Everychild's heart prompted him to say impulsively, "And you'll go on with us? You'll not get tired and leave us on the way?" The giant pondered a moment, and then he replied: "No. My search will carry me as far as your search is to carry you." "You haven't told me what it is you're searching for," said Everychild. There was a long silence, and then the giant replied: "I scarcely liked to speak of it; yet if we are to be friends, perhaps I may do so. The truth is, I am seeking my mother." Everychild felt a little thrilled. He recalled what Mr. Literal had said of the giant--how he had been driven away from home because of the evil he had done. He had refused to believe what Mr. Literal had said; yet what was the meaning of what the giant was now saying? "I lost my mother long ago," the giant resumed. "I can't explain just how it was. But there were many who mistrusted me in my childhood and believed I wasn't up to any good. They said I was made up of lies. They drove me from their houses and closed their doors on me. And my mother and I got lost from each other. From that day to this I have had bad days when I've feared that all my enemies ever said about me was true. But it is only occasionally I have a bad day. You see, I remember my mother's ways so well that it seems almost as if she were with me, much of the time. But I know well that if I could find her, never to lose her again, I should never have another evil thought. And so it is that I constantly dream of finding her, and go about the world seeking her. And I never see a beautiful lady without stopping to ask myself in a whisper, 'Can it be she?'" "Was she so beautiful, then?" asked Everychild. "Ah, I cannot tell you how beautiful. So straight and tall and brave, yet with a great tenderness a little hidden from sight. Her lips curved a little, mournfully, as if she had been singing a sad song; yet there was an expression in her eyes--a soft, calm expression, which made everything seem right when you looked into them. There are even now moments when I feel . . . I scarcely know how to explain it to you. It's as if she were near by, whispering, and I couldn't think just where to look for her." "I'll help you to look for her," said Everychild heartily. And then together they quit the attic and went cautiously down the narrow staircase. Only a few moments later they had taken their places among their companions and had fallen asleep. CHAPTER XXII THE END OF A HUNDRED YEARS They all resumed their journey at sunrise, carrying with them a fair supply of food which the townspeople had brought; and by noon they had crossed the boundary into a different kingdom, where the cruelties of the wicked King John were wholly unknown, and where Prince Arthur became almost the gayest member of the band.