“They’re made over from the things the older children have grown too big for.”

Everychild was more and more puzzled.  “Yes,” he said, “but the oldest one of all—­there had to be a beginning!”

The second son laughed.  “In the beginning,” he explained, “they have to be cut down from father’s things.”

“Oh—­your father’s!” exclaimed Everychild.  Then in a polite murmur, “I—­I never heard of your father.”

The second son explained this simply.  “You never do, when there are so many children,” he said.

While Everychild was nodding slowly in reply to this the scene suddenly changed.

The Old Woman took two or three steps in the direction of her sons and daughters; and the sons and daughters, seeing there was no hope for them, approached her with hanging heads.

The scene which followed was such that Everychild felt certain he could never forget it.  One after another the children were seized and fed a few spoonfuls of the broth without any bread.  Then each was spanked most soundly.  Then one by one they quickly escaped up the ladder until the last of them had disappeared.  It was all over in a very short time.

Everychild had now been joined by his companions, who saw the last of the Old Woman’s children scramble up the ladder and disappear.

As for the Old Woman, she stood a moment, panting, as well she might, and then she made her way around behind the shoe.  Just before she disappeared she glared at Everychild and actually made a face at him!

Everychild addressed his companions.  “I think we ought to get them to go with us,” he said.  “That’s no way for them to be treated—­to be whipped and sent to bed like that.”

The giant began dreamily—­“There ought to be some way . . .”

Everychild’s eyes brightened.  “If we could only open the toe of the shoe—­though of course we couldn’t!”

“We could,” declared the giant.

They went forward stealthily.  Will o’Dreams following the example of Everychild and moving without a sound.

The giant slipped his fingers under the loose ends of the toe of the shoe and tugged with all his might.  After resisting a moment the toe lifted.

What a sight do we behold!  One child after another came tumbling out of the shoe until all the Old Woman’s sons and daughters had been liberated.  They sprang to their feet excitedly, dusting their garments and looking grateful and relieved.

Everychild addressed them briefly, in a low voice:  “You’re going away with us, all of you.  You’re not going to stand such treatment any longer.  We’re all going on a great adventure, and you shall go with us.”

The sons and daughters all made eager signs of assent, though they were careful not to speak a word.  Only the little black dog violated the rule of silence.  He fairly danced about the entire group of children.  And then they all slipped away into the forest.