at the giant
in a very stern manner.

As for the giant, he spoke pleasantly to Everychild, asking him whither
he was bound; and when Everychild replied, quite simply, that he had
set out in quest of Truth, the giant nodded his approval.

It was Everychild who introduced the subject of Jack and the threat he
had made. "Maybe he'll not do anything when he finds you're a good
giant," he said; "and anyway, I suppose you'll know how to defend
yourself--a big fellow like you?"

He was greatly disturbed by the giant's reply. "I'm a big fellow,
yes," said Will o'Dreams, "and I can hold my own with other big
fellows. You know how to take them. But when you're a giant it seems
you don't know how to take the little chaps. I've always regarded Jack
the Giant Killer as a brave and honorable youth. But some of the
little fellows are hard to handle. They're full of tricks and deceit.
I've had many a tussle in my time; but when it comes to a fair test,
give me a man who's got honest strength--who's ashamed to do mean
tricks."

Everychild was considering this when he heard a voice behind him; and
turning his head, he was surprised to perceive that the Masked Lady was
standing there, quite close to him, and that Mr. Literal was only a
step or two distant. Mr. Literal held his note-book before him, and he
had just lifted his hand with a flourish, after putting a period after
something he had written. It was he who was speaking.

"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 a