal had
said of the giant--how he had been driven away from home because of the
evil he had done. He had refused to believe what Mr. Literal had said;
yet what was the meaning of what the giant was now saying?

"I lost my mother long ago," the giant resumed. "I can't explain just
how it was. But there were many who mistrusted me in my childhood and
believed I wasn't up to any good. They said I was made up of lies.
They drove me from their houses and closed their doors on me. And my
mother and I got lost from each other. From that day to this I have
had bad days when I've feared that all my enemies ever said about me
was true. But it is only occasionally I have a bad day. You see, I
remember my mother's ways so well that it seems almost as if she were
with me, much of the time. But I know well that if I could find her,
never to lose her again, I should never have another evil thought. And
so it is that I constantly dream of finding her, and go about the world
seeking her. And I never see a beautiful lady without stopping to ask
myself in a whisper, 'Can it be she?'"

"Was she so beautiful, then?" asked Everychild.

"Ah, I cannot tell you how beautiful. So straight and tall and brave,
yet with a great tenderness a little hidden from sight. Her lips
curved a little, mournfully, as if she had been singing a sad song; yet
there was an expression in her eyes--a soft, calm expression, which
made everything seem right when you looked into them. There are even
now moments when I feel . . . I scarcely know how to explain it to you.
It's as if she were near by, whispering, and I couldn't think just
where to look for her."

"I'll help you to look for her," said Everychild heartily. And then
together they quit the attic and went cautiously down the narrow
staircase.

Only a few moments later they had taken their places among their
companions and had fal