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Updated: May 29, 2025
Then the hangings fell back into place and the prince was seen no more. So it went on until all the children had been restored to their parents all save Everychild. And now Truth paused before the curtain whereon the likeness of Everychild's parents was painted. "Parents of Everychild, appear!" she cried. They came, subdued, saddened, hand in hand. And Truth addressed them.
Said the king: "He is the guest whose coming was foretold, no doubt. Long ago it was written that one should awaken you and claim you as his bride." There was general delight and amazement at this: so frankly manifested that the humblest of Everychild's companions lost all sense of caution.
"If you would lend me your scythe " he gasped. He laid a hand on the scythe of Father Time. But Father Time withheld the scythe. He said gently, "The scythe of Father Time is a wonderful weapon; but a better one is at Everychild's command. Behold!" As he spoke he pointed majestically to the Masked Lady. She had arisen, and Everychild saw that she held aloft a slim, shining sword!
She knew very well, however, that the matter could not be put off very much longer. Indeed, she had been able to detect an occasional shadow in Everychild's eyes which proved that he was already beginning to see the formidable Mountain of Reality in the distance.
Father Time replied, "Jack the Giant Killer, beneath my touch the sword of sharpness becomes the sword of rust." For an instant Jack searched the faces of the others. "Have I no friend here?" he demanded. "Will no one take my part?" Everychild's heart was touched with pity; but before he could speak Father Time continued: "I am your friend.
He took a step forward, and he knew that his knees were no longer trembling. In a clear voice he cried out to the Giant Fear: "Defend yourself!" But the giant reeled and trembled. He tried to hold his bludgeon aloft, but his hands shook so that it nearly fell. He became as pale as death, and it was quite impossible for him to meet Everychild's eye. He retreated with stumbling steps.
"You?" he asked. And then he tried to approach her, but he had become too infirm. "I cannot!" he cried despairingly. He would have fallen, but the gentle hand of the giant, Will o'Dreams, was instantly about him, supporting him. "Let me help," he said. Everychild's heart was beating loudly. "Let me help too!" he cried. "I have always been fond of Jack the Giant Killer."
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."
He brought the torn kite further forward and held it higher. His father did not look at him at all! Everychild's heart pounded loudly. How could one go on speaking to a person who would not even look? Yet he persisted. "Could you?" he repeated. His father moved a little, but still he did not look at Everychild. He said rather impatiently: "Never mind now, son." Then his mother spoke.
But little by little he became interested in the kite. He sat down on the floor and began to untangle the tail. He scarcely knew when the inner door opened and the cook entered the room. She was a large, plain person. Her face was redder than Everychild's mother's face, but not so pretty. Her eyes often seemed tired, but never too tired to beam a little.
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