14. Mr Literal's Warning
Everychild was in a high state of excitement as he and Tom made their way back to where the other members of the band awaited them.
He had scarcely dared to hope that Tom would be able to get away from his mother so easily. She had seemed really terrible. But now there was little danger of her overtaking them and making her son go back.
He was delighted that there was to be a new member of the band; while the thought of having a dog along with them seemed almost too good to be true. It would be much more interesting, having a dog with them. He could not know, of course, what exciting events lay in wait for him, and it seemed to him that having the dog might be the most wonderful part of the entire journey.
He was just thinking that the band was now large enough, even if no other children appeared to go with them, when something occurred to mar his perfect happiness.
Tom had been walking ahead, because he knew the path better; and all of a sudden some one caught step with him and began to talk to him.
It was Mr. Literal; and the little old man was smiling in a very hypocritical manner and rubbing his hands together.
"Just a word of caution," said Mr. Literal, by way of beginning.
Everychild knew it was going to be something disagreeable, but he only said, "What is it?"
"That fellow who calls himself your friend----"
"You mean the giant," said Everychild.
"He's a bad lot. Better keep an eye on him."
Everychild stared at the path before him.
"I'll tell you a little something about him--then you'll know whether I'm right or not. Did he ever tell you where his home is?"
"No," said Everychild, very uncomfortably.
"Of course not. Well, he was driven away from his home, years ago. He'd not dare to go back."
"Why?" asked Everychild.
"For telling lies. Every word he speaks is false. He doesn't know how to tell the truth. His own mother doesn't know him any more. That's how bad he is."
"He seems a very pleasant boy," said Everychild.
"There you are! Of course. It's easy to have a name for being pleasant if you're willing to say the first thing that comes to hand."
"But wouldn't you find people out if they did that?" asked Everychild.
"Of course!"
"Well, when I find the giant out I'll remember what you've said."
He was glad that the path broadened into a road just then. He ran forward a few steps and walked by the side of Tom. He didn't want to hear anything more against the giant. In truth, it had begun to seem to him the best thing of all, having the giant as a companion. He even hoped that after a time the Masked Lady would take some other road and leave them. It was rather uncomfortable, her happening to be places when you were not thinking about her. And if she were to go away there would be an end to Mr. Literal too. They both might be all right in their way, but it ought to be a band of children, with nobody else about.
And so he put Mr. Literal and the Masked Lady, too, out of his mind. He was talking eagerly to Tom when they got back to where the others were. He called out gladly, when he came within hearing of them, "He's going with us. And what do you think? We've got a dog!"
There was general rejoicing when the dog made his appearance, running from one to another to get acquainted. And then, as they had already been delayed quite a little, they made haste to continue on their journey.