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