Everychild

y had not gone far, however, when they es

erychild said to his companions, "Perhaps we ought not to disturb him. L

he children approaching, and he remained stan

at the youth out of the co

peak to him," d

ild for approval-though she hastily turned again so that she was observing the st

s like a rich man's son, and he might tel

ndsome. He was very sturdy, and he was clothed smartly in a velvet jacket and knee breeche

id: "Hello! Have they bee

trange youth as Jack the Giant Killer; and a

ndsome

now who I am." He touched his breast lightly with his forefinger. "I am Jack the Giant Killer."

ugh I didn't know you lived in this neigh

e in particular. Did you never hear of my seven-league hoot

side the road. "It's very tiresome, walking," she said.

tion, and Everychild an

to hear about your fights with the giants.

h. "There's nothing great about it," he said, "when you're fixed for it. I've my seven-league boots, and my

dded her head. "It's your wit firs

"does it help you to get what you want?

ly. She put her hand over her mouth and whispered, "Please, Hansel, don't say anyt

le. You've heard about that, haven't you?" And he

but Grettel saved the situation by saying, "It was rat

aid Jack. "You see, I carry a leather pouc

Food!" he exclaimed. But Grettel edged closer to him

something he couldn't do. He laughed-and I knew I had him. Says I, 'Very well, I'll show you. I'm going to r

Hansel's eyes, and he sighed

into my pouch hidden under my cloak, and

nto the pouch hidden under your

ourse

a number of red apples and a dozen fine tarts rolled

l flung himself forward on his stomac

esire for food, and she exclaimed jo

n Everychild placed a number of the tarts

Grettel between tarts. "If I'd been wearing an

'Pooh-hoo!' at what I had done. That was his ugly, boasting way, you know. He jabbed his kni

bled expression. "I suppose," he said after a thoughtful pau

at this question. "A giant

hild's face. What if there were a few good giant

mphant voice-Jack's voice-exclaiming, "Here's

strangest part of it all was that Everychild knew quite well that this was a

t the sun shone on it. His eyes were filled with magic. He wore a wreath of leaves about his hair. A garment like a toga fell gracefully from his should

hat this splendid stranger would lead him presently, and he was not certain whethe

again speaking. "I'll give you a little exhibition of my

en ventured to hope that he had no cause for fear-that so powerful a creature might be depended upon to protect himself. Yet Jack the

ck. "Dear me!" she exclaimed inc

esponse. "It takes wit, you know. I'll thin

e to them by this time. "Good

n a polite tone, "Good morning ... though I don't believe we know who you

giant, Will o'Dre

uty of his voice; but he was star

are you do

stion, I am sure," he said after a pause. "Permit me to say,

ystery stir within him. The words seemed tremen

ly. And almost instantly he said, "Well, you'll

e simply amused. "Say

s with delight. "How sui

w me, eh? I'm Jack the Giant Kill

giant," he said to Jack. And to the giant he added courte

he giant; and he sat down

must save the splendid stranger from that terrible sword of sharpnes