From their exultant exclamations, it is apparent that Giant and Giantess are greatly elated over the destruction of the serpents. De L'Ester, do you understand what Giant is saying?
De L'Ester—He says "Hildian, Gandûlana̤a̤ salēno rana̤vû cominista̤ testo. Ino dû lana̤. Ah, viamon dûla̤ testo, landisto osten vi, ona̤ pra̤-o Gentola̤." This is not pure Ento, but a dialect of this race. I can only attempt a very free translation of what he has said. Hildian is the woman's name, and he says, "The bad serpents are killed, and I am glad. Ah, they are dead, and can no more harm thee, dear." Listen, Giantess calls some one.
Giantess—Ouaa̤men istan! Ouaa̤men istan! Gandûlana̤, fanistû testo.
De L'Ester—In answer to her reassuring call, "That surely the serpents are dead," two boys and a girl are bounding across the meadow, and as they rush to their mother's arms, they fill the air with their excited exclamations and inquiries. Now Giant swings the girl to his shoulder, and like a conquering hero, leads the way toward the dwelling. The boys cling to the mother's gown, and all follow the father who relates to the delighted children the story of his prowess.
We will follow them to the dwelling, which is a fair example of the homes of this giant race. All their dwellings are built of stone, and though simply constructed, are well suited to their requirements. The average height of this pastoral race is quite eight feet and they are symmetrically proportioned. They are affectionate, gentle, industrious, devoted to their families, and in their way, intensely religious. They are the Kenēto Soûvanallo, which I shall translate as meaning giant flesh eaters. They never intermarry with other races, and what they now are as a race they have been for as far back as their history reaches. They cultivate only such grains, fruits and vegetables as their needs require, their chief sustenance and possession being animals, which are herded in the surrounding luxuriant grass lands. These animals are unlike any we have shown you, later we will afford you an opportunity of seeing them. The region occupied by this race is about two hundred miles long by one hundred and fifty in width, and its southern border approaches equatorial lands. You now will describe the exterior of this dwelling.
Gentola—It is built of a grayish stone, the surface rather rough, but the stones are very accurately fitted and cemented. It is two stories high and of ample width, and there are a number of windows filled in with what looks like glass. Some stone steps lead up to the front door and a flight of stone steps at the north side of the house leads up to the roof, which slopes a little from front to rear. Around the roof is a low balustrade, and spread all over it are several kinds of fruits drying in the warm sunshine. I think that is all I can say of the exterior. As I do not possess fine descriptive ability I fear that I fail to convey adequate ideas of things.
De L'Ester—You are too modest. True, your style is not ornate, but you possess the greater virtues of conscientiousness and conciseness. We now will enter and learn what of interest the interior of the dwelling may offer. This hallway, running the depth of the house, divides it equally, and in the front room on our left, on a couch covered with skins, lies Giant, talking excitedly with Giantess. I gather from their conversation that in this region the presence of venomous serpents is very uncommon, but that there are harmless varieties, which these flesh eating giants consider delicacies. No, they are true serpents, and not allied to the eel, which on Ento has some close kindred, known as Chifa.
We now will look into the room across the hallway. Ah, this is the sanctum sanctorum, the invariable feature of all rural Ento dwellings, not pretentious enough to afford an Istoira. On the draped altar are fruits and flowers and the floor is covered by a really handsome rug. These gentle, simple minded folk are faithful observers of the all pervading religion, and their spiritual conceptions are on a level with those of their teachers, the priesthood, who regard Andûmana̤ and Gods and Goddesses as personalities who are to be adored, or appeased, as occasions may require. With great sincerity they fulfill their religious obligations and peacefully await whatever of good or ill may come to them.
Ah, Giant, Giantess and the children have left the house and are wending their way toward the forest. During their absence we will look through the dwelling. In this and the adjoining sleeping room are couches, tables, chairs, some garments and nothing more. We now will ascend the stairway to learn what may be on the upper floor. As is the custom of this race, the upper floor is used for storage purposes, and here are grains, fruits and nuts in abundance. You will describe the contents of some of these receptacles.