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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.
Grettel could not think of a suggestion, and she contented herself with saying in a critical tone, "Oh, Hansel!" "It might be that we ought to find some other road," said Everychild. "You know this is called the Road of Troubled Children." "I am told," said the giant, speaking for the first time, "that if you watch for the guide-posts it presently turns into the Road of Happy Children."
As for the Old Woman, she stood a moment, panting, as well she might, and then she made her way around behind the shoe. Just before she disappeared she glared at Everychild and actually made a face at him! Everychild addressed his companions. "I think we ought to get them to go with us," he said. "That's no way for them to be treated to be whipped and sent to bed like that."
Most terrible of all, wild hunters were to be seen all the way up to the summit, and terrible beasts; and also one could catch a glimpse of solitary individuals who were climbing to the highest visible points, and some of these were falling back and hurting themselves terribly. "We cannot advance another step," thought Everychild; for now they were indeed at the very base of the mountain.
And so Everychild walked by the giant's side, glancing at him anxiously from time to time, and seeing despair written so plainly on his countenance that he did not venture to utter another word. When they approached the great entrance to the castle there was hurried running to and fro on the ramparts, about the doors and windows, and in the halls. Eager eyes looked down from the watch-tower.
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.
She took a few steps further, walking as if she expected to have a badge pinned on her, or to receive a prize. She had a double chin; and when she began to speak, which she did a moment later, it developed that she had a deep baritone voice. Her first words were: "Away with you!" They were for the little black dog, who had rushed toward her with swaying tail. Then she saw her son and Everychild.
"I know," said Father Time, "that the Giant Fear lives outside that door. But him you shall slay, and then the way will be clear." "I shall slay him?" exclaimed Everychild wonderingly. "How shall I slay him?" "Do not doubt, and a way shall be found." It was just at this moment that something very terrifying occurred.
Nor did the giant fail to note that Everychild was in distress, and at this he regained something of his boldness. In a loud, terrible voice he spoke to Everychild: "Ah ha! And so you were getting ready to defy me hey?" Everychild's teeth chattered as he replied: "Please go away!" The giant nodded exultantly.
But his heart failed him again. He drew back from the door and cried out "No, no! I cannot. I cannot go out that way. Is there no other way for me to go?" It seemed to him that his heart must cease to beat when Father Time exclaimed in a loud voice "Go, Everychild!" Still he hung back. "But not that way!" he repeated. "The wide world lies that way, and I should be afraid."
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