Poe. (Smiling) About the fairies, mama?
Hel. About the fairies—and a big giant—and a little girl lost in a wood—
Poe. And a little boy too?
Hel. Yes, a little boy, too! And the little girl was crying—
Poe. And the little boy found her?
Hel. Yes, and he told her not to cry, that he could kill the big giant, and he hid the little girl in a cave—
Poe. Was it a dark cave, mama?
Hel. No-o-o! It was a cave—with—windows in it! And by and by he heard the giant coming—
Poe. Oh! (Hides his face on her breast. She holds him to her, her hands on his hair) And when the little boy heard the leaves rustling closer and closer he climbed a great tree—
Poe. (Lifting his head) But he was n’t afraid, mama?