names of the devotees were graved on
the pedestals, and a few of those which Everychild could see were Mr.
Benevolent Institution, Dr. Orthodox Doctrine, Mrs. Justitia, Mr.
Inflexible Creed, Mr. Professional Politician and Mr. Policeman. And
of course there were many others.

They were all dressed presentably enough, save that Mrs. Justitia's
robes were clearly of very cheap material, and the bandage about her
eyes had slipped down so that one eye could be seen peeping out
sharply; while Mr. Policeman had a really unsightly red nose, which
made his blue uniform seem rather absurd.

The devotees of Truth sat staring straight before them. They seemed
sleepy, and they continually nodded their heads like mandarins. Mr.
Policeman was the only member of the group who did not nod continually.
He was fast asleep! He stirred occasionally when a fly circled about
his nose. On these occasions he waved his hand smartly before his face.

The oddest-appearing member of the group was, perhaps, Mr. Professional
Politician. He wore a tiny mask with a smile like a cherub's painted
on it. He kept touching the mask, as though he feared it might fall
off; and when he did so it could be seen that he had an enormous,
coarse hand which did not match the false face at all.

Just the same, the temple was very beautiful; and Everychild and the
giant stood gazing at it with reverence.

The giant was the first to speak. "This is the place," he said. "And
beyond that door, inside the temple, is where my mother is hidden."

Everychild nodded. Presently he thought to ask: "And all those--those
. . ." He really could not think how to refer to those persons on the
pedestals.

But the giant understood. "We needn't pay any attention to them just
now," he said. "They'll neither see nor hear us as long as we just
stand here. It's only when we try to get into the temple that they
become really terrible."

"And what do they do then?" asked Everychild.

"Various dreadful things. Mr. Benevolent Institution would lock us up
where we'd see the sky only now and then and where we'd have to wear
uniforms, and all act alike and eat alike, and go to sleep and wake up
together."

Everychild shuddered and moved closer to his companion. "Don't speak
so loud, please," he said. "And what about the others?"

"Mr. Orthodox Doctrine is one of those fellows . . . well, he used to
burn you, you know; but now he freezes you."

"And the others?"