Presently he added meditatively. "A big chap like you—it must be wonderful to be as strong as you are. The way you ought to be able to handle a sword—I suppose you carry a sword, of course?"
"Nothing like it!" replied the giant.
"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!"