And Hercules picked up the three golden apples , that were as big or bigger than pumpkins , and straightway set out on his journey homeward , without paying the slightest heed to the thundering tones of the giant , who bellowed after him to come back . Another forest sprang up around his feet , and grew ancient there ; and again might be seen oak-trees , of six or seven centuries old , that had waxed thus again betwixt his enormous toes . And there stands the giant , to this day ; or , at any rate , there stands a mountain as tall as he , and which bears his name ; and when the thunder rumples about its summit , we may imagine it to be the voice of Giant Atlas , bellowing after Hercules ! TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE . AFTER THE STORY . `` Cousin Eustace , '' demanded Sweet Fern , who had been sitting at the story-teller 's feet , with his mouth wide open , `` exactly how tall was this giant ? '' `` O Sweet Fern , Sweet Fern ! '' cried the student , `` do you think I was there , to measure him with a yardstick ? Well , if you must know to a hair 's - breadth , I suppose he might be from three to fifteen miles straight upward , and that he might have seated himself on Taconic , and had Monument Mountain for a footstool . '' `` Dear me ! '' ejaculated the good little boy , with a contented sort of a grunt , `` that was a giant , sure enough ! And how long was his little finger ? '' `` As long as from Tanglewood to the lake , '' said Eustace . `` Sure enough , that was a giant ! '' repeated Sweet Fern , in an ecstasy at the precision of these measurements . `` And how broad , I wonder , were the shoulders of Hercules ? '' `` That is what I have never been able to find out , '' answered the student . `` But I think they must have been a great deal broader than mine , or than your father 's , or than almost any shoulders which one sees nowadays . '' `` I wish , '' whispered Sweet Fern , with his mouth close to the student 's ear , `` that you would tell me how big were some of the oak-trees that grew between the giant 's toes . '' `` They were bigger , '' said Eustace , `` than the great chestnut-tree which stands beyond Captain Smith 's house . ''
`` Eustace , '' remarked Mr. Pringle , after some deliberation , `` I find it impossible to express such an opinion of this story as will be likely XXXXX gratify , in the smallest degree , your pride of authorship .
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