changed.

The Old Woman took two or three steps in the direction of her sons and
daughters; and the sons and daughters, seeing there was no hope for
them, approached her with hanging heads.

The scene which followed was such that Everychild felt certain he could
never forget it. One after another the children were seized and fed a
few spoonfuls of the broth without any bread. Then each was spanked
most soundly. Then one by one they quickly escaped up the ladder until
the last of them had disappeared. It was all over in a very short time.

Everychild had now been joined by his companions, who saw the last of
the Old Woman's children scramble up the ladder and disappear.

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."

The giant began dreamily--"There ought to be some way . . ."

Everychild's eyes brightened. "If we could only open the toe of the
shoe--though of course we couldn't!"

"We could," declared the giant.