the door began to open,
inch by inch, very slowly. Two terrible eyes became visible.
Everychild knew immediately that it was the Giant Fear, though for a
moment he could see nothing but the peeping eyes which leered
horribly. And when the Giant Fear perceived that Everychild was
terrified, he thrust the door open wide and stood on the threshold.
He was, I may tell you at once, the most hideous creature in the world.
His cruel grin was too evil a thing to be described. He carried a great
bludgeon. From his lower jaw a yellow tusk arose at either corner of his
mouth and projected beyond his upper lip. His ears covered the whole
sides of his head. His jaws were as large around as a bushel basket.
At first, after he had entered the room, he did not perceive either Father
Time or the Masked Lady. He dropped one end of his bludgeon to the
floor with a thump, and there he stood leering at Everychild with a
sinister and triumphant expression.
Only a moment he stood, and then he advanced a step toward
Everychild. But just at that instant Father Time moved slightly and the
intruder became aware of his presence. The wicked smile on his terrible
face began to freeze slowly. The great creature shrank away from
Father Time; and as he did so he became aware of the presence of the
Masked Lady on his other side. For an instant he trembled from head to
foot! And then more hurriedly he took another step toward Everychild.
Everychild was trying very hard to hold his ground; but in truth he
could feel his knees giving way beneath him and it seemed that he must
fall if the giant advanced another inch. 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. In the same great voice he said, "You
know me, I suppose?--the Giant Fear who always makes Everychild
tremble?"
A calm voice interposed--the voice of Father Time: "The Giant Fear,
whom Everychild may conquer!"
The voice was so reassuring, and the eyes of Father Time were so calm
and friendly, that Everychild ceased to despair. With trembling limbs
he ran to Father Time. "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!
A hush fell within the room; but presently Everychild, addressing
Father Time, whispered: "A sword! And may I take it?"
With a very firm voice Father Time replied: "You may, and with it you
shall prevail!"
Oddly enough, Everychild forgot for the moment that he was in peril.
He drew near to the Masked Lady, and he could see that she was
smiling. She placed the sword in his hand.
At first he held it awkwardly, yet he looked at it with shining eyes.
Then he turned about, holding the sword forward, as the Masked Lady
had held it. He could feel that the hilt of the sword was beginning to fit
snugly into his hand.
Gradually a strange transformation occurred. His body straightened, his
eyes shone more than ever. 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. It seemed that he would fall. His power
had deserted him.
He made a last, terrible effort to lift his bludgeon; but Everychild
darted forward with the speed of lightning, holding his sword before
him. It was a very sharp sword, and it pierced the giant's body as easily
as if the great creature had been made of paper.
The Giant Fear tottered. His bludgeon slipped from his grasp and his
eyes became dim. He fell with a crash. He was dead!
At that very moment a sound of distant music could be heard. It was all
very wonderful. The music drew nearer; it sounded more loudly.
Everychild turned and restored the slim sword to the Masked Lady.
"Do
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