"You don't say so! A terrible bludgeon then, no doubt?"

"No. You see, my taste doesn't run in that direction. When I'm
wishing for power or fame I think of . . . it's a little difficult to
explain. Wings. I wish for powerful big wings, so that time and space
couldn't hold me back."

"Wings! That sounds funny!" said Jack. "But a sling-shot, at
least--of course you carry a fine sling-shot around with you?"

"No, nor a sling-shot." The giant extended his arms with a candid
gesture, so that Jack might see he was wholly unarmed.

Then a very amazing thing happened. Jack the Giant Killer suddenly
uttered a cry of triumph. "Fool that you are!" he exclaimed, "to
confess that you are helpless! Do you suppose we are deceived by your
make-believe friendliness? Prepare to die!" And he lowered his sword
with a swift flourish.

So terrible was his manner that it seemed the giant was really lost.
Every one felt this. Grettel clasped her hands tensely and a light at
once fearful and eager leaped into her eyes. Hansel drew back as if to
be out of the way of danger. The giant, pale yet unflinching, arose.

It was then that Everychild, springing to the side of the giant, cried
out in a ringing tone--

"Stay!"

The giant calmly lifted his hand and gazed into space; and at that