Then Jack--trembling and helpless--looked wonderingly and forlornly at
Father Time. "What have you done to me?" he asked in a quivering voice.

Father Time replied calmly: "I have laid my hand on your shoulder!"

"Yes--but I don't mean that," said Jack. "Something strange . . . my
boots: see, they have been changed. They were new and wonderful. In
them I could take steps seven leagues long!"

Father Time replied: "Jack the Giant Killer, when I have laid my hand
upon you again and yet again, you shall possess the true seven-league
boots. They shall carry you seventy times seven leagues--and beyond."

"And my invisible cloak--it was rich and fine before you came; and now
it is ragged."

"Jack the Giant Killer, when I have laid my hand upon you again and yet
again, it shall be given to you to wear the true and only invisible
cloak."

Jack looked ruefully at his sword. With a sob he exclaimed, "And my
sword of sharpness! . . ."

Father Time replied, "Jack the Giant Killer, beneath my touch the sword
of sharpness becomes the sword of rust."

For an instant Jack searched the faces of the others. "Have I no
friend here?" he demanded. "Will no one take my part?"

Everychild's heart was touched with pity; but before he could speak
Father Time continued:

"I am your friend. And I bid you go home and cultivate those virtues
which you know not. Be patient, and contentment shall come: a friend
more unfailing than a strong arm. And hope shall come: a friend more
fleet than seven-league boots. And faith shall be yours: far better
raiment than your cloak which was invisible."

But Jack hung his head. "And my beautiful sword that was my
pride . . ."

To the amazement of all it was the giant, Will o'Dreams, who stepped
forward to comfort Jack. In a voice which was marvelously kind he said:

"I know you for a brave youth, Jack the Giant Killer; and as for me, it
has been said that I am generous. Listen: I alone among all the race
of giants have power to bid Father Time move speedily, or to retrace
his steps. Let us see what I can do."

He solemnly lifted his hand, and Father Time, walking backward,
disappeared in the forest.

At that very moment the Masked Lady took a step forward, saying in a
soft and soothing voice:

"Jack the Giant Killer, if you will come to me with all your heart and
place your hand in mine, I can make you beautiful and strong, despite
all that Father Time has done."

Jack lif