ADVENTURESOFTHEWISHING-CHAIRBY

ENIDBLYTONILLUSTRATEDBY

HILDAMcGAVIN

LONDON

GEORGENEWNESLIMITEDTOWERHOUSE

SOUTHAMPTONSTREET,STRAND,W.C.2

FirstPublished1937

SecondEdition1939

ThirdEdition1940

FourthEdition1940

FifthEdition1942

SixthEdition1948

SeventhEdition1950

Preface

Dearchildren,WhenthefirststoriesoftheWishing-ChaircametoanendinSunnyStories

youweresosadthatyouwrotehundredsofletterstome,beggingmetoputallthetalesintoonebigbookforyou,sothatyoumightreadthemoveragain.SoIdid,andheretheyare!

SincethenyouhavehadanotherSunnyStoriesserialaboutPeter,MollieandChinky,andIhaveputthisintoabigbookforyou,too.ItiscalledTheWishing-ChairAgain.

Youwillbegladtomeetyouroldfriendsoncemoreandgowiththemontheiradventures.YouwillwishyouhadaWishing-Chairtoo!Iexpectyouhavesatoneverychairinthehousetoseeifitisawishingone.Ifyouareeverluckyenoughtofindone,letmeknow!

Lovetoyouall,fromyourfriend,

Contents

1.TheStrangeOldShop2.TheGiant’sCastle3.TheGrabbitGnomes4.TheHo-HoWizard5.TheOld,OldMan6.PoorLostChinky7.TheLandofDreams8.TheRunawayChair9.TheLostCat10.TheWitchKirri-Kirri11.TheDisappearingIsland12.TheMagician’sParty13.TheWishing-ChairisFoolish14.ThePoliteGoblin15.TheSpinningHouse16.WitchSnippit17.TheSillyBoy18.thewindywizard19.Mr.Twisty20.twobadchildren21.TheHorridQuarrel22.TheEnchanterClip-Clap23.TheStrangeTower24.TheGreatEscape25.Big-EarsTheGoblin26.TheSnoogle27.TheSnoogle’sCastle28.ThechairRunsAwayagain29.TheLandofScally-Wags30.ThePrince’sSpells31.TheLastAdventureofAll

OriginalIllustrations

What’sAShilling?

TheStrangeOldShop

THEadventuresreallybeganonthedaythatMollieandPeterwentouttospendthreeshillingsonapresentfortheirmother’sbirthday.

Theyemptiedthemoneyoutoftheirmoney-boxandcountedit.“Threeshillings!”saidPeter.“Good!Now,whatshallwebuyMother?”“Motherlovesoldthings,”saidMollie.“Ifwecouldfindanoldshop

somewhere,fullofoldthings—youknow,funnyspoons,quaintvases,oldglasses,andbeads—somethingofthatsortwouldbelovelyforMother.Shewouldloveanoldtea-caddytokeeptheteain,I’msure,orperhapsanold,oldvase.”

“Allright,”saidPeter.“We’llgoandfindoneofthoseshopsthisveryday.Putonyourhatandcomeon,Mollie.”

Offtheywent,andranintothetown.“It’sashopwiththeword‘Antiques’overitthatwewant,”saidPeter.

“Antiquesmeansoldthings.Justlookoutforthat,Mollie.”Butthereseemedtobenoshopwiththeword‘Antiques’printedoveritat

all.Thechildrenleftthemainstreetandwentdownalittleturning.Thereweremoreshopsthere,butstillnottheonetheywanted.Soontheywentandcametoasmall,narrowstreetwhosehousesweresoclosethattherewashardlyanylightintheroad!

Andthere,tuckedawayinthemiddle,wastheshopwith‘Antiques’printedonalabelinsidethedirtywindow.

“Good!”saidPeter.“Hereisashopthatsellsoldthings.Look,Mollie,doyouseethatstrangelittlevasewithswanssetallroundit?I’msureMotherwouldlikethat.Itismarkedtwoshillingsandsixpence.Wecouldbuythatandsomeflowerstoputinit!”

Sointotheolddarkshoptheywent.Itwassodarkthatthechildrenstumbledoversomepiled-uprugsonthefloor.Nobodyseemedtobeabout.Peterwenttothecounterandrappedonit.Atinydooratthebackopenedandoutcamethestrangestlittleman,nohigherthanthecountertop.Hehadpointedearslikeapixie.Thechildrenstaredathiminsurprise.Helookedverycross,andspokesharply.

“Whatdoyouwant,makinganoiselikethat?”“Wewanttobuythevasewithswansroundit,”saidPeter.Mutteringandgrumblingtohimself,thelittlechappickedupthevaseand

pusheditacrossthecounter.Peterputdownhalfacrown.“CanIhavesome

pusheditacrossthecounter.Peterputdownhalfacrown.“CanIhavesomepapertowrapthevasein?”heaskedpolitely.“Yousee,it’sformymother’sbirthday,andIdon’twanthertoseemecarryingithome.”

Grumblingawaytohimself,thelittlemanwenttoapileofboxesatthebackoftheshopandbegantoopenonetolookforapieceofpaperThechildrenwatched.Totheirenormoussurprisealargeblackcatwithgoldeneyesjumpedoutoftheboxandbegantospitandsnarlatthelittleman.Hesmackeditandputitbackagain.Heopenedanotherbox.

Outofthatcameagreatwreathofgreensmokethatwoundabouttheshopandsmeltstrange.Thelittlemancaughtholdofitasifitwerearibbonandtriedtostuffitbackintotheboxagain.Butitbrokeoffandwentwanderingaway.Howhestampedandraged!Thechildrenfeltquitefrightened.

“We’dbettergowithoutthepaper,”whisperedMollietoPeter,butjustthenanotherextraordinarythinghappened.Outofthenextboxcameacrowdofbluebutterflies.Theyflewintotheair,andthelittlemanshoutedwithrageagain.Hedartedtothedoorandshutit,afraidthatthebutterflieswouldescape.Tothechildren’shorrortheysawhimlockthedoortoo,andputthekeyintohispocket!

“Wecan’tgetouttillheletsusgo!”saidMollie.“Ohdear,whydidweevercomehere?I’msurethatlittlemanisagnomeorsomething.”

Thelittlefellowopenedanotherbox,and,heypresto,outjumpedaredfox!Itgaveashortbarkandthenbegantorunabouttheshop,itsnosetotheground.Thechildrenwerehalfafraidofbeingbitten,andtheybothsatinanoldchairtogether,theirlegsdrawnupofftheground,outofthewayofthefox.

Itwasthemostcuriousshoptheyhadeverbeenin.Fancykeepingallthosequeerthingsinboxes!Really,theremustbemagic

aboutsomewhere.Itcouldn’tbeapropershop.

aboutsomewhere.Itcouldn’tbeapropershop.Thechildrennoticedalittlestairwayleadingofftheshopaboutthemiddle,

andsuddenly,atthetopofthis,thereappearedsomebodyelse!Itwassomebodytallandthin,withsuchalongbeardthatitswepttheground.Onhisheadwasapointedhatthatmadehimseemtallerstill.

“Look!”saidMollie.“Doesn’thelooklikeawizard?”“Tippit,Tippit,whatareyoudoing?”criedthenewcomer,inastrange,

deepvoice,liketherumblingoffarawaythunder.“Lookingforapieceofpaper!”answeredthelittleman,inasurlytone.

“AndallIcanfindisbutterfliesandfoxes,ablackcat,and—”“What!You’vedaredtoopenthoseboxes!”shoutedtheotherangrily.He

stampeddownthestairs,andthensawthechildren.“Andwhoareyou?”heasked,staringatthem.“Howdareyoucomehere?”

“Wewantedtobuythisvase,”saidPeter,frightened.“Well,seeingyouarehere,youcanhelpTippittocatchthefox,”saidthe

tallman,twistinghisbeardupintoaknotandtyingitunderhischin.“Comeon!”

“Idon’twantto,”saidMollie.“Hemightbiteme.Unlockthedoorandletusgoout.”

“Nottillthefoxandallthebutterfliesarecaughtandputintotheirboxes

“Nottillthefoxandallthebutterfliesarecaughtandputintotheirboxesagain,”saidthetallman.

Ohdear!”saidPeter,makingnomovementtogetoutofthechair,inwhichheandMolliewerestillsittingwiththeirlegsdrawnup.“Idowishweweresafelyathome!”

Andthenthemostextraordinarythingofallhappened!Thechairtheywereinbegantocreakandgroan,andsuddenlyitroseupintheair,withthetwochildreninitITheyheldtight,wonderingwhateverwashappening!Itflewtothedoor,butthatwasshut.Itflewtothewindow,butthatwasshuttoo.

MeantimethewizardandTippitwererunningafterit,cryingoutinrage.“Howdareyouuseourwishing-chair!Wishitback,wishitback!”

“Ishan’t!”criedPeter.“Goon,wishing-chair,takeushome!”Thechairfindingthatitcouldnotgetoutofthedoororthewindow,flew

upthelittlestairway.Itnearlygotstuckinthedoorwayatthetop,whichwasrathernarrow,butjustmanagedtosqueezeitselfthrough.Beforethechildrencouldseewhattheroomupstairswaslike,thechairflewtothewindowthere,whichwasopen,andoutitwentintothestreet.Itimmediatelyroseupveryhighindeed,farbeyondthehousetops,andflewtowardsthechildren’shome.Howamazedtheywere!Andhowtightlytheyclungtothearms!Itwouldbedreadfultofall!

“Isay,Mollie,canyouhearaflappingnoise?”saidPeter.“Hasthechairgotwingsanywhere?”

Molliepeepedcautiouslyovertheedgeofthechair.“Yes!”shesaid.“Ithasalittleredwinggrowingoutofeachleg,andtheymaketheflappingnoise!Howqueer!”

Thechairbegantoflydownwards.Thechildrensawthattheywerejustovertheirgarden.

“Gotoourplayroom,chair,”saidPeterquickly.Thechairwenttoabigshedatthebottomofthegarden.Insidewasaplayroomforthechildren,andheretheykeptalltheirtoysandbooks,andcouldplayanygametheyliked.Thechairflewinattheopendoorandcametorestonthefloor.Thechildrenjumpedoffandlookedatoneanother.

“Thefirstrealadventurewe’veeverhadinourlives!”saidMollie,indelight.“Oh,Peter,tothinkwe’vegotamagicchair—awishing-chair!”

“Well,itisn’treallyours,”saidPeter,puttingtheswanvasecarefullydown

“Well,itisn’treallyours,”saidPeter,puttingtheswanvasecarefullydownonthetable.“Perhapswehadbettersenditbacktothatshop.”

“Isupposewehad,”saidMolliesadly.“Itwouldbesolovelyifwecouldkeepit!”

“Gobacktoyourshop,chair,”commandedPeter.Thechairdidn’tmoveaninch!Peterspoketoitagain.Stillthechairwouldn’tmove!Thereitwasandthereitstayed.Andsuddenlythechildrennoticedthatitslittleredwingshadgonefromthelegs!Itlookedjustanordinarychairnow!

“See,Mollie!Thechairhasn’tanywings!”criedPeter.“Itcan’tfly.Iexpectitisonlywhenitgrowswingsthatitcanfly.Itmustjusthavegrownthemwhenweweresittinginitintheshop.Whatluckforus!”

“Peter!Let’swaittillthechairhasgrownwingsagain,andthengetinitandseewhereitgoes!”saidMollie,herfaceredwithexcitement.“Oh,dolet’s!”

“Well,itmighttakeusanywhere!”saidPeterdoubtfully.“Still,we’vealwayswantedadventures,Mollie,haven’twe?Sowe’lltry!Theverynexttimeourwishing-chairgrowswings,we’llsitinitandflyoffagain!”

“Hurrah!”saidMollie.“Ihopeitwillbetomorrow!”

TheGiant’sCastle

EACH day Mollie and Peter ran down to their playroom in the garden, andlookedattheirwishing-chairtoseeifithadgrownwingsagain.Buteachtimetheyweredisappointed.Ithadn’t.

“Itmaygrowtheminthenight,”saidPeter.“Butwecan’tpossiblykeepcominghereinthedarktosee.Wemustjustbepatient.”

Sometimesthechildrensatinthechairandwishedthemselvesaway,butnothinghappenedatall.Itwasreallyverydisappointing.

Andthenonedaythechairgrewitswingsagain.ItwasaSaturdayafternoon,too,whichwasveryjolly,asthechildrenwerenotatschool.Theyrandowntotheplayroomandopenedthedoor,andtheveryfirstthingtheysawwasthatthechairhadgrownwings!Theycouldn’thelpseeingthis,becausethechairwasflappingitswingsaboutasifitwasgoingtoflyoff!

Quick!Quick!”shoutedPeter,draggingMollietothechair.“Jumpin.It’sgoingtofly!”

Theywerejustintime!Thechairroseupintheair,flappingitswingsstrongly,andmadeforthedoor.Outitwentandrosehighintotheairatonce.Thechildrenclungontightlyinthegreatestdelight.

“Wheredoyousupposeitisgoing?”askedPeter.“Goodnessknows!”saidMollie.“Letittakeuswhereveritwantsto!Itwill

beexciting,anyhow.Ifitgoesbacktothatfunnyshop,wecaneasilyjumpoffandrunawaywhenitgoesinatthedoor.”

Butthechairdidn’tgototheoldshop.Insteaditkeptonsteadilytowardsthewest,wherethesunwasbeginningtosink.Byandbyahighmountainroseupbelow,andthechildrenlookeddownatitinastonishment.Onthetopwasanenormouscastle.

“Where’sthis,Iwonder?”saidPeter.“Oh,Isay,Mollie,thechairisgoing

“Where’sthis,Iwonder?”saidPeter.“Oh,Isay,Mollie,thechairisgoingdowntothecastle!”

Downitwent,flappingitsrose-redwings.Soonitcametothecastleroof,andinsteadofgoinglowerandfindingadoororawindow,thechairfoundaniceflatpieceofroofandsettleddowntherewithasigh,asifitwerequitetiredout!

“Comeon,Mollie!Let’sexplore!”saidPeterexcitedly.Hejumpedoffthechairandrantoaflightofenormousstepsthatleddowntotheinsideofthecastle.Hepeepeddown.Noonewasabout.

“ThisisthebiggestcastleIeversaw,”saidPeter.“Iwonderwholiveshere.Let’sgoandsee!”

Theywentdownthesteps,andcametoabigstaircaseleadingfromalanding.Oneverysideweremassivedoors,boltedontheoutside.

“Ihopetherearenoprisonersinside!”saidMollie,halfafraid.Thestairssuddenlyendedinagreathall.Thechildrenstoodandlookedin

astonishment.Sittingatanenormoustablewasagiantasbigassixmen.Hiseyeswereonabook,andhewastryingtoaddupfigures.

“Threetimesseven,threetimesseven,threetimesseven!”hemutteredtohimself.“Inevercanremember.Where’sthatmiserablelittlepixie?Ifhedoesn’tknow,I’llturnhimintoablack-beetle!”Thegiantlifteduphisheadandshoutedsoloudlythatbothchildrenputtheirhandsovertheirears.“Chinky!Chinky!”

Apixie,notquitesobigasthechildren,camerunningoutofwhatlookedlikeascullery.Heheldanenormousbootinonehand,andaverysmallboot-brushintheother.

“Stopcleaningmybootsandlistentome!”orderedthegiant.“Ican’tdomysumsagain.I’maddingupallIspentlastweekanditwon’tcomeright.Whatarethreetimesseven?”

“Threetimesseven?”saidthepixie,withafrightenedlookonhislittlepointedface.

“That’swhatIsaid,”thunderedthebad-temperedgiant.“Iknowtheyarethesameasseventimesthree,”saidthepixie.“Well,Idon’tknowwhatseventimesthreeareeither!”roaredthegiant.

“Youtellme!What’sthegoodofhavingaservantwhodoesn’tknowhistables?Quick—whatarethreetimesseven?”

“Id—d—d—don’tknow!”stammeredthepoorpixie.“ThenI’lllockyouintothetoproomofthecastletillyoudoknow!”cried

thegiant,inarage.Hepickedupthepixieandwenttothestairs.Thenhesawthechildrenstandingthere,andhestoppedinastonishment.

“Whoareyou,andwhatareyoudoinghere?”heasked.

“We’vejustcomeonaflyingvisit,”saidPeterboldly.“Weknowwhatthreetimessevenare—andseventimesthreetoo.So,ifyouletthatpixiego,we’lltellyou.”

“Youtellme,then,youcleverchildren!”criedthegiant,delighted.“Theyaretwenty-one,”saidPeter.Thegiant,stillholdingthepixietightlyinhishand,wentacrosstothetable

andaddedupsomefigures.“Yes—twenty-one,”hesaid.“Nowwhydidn’tIthinkofthat?Good!”“Letthepixiego,”beggedMollie.“Ohno!”saidthegiant,withawickedgrin.“Heshallbeshutupinthetop

roomofmycastle,andyoushallbemyservantsinstead,andhelpmetoaddup

mysums!ComealongwithmewhilstIshutupChinky.”Hepushedthetwoangrychildreninfrontofhimandmadethemgoallthe

wayupthestairsuntiltheycametothetopmostdoor.Thegiantunbolteditandpushedtheweepingpixieinside.Thenhebolteditagainandlockedit.

“Quick!”whisperedPetertoMollie.“Let’sraceupthesestepstotheroofandgetontoourmagicchair.”

So,whilstthegiantwaslockingthedoor,thetwoofthemshotupthestepstotheroof.Thegiantdidn’ttrytostopthem.Hestoodandroaredwithlaughter.

“Well,Idon’tknowhowyouexpecttoescapethatway!”hesaid.“You’llhavetocomedownthestepsagain,andIshallbewaitingheretocatchyou.Thenwhataspankingyou’llget!”

Thechildrenclimbedoutontotheflatpieceofcastleroof.Therewastheirchair,standingjustwheretheyhadleftit,itsredwingsgleaminginthesun.Theythrewthemselvesintoit,andPetercried,“GototheroomwherethatlittlepixieChinkyis!”

pixieChinkyis!”Thechairroseintotheair,flewoverthecastleroof,andthendowntoabig

window.Itwasopen,andthechairsqueezeditselfinside.Chinkythepixiewasthere,sittingonthefloor,weeping.Whenhesawthechaircomingin,withthetwochildrensittinginit,hewassoastonishedthathecouldn’tevengetupoffthefloor!

“Quick!”criedMollie.“Comeintothischair,Chinky.We’llhelpyoutoescape!”

“Who’stalkinginthere?”boomedthegiant’senormousvoice,andthechildrenheardtheboltsbeingundoneandthekeyturnedtounlockthedoor!

“Quick,quick,Chinky!”shoutedPeter,andhedraggedtheamazedpixietothemagicchair.Theyallthreesatinit,huddledtogether,andPetershouted“Takeushome!”

Thedoorflewopenandthegiantrushedinjustasthechairsailedoutofthewindow.Herantothewindowandmadeagrabatthechair.Hisbighandknockedagainstaleg,andthechairshookviolently.Chinkynearlyfelloff,butPetergrabbedhimandpulledhimbacksafely.Thentheysailedhighupintotheair,faroutofreachoftheangrygiant!

“We’veescaped!”shoutedPeter.“Whatanadventure!Cheerup,Chinky!We’lltakeyouhomewithus!Youshalllivewithus,ifyoulike.Wehaveafineplayroomattheendofourgarden.Youcanlivethereandnoonewillknow.Whatfunwe’llhavewithyouandthewishing-chair!”

“Youareverykindtome,”saidChinkygratefully.“Ishalllovetolivewithyou.Icantakeyouonmany,manyadventures!”

“Hurrah!”shoutedthetwochildren.“Look,Chinky,we’regoingdowntoourgarden.”

Soontheyweresafelyinthegarden,andthechairflewinattheopendooroftheplayroom.Itswingsdisappeared,anditsettleditselfdownwithalongsigh,asiftosay,“Homeagain!”

“Youcanmakeanicebedofthecushionsfromthesofa,”saidMollietothepixie.“AndI’llgiveyouarugfromthehall-chesttocoveryourselfwith.Wemustgonow,becauseitispastourtea-time.We’llcomeandseeyouagaintomorrow.Goodluck!”

TheGrabbitGnomes

ITwassuchfuntohaveareallivepixietoplaywith!MollieandPeterwenttotheir playroomevery day and talkedwithChinky,whom they had so cleverlyrescuedfromthegiant’scastle.Herefusedtohaveanythingtoeat,becausehesaid he knew the fairies in the garden, and theywould bring him anything heneeded.

“Chinky,willyoudosomethingforus?”askedMollie.“Youknow,wecan’tbewiththemagicchairalwaystowatchwhenitgrowswings,butifyoucouldwatchitforus,andcomeandtelluswhenyouseeithaswings,thenwecouldrushtoourplayroomandgoonanotheradventure.Itwouldbelovelyifyou’ddothat.”

“Ofcourse,”saidChinky,whowasamostobliging,merrylittlefellow.“I’llnevertakemyeyesoffthechair!”

Well,willyoubelieveit,thatverynight,justasChinkywasgoingofftosleep,andtheplayroomwasindarkness,hefeltastrangelittlewindblowingfromsomewhere.Itwasthechairwavingitswingsabout!Chinkywasupinatrice,andranoutoftheplayroomtothehouse.Heknewwhichthechildren’sroomwas,andheclimbeduptheoldpeartreeandknockedonthewindow.

Itwasn’tlongbeforeMollieandPeter,eachinwarmdressing-gowns,wererunningdowntotheplayroom.Theylightedacandleandsawthechair’sredwingsoncemore.

“Comeon!”criedPeter,jumpingintothechair.“Whereareweofftothistime,Iwonder?”

Molliejumpedintoo,andChinkysqueezedhimselfbesidethem.Thechairwasindeedveryfull.

Itflewoutofthedoorandupintotheair.Themoonwasup,andtheworldseemedalmostaslightasday.Thechairflewtothesouth,andthenwentdownwardsintoastrangelittlewoodthatshoneblueandgreen.

“Hallo,hallo!we’regoingtovisittheGrabbitGnomes,”saidthepixie.“Idon’tlikethat!Theygrabeverythingtheycan,especiallythingsthatdon’tbelongtothem!Wemustbecarefultheydon’tgrabourwishing-chair!”

Thechaircametorestinasmallclearing,neartosomequeertoadstoolhouses.Thedoorswereinthegreatthickstalks,andthewindowswereinthetoppart.Noonewasabout.

“Oh,dolet’sexplorethisstrangevillage!”criedMollie,indelight.“Idowantto!”

“Well,hurryup,then,”saidChinkynervously.“IftheGrabbitGnomesseeushere,theywillsoonbetryingtograbthis,that,andtheother.”

Thetwochildrenranofftothetoadstoolhousesandlookedatthem.Theyreallywerelovely.HowMolliewishedshehadoneathomeinthegarden!Itwouldbesolovelytohaveonetolivein.

“WhateverisChinkydoing?”saidPeter,turningroundtolook.“He’sgotaropeorsomething,”saidMollie,insurprise.“Oh,don’tlet’s

botherabouthim,Peter.Dolookhere!Therearesixlittletoadstoolsalllaid

botherabouthim,Peter.Dolookhere!Therearesixlittletoadstoolsalllaidreadyforbreakfast!Fancy!Theyusethemfortablesaswellasforhouses!”

Suddenlytherewasaloudshoutfromanearbytoadstoolhouse.“Robbers!Burglars!”Someonewasleaningoutofthewindowofabigtoadstoolhouse,pointing

tothechildren.InatricealltheGrabbitGnomeswokeup,andcamepouringoutoftheirhouses.“Robbers!Whatareyoudoinghere?Robbers!”

“No,they’renot,”saidChinkythepixie,pushinghiswaythroughthecrowdofexcitedgnomes.“Theyareonlychildrenadventuringhere.”

“Howdidyoucome?”askedagnomeatonce.“Wecameinourwishing-chair,”saidMollie,andthenshewishedshe

hadn’tanswered.FortheGrabbitGnomesgaveayellofdelightandrushedofftowheretheirchairwasstandinginthemoonlight.

“We’vealwayswantedone,we’vealwayswantedone!”theyshouted.“Comeon!Let’stakeitsafelytoourcavewherewehideourtreasures!”

“Comeon!Let’stakeitsafelytoourcavewherewehideourtreasures!”“Butit’sours!”criedPeterindignantly.“Besides,howshallwegetback

homeifyoutakeourchair?”Butthegnomesdidn’tpayanyattentiontohim.Theyracedofftothechair,

andsoontherewasn’tatinypieceofthechairtobeseen,for,toPeter’sdismay,allthelittlegnomespiledthemselvesintoit,andsatthere—ontheseat,theback,thearms,everywhere!

“Gotoourtreasure-cave!”theyshouted.Thechairflappeditsredwingsandroseup.Thegnomesgaveayelloftriumphantdelight.

“We’reoff!Goodbye!”“Oooh!Look!”saidMolliesuddenly.“There’ssomethinghangingdown

fromthechair.Whatisit?”“It’sarope!”saidPeter.“Oh,Chinky,youcleveroldthing!You’vetiedit

tothelegofthechair,andtheotherendistiedtothattree-trunkoverthere.Thechaircan’tflyaway!”

“No,”saidChinky,withagrin.“Itcan’t!IknowthoseGrabbitGnomes!Imaynotknowwhatthreetimessevenare,butIdoknowwhatrobbersthesegnomesare!Well,theywon’tfinditeasytogetaway!”

Thechairroseuphighuntiltheropewassotightlystretchedthatitcouldgonofarther.Thenthechaircametoastop.Thereithoveredintheair,flappingitswings,butnotmovingonescrap.Thegnomesshoutedatitandyelled,butitwasnogood.Itcouldn’tgoanyfarther.

“Well,thegnomesaresafeforabit,”saidChinky,grinning.“Nowwhataboutexploringthisvillageproperly,children?

Sothetwospenthalfanhourpeepingintothequainttoadstoolhouses,andChinkygavethemgnome-cakeandgnome-lemonade,whichwereperfectlydelicious.

Allthistimethegnomesweresittingupinthewishing-chair,highabovethetrees,shakingtheirfistsatthechildren,andyellingallkindsofthreats.Theywerecertainlywellcaught,fortheycouldgoneitherupnordown.

“Now,we’dbettergohome,”saidChinkysuddenly,pointingtotheeast.“Look!—itwillsoonbedawn.Nowlistentome.Iamgoingtopullthatchairdowntoearthagainwithyourhelp.Wewillpullitdownquickly,anditwilllandonthegroundwithsuchabumpthatallthegnomeswillbethrownoff.Whilsttheyarepickingthemselvesup,wewilljumpintothechair,andoffwe’llgo.”

“Goodidea!”grinnedPeter.SoheandMollieandChinkywenttotheropeandpulledhard,handoverhand.Thechaircamedownfromtheairrapidly,andwhenitreachedtheground,itgavesuchabumpthateverysinglegnomewas

whenitreachedtheground,itgavesuchabumpthateverysinglegnomewasthrownoff.

“Oooooh!”theycried.“Youwait,youwickedchildren!”Buttheydidn’twait.Instead,thethreeofthemjumpedintothechair,and

Petercalledout,“Takeushome,please!”BeforetheGrabbitGnomescouldtakeholdofthechair,ithadrisenupinto

theair.Butthegnomespulledattherope,anddowncamethechairagain.“Quick!Cuttherope!”shoutedPetertoChinky.PoorChinky!Hewas

feelingineveryoneofhismanypocketsforhisknife,andhecouldn’tfindit.Thegnomespulledhardattherope,andthechairwentdownstillfarther.

AndthenChinkyfoundtheknife!Heleanedoverthechair-arm,slashedattheropeandcutit.Atoncethechairboundedupintotheair,free!

“Home,home!”sangPeter,delighted.“Isay!Talkaboutadventures!Everyoneseemsmoreexcitingthanthelast!Wherevershallwegonext?”

TheHo-HoWizard

ONE day when Peter and Mollie ran down to see Chinky the pixie in theirplayroom,theyfoundhimreadingaletterandgroaningloudly.

“What’sthematter,Chinky?”saidthechildren,insurprise.

“Oh,I’vehadaletterfrommycousin,Gobo,”saidChinky.“Gobosaysthatmyvillageisveryunhappybecauseawizardhascometolivethere,calledHo-Ho.Heisahorridfellow,andwalksaboutsaying,‘Ho,ho!’allthetime,catchingthelittlepixiestohelphiminhismagic,andputtingallkindsofspellsonanyonethatgoesagainsthim.Ifeelveryunhappy.”

“Oh,Chinky,we’resosorry!”saidthechildrenatonce.“Can’twehelp?”“Idon’tthinkso,”saidChinkysadly.“ButIwouldverymuchliketogooff

inthewishing-chairtomyvillage,nexttimeitgrowswings,ifyoudon’tmind.”“Ofcourse!”saidthechildren.ThenMolliecriedoutindelight,andpointed

tothemagicchair.“Look!It’sgrowingwingsnow!Howlovely!Itmusthaveheardwhatwesaid.”

“We’llallgo,”saidPeter,feelingexcitedtothinkthatyetanotheradventurehadbegun.

“Oh,no,”saidChinkyatonce.“I’dbettergoalone.Thiswizardisahorridone.Hemightquitewellcatchyoutwo,asyouarecleverchildren,andthenthinkhowdreadfulIwouldfeel!”

“Idon’tcare!”saidPeter.“We’recoming!”

“Idon’tcare!”saidPeter.“We’recoming!”HeandMolliewenttothechairandsatfirmlydowninit.Chinkywenttoit

andsatdowntoo,squeezinginbetweenthetwo.“Youaresuchnicechildren!”hesaidhappily.

Thechaircreaked,andbeforeitcouldflyoff,thepixiecriedoutloudly,“GotothevillageofApple-pie!”

Itflewslowlyoutofthedoor,flappingitsrose-redwings.Thechildrenwereusedtoflyingoffinthemagicchairnow,buttheywerejustasexcitedasever.ThevillageofApple-pie!Howmagicitsounded!

Itdidn’ttakethemverylongtogetthere.Thechairputthemdowninthemiddleofthevillagestreet,andwasatoncesurroundedbyanexcitedcrowdofpixies,whoshookhandswithChinkyandaskedhimahundredquestions.

Hetalkedatthetopofhisvoice,explainedwhothechildrenwere,andwhyhehadcome.Thensuddenlytherewasagreatsilence,andeveryoneturnedpale.TheHo-hoWizardwascomingdownthestreet!

Hewasalittlefellow,withalongflowingcloakthatswirledoutashewalkedandshoweditsbrightgoldenlining.Onhisheadheworearoundtightcapsetwithsilverbellsthattinkledloudly.Heworethreepairsofglassesonhislongnose,andabeardthathunginthreepiecesdowntohiswaist.Hereallywasaqueer-lookingfellow.

“Ho,ho!”hesaid,ashecamenearthepixies.“Whathavewehere?Visitors?And,blessusall,thisisawishing-chair,assureasdogshavetails!Well,well,well!”

Nobodysaidanythingatall.Thewizardproddedthechairwithalongstickandthenturnedtothechildren.

“Ho,ho!”hesaid,blinkingatthemthroughhispairsofglasses.“Ho,ho!Soyouhaveamagicchair.Praycometohaveacupofcocoawithmethismorning,andIwillbuyyourchairfromyou.”

“Butwedon’twanttosellit,”beganPeteratonce.Thewizardturnedroundonhim,andfromhiseyestherecamewhatlookedlikerealsparks.Hewasveryangry.

“Howdareyourefusemeanything!”hecried.“Iwillturnyouintoa―”“Wewillcomeinhalfanhour,”stammeredChinky,pushingPeterbehind

him.“Thisboydidnotunderstandhowimportantyouare,SirWizard.”“Brrrrrnrr!”saidthewizard,andstalkedoff,hiscloakflyingoutbehind

him.“Nowwhatarewetodo?”saidPeter,indismay.“Can’twegetintothe

chairandflyoff,Chinky.Dolet’s!”“No,no,don’t!”criedallthepixiesatonce.“Ifyoudo,Ho-howillpunish

thewholevillage,andthatwillbeterrible.Stayhereandhelpus.”

thewholevillage,andthatwillbeterrible.Stayhereandhelpus.”“CometomycousinGobo’scottageandletusthink,”saidChinky.Sothe

twochildrenwentwithhimandGobo,whowasreallyverylikeChinky,toalittlecrookedcottageattheendofthevillage.Itwasbeautifullycleanandneat,andthechildrensatdowntoeatcoco-nutcakesanddrinklemonade.Everyonewasratherquiet.ThenPeter’seyesbegantotwinkle,andheleanedovertoGobo.

“Isay,Gobo,haveyoubyanychancegotaspelltoputpeopletosleep?”heasked.

“Ofcourse!”saidGobo,puzzled.“Why?”“Well,Ihaveafineplan,”saidPeter.“WhataboutputtingoldHo-hoto

sleep?”“What’stheuseofthat?”saidChinkyandGobo.“Well—whenhe’sasleep,we’llpophimintothemagicchair,takehimoff

somewhereandleavehim,andthengobackhomeourselves!”saidPeter.“Thatwouldgetridofhimforyou,wouldn’tit?”

“Mygoodness!That’sanidea!”criedChinky,jumpingupfromhisseatinexcitement.“Gobo!Ifonlywecoulddoit!Listen!Where’sthesleepy-spell?”

“Here,”saidGobo,openingadrawerandtakingoutatinyyellowthinglikeamustardseed.

“Well,Peterhasabagofchocolates,”saidChinky,“andhecouldputthesleepyspellintooneofthemandgiveittoHo-ho.”

“Buthowdoweknowhe’dtaketherightchocolate?”askedMollie.“We’llemptyoutallofthemexceptone,”answeredChinky,“andthatone

Petershallcarryinthebaginhishand,andhemustcarryitasthoughitwassomethingverypreciousindeed,andHo-hoissuretoaskhimwhatitis,andifPetersaysitisaveryspecialchocolatethatheisnotgoingtopartwith,orsomethinglikethat,theoldwizardissuretobegreedyenoughtotakeitfromhimandeatit.Thenhewillfallasleep,andwe’lltakehimoffinthechairtooldDameTap-Tap,whowillbesopleasedtohavehim!Heoncetriedtoturnherintoaladybird,soIdon’tthinkshewilllethimgoinahurry!”

“Goodidea!”criedeveryone,andGobodancedroundtheroomsoexcitedlythathefelloverthecoalscuttleandsentthefire-ironsclankingtothefloor.Thatmadethemalllaugh,andtheyfeltsoexcitedthattheycouldhardlyemptyoutPeter’sbagofchocolatesonthetableandchooseoneforthesleepyspell.

Theychoseachocolatewithavioletontopbecauseitlookedsogrand.Petermadealittleholeinitandpoppedinthespell.Thenhelefttherestofthe

Petermadealittleholeinitandpoppedinthespell.ThenhelefttherestofthechocolateswithGobo,whosaidhewouldenjoythemverymuch,putthevioletoneintothebag,andwentofftogetthewishing-chairwiththeothers.

Itwasstillstandinginthemarket-place,itsredwingshangingdown,foritwastired.ChinkyandPeterthoughttheymightaswellcarryittoHo-ho’scottage,whichwasonlyinthenextstreet,soofftheywent,takingitontheirshoulders.

Ho-howaswaitingforthem,hiswilyfacewatchingfromawindow.Heopenedthedoor,andtheyallwentinwiththechair.

“Iseeyouhavebroughtmethechair,”saidHo-ho.“Verysensibleofyou!Nowsitdownandhaveacupofcocoa.”

Hepouredoutsomeverythincocoaforthem,madewithoutanymilk,andlookedatthemallsharply.HeatoncesawthatPeterwasholdingsomethingverycarefullyinhishand,whichhedidnotevenputdownwhenhewasdrinkinghiscocoa.

“Whathaveyougotinyourhand?”heasked.“SomethingIwanttokeep!”saidPeteratonce.“Showme,”saidthewizardeagerly.“No,”saidPeter.“Showme!”orderedthewizardangrily.Peterpretendedtobefrightened,andatonceputthepaperbagonthetable,

hewizardtookitandopenedit.Hetookoutthechocolate.“Ho,ho!ThefinestchocolateIeversaw!”hesaid,andlickedittoseewhat

ittastedlike.“Don’teatit,oh,don’teatit!”criedPeteratonce,pretendingtobemost

“Don’teatit,oh,don’teatit!”criedPeteratonce,pretendingtobemostupset.“It’smine!”

“Well,nowit’smine!”saidthewizard,andhepoppeditintohismouthandcheweditup.Andnosoonerhadheswalloweditthanhisheadbegantonod,hiseyesclosed,andhesnoredliketwentypigsgrunting!

“Thespellhasworked,thespellhasworked!”criedPeter,jumpingaboutinexcitement.

“Now,Peter,there’snotimetojumpandyell,”saidChinkyhurriedly.“Thespellmaystopatanytime,andwedon’twanttowakeupthewizardtillwe’vegothimtoDameTap-Tap’s.Helpmetoputhimintothechair.”

Betweenthemtheydumpedthesleepingwizardintothechair.ThenMolliesatononearm,Petersatontheother,andChinkysatrightonthetopoftheback.“ToDameTap-tap!”hecried.Atoncethewishing-chairflappeditsidlewings,flewoutofthedoor,andupintotheair,cheeredbyallthepixiesinthevillage.Whatathrillthatwas!

Inaboutfiveminutesthechairflewdownwardsagaintoasmallcottagesetrightonthetopofawindyhill.ItwasDameTap-tap’shome.Thechairflewdowntoherfrontdoor,outsidewhichtherewasawoodenbench.Thethreeofthempulledthesnoringwizardoutofthechairandputhimonthebench.

ThenChinkytookholdoftheknockerandbangedithard,fourtimes.“rat-tat-tat-tat!”

Heyelledatthetopofhisvoice:“DameTap-tap!Here’sapresentforyou!”Thenheandthechildrenbundledintothewishing-chairagain,andoffthey

flewintotheair,leaningovertoseetheolddamecryingoutinastonishmentanddelightwhensheopenedthedoorandfoundthewizardHo-hosleepingoutside!

“Whatashockforhimwhenhewakesup!”saidChinky,withagrin.“Well,children,many,manythanksforyourhelp.You’vesavedApple-pievillagefromaverynastyfellow.ItwillbenicetothinkofhimdustingDameTap-tap’skitchen,andgettingwaterforherfromthewell!Iguessshe’llmakehimworkhard!”

“Ho,ho!”roaredthechildren,asthechairflewdowntotheirplayroom.“Perhapsthewizardwon’tsay‘ho,ho‘quitesomuchtoDameTap-tap!”

“No!Hemightgetaspankingifhedid,”grinnedChinky.“Well,hereweare!Seeyoutomorrow,children!”

TheOld,OldMan

THEwishing-chair had not grown its wings for a long time. Chinky and thechildrenhadbecomequitetiredofwaitingforanotheradventure.Molliethoughtperhapsthemagichadgoneoutofit,anditmightbejustanordinarychairnow.Itwasmostdisappointing

Itwasalovelyfineday,andPeterwantedtogoforawalk.“Comewithus,Chinky,”hesaid.“It’snousestayingintheplayroomwiththechair.Itwon’tgrowitswingstoday!”

SoChinkythepixiesquashedhispointedearsunderoneofPeter’soldcaps,putonanoldovercoatofPeter’s,andsetoutwiththechildren.Janethehousemaidsawthemgoing,andshecalledafterthem:

“Ifyou’regoingout,Ishallgivetheplayroomagoodcleanout.Ithasn’tbeendoneforalongtime.”

“Allright!”calledbackMollie.“Wewon’tbehometilldinner-time.”Theyhadalovelywalk,andranbacktotheplayroomaboutdinner-time.It

didlookclean.Janewasjustfinishingthedusting.Chinkywaitedoutside,forhedidnotwanttobeseen.ButsuddenlyPeterturnedpale,andsaid,“Oh,where’sthechair?Mollie,where’sthechair?”

“Oh,doyoumeanthatoldchair?”saidJane,gatheringupherbrushes.“Anold,oldmancameforit.Hesaidithadtobemended,orsomething.Hetookitaway.”

Shewentuptothehouse,leavingthetwochildrenstaringateachotherindismay.Chinkyranin,andhowhestaredwhenheheardthenews!

“Iknowwhotheoldmanmusthavebeen!”hecried.“It’soldBone-Lazy,wholivesatthefootofBreezyHill.Hehateswalking,soIexpecthethoughthe’dgetholdofourwishing-chairifhecould.Thenhe’dbeabletogoeverywhereinit!”

“Howcanwegetitback?”askedMollie,almostintears.“Idon’tknow,”saidChinky.“We’llhaveatryanyhow.Comebackhere

afterdinner,andwe’llgotohiscottage.”Soaftertheirdinnerthetwochildrenranbacktotheirplayroom.They

foundamostastonishingsight.TherewasnoChinkythere—onlyanoldwoman,dressedinablackshawlthatwasdrawnrightoverherhead!

“Whoareyou?”askedMollie.Thenshegaveacryofsurprise—for,whentheoldwomanraisedherhead,MolliesawthemerryfaceofChinkythepixie!

“Thisdisguiseispartofmyplanforgettingbackourmagicchair,”

“Thisdisguiseispartofmyplanforgettingbackourmagicchair,”explainedChinky.“NowIwantyoutogowithmetoBone-Lazy’scottage,andIshallpretendtofalldownandhurtmyselfoutside.Youwillrunupandhelpmetomyfeet—thenyouwillhelpmetoBone-Lazy’scottage,knockatthedoor,andexplainthatI’manoldladywhoneedsadrinkofwaterandarest.”

“Andwhilstwe’reinthecottagewelookroundtoseeifourchairisthere!”criedPeter.“Whatamarvellousplan!”

Theysetoff.Chinkytookthemthroughalittlewoodtheyneverseemedtohaveseenbefore,and,whentheycameoutontheothersideofit,theywereincountrythatlookedquitedifferent!Theflowerswerebrighter,thetreeswerefullofblossom,andbrilliantbirdsflewhereandthere!

“IneverknewitwassoeasytogettoFairyland!”saidMollie,insurprise.“Itisn’t!”saidChinky,withagrin,liftinguphisblackshawlandpeepingat

thechildrenmerrily.“Youcouldn’tpossiblyfinditunlessyouhadmewithyou!”

“IsthatBone-Lazy’scottage?”askedMollie,pointingtowardsacottageatthefootofanearbyhill.

Chinkynodded.“I’llgoonaheadnow,”hesaid.“Thenyoumustdoyourpartaswehave

planned.Goodluck!”Hehobbledoninfront,lookingforalltheworldlikeanoldwoman.When

hecamejustbythecottage,Chinkysuddenlygaveadreadfulgroan,andfelltotheground.Atoncethechildrenrushedupandpulledthepretendedoldwomantoherfeet.FromthecornerofhiseyePetersawsomeonelookingoutofthewindowofthecottageatthem.

“Quick!Quick!”hecriedveryloudlytoMollie.“Thispoorwomanhasfainted!Wemusttakeherintothiscottageandaskforadrinkofwaterforher.Shemustrest!”

Theyhalf-carriedChinkytothecottagedoorandknockedloudly.Anold,oldmanopenedit.Hehadnarrowcunningeyesandthechildrendidn’tlikethelookofhimatall.Theyexplainedabouttheoldwomanandtookherintothecottage.“Couldyougetadrinkofwater?”saidMollie.

cottage.“Couldyougetadrinkofwater?”saidMollie.Theoldchaplefttheroom,grumbling.“Ishallhavetogotothewell,”he

mutteredcrossly.“Good!”thoughtPeter.“Itwillgiveustimeforalookround.”But,totheirgreatdisappointment,thewishing-chairwasnottobeseen!

Thecottageonlyhadoneroom,soitdidnottakethemlongtohuntallroundit.Beforetheyhadtimetosayanythingtheold,oldmancamebackwithajugofwater.

Mollietookitfromhim—andthenshesuddenlynoticedaverycuriousthing.Agreatdraughtwascomingfromabigchest-of-drawersstandinginacorner.Shestaredatitinsurprise.Howcoulditbemakingsuchawindroundherfeet?Itwasonlyachest-of-drawers!

Butwaitaminute!Wasitonlyachest-of-drawers?QuickaslightningMollieupsetthejugofwater,andthenturnedtoBone-Lazyinapology.“Oh!I’msosorry!I’veupsetthewater!Howverycarelessofme!Iwonderifyou’dbegoodenoughtogetsomemore?”

Theoldmanshoutedatherrudely,snatchedupthejug,andwentdownthegardentothewell.TheothersstaredatMollieinsurprise.

“Whateverdidyoudothatfor?”saidPeter.“There’ssomethingqueeraboutthatchest-of-drawers,”saidMollie.

“There’sastrangewindcomingfromit.Feel,Chinky!Iupsetthejugjusttogettheoldmanoutofthewayforaminute.”

“Starsandmoon!He’schangedourchairintoachest!”criedChinky.“Itmusthavegrownwings,butwecan’tseethembecauseofBone-Lazy’smagic!Quick,allofyou!Jumpintoadrawer,andI’llwishusaway!”

Thechildrenpulledopentwooftheenormousdrawersandsatinside.Chinkysatonthetop,crying“Home,wishing-chair,home!”

Thechestgroaned,andthechildrenheardaflappingnoiseJustatthatmomenttheoldmancameintotheroomagainwithajugofwater.Howhestared!But,beforehecoulddoanything,thechest-of-drawersroseupintheair,knockedthewateroutofhishand,almostpushedhimover,andsqueezeditselfoutofthedoor.

“Youwon’tstealourchairagain!”shoutedcheekyChinky,andheflunghisblackshawlneatlyoverBone-Lazy’shead.

Thechestrosehighintotheair,andthenafunnythinghappened.Itbegantochangebackintothechairtheyallknewsowell!Beforetheycouldthinkwhattodo,thechildrenfoundthemselvessittingsafelyontheseat,forthedrawersallvanishedintocushions!Chinkywasonthetopoftheback,singing

drawersallvanishedintocushions!Chinkywasonthetopoftheback,singingforjoy.

“Thatwasamarvellousplanofyours!”saidPeter.“Well,Molliewasthesharpest!”laughedChinky.“Itwasshewhonoticedthedraughtfromthechest.GoodoldMollie!”

PoorLostChinky

ONCE a dreadful thing happenedwhen the childrenwere adventuring on thewishing-chair.Ithadgrownitswingsmostconvenientlywhenallthreewereintheplayroom,sotheyjumpedon,andweresoonflyinghighintheair.

Astheywereflyingtheyheardalouddroningnoise,andlookedround.“It’sanaeroplane!”shoutedPeter.“Isay!It’sverynearus!”criedMollie.Soitwas.Itdidn’tseemtoseethematall.Itflewstraightatthem,andthe

edgeofonewidespreadwingjusttouchedtheirflyingchair,givingitatremendousjerk.MollieandPeterweresittingtightlyintheseat—butChinkywasontheback,andhewasjoltedrightoffthechair.

Mollieclutchedathimashefell—butsheonlyjusttouchedhim.Thetwochildrenwatchedinthegreatestdismayashefelldown—anddown—anddown.

“Oh,Peter!”criedMollieindespair,“poor,poorChinky!Whateverwillhappentohim!”

Theaeroplaneflewonsteadily,neverguessingthatithadtouchedawishing-chair.PeterturnedpaleandlookedatMollie.

“WemustmakethechairgodownandseeifChinkyishurt,”hesaid.“Ohdear!Whatadreadfulthingtohappen!Chair,flydowntoearth!”

Thechairflappeditsredwingsandflewslowlydowntotheground.Itstoodthere,andthechildrenjumpedoff.Theywereinopencountrywithwidefieldsallaroundthem.TherewasnosignofChinkyatall.

Theyheardthesoundofsomeonechantingasong,andsawcomingtowardsthem,around,fatlittlemancarryingabundleonhishead.

“Hi!”calledPeter.“Haveyouseenalittlepixiefallingoutofthesky?”“Isthatariddle?”saidtheroundlittleman,grinningstupidly.“Icanask

youonetoo!Haveyouseenahorsethatquackslikeaduck?”“Don’tbesilly,”saidMollie.“Thisisserious.Ourfriendhasfallenoutof

“Don’tbesilly,”saidMollie.“Thisisserious.Ourfriendhasfallenoutofthesky.”

“Well,tellhimnottodoitagain,”saidthelittleroundman.“Allthatfelloutoftheskytodaywasalargesnowflake!Good-morning!”

Hewentonhisway,hisbundlebobbingonhishead.Thechildrenwereveryangry.

“MakingajokeaboutaseriousthinglikepoorChinkyfallingoutofthesky!”saidMollie,withtearsinhereyes.“Horridfellow.”

“Here’ssomeoneelse,”saidPeter.“Hi!Stopaminute!”Thesomeonewasanotherround,fatperson,alsocarryingabundleonher

headandsingingalittlesong.Shestoppedwhenshesawthechildren.“Haveyouseenapixiefallingoutofthesky?”askedPeter.“No.Haveyou?”saidtheroundlittlewoman,grinning.“Ofcourse!”saidMollieimpatiently.“Fibber!”saidtheroundwoman.“Abigsnowflakefelloutofthesky,but

nothingelse.”“They’vegotsnowflakesonthebrain!”saidPeter,asthewomanwenton

herway,singing.“Comeon,Mollie.We’dbettergoandlookforChinkyourselves.Weknowthatitwassomewherenearherethathefell.We’llcarrythechairbetweenussothatwemayhaveitsafely.Idon’ttrustthesestupidpeople.”

Theycarriedthechairalongandcametoamarketplace.Itwasfullofthesameround,fatpeople,allhummingandsinging.Atown-crierwasgoingroundthemarket,ringingabell,andcrying“Oyez!Oyez!DameApple-piehaslostherspectacles!Oyez!Oyez!”

ThenPeterhadasplendididea!“Isay,Mollie!Let’stellthetown-criertoshoutoutaboutChinky.We’llofferarewardtoanyonethatcantellusabouthim.Someonemusthaveseenhimfall.”

So,beforeverylongthetown-crierwasringinghisbellandcryingloudly,“Oyez!Oyez!Arewardisofferedtoanyonehavingnewsofapixiewhofellfromthesky!Oyez!”

MollieandPeterstoodonaplatformsothatpeoplemightknowtowhomtogoiftheyhadnews.Totheirdelighttherecamequiteacrowdofpeopletothem.

“We’venews,we’venews!”theycried,strugglingtogettoPeterfirst.“Well,wheredidyouseethepixiefall?”askedPeterofthefirstlittleman.“Sir,IsawabigsnowflakefallintheButtercupField,”saidhe.“Don’tbefoolish,”saidPeter.“Isaidapixie,notasnowflake.Don’tyou

knowthedifferencebetweenpixiesandsnowflakes?Weallknowthat

snowflakesfallfromthesky.Thatisnotnews.Next,please!”Butthenextpersonsaidthesamething—andthenext—andthenext!It

wasmostannoyingandverydisappointing.“Wewantourreward!”suddenlyshoutedsomeone.“Wehavegivenyou

news,butyouhavegivenusnoreward.”“Youhaven’tgivenustherightnews!”shoutedbackPeterangrily.“Thatdoesn’tmatter!”shoutedthelittlefolk,lookingangry.Theylooked

ratherfunnytoo,becauseforsomereasonorothertheyallcarriedtheirbundlesandbasketsbalancedontheirheads.“Giveusourreward!”

Theyswarmedtowardstheplatformonwhichthetwochildrenwerestanding,andMollieandPetersuddenlyfeltfrightened.

“Idon’tlikethis,Mollie,”saidPeter.“Let’sgo!Thesestupidcreaturesthinkthatpixiesandsnowflakesareexactlythesame—andwecertainlycan’tgivethemallareward.Climbintothechair!”

Molliejumpedintothechair,whichwasjustnearthemontheplatform.Petersatonthearmandcriedoutloudly,“Home,chair,quickly!”

Thechairflappeditswingsandroseup—butitdidn’triseveryhigh,onlyjustabovetheheadsoftheangrypeople.Itslegsbegantojerkinandout,andtoPeter’senormousastonishment,thechairkickedoffbundles,pots,andbasketsfromtheheadsofthefuriousmarketers!Peterbegantolaugh,for,really,itwasmostcomicaltoseethechairplayingsuchatrick—butMolliewasintears.

“What’sthematter?”askedPeter,dryinghertearswithhishandkerchief.

“What’sthematter?”askedPeter,dryinghertearswithhishandkerchief.“It’sChinky,”sobbedMollie.“Ididlovehimso.NowIfeelweshallnever

seehimagain.”Peter’seyesfilledwithtearstoo.“Hewassuchagoodfriend,”hesaid.

“Oh,Mollie!Itwouldbesodreadfulifweneversawhimagain.”Theyflewhomeinsilence.Thechairflewinattheplayroomdoorandthe

childrenjumpedoff.“Itwillneverbesonicegoingadventuresagain,”saidMollie.“Whyevernot?”saidamerrylittlevoice—andthechildrenturnedroundin

joy—fortherewasChinky,thepixie,sittingonthefloor,readingabook!“Chinky!Wethoughtyouwerelostforeverwhenyoufellfromthechair!”

criedMollie,hugginghimhard.“Don’tbreakmeinhalf!”saidChinky.“Iwasn’thurtatall!Ijustchanged

myselfintoabigsnowflakeandfellintotheButtercupField.ThenIcaughtthenextbusbacktothebottomofthegarden,andhereIam.I’vebeenwaitingsimplyagesforyou!”

“Asnowflake!”criedPeter.“Sothat’swhyeveryonetalkedaboutsnowflakes!NowIunderstand!”

HetoldChinkyallabouttheiradventures—andhowthepixielaughedwhenheheardaboutthechairkickingthebundlesofftheheadsoftheangrypeople

“IwishI’dbeenthere!”hesaid.“Comeon,now—whataboutagameofludo?”

YheLandofDreams

MOLLIE! Peter! Come quickly! The chair is growing its wings again!”whispered Chinky, peeping in at the dining-roomwindow. The childrenwerebusydrawingandpainting,buttheyatonceputawaytheirthingsandscampereddownthegardentotheirplayroom.

“Goody!”criedPeter,ashesawtheredwingsofthechairslowlyflappingtoandfro.“Comeon,everyone.Whereshallwegotothistime?”

“We’llletthechairtakeuswhereitwantsto,”saidChinky,sittingonthetopofthebackasusual.“Offwego—andmindyoudon’tgetworriedifIfalloff,Mollie!”

“Oh,Ishan’tworryanymore!”laughedMollie.“Youcanlookafteryourselfallright,Chinky!”

Offtheywentintotheair.“Where’sthechairgoing,Chinky?”askedMollie,presently.“Ithinkit’sgoingtotheLandofDreams,”saidChinky.“Oh!Idon’tknow

thatIlikethat!Strangethingshappenthere!Perhapswe’dbetternotgo!”“Oh,dolet’s!”saidPeter.“We’llbeallright!”DowntotheLandofDreamsflewthechairandcametorestoutsideasmall

sweetshop.Peterfeltinhispocketandfoundapennythere.“I’llbuysometoffee!”hecried.Hewentintotheshop,andsawalargeoldsheepsittingthere,knitting.Hestaredatherinsurpriseandthenaskedforapennyworthoftoffee.Shegavehimsomeinabagandheranout.Heopenedthebagandofferedthetoffeetotheothers.

Butwhentheytriedtotakesometheyfoundthatthebagwasfullofgreenpeas!Howextraordinary!

“Itoldyoustrangethingshappenedhere,”saidChinky.“Comeon.Let’scarrythechairincaseitrunsawayorsomething!”Heturnedtopickitup,andgaveashout!

Ithadturnedintoalittledog,anditsredwingswerenowredribbonsroundthedog’sneck!

“Isay!Lookatthat!Whatarewegoingtodonow?”saidChinkyindismay.Theyallstaredatthedog,whichwaggeditstailhard.

Suddenlytherecameanangryshoutbehindthem.“Spot!Spot!Comehere,sir!”Thechildrenturnedandsawaclownrunningdowntheroad,callingtothe

dog.

dog.“Quick!Wemustrunoffwiththedogbeforetheclowngetsit,”said

Chinky.“Itmaychangebackintoachairagainatanymoment,andwecan’tletanyoneelsehaveit.”

Hecaughtupthesurpriseddog,andthethreeofthemraceddownthestreetattopspeed.

“Stopthief,stopthief!”shoutedtheclown,andranafterthem.HecaughtthemupandtookholdofChinky.Tothechildren’samazementtheclownthenturnedintoalargefatpoliceman!

“Iarrestyouforstealingadog!”saidthepolicemansolemnly.Chinkystaredathimindespair.ButMolliecriedoutloudly:“Whatdoyoumean,policeman?Wehaven’tanydog!”

Andsureenoughthedoghadchangedintoayellowduck!Thereitwas,underChinky’sarm,quackingawayforallitwasworth!Thepolicemanstaredatit,lookedveryblue,andinatricehadchangedintoabluemotor-vanthattrundleditselfdownthestreet!

“Idon’tlikethisland,”saidMollie.“Thingsareneverthesametwominutesrunning!”

minutesrunning!”“Noraretheyindreams!”saidChinky.“Youcan’texpectanythingelse

here.Ididn’twanttocome,youknow.Isay,won’toneofyoucarrythisduck?It’sawfullyheavy.”

HehandedittoPeter,agreatyellowbird—butevenasPetertookit,somethingstrangehappened!Thebird’sbeak,legs,andtaildisappeared,andallthatwasleftwasagreatpileofyellowstuffthatslitheredaboutinPeter’shands!

“Ow!”hecried,“It’scold!It’sice-cream!Ican’tholdit!”

“Youmust,youmust!”shoutedChinky,andheandMolliedidtheirbesttoholdtheslipperymasstogether.Butitwasnogood—itslitheredtothegroundandbegantomelt!

“Theregoesourchair!”saidChinkysorrowfully.“Itlooksasifwewerehereforevernow!Firstitturnedintoadog,thenintoaduck,andnowintoice-cream!Thisisahorridadventure!”

Theyleftthemeltingice-creamandwentondownthestreet.Petertookout

Theyleftthemeltingice-creamandwentondownthestreet.Petertookouthisbagofgreenpeasandlookedatthemagain.Theyhadturnedintotinyballoons,readytobeblownup.HegaveonetoChinkyandonetoMollie.Theybegantoblowthemup—but,ohdear,dear,dear!insteadofblowinguptheballoons,theyblewthemselvesup!Yes,theyreallydid!Peterstaredindismay,buthecouldn’tstopthem!Theretheywere,MollieandChinky,twobigballoonsswayingaboutintheair—andtheyevenhadstringstiedtothem!Peterwasafraidtheymightblowaway,sohetookholdofthestrings.

Hewandereddownthestreetalone,verypuzzledandunhappy.Nothingseemedreal.TheLandofDreamswasverypeculiarindeed!Thetwoenormousballoonsfloatedalongbehindhim,andwhenheturnedtolookatthemwhatashockhehad!

TheywerenotintheleastlikeChinkyandMollieanymore!Onewasgreenandonewasblue—andevenasPeterstaredatthem,theairbegantoescapefromeachballoon!Theyrapidlygrewsmaller—andsmaller—andsmaller—andsoontheywerejusttinylumpsofcolouredrubber,hangingfromthestring.Peterlookedatthemsadly.

“Allthat’sleftofMollieandChinky!”hethoughtunhappily.“Nowishing-chaireither!Onlyme!Ohdear,ohdear!Whateverwillbetheendofthisstrangeadventure?”

Heputtheballoonsintohispocket,andwenton.Hecametoalargehall,whereaconcertseemedtobegoingon.Heslippedinsideandsatdownonachair.Hesuddenlyfeltverytiredindeed.Heshuthiseyesandyawned.

Thechairbegantorocksoftly.Peteropenedhiseyes,andsawthatithadchangedintoa,rocking-horse!ButthingsnolongerastonishedhimintheLandofDreams.Itwouldbesurprisingifpeculiarthingsdidn’thappen,notiftheydid!

Soonhewasfastasleepontherocking-horse.Itroseupintotheairandflewoutofthedoor.Peterslepton.Hedidn’twakeupuntilhoursafterwards,andwhenatlastheopenedhiseyes,whatasurprise!

Hewasintheplayroomathome,lyingontherugbythewindow!Hesatupatonce,andrememberedeverything.Sorrowfullyheputhishandsintohispocketsandpulledoutthetwoairballoons.

“MollieandChinky!”saidPetersadly.“Yes!Doyouwantus?”saidMollie’svoice,andtohisastonishmentand

delighthesawbothMollieandChinkysittinginthewishing-chairnearby,bothyawning,justwakingupfromasleep.

“Oh!”hesaid,“Imusthavedreamtitallthen!Listen,youtwo!Ihadsuchafunnydream!IwenttotheLandofDreamsand—”

“Yes,yes,yes!”saidChinkyimpatiently.“We’veallbeenthere.Itwasarealadventure.Idon’twanttogothereagain.Ooooh!Itwasahorridfeelingturningintoaballoon!Itwasagoodthingyouputusintoyourpocket,Peter!”

“Wasitarealadventurethen?”criedPeter,inamazement.“AsrealasadventureseverareintheLandofDreams,”saidChinky.

“Now,whataboutsomerealtoffee—thatwon’tturnintogreenpeasorballoons?Getsometreaclefromyourcook,Mollie,andwe’llmakesome.Wedeserveatreatafterthathorridadventure!”

TheRunawayChair

ONEmorning,when the two childrenwent down to their playroom to have agamewithChinkythepixie,theyfoundhimfastasleep.

“Wakeup!”criedPeter,rollinghimover.ButChinkydidn’twakeup!Hewasbreathingverydeeply,andhadquitenice,redcheeks—buthesimplywouldnotwakeup!

“What’sthematterwithhim?”saidMollie,puzzled.“Oh,he’sjustpretending,”saidPeter.“I’llgetawetsponge!He’llsoon

wakethen!”Buteventhespongedidn’twakehimup.“Theremustbeaspellonhimorsomething,”saidMollie,ratherfrightened.

“Whatshallwedo,Peter?Ifonlyweknewwheretogethelp.Butwemustn’ttellanyoneaboutChinky—he’dbesocrosswhenhewokeup.Andwedon’tknowhowtofindanyfairies,orwecouldaskthemforhelp!”

Suddenlythewishing-chairgaveacreak,andMollielookedround.“It’sgrowingitswings!”shecried.“Don’tletitflyaway,Peter!Wedon’twantanadventurewithoutChinky!”

Peterrantothechair—butitdodgedhimandflewstraightoutofthedoor,itswingsflappingswiftly.Peterstaredafteritindismay.

“Oh,Peter!”saidMollie.“Isn’tthisdreadful!Here’sChinkyunderaspell,orsomething—andnowthechair’srunaway!Whatanunluckyday!”

“Well,it’sgone,”saidPetergloomily.“NowwhatarewegoingtodoaboutChinky,Mollie?”

Justthentherecamethesoundofacautioustiptoenoise.Peterturned—justintimetoseeanuglygoblinslippingoutofthedoor!“Iputhimunderthesleepyspell!”shoutedthegoblin.“Imeanttostealthechairbeforehewokeup—butyoucame!NowI’mgoingtofindthechair!Ifyoudon’tfindthewaytowakeupthatpixiebeforetwelveo’clocktonight,hewillvanishaltogether!Ho,ho!”

“Horridthing!”saidMollie,asthegoblindisappearedintothegarden.“Isupposehewillgoafterourchairandhaveitforhimself—andherehe’sleftChinkyinamagicsleepandwedon’tknowhowtowakehim!Ifonly,only,onlyweknewhowtofindafairywhomighthelpus!”

“I’llgoandcallforoneinthegarden,”saidPeter.Sohewentoutandcalledsoftlyhereandthere.“Fairies!Ifyouarethere,

comeandhelpme!”Buthehadnoansweratall,andhewentsadlybacktotheplayroomwhere

Molliesatbythesleepingpixie.“Nogood,”saidPeter.“Ididn’tseeasinglefairy.Ireallydon’tknowwhat

wearetodo!”“Ifonlywehadthechairwecouldgooffinitandfindafairysomewhere

tohelpus,”saidMollie.“Buteventhat’sgoneandleftus—runawayontheverydayweneededitshelp!”

Theywentbacktothehousefordinnerandfortea,andMotherexclaimedattheirlongfaces.TheyverynearlytoldheraboutChinky,butdidn’tliketo,fortheyhadsolemnlypromisedthepixienevertomentionhisnametothegrown-ups.

Whenitwastheirbedtime,Chinkywasstillasleep!“Fancy!Hehasn’thadanythingtoeatallday!”saidMollie.“Oh,Peter,do

youreallythinkhewilldisappearatmidnight,ifwecan’twakehimup?”“Wemustwakehim!”saidPeter.Sohegottwodrumsandtwotrumpets,

andheandMolliemadeasmuchnoiseasevertheycoulduntilJane,thehousemaid,wassentdownthegardentostopthem.ButChinkydidn’tevenstirinhissleep!

Thentheypouredcoldwaterdownhisneck—butthatonlymadehimwet,anddidn’tmakehimflickersomuchasaneyelash!Thentheyfoundahen’sfeather,setitalight,andletitsmoulderjustunderthepixie’snose—butthestrongsmelldidnotevenmakehimturnaway.Hesleptonpeacefully.

Abellranginthedistance.“Ohdear!There’sourbedtimebell!”saidMollie,indismay.“Peter,I’m

comingbacktotheplayroomtonight,somehow.Theresurelymustbesomethingwecando!”

“We’vetriedeverything!”saidPeter,andlookedverymiserable.Theywentofftobed,firstcoveringupChinkywarmly.Inanhour’stimetheywerebackagain,intheirdressing-gowns!Theyhadslippedoutofbed,runoutofthegardendoor,andgonetotheplayroomwithoutbeingseen!

Chinkywasstillfastasleep.Mollielookedattheclock.“Half-pasteight!”shesaid.“Ohdear!”

Theytriedtothinkofmorewaystowakenupthesleepingpixie,andMolliesqueezedaspongeoverhisheadwithicy-coldwater,andthenwithhotwater—butneitherhadanyeffectatall.Thehandsoftheclockstoleroundandround—andatlastitwasonlytenminutestomidnight.Thechildrenwerequiteindespair.

Suddenlytherecameacurioussoundofknockingatthedoor.Itsoundedmorelikekicking.Peterrantoit.Outsidewastheirwishing-chair,wetthrough,foritwasraining!Ithadfoundthedoorshutandhadkickedatitwithoneofitsfrontlegs.Sittinginitwasajolly-facedgnomewithasilverybeardandenormousnose,twopairsofspectacles,andalargeumbrellatokeepofftherain.

“Whoareyou?”saidPeter,insurprise.

“Oh,don’tbotherhimwithquestions!”saidMollieanxiously.“He’safairyofsomesort.PerhapshehascometomakeChinkybetter.”

“Yes,”saidthegnome,puttingonathirdpairofspectacles.“ThischairknewwhereIlived,andflewonehundredandthirty-threemilestofetchme!Iamonlyjustintime.”

“Thereareonlysevenminutestillmidnight,”saidMollie.“Dobequick!”Thelittlegnomedoctorrolleduphissleeves,tookatowelandapieceof

soapfromtheair,andwiththemwashedChinky’sfaceverycarefully.Thenhebrushedthesleepingpixie’seyeswithapeacock’sfeatherthathealsotookmostconvenientlyfromtheair,andsmearedthemwithapeculiar-smellingyellowointment.

“Dohurry!”saidMollie.“It’salmostmidnight.Theclock’sgoingtostrike!”

“It’soneminutefast,”saidthedoctor.Hetookablackballfromtheair,openedit,putabluepowderinsideit,struckamatch,andputittotheblackball.

openedit,putabluepowderinsideit,struckamatch,andputittotheblackball.Atoncetherewasaloudexplosionandtheplayroomrockedandshook.Smokecoveredtheroom.Ithadaverypleasantsmell.Whenitcleared,thetwochildrensaw,totheirdelight,thatChinkywassittingup,lookingmostastonished.

“Whomadethathorriblenoise?”hesaidcrossly.“Hallo,doctor!Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“Justgoing,sogoodbye!”grinnedthelittlegnome.“Seeyousomeday!”Hejumpedintothewishing-chair,whichatonceflewoffwithhimagain.

Chinkyranhisfingerroundhiscollarandfrowned.“Who’sbeenwettingme?”heasked.“Oh,Chinky,don’tbecross!”beggedMollie.“We’vebeenquiteanxious

aboutyou.Agoblinputyouunderasleepyspell—andthecleverwishing-chairwenttofetchthatgnomedoctoryousaw—onlyjustintime,too!”

“Sothat’sit,isit!”saidChinky.“NowonderIfeelsohungry.I’vebeenasleepallday,Isuppose.Canyoufindmeanythingtoeat?”

“Therearesomebunsandapplesinthecupboard,”saidPeter,delightedtoseeChinkyawakeagain.“We’llhaveafinefeast!”

seeChinkyawakeagain.“We’llhaveafinefeast!”Sotheydid—andtheydidn’tgobacktobedtillthecockcrew!Nowonder

theysleptlatethenextmorning.Chinkydidn’t,though!Hewasupbrightandearly.Hehadhadquiteenoughofsleeping!

TheLostCat

ONEmorning itwas verywet, andMollie, Peter, andChinkywere playing averynoisygameofsnapintheplayroomtogether.Whiskers,thecat,hadcomewiththemandhadcurledherselfuponacushioninthewishing-chair,whereshehadgonefastasleep.

“Snap!Snap!SNAP!”yelledthechildren—andweresointerestedintheirgamethattheydidn’thearalittleflappingsound.Thewishing-chairhadgrownitswingsandwasflappingthemgentlytoandfro.Beforeanyonenoticedthechairrosesilentlyintotheairandflewoutoftheopendoor—takingthepuss-catwithit,stillfastasleep!

“Snap!”yelledChinky,andtookthelastpileofcardsinglee.“I’vewon!”“Good,”saidPeter.Helookedroundtheplayroomtoseewhatgametoplay

next-—andthenhelookedrathersurprisedandscared.“Isay!”hesaid.“Where’sthechairgone?”ChinkyandMollielookedroundtoo.Molliewentpale.“It’sgone!”shesaid.“Itwasherewhenwebeganourgame,”saidChinky.“Itmusthaveslipped

outwithoutusnoticing.Isortofrememberfeelingalittledraught.Itmusthavebeenitswingsflapping.”

“Whiskershasgonetoo!”saidMollie,inalarm.“Shewasasleeponthecushion.Oh,Chinky—willshecomeback?”“Dependswhereshehasgoneto,”saidChinky.“She’sablackcat,you

know—andifawitchshouldseehershemighttakehertohelpinherspells.Blackcatsarecleverwithspells.”

Molliebegantocry.ShewasveryfondofWhiskers.“Oh,whydidweletWhiskersgotosleeponthatchair?”shewept.

“Well,it’snogoodcrying,”saidChinky,pattingMollie’sshoulder.“Wemustjustwaitandsee.PerhapsoldWhiskerswillcomebackstillfastasleepwhenthechairreturns!”

Theywaitedforanhourortwowiththedoorwideopenbutnowishing-chaircameback.ThetwochildrenleftChinkyandwenttotheirdinner.TheyhuntedaboutthehousejustincaseWhiskersshouldhavegotoffthechaircushionandwanderedhome—butnoonehadseenheratall.

Afterdinnertheyrandownthegardentotheirplayroomagain.Chinkywasthere,lookinggloomy.

“Thechairhasn’tcomeback,”hesaid.

“Thechairhasn’tcomeback,”hesaid.But,justashespoke,Petergaveashoutandpointedupintothesky.There

wasthechair,flappingitswayback,allitsredwingstwinklingupanddown.“Look!There’sthechair!Oh,IdohopeWhiskersisonhercushion.

Supposeshehasfallenout!”Thechairflappeditswaydownwards,andflewinattheopendoor.Itcame

torestinitsusualplaceandgaveasighandacreak.Thechildrenrushedtoit.Therewasnocatthere!Thecushionwasstillinitsplace,withadentinthe

middlewhereWhiskershadlain—butthatwasall!Thethreestaredatoneanotherindismay.“Whiskershasbeencaughtbyawitch,”saidChinky.“There’snodoubt

aboutit.Lookatthis!”Hepickedupatinysilverstarthatlayontheseatofthechair.“Thislittle

starhasfallenoffawitch’sembroideredcloak.”“PoorWhiskers!”weptMollie.“Idowantherback.Oh,Chinky,whatshall

wedo?”“Well,we’dbetterfindoutfirstwhereshe’sgone,”saidChinky.“Then,the

nexttimethechairgrowsitswingswe’llgoandrescueher.”“Howcanwefindoutwhereshe’sgone?”askedMollie,dryinghereyes.“I’llhavetoworkaspelltofindthatout,”saidChinky.“I’llhavetogeta

fewpixiesintohelpme.Goandsitdownonthecouch,MollieandPeter,anddon’tspeakaworduntilI’vefinished.Thepixieswon’thelpmeifyouinterfere.Theyareveryshyjustabouthere.”

MollieandPeterdidastheyweretold.Theysatdownonthecouchfeelingratherexcited.Chinkywenttotheopendoorandclappedhishandssoftlythreetimes,thenloudlyseventimes.Hewhistledlikeablackbird,andthencalledamagicwordthatsoundedlike“Looma,looma,looma,loo.”

Inaminuteortwofourlittlepixies,abitsmallerthanChinky,whowashimselfapixie,camerunninginatthedoor.Theystoppedwhentheysawthetwochildren,butChinkysaidtheywerehisfriends.

“Theywon’tinterfere,”hesaid.“Iwanttodoaspelltofindoutwherethiswishing-chairhasjustbeento.Willyouhelpme?”

Thepixiestwitteredlikeswallowsandnoddedtheirheads.Chinkysatdowninthewishing-chair,holdinginhishandsamirrorthathehadborrowedfromMollie.Thefourlittlepixiesjoinedhandsanddancedroundthechair,firstonewayandthenanother,chantingamagicsongthatgothigherandhigherandquickerandquickerastheydancedroundintimetotheirsinging.

Chinkylookedintentlyintothemirror,andthechildrenwatched,wonderingwhathewouldseethere.Suddenlythefourdancingpixiesstoppedtheirsingingandfelltothefloor,pantingandcrying,“Nowlookandtellwhatyousee,Chinky!”

Chinkystaredintothemirrorandthengaveashout.“Iseeher!It’sthewitchKirri-Kirri!ShehasgotWhiskers.Hereheis,

cookingherdinnerforher!”Thetwochildrensprangupfromthecouchandhurriedtolookintothe

mirrorthatChinkyheld.Totheirgreatamazement,insteadofseeingtheirownfaces,theysawapictureofWhiskers,theircat,stirringasoup-potonabigstove—andbehindherwasanoldwitch,cladinalong,blackcloakembroideredwithsilverstarsandmoons!

“Seeher!”saidChinky,pointing.“That’sthewitchKirri-Kirri.Iknowwhereshelives.We’llgoandrescueWhiskersthisverynight—evenifwehavetogoonfoot!”

Thefourlittlepixiestwitteredgoodbyeandranout.Thepictureinthemirrorfadedaway.Thechildrenandthepixielookedatoneanother.

“Whatamarvellousspell!”saidMollie.“Oh,Ididenjoythat,Chinky!ShallwereallygoandfetchWhiskerstonight?”

“Yes,”saidChinky.“Comehereatmidnight,readydressed.Ifthechairhasgrownitswings,we’llgoinit—ifnot,we’lltaketheundergroundtraintothewitch’shouse.”

“Ooh!”saidMollie.“Whatanadventure!”

TheWitchKirri-Kirri

THE children dressed themselves again after they had been to bed and slept.Mollie had a little alarm-clock and she set it for a quarter to twelve, so theyawokeingoodtimefortheiradventure.Chinkywaswaitingforthem.

“Wecan’tgointhewishing-chair,”hesaid.“Ithasn’tgrownitswingsagain.Ithinkit’sasleep,becauseitgaveatinysnorejustnow!”

“Howfunny!”saidMollie.“Oh,Chinky—Idofeelexcited!”“Comeon,”saidthepixie.“There’snotimetoloseifwewanttocatchthe

undergroundtrain.”Heledthechildrentoabigtreeatthebottomofthegarden.Hetwisteda

pieceofthebarkandadoorslidopen.Therewasanarrowstairwayinthetreegoingdownwards.MollieandPeterweresosurprisedtoseeit.

“Godownthestairs,”Chinkysaidtothem.“I’lljustshutthedoorbehindus.”

Theyclimbeddownandcametoasmallpassage.Chinkyjoinedthemandtheywentalongituntiltheycametoabigturnstile,whereasolemngreyrabbitsatholdingabundleoftickets.

“WewantticketsforWitchKirri-Kirri’s,”saidChinky.Therabbitgavethemthreeyellowticketsandletthemthroughtheturnstile.Therewasalittleplatformbeyondwitharailwaylinerunningbyit.Almostatonceatrainappearedoutofthedarkness.Itslampsgleamedliketwoeyes.Therewerenocarriages—justopentruckswithcushionsin.Thetrainwasverycrowded,andthechildrenandChinkyfounditdifficulttogetseats.

Gnomes,brownies,rabbits,moles,elves,andhedgehogssatinthetrucks,chatteringandlaughing.Thetwohedgehogshadatrucktothemselvesfortheyweresopricklythatnoonewantedtositbythem.

Thetrainsetoffwithmuchclattering.Itstoppedatstationafterstation,andatlastcametoonelabelled“Kirri-KirriStation.”

Chinkyandthechildrengotout.“Kirri-Kirriissucharichandpowerfulwitchthatshehasastationofher

own,”explainedChinky.“Nowlisten—thisismyplan,children.It’snouseusaskingthewitchforWhiskers,ourcat—shejustwon’tletushaveher.Andit’snousetryingtogetherbymagic,becausethewitch’smagicismuchstrongerthanmine.Wemustgetherbyatrick.”

“Whattrick?”askedthechildren.“We’llcreepintoherlittlegarden,”saidChinky,“andwe’llmakescrapey

noisesonthewall,likemice.We’llsqueaklikemicetoo—andthewitchwillhearusandsendWhiskersouttocatchthemice.Thenwe’llgether,runbacktothestation,andcatchthenexttrainhome!”

“Whatafineplan!”saidPeter.“It’ssosimpletoo!Itcan’tgowrong!”“Sh!”saidChinky,pointingtoalargehouseinthedistance.“That’sKirri-

Kirri’shouse.”Theyhadleftthestationbehindandhadcomeupintotheopenairagain.

Themoonlightwasbrightenoughtoshowthemtheroad,andtheycouldseeeverythingveryclearlyindeed.

everythingveryclearlyindeed.Theyslippedinsidethewitch’swicket-gate.“Yougotothatendofthe

houseandI’llgototheother,”saidChinky.SoPeterandMolliecrepttooneendandbegantoscratchagainstthewallwithbitsofstick,whilstChinkydidthesametheotherend.Thentheysqueakedashighastheycould,exactlylikemice.

Theyheardawindowbeingthrownup,andsawthewitch’sheadoutlinedagainstthelamplight.

“Miceagain!”shegrumbled.“Hie,Whiskers,comehere!Catchthem,catchthem!”

Whiskersjumpeddownintothegarden.Thewitchslammeddownthewindowanddrewtheblind.Molliemadeadashforthebigblackcatandliftedherintoherarms.WhiskerspurrednineteentothedozenandrubbedhersoftheadagainstMollie’shand.ChinkyandPetercameupindelight.

“Theplanworkedbeautifully!”saidPeter.“Comeon—let’sgotothestation!”

Andthenamostunfortunatethinghappened!Peterfelloverabushandcamedownwithaclatteronthepath!AtoncethewindowflewupagainandKirri-Kirrilookedout.Sheshoutedaverymagicwordandslammedthewindowdownagain.

“Ohdear,ohdear,ohdear!”groanedChinkyatonce.“What’sthematter?”askedMollie,scared.“She’sputaspellroundthegarden!”saidthepixie.“Wecan’tgetout!

She’llfindushereinthemorning!”“Can’tgetout!”saidPeter,goingtothegate.“Whatnonsense!I’mgoing,

anyway!”Butalthoughhe.openedthegatehecouldn’twalkout.Itwasasifthere

wasaninvisiblewallallroundthegarden!Thechildrencouldn’tgetoutanywhere.Theyforcedtheirwaythroughthehedge—butstilltheinvisiblewallseemedtobejustbeyond,andtherewasnowayofgettingoutatall!

“Whatevershallwedo?”askedMollie.“Wecan’tdoanything,”saidChinkygloomily.“Peterwasanawfulsillyto

goandfalloverlikethat,justwhenwehaddoneeverythingsowell.”“I’mterriblysorry,”saidpoorPeter.“IdowishIhadn’t.Ididn’tmeanto.”“Well,we’dbettergoandsitdownintheporch,”saidChinky,whowas

shivering.“It’swarmerthere.”TheysathuddledtogetherintheporchandMollietookWhiskersonher

knee,sayingshewouldmakeanicehot-waterbottle.Theywerenoddingofftosleep,fortheywereallverytired,whenWhiskers

suddenlybegantosnarlandspit.ThechildrenandChinkywokeupinafright.

suddenlybegantosnarlandspit.ThechildrenandChinkywokeupinafright.Theysawsomethingflyingroundthegarden,likeabigblackbird!Molliestared—andthensheleaptupandwhisperedasloudlyasshedared—“Itisn’tabird!It’sthedearoldwishing-chair!It’scometofindus!”

Chinkygaveachuckleofdelight.Herantothechairandtookholdofit.

“Comeon!”hesaidtotheothers.“Theonlywayoutofthisbewitchedgardenisbyflyingupandup.Wecan’tgetoutanyotherway!Thewishing-chairisjustwhatwewant!”

Theyallgotintothechair.WhiskerswasonMollie’sknee.Thechairflappeditswings,roseupintotheairandflewalmosttotheclouds!

“WhatwilloldKirri-Kirrisayinthemorningwhenshefindsno-oneinhergarden,notevenWhiskers!”giggledChinky.“She’llthinkshe’sbeendreaming!IwishIcouldseeherface!”

Thechairflewtotheplayroom.Thechildrensaidgood-nighttoChinky,and,withWhiskersinherarms,MollieranwithPeterupthepathtotheirhouse.Theyweresooninbedandasleep.AsforWhiskers,youmaybesuresheneverwenttosleepinthewishing-chairagain!

TheDisappearingIsland

IThappenedoncethatthechildrenandChinkyhadamostunpleasantadventure,anditwasallMollie’sfault.

Thewishing-chairgrewitswingsonebrightsunnymorningjustasthethreeofthemwereplanningagameofpirates.Molliesawtheredwingsgrowingfromthelegsofthechairandcriedoutindelight.

“Look!Thechair’soffagain!Let’sgetinandhaveanadventure!”Theyallcrowdedintoit,andinatricethechairwasoffthroughthedoor

andintotheair.Itwassuchfun,forthedaywasclearandsunny,andthechildrencouldseeformiles.

Thechairflewonandon,andcametothetowersandspiresofFairyland.TheyglitteredinthesunandPeterwantedtogodownandvisitthePrinceandPrincesstheyhadoncerescued,butthechairstillflewon.ItflewovertheLandofGnomes,andovertheLandofToadstools,andatlastcametoabrightbluesea.

“Hallo,hallo!”saidChinky,peeringovertheedgeofthechair,“I’veneverbeenasfarasthisbefore.Idon’tknowifweoughttoflyoverthesea.Thechairmightgettired—andthenwhatwouldhappentousifweallcamedowninthesea!”

“Weshan’tdothat!”saidMollie,pointingtoablueislandfarawayonthehorizon.“Ithinkthechairismakingforthatlandoverthere.”

Thechairflewsteadilytowardsit,andthechildrensawthatthelandtheyhadseeninthedistancewasasmallandbeautifulisland.Itwaspackedwithflowers,andthesoundofbellscamefaintlyupfromthefieldsandhills.

“Wemustn’tgothere,”saidChinkysuddenly.“That’sDisappearingIsland!”

“Well,whyshouldn’twegothere?”saidMollie.“Becauseitsuddenlydisappears,”saidChinky.“I’veheardofitbefore.It’s

ahorridplace.Yougetthereandthinkit’sallasbeautifulascanbe—andthenitsuddenlydisappearsandtakesyouwithit.”

“Itcan’tbehorrid,”saidMollielongingly,lookingdownatthesunny,flower-spreadisland.“Oh,Chinky,youmustbemistaken.It’sthemostbeautifulislandIeversaw!Idowanttogo.Therearesomelovelybirdstheretoo.Icanhearthemsinging.”

“Itellyou,Mollie,it’sdangeroustogotoDisappearingIsland,”saidChinkycrossly.“Youmightbelieveme.”

Chinkycrossly.“Youmightbelieveme.”“You’renotalwaysright!”saidMollieobstinately.“Iwanttogothere!

Wishing-chair,flydowntothatlovelyisland.”Atoncethechairbegantoflydownwards.ChinkyglaredatMollie,butthe

wordsweresaid.Hecouldn’tunsaythem.Downtheyflewanddownanddown!Thebrilliantislandcamenearerandnearer.Mollieshoutedindelighttosee

suchgloriousbrightflowers,suchshiny-wingedbirds,suchplump,softrabbits.Thechairflewswiftlytowardsthem.

Andthen,justastheywereabouttolandinafieldspreadwithbuttercupsaslargeaspoppies,amongsoft-eyedbunniesandsingingbirds,amoststrangeandpeculiarthinghappened.

Theislanddisappeared!Onemomentitwasthere,andthesunwasshiningonitsfields—andthenextmomenttherewasonlyafaintbluemist!Thechairflewthroughthemist—andthensplash!Theywereallinthesea!

MollieandPeterwereflungoffthechairintothewater.Chinkygrabbedthebackofthechair,andreachedhishandouttothechildren.Theyclamberedbackontothechair,whichwasbobbingaboutonthewaves,soakingwet.

“WhatdidItellyou?”saidChinkyangrily.“Didn’tIsayitwasDisappearingIsland?Nowseewhat’shappened!It’sgoneanddisappeared,andwe’vefallenintothesea!Anicepicklewearein—allwetandshivery!Justlikeagirltogetusintothismess!”

Molliewentred.Howshewishedshehadn’twantedtogotoDisappearingIsland!

“Well,Ididn’tknowitwasgoingtodisappearsosuddenly,”shesaid.“I’mverysorry.”

“Notmuchgoodbeingsorry,”saidPetergloomily,squeezingthewateroutofhisclothes.“Howarewegoingtogettoland?AsfarasIcanseethereiswaterallroundusformiles!Thechair’swingsarewet,anditcan’tfly.”

Thethreeofthemwereindeedinadreadfulfix!Itwasfortunateforthemthatthechairwasmadeofwood,ortheywouldnothavehadanythingtoclingto!

Theybobbedupanddownforsometime,wonderingwhattodo.Suddenly,

Theybobbedupanddownforsometime,wonderingwhattodo.Suddenly,totheirgreatsurprise,alittleheadpoppedoutofthesea.

“Hallo!”itsaid.“Areyouwantinghelp?”“Yes,”saidChinky.“Areyouamerman?”“Iam!”saidthelittlefellow.Thechildrenlookeddownathim,andthrough

thegreenwatertheycouldseehisfish-likebodycoveredwithscalesfromthewaistdownwardsandendinginasilverytail.“Doyouwanttobetowedtoland?”

“Yes,please,”saidChinkyjoyfully.“Thatwillcostyouapieceofgold,”saidthemerman.“Ihaven’tanywithme,butwewillsendittoyouassoonaswegethome,”

promisedChinky.Themermanswamoffandcamebackridingonabigfish.HethrewaropeofseaweedaroundthebackofthechairandshoutedtoChinkytoholdontoit.Thenthefishsetoffatagreatspeed,towingthechairbehinditwithChinkyandthechildrensafelyonit!Themermanrodeonthefishalltheway,singingafunnylittlewaterysong.Itwasastrangeride!

Soontheycametoland,andthechildrendraggedthechairoutofthewaterontothesun-bakedsand.“Thankyou,”theysaidtothemerman.“Wewillsend

ontothesun-bakedsand.“Thankyou,”theysaidtothemerman.“Wewillsendyouthemoneyassoonaswecan.”

Themermanjumpedonthefishagain,wavedhiswethand,anddivedintothewaveswithasplash.

“We’llwaittillthesunhasdriedthechair’swings,andwe’lldryourownclothes,”saidChinky.“Thenwe’llgohome.Ithinkthatwasamostunpleasantadventure.Wemighthavebeenbobbingaboutfordaysonthesea!”

Molliedidn’tsayanything.Sheknewitwasallherfault.Theydriedtheirclothes,andassoonasthewingsofthechairwerequitedrytoo,theysatinit,andChinkycried,“Home,wishing-chair,home!”

Theyflewhome.Molliejumpedoffthechairassoonasitarrivedintheplayroomandrantohermoney-box.Shetippedoutallherpennies,sixpences,andshillings.

“Hereyouare,Chinky,”shesaid.“I’mgoingtopayforthatfish-ridemyself.Itwasallmyfault.I’mverysorry,andIwon’tbesosillyagain.Doforgiveme!”

“Oh!That’sveryniceofyou,Mollie!”saidChinky,andhegaveherahug.“Ofcourseweforgiveyou!All’swellthatendswell!We’rehomeagainsafeandsound!”

Hechangedthepennies,sixpences,andshillingsintoabiggoldpieceandgaveittotheblackbirdinthegarden,askinghimtotakeittothemerman.

“That’stheendofthatadventure!”saidChinky.“Well,let’shopeournextonewillbemuchmuchnicer!”

TheMagician’sParty

ONEafternoon,whenthechildrenandChinkywerereadingstories,therecamea timid knock at the door. “Come in!” calledMollie.The door opened and incametwosmallelves.

“MaywespeaktoChinky?”theyasked.Chinkywavedthemtoachair.“Sitdown,”hesaid.“Whatdoyouwant?”“Please,mayweborrowyourwishing-chairtogototheMagician

Greatheart’sparty,”saidthebiggerelf.“Well,itdoesn’tbelongtome,”saidChinky.“Itbelongstothesetwo

children.”“Wouldyouletusborrowit?”askedthelittleelves.“Certainly,”saidMollieandPeter.“Whatrewarddoyouask?”saidtheelves.“Oh,youcanhavethechairfornothing,”saidMollie.“Bringitbacksafely,

that’sall.”“Isupposeyouwouldn’tliketocometotheparty?”askedtheelves.“We

areverysmall,andthereareonlyfiveofustogo.TherewouldbeplentyofroomforyouandforChinkytoointhechair.”

“Starsandmoon,whatatreat!”criedChinkyindelight.“Yes,we’llallgo!Thanksverymuch!Greatheart’spartiesareglorious!Myword,thisisluck!Whenistheparty,elves?”

“Tomorrownight,”saidtheelves.“Sharpatmidnight.We’llbehereathalf-pasteleven.”

“Right,”saidChinky.Thelittleelvessaidgoodbyeandranout.Chinkyrubbedhishandsandturnedtothetwodelightedchildren.

“Themagicianisamarvellousfellow,”hesaid.“Heisagoodmagician,andtheenchantmentsandmagicheknowsareperfectlywonderful.Ihopehedoesafewtricks!Putonyourbestclothesandbehereathalf-pasteleventomorrownight,won’tyou!”

Thechildrenweremostexcited.Theytalkedaboutnothingelsealldaylongandthenextdaytoo.Theydressedthemselvesintheirbestclothesandrandowntotheplayroomathalf-pasteleventhenextnight.Chinkywastheretoo,lookingverygrandindeed,forhehadonasuitthatseemedtobemadeofsilvermoonbeamssewnwithpearls.

Theelvesweretherewaiting,alldresseddaintilyinflowerpetals,sewn

withspiderthread.Eventhewishing-chairlookedsmart,forChinkyhadtiedabigbowoneachofitsarms!Itsredwingswerelazilyflapping.

ThechildrengotinandChinkysatontheback.Thefivelittleelveseasilyfoundroomonthetwoarms.Offtheywent,flyingthroughthemoonlighttotheirgreatandwonderfulparty!

Themagician’spalacewassetontopofahighhill.Thechairdidnottakelongtogetthere.Itflewdownandtookitsplaceamongthelonglineofcarriagesthatweredrawinguponebyoneatthebigfrontdoor.Whentheirturncamethechildrenandtheelvesjumpedoffthechairandranupthesteps.TheywereshownintoagreathallandtheretheyshookhandswiththeMagicianGreatheart,atallandhandsomeenchanter,whosecloakrippledoutashewalked,asifitweremadeofbluewater.Hiseyeswerekindandlookedrightthrougheveryone.

Abandwasplayingmerrilyinthebighall,andChinkycaughtholdof

Mollieanddancedwithher.

Peterfoundasmall,shyfairyanddancedwithhertoo,thoughshewassolightthathecouldn’tmakeuphismindifshewasrealornot!

Therewerehundredsoffairyfolkthereofallkinds—gnomes,goblins,brownies,fairies,elves,pixies—butonlytwochildren,soMollieandPeterfeltmosthonoured.Thencamethesupper.Itwassoqueer.Thelong,longtablewasspreadwithplatesandglassesanddishes,buttherewasnofoodatall,no,notevenayellowjelly.Themagiciantookhisplaceattheendofthetable.“Willyoueachwishforwhatyoulikebesttoeat?”hesaidinhiskind,deepvoice.“Takeitinturn,please!”Abrownienexttohimsaid,“Iwishforhoney-lemonadeandsugarbiscuits!”

Atonceajugofyellowlemonadeappearedbyhimandaplateofdelicioussugarbiscuits!Thefairynexttothebrowniewishedforchocolateblancmangeandacreamice.Theyappearedevenasshespokethewords!

Itwassuchfuntoseethemcome.MollieandPeterwatchedinamazementasallthedishesandjugsonthe

tablebecamefullofthemostexcitingthingswheneachlittlecreaturewishedhisorherwish.Theyhadtheirturnstoo!

“Iwishforcreambunsandginger-beer!”saidMollie.“AndIwishfortreaclepuddingandlemonade!”saidPeter.Adishofcream

bunsandabottleoffizzyginger-beerappearedinfrontofMollie,andadishwithasteaminghottreaclepuddingandajugoflemonadeappearedbyPeter.It

wasjustlikeadream!Everyoneateanddrankandwasmerryascouldbe.Then,afterthesupper,

themagicianspokeonestrangeword,andthelong,longtable,withitsdishesandplates,vanishedintothinair!

“Nowwewillhavesomemagic!”saidthemagician,beamingathisexcitedguests.

Theyallsatdownonthefloor.Themagiciantookasilverstickandtappedthreetimesonthefloor.Aspireofgreensmokecameupandmadeacracklingnoise.Itshotupintotheair,turnedoverandoverandwounditswayamongtheguests,droppingtinybunchesofsweet-smellingflowersasitpassed—buttonholesforeveryone!

Thesmokewent.Themagiciantappedtheflooragainanduprosefiveblackcats,eachwithaviolinexceptthelastone,andhehadadrum.Afterthecatscamesixplumprabbits,whodancedtothetunesthatthecatsplayed.Onerabbitturnedupsidedownanddancedonhisears,andthatmadePeterlaughsomuchthathehadtogetouthishandkerchieftowipehistearsoflaughteraway.

Thenanevenstrangerthinghappenednext.Themagiciantappedtheflooroncemore,andupcameagreatflowerofyellow.Itopened,andinthemiddleofittheguestscouldseefiveredeggs.Theeggsbrokeandoutcametinychicks.Theygrew—andgrew—andgrew—andbecamegreatbrilliantbirdswithlongdroopingtails.Thentheyopenedtheirbeaksandsangsosweetlythatnotasoundcouldbeheardinthegreathallbuttheirvoices.

Thebirdsflewaway.Theflowerfaded.Themagiciantappedthefloorforthelasttime.Agnomeappeared,whoselongbeardfloatedroundhimlikeamist.HehandedGreatheartabigdishwithalid.Themagiciantookoffthelidandliftedoutasilverspoon.Hestirredintheairandabubblingsoundcame.Roundthespoongrewaglassbowl.Thechildrencouldseethespoonshininginit.Butsuddenlythespoonturnedtogoldandswamabout—alivegoldfish.

Greathearttookthegoldfishneatlyintohishandandthrewitintotheair.Itdisappeared.

“Whohasit?”askedGreatheart.Everyonelookedabout—butnoonehadthefish.GreatheartlaughedandwentovertoMollie.Heputhishandintoherrightearandpulledoutthegoldfish!ThenhetookupPeter’shandandopenedit—andwillyoubelieveit,Peterhadalittleyellowchickthere,cheepingawaymerrily!

Oh,thetricksthatthemagiciandid!Noonewouldeverbelievethem!Peter

andMollierubbedtheireyesseveraltimesandwonderediftheyweredreaming.Bestofallcamethelasttrick.Themagicianashesaidgood-nighttohis

guests,gaveeachatinyegg.“Itwillhatchtomorrow,”hesaid.“Keepitsafely!”Thechildrenthanked

himverymuchforamarvellousevening,andthengotsleepilyintothewishing-chairwithChinkyandtheelves.Howtheygothometheyneverknew—fortheremusthavebeenmagicaboutthattookthemhome,undressedthem,andpoppedthemintobedwithouttheirknowing.Anyway,theyfoundthemselvestherethenextmorningwhentheyawoke,althoughtheydidnotrememberatallhowtheygotthere!

“Ibelieveitwasallabeautifuldream,”saidMollie.“Itwasn’t!”saidPeter,puttinghishandunderhispillow.Hebroughtout

hislittleegg.Ashelookedatit,itbroke—andthere,inhishand,wasatinysilverwatch,tickingawaymerrily!

Molliegaveascreamofdelightandputherhandunderherpillowtogethereggtoo.Itbrokeinherhand—andoutofitcameanecklaceofbeadsthatlookedexactlylikebubbles!ItwastheloveliestoneMolliehadeverseen!

“Hurryupanddressandwe’llseewhatChinkygot,”saidMollie.Theyhurried—andwhentheysawChinky,heshowedthemhispresent—goldenbucklesforhisshoes.Didn’ttheylookgrand!

“ThatwastheloveliestpartyI’veeverbeento!”saidMolliehappily.“Iwishallourwishing-chairadventureswerelikethat!”

TheWishing-ChairisFoolish

ONCEtheWishing-chairwasvery foolish,andnearly landed thechildrenandChinkyinadreadfulfix!

Itgrewitswingsonemorningwhenthechildrenwereplayingsnakesandladders.Chinkysawtheredwingsflappingandjumpedupinexcitement.

“Comeon!”hecried.“I’mlongingforanotheradventure!”Theyalljumpedontothechair.Itflewoutofthedoorinagreathurry,and

thenupintotheair.ItwasabeautifuldayandthechildrenandChinkycouldseeformiles.Thechairseemedinarathersillymood.Itswungtoandfroasitflew,andevenjiggledaboutonceortwice.

“Isay!”saidChinky.“Idon’tlikethis!Holdontightly,children,incasethechairturnshead-over-heels,orsomethingsilly.It’sinadangerousmood.”

“Shallwegobackhome?”askedMollie,inalarm.“Ofcoursenot!”saidPeter.“We’llneverturnourbacksonanadventure!”Soontheywent,thechairstilldoingitslittletricks.AtlastChinkyreally

didgetabitfrightened,foroncePeternearlyfelloff.“Godowntoearthatonce,chair!”hecommanded.Thechairseemedcross.

Itdidn’twanttogodown—butithadto.Sodownitwent,jigglingeverynowandagainasifitreallydidmeantojerkthechildrenoff.

Peterlookeddowntoseewheretheyweregoing.Therewasavillagebelowthem,andtheyseemedtobegoingdown

towardstheroofofahouse.“Hopethechairdoesn’tlandontheroof!”saidPeter.“Itlooksjustasifit’s

goingto!”Butitdidsomethingevenworsethanlandontheroof!Whatdoyou

supposeitdid?Ittriedtogodownthelargeredchimneybelongingtothehouse!Itreally

wasbehavingveryfoolishly!Ofcourse,itcouldn’tpossiblygodown—anditstuckfast,threelegsin,one

out,andthereitwas,allsideways,withthechildrengettingcoveredwithsootandsmoke!

Chinkyclimbedoutfirst,andhelpedPeterandMollieouttoo.Theysatontheroof,holdingontothechimney,whichfeltratherhot,becausewarmsmokewascomingoutofit.

Chinkywasveryangry.

“Ineverthoughtthechairwouldbesosilly!”hesaid.“Ithasactedsosensiblyuptonow.Nowlookwhatit’sdone!It’sgoneandstuckitselfinsomebody’schimney,andgoodnessknowshowwe’regoingtogetitout!Andhereweareuponaroofinavillagewedon’tknow!”

“It’stoobad,”saidMollie.“Lookatmyfrock!Alloversoot.”“We’dbettershoutandseeifsomeonewillgetusdown,”saidPeter.So

theyshouted.“Hie,hie,hie!Help!Hie,hie,hie!”Soonagnomeheardtheirshouting,andcameouttoseewhatitwasall

about.Whenhesawthethreechildrenupontheroofandthechairinthechimneyhewasamazed.Heshoutedtohisfriends,andsoonthewholevillagewasstaringupwards.

“Getaladderandhelpusdown!”shoutedPeter.“Ourchairhaslandedusinthisfix!”

Inafewminutesalongladderwasbrought,andthechildrenandChinkyclimbedcarefullydownittotheground.Chinkyexplainedwhathadhappened,andthevillagefolkexclaimedinastonishment.

“Thethingis,”saidPeter.“Howarewegoingtogetthechairout?Itcan’tstaytherefortherestofitslife,cookinginachimneypot!Whowouldhavethoughtitwouldhavebeensosilly?”

“It’stryingtogetout!”saidMolliesuddenly.“Look,it’swriggling!”Soitwas.Itdidlookfunny!Ittrieditshardesttogetout,butitwasstuck

muchtootightly.“It’snogood,”saidPetergloomily.“Itwillhavetostaythere.Idon’tsee

howwecanpossiblygetitout.”“Ofcoursewecan!”saidChinky.“We’llgetthevillagesweeptocome

alongandputhislongbrushupthechimney!Thenthesillyoldchairwillbe

alongandputhislongbrushupthechimney!Thenthesillyoldchairwillbesweptoutofthechimney!Wewillgetintoitwhenitcomestoearth,andgohomeimmediatelybeforeithastimetodoanythingsillyagain!”

“I’llfetchthesweep!”saidaround-facedgnomeatonce.“Helivesnextdoortome.”

Heranoff,andinafewminutescamebackwithalittlesweep,lookingratherblack,carryinghisbundleofpoles.Hestaredinastonishmentatthechairinthechimney.

“Canyoupushitoutforus?”askedChinkyanxiously.“I’lltry,”saidthesweep.Hewentintothehouseandfittedthebiground

brushontothefirstpole.Hepusheditupthechimney.Thenhefittedanotherpoleontothefirstone,andpushedthatupthechimneytoo.Sohewentonuntilthebrushwasalmostatthetop.Thenhefittedonhislastpole,andpreparedtogiveagoodpush.

Chinky,Mollie,andPeterwereoutsidethehouse,watchingthechairinthechimney.Allthegnomevillagerswerewiththemtoo.Itwasreallyratherexciting.

Thechairgaveajolt!“Thesweepispushingit!”yelledChinky,dancingaboutexcitedly.“Ooh,

look!He’spushingithard—thechairiscomingout!It’snearlyout!”Soitwas!Thesweepwaspushingandpushingwithhisroundbrush,and

thechairwasgettinglooseasitwasjerkedfartherup.Suddenlyitcamerightoutofthechimneywitharush!Thesweep’sbrushcameouttoo,andtwiddledroundintheairinafunnymanner.

“Thereitcomes,thereitcomes!”shoutedMollie.“Hie,chair,cometoearth!”

Buttothechildren’sdismay,thatnaughtywishing-chairflappeditsredwingsandflewrightupintotheair!Itdidn’tgoneartheground!

“Oh,Isay!”saidChinky.“Isn’titbehavingbadly!”Theyallwatcheditflyawaytilltheycouldnolongerseeit.Itwasgone!“Well,”saidMollie,“we’llhavetogethomeanotherway,that’sall.I’m

afraidwe’velostthechairnow.”“We’llcatchthebusthatleaveshereinfiveminutes’time,”saidChinky,

lookingatabustime-tablesetoutonawallnearby.“Itwon’tbelongbeforewe’rehome.”

“I’msorryaboutthechair,”saidPetersadly.“Itgaveussomefineadventures,youknow.Ithasbehavedverybadlytoday,it’strue—butonceortwiceithasbeenverygoodtous—likewhenitfetchedusfromWitchKirri-

twiceithasbeenverygoodtous—likewhenitfetchedusfromWitchKirri-Kirri’s.”

“Yes,”saidChinky,“wemustn’tforgetthegoodthingsjustbecauseithasoncebeenbad.Comeon—here’sthebus.”

Theygotintothebus,whichwasverypeculiar,becausethedriverwasaduckandtheconductorarabbit.However,Chinkydidn’tseemsurprised,soMollieandPetersaidnothing,butjuststared.Intenminutestheyfoundthemselvesoutsideacaveinahillside.

“Thisiswherewegetoff,”saidChinky,muchtotheirsurprise.Theyfollowedhimintothecaveandupsomesteps.Chinkyopenedadoor—andtothechildren’samazementtheyfoundthemselvesclimbingoutofatreeinthewoodneartotheirhome!

“YousimplyneverknowwhereanentrancetoFairylandis!”saidMollie,staringatthetree,asChinkyshutthebarkdoor.

Theyranhome—andtheveryfirstthingtheysawintheirplayroomwas—guess!Yes,theirwishing-chair.Theystaredinastonishment.

“Why,it’scomebackhomeafterall!”saidPeter,delighted.“Itswingshavegone.Oh,fancy,it’scomebacktous!Isn’tthatlovely!”

“Goodoldchair!”saidMollie,runningtoitandsittingdowninit.“I’mgladit’sback.Iexpectit’ssorrynow.Idon’tmindhavingnearlygonedownachimneynowit’sallover—itssoexcitingtothinkof!”

“Don’tsaythingslikethatinfrontofthechair,”saidChinky.“There’sno

“Don’tsaythingslikethatinfrontofthechair,”saidChinky.“There’snoknowingwhatitmightdonext.”

“Let’sbrushourclothesclean,”saidPeter,gettingabrush.“We’llgetintotroubleifwedon’t—andcertainlynoonewouldbelieveusifwesaidwe’dbeenstuckinachimney!”

“Whatevershallwedonext?”saidMollie.Aha!Waitandsee!

ThePoliteGoblin

THEnexttimethechairgrewitswingsagain,Chinkylookedatitsternly.“Lasttimeyouwereverybadlybehaved!”hesaid.“Ifyouwantustocomewithyouthistime,justbehaveyourself.Ifnot,I’llsellyoutotheJumble-Man,andyouwon’tlikethat!”

Thechairflappeditswingsviolently,andChinkygrinnedattheothers.“Thatwillmakeitbehaveitselfthistime,”hesaid.“Itwouldn’tliketobegiventotheJumble-Man!Comeon,let’sgetin.”

Theyallgotin.Thechairroseveryslowly,andflewoutofthedoor,takingcarenottojerkorjoltthechildrenatall.ItflewsoveryslowlyandcarefullythatChinkygotquiteimpatient.

“Nowyou’rebeingsilly!”hesaidtothechair.“Doflyproperly.You’rehardlymoving.”

Thechairflewfaster.Itflewveryhighandthechildrencouldhardlyseethehousesbelowthem.Theyevenflewabovetheclouds—andsuddenly,tothechildren’sgreatastonishment,theysawabigcastlebuiltonacloud!

“Isay!Look!”saidPeter,inamazement.“Acastleonacloud!Wholivesthere,Chinky?”

“Idon’tknow,”saidChinky.“Ihopeit’ssomeonenice.Idon’twanttomeetagiantthismorning!”

Thechairflewtothecastle.Therewasabigfrontdoorstandingopen.Thechairflewinside.

“Goodness!”saidMollie,inalarm.“Thisisn’tverypolite.Weoughttohaveknocked!”

Thechaircametorestinabigkitchen.Asmallgoblin,withpointedears,greeneyes,andbonylegsandarms,wassittinginachairreadingapaper.Whenthewishing-chairflewinwithChinky,Mollie,andPeterinit,hejumpedupinastonishment.

ThechildrenandChinkygotoutoftheirchair.“Goodmorning,”saidChinky.“I’msosorrytocomeinlikethis—butourchairdidn’twaittoknock.”

Thegoblinbowedpolitely.“Itdoesn’tmatteratall!”hesaid.“Whatamarvellouschairyouhave,andhowpleasedIamtoseeyou!Praysitdownandletmegiveyousomelemonade!”

Theyallsatdownonstools.Thegoblinrushedtoacupboardandbroughtoutabigjugoflemonade.

“Itissonicetoseesuchpleasantvisitors,”saidthegoblin,puttingaglassoflemonadebeforeeachofthem.“Andnow,willyouhavebiscuits?”

“Thankyou,”saidMollieandPeterandChinky.Theyfeltthatitwaskindofthegoblintowelcomethem—buttheydidn’tlikehimatall.Heseemedmuchtoopolite!

“Anotherglassoflemonade?”askedthegoblin,takingChinky’semptyglass.“Ohdo!Itisapleasure,Iassureyou,tohaveyouhere!Anotherbiscuit,littlegirl?Imakethemmyself,andonlysavethemforspecialvisitors.”

“Butwearen’tveryspecial,”saidPeter,thinkingthatthegoblinwasreallysillytosaysuchthings.

“Ohyes,youareveryspecial,”saidthegoblin,smilingpolitelyatthemall.“Sogoodofyoutocomeandseeanuglylittlegoblinlikeme!”

“Butwedidn’tmeantocomeandseeyou,”saidMollietruthfully.Chinkyfrownedather.Hedidn’twanthertooffendthegoblin.Hedidnottrusthimatall.Hewantedtogetawayassoonashecould.

“Well,”saidChinky,finishinghisbiscuit,“itiskindofyoutohavewelcomeduslikethis.Butnowwemustgo.”

“Goodbyeandthankyou,”saidthepolitegoblin.Heshookhandswitheachofthemandbowedverylow.Theyturnedtogotothewishing-chair.

Andthentheyhadamostterribleshock!Thewishing-chairwasnotthere!Itwasgone.

“Isay!Where’sthewishing-chair?”shoutedChinky.“Goblin,where’sourchair?”

“Oh,pixie,howshouldIknow?”saidthegoblin.“Haven’tIbeenlookingafteryoueveryminute?Itmusthaveflownawaywhenyouwerenotlooking.”

“Well,it’sfunnyifithas,”saidChinky.“Weshouldhaveseenit,oratleastfeltthewindofitswingsflapping.Idon’tbelieveyou,goblin.Youhavedonesomethingwithourchair—yourservantshavetakenitaway!Tellmequickly,orIwillpunishyou!”

“Punishme!”saidthegoblin.“Andhowwouldyoudothat,pray?Youhadbetterbecareful,pixie—howareyougoingtogetawayfrommycastlewithout

awishing-chair?Iliveherebymyselfintheclouds!”“Becareful,Chinky,”saidPeter.“Don’tmakehimangry.Goodnessknows

howwe’descapefromhereifhedidn’thelpus!”Mollielookedfrightened.Thelittlegoblinsmiledatherpolitely,andsaid,

“Don’tbeafraid,prettylittlegirl.Iwilltreatyouasanhonouredguestforaslongasyouliketostaywithmeinmycastle.”

“Wedon’twanttostaywithyouatall,”saidChinky.“Wewantourwishing-chair!WhathaveyouDONEwithit?”

Buthecouldgetnoanswerfromthepolitegoblin.Itwasmosttiresome.Whatintheworldweretheytodo?

Chinkysuddenlylosthistemper.Herushedatthegoblintocatchhimandshakehim.Thegoblinlookedscared.Heturnedtorunandspedoutofthebigkitchenintothehall.Chinkyranafterhim.MollieandPeterlookedatoneanother.

“Chinkywillgetusallintotrouble,”saidMollie.“Hereallyisasilly-billy.

“Chinkywillgetusallintotrouble,”saidMollie.“Hereallyisasilly-billy.Ifhemakesthegoblinangry,hecertainlywon’thelpustogetaway.Isupposethatnaughtywishing-chairflewawayhome.”

“I’mquitesureitdidn’t,”saidPeter.“IknowIwouldhaveseenitmoving.”ThegoblincamerunningintotheroomfollowedbyChinky.“Catchhim,

catchhim!”yelledChinky.Petertriedto—butthegoblinwaslikeaneel.Hedodgedthisway,hedodgedthatway—andthenafunnythinghappened.Peterfelloversomethingthatwasn’tthere!

Hecrashedrightintosomethingandfellover,bang!Andyet,whenhelooked,therewasnothingatalltofallover!Hefeltverymuchastonished.Hesatupandstaredround.“WhatdidIfallover?”hesaid.Chinkystoppedchasingthegoblinandrantohim.HeputouthisarmsandfeltroundaboutintheairbyPeter—andhishandsclosedonsomethinghard—thatcouldn’tbeseen!

“Oh!”heyelledjoyfully,“it’sthewishing-chair!Thatdeceitfulgoblinmadeitinvisible,sothatwecouldn’tseeit,eventhoughitwasreallyhere!Andhemeanttohelpushomeallright—andassoonaswehadgonehemeanttouseourwishing-chairforhimself,andwe’dneverknow!”

“Thenithasn’tflownaway!”criedMollie,runningoverandfeelingittoo.“Ohgoody,goody!Wecangetintoitandgohomeevenifwecan’tseewhatwe’resittingon!Getup,Peter,andlet’sflyoffbeforethatnastylittlepolitegoblindoesanymorespells!”

Theyallsatinthechairtheycouldn’tsee.“Home,wishing-chair,home!”criedChinky.Theinvisiblechairroseintheairandflewoutofthedoor.Thegoblinrantothedoorandbowed.“Sopleasedtohaveseenyou!”hecalledpolitely.

“Nastylittlepolitecreature!”saidChinky.“Mygoodness—wenearlylostthechair,children!Nowwe’vegottofindawayofmakingitvisibleagain.It’s

nofunhavingachairandnotknowingifit’sreallythereornot!Idon’tlikefeelingI’msittingonnothing!IliketoseewhatI’msittingon!”

Theyflewhome.Theygotoutofthechairandlookedatoneanother.“Well,wedohaveadventures!”saidPeter,grinning.

TheSpinningHouse

ITwasmostannoyingnotbeingabletoseethewishing-chair.Thechildrenkeptforgettingwhereitwasandfallingoverit.

“Ohdear!”groanedPeter,pickinghimselfupforthefourthtime,“Ireallycan’tbearthischairbeinginvisible.Ikeepwalkingintoitandbumpingmyself.”

“I’lltiearibbononit!”saidMollie.“Thenweshallseetheribbonintheair,andwe’llknowthechairisthere!”

“That’sagoodidea,”saidChinky.“Girlsalwaysthinkofgoodideas.”“Sodoboys,”saidPeter.“Isay!Howqueerthatribbonlooksallbyitselfin

theair!Wecanseeit,butwecan’tseethechairit’stiedon!Peoplewouldstareiftheycameinhereandsawit!”

Itcertainlydidlookfunny.Itstuckthereinmid-air—anditdidactasawarningtothechildrenandChinkythattheymustbecarefulnottowalkintotheinvisiblechair.Itsavedthemmanyabump.

“I’vebeenaskingthefairieshowwecangetthechairmadevisibleagain,”saidChinkythenextday.“TheysaythereisafunnyoldwitchwholivesinalittlespinninghouseinJiffyWood,whoisvery,verycleveratmakingthingsinvisibleorvisible!Soifweflytherenexttimethechairgrowswings,wemaybeabletohaveitputright.”

“Buthowshallweknowwhenitgrowsitswingsifwecan’tseethem?”saidMollie.

“Ineverthoughtofthat!”saidChinky.“Iknow!”saidPeter.“Let’stearuplittlebitsofpaperandputthemround

thelegsofthechaironthefloor!Then,whenitswingsgrow,thebitswillallflyaboutinthedraughtthewingsmakewiththeirflapping—andweshallseethemandknowthechairisreadytogooffadventuringagain!”

Thechildrentoreupthebitsofpaperandputthemonthefloornearthelegsofthechair.

“Really,itdoeslookfunny!”saidMollie.“Aribbonbalancedinmid-air—andbitsofpaperbelow,onthefloor!Motherwouldthinkusveryuntidyifshecamein.”

“Let’splaytiddly-winksnow,”saidPeter.“I’llgetoutthecupandthecounters.”

Soonthethreeofthemwereplayingtiddly-winksonthefloor.Mollieflippedhercountersintothecupverycleverly,andhadjustwon,whenChinkygaveashout:

“Look!Thosebitsofpaperareflutteringintotheair!Thechairmusthavegrownitswings!”

MollieandPeterturnedtolook.Sureenough,thescrapsofpapertheyhadputonthefloorwerealldancingupanddownasifawindwasblowingthem.Thechildrencouldfeeladraughttoo,andknewthatthewishing-chairhadonceagaingrownitsredwings.

“Thatwasagoodideaofyours.Peter,”saidChinky.“Boyshavegoodideas

“Thatwasagoodideaofyours.Peter,”saidChinky.“Boyshavegoodideasaswellasgirls,Icansee!Comeon,let’sgetintothechairandseeifitwillflytoJiffyWoodtotheoldwitch’s.”

Theyclimbedontothechair.Itwasreallyverystrangeclimbingontosomethingtheycouldn’tsee,butcouldonlyfeel.Chinkysatontheback,asusual,andthechildrensqueezedintotheseat.

“GotoJiffyWood,tothelittleSpinningHouse,”Chinkysaidtothechair.Itroseupintotheair,flewoutofthedoor,andwasuphighbeforethechildrencouldsayanotherword!Theymusthavelookedveryqueer,sittinginachairthatcouldn’tbeseen!

Itwasraining.Molliewishedtheyhadbroughtanumbrella.“Tellthechairtoflyabovetheclouds,Chinky,”shesaid.“It’sthecloudsthatdroptherainontous.Ifweflybeyondthem,weshan’tgetwetbecausetherewon’tbeanyrain.”

“Flyhigherthantheclouds,chair,”saidChinky.Thechairrosehigherandhigher.Itflewrightthroughthemistygreycloudsandcameoutabovethem.Thesunwasshiningbrightly!Itmadetheothersideofthecloudsquitedazzlingtolookat!

“Thisisbetter,”saidMollie.“Thesunwilldryourclothes.”Theyflewonandoninthesunshine,abovethegreatwhiteclouds.Then

theysuddenlyflewdownwardsagain,andthechildrensawthattheywereoverathickwood.

“JiffyWood!”saidChinky,peeringdown.“Weshallsoonbethere!”Downtheyflewanddown,andatlastcametoalittleclearing.Thechair

flewdowntoit,andcametorestonsomegrass.Alittlewayoffwasamostpeculiarhouse.Ithadoneleg,likeashortpole,anditspunroundandroundandroundonthisleg!Itdidnotgoveryfast,andthechildrencouldseethatithadadoorononesideandawindowoneachoftheotherthreesides.Ithadonechimneywhichwassmokingawaymerrily—butthesmokewasgreen,asignthatawitchlivedinthehouse.

“Well,hereweare,”saidChinky,gettingoutofthechair.“I’dbettercarrythechair,Ithink.Idon’tlikeleavingitaboutherewhenwecan’tseeit.Weshouldn’tknowwhereitwasifanyonecamealonganduntiedtheribbon.”

“Istheoldwitchafiercesortofperson?”askedMollie.“No,she’sagoodsort,”saidChinky.“Shewilldoallshecantohelpus,I

know.Youneedn’tbeafraid.Shewon’tharmus.Mygrandmotherknewherverywell.”

“Howarewegoingtogetintothehouse?”askedPeter,lookingatthestrangehousegoingroundandroundandround.“It’slikegettingona

strangehousegoingroundandroundandround.“It’slikegettingonaroundaboutthat’sgoing!Ourmotheralwayssaysthat’sadangerousthingtodo.”

“Well,we’lltryandgetthewitchtostopthehousespinningroundforaminute,sothatwecanhopinwiththechair,”saidChinky.“Comeon.I’vegotthechair.”

Offtheywenttowardsthequeerlittlehouse.Asitwentroundthesmokewentroundtoo,andmadegreenrings.Itwasverypeculiar.

“WitchSnippit,WitchSnippit!”calledChinky.“Stopyourhouseandletusin!”

Someoneopenedawindowandlookedout.Itwasanoldwomanwitharedshawlonandaprettywhitecap.Shehadahookynoseandapairoflargespectaclesoverhereyes.Sheseemedsurprisedtoseethem.

“Waitaminute!”she.called.“I’llstopthehouse.Butyou’llhavetobeveryquickgettinginatthedoorbecauseitwon’tstopforlong!”

Thehousesloweddown—itwentroundmoreandmoreslowly—andatlastitstopped.Thedoorwasfacingthechildren,andthewitchopeneditandbeckonedtothem.Mollieshotinside,andsodidPeter.Chinkywastryingtogetin,withthechairtoo,whensuddenlythehousebegantospinroundfastagain!PoorChinkyfelloutofthedoorwaywiththechair!

MollieandPeterreallycouldn’thelplaughing,helookedsofunny!The

MollieandPeterreallycouldn’thelplaughing,helookedsofunny!Thewitchstoppedthehouseagain,andthenPeterhelpedChinkyinquickly.Theyputthewishing-chairdownandthenturnedtogreetthewitch.

“Good-morning,”shesaid,withanicesmile.“AndwhatcanIdoforyou?”

WitchSnippit

THE children and Chinky looked at the smiling witch. They liked her verymuch. She had kind blue eyes, as bright as forget-me-nots. At first they feltrathergiddy,forthehousetheywereinspunroundandroundallthetime—buttheysoongotusedtoit.

“We’vebroughtourwishing-chairtoyou,”saidChinky.“Wewenttothecloud-goblin’scastletheotherday,andhemadeourchairinvisible.It’ssuchanuisancetohaveachairwecan’tsee—so,asweknewyouwerecleveratallkindsofvisibleandinvisiblespells,wethoughtwewouldbringittoyou.Couldyoumakeourchairseeable,please?”

“Certainly,”saidWitchSnippit.“Ihavesomeverystrongmagicpaint.Ifyouuseit,youwillmakeyourchaireasilyseen.”

Shewenttoacupboard.Thechildrenstaredroundtheroom.Itwasaverystrangeroomindeed.Theclockonthemantelpiecehadlegs,andforeverytickitgave,itwalkedastepalongthemantelpiece.Whenitgottotheenditturnedandwalkedbackagain.Thenitsuddenlydisappeared!

“Ooh!”saidMollie,surprised.“Yourclock’sgone,WitchSnippit!”“Oh,don’ttakeanynoticeofthat,”saidthewitch.“It’sjustshowingoff!”Theclocksaid“Urrrrnrrr!”andcamebackagain.Upanddownitwalked,

andthechildrenthoughtitwasthestrangestonetheyhadeverseen.Otherthingsinthecottageweremostpeculiartoo.Therewasachairthat

hadfourlegsandaback,butnoseat.Molliewonderedifitreallythatcouldn’tbeseen.Shewenttositdownonitandfoundthatithadgotaseat,butitwasquiteinvisible.Therewasatable,too,thathadatopbutnolegs.

Onthedressertherewerecupswithnohandles,andlidsbalancedintheairbutnodishesbelow.Mollieputoutherhandandfeltthedishes,butshecouldn’tseethem.SheturnedroundtoWitchSnippit.

“Youhavegotafunnyhome,”shebegan—andthenshestoppedinsurprise.WitchSnippitwasallthereexcepthermiddle!Ohdear,shedidlooksofunny!

“Don’tbeworried,”shesaidtoMollie.“I’mquiteallright.Mymiddleisreallythere,butit’svanishedforafewminutes.Youcan’tmeddleaboutwithvisibleandinvisiblemagicwithouthavingthingslikethishappentoyouattimes.”

Asshespoke,hermiddlecamebackagain,and,ohdear,herhandsandfeetwent!Molliebegantolaugh.“Whateverwillgonext!”shesaid,

Allofthewitchdisappearedthen—andthechildrenandChinkycouldn’tseeheranywhere!Theyknewshewasintheroom,becausetheycouldhearherlaughing.

“Don’tlooksosurprised,”shesaid.“Youshouldneverbeastonishedatanythingthathappensinawitch’shouse.”

“Isay!Thefloor’sgone!”saidPeter,inalarm,lookingdownathisfeet.“Oooh!IfeelasifI’mfalling!Where’sthefloor?”

“Oh,it’sthereallthetime,”saidWitchSnippit,comingbackinbits.“It’sonlydisappearedfromsight.Don’tworry,it’sthere!”

Sheputatinofpaintonthetable.“Wouldyouliketopaintyourchairandgetitrightagain?”sheasked.“It’squiteeasy.Therearethreebrushesforyou.It’sgoodpaint.Itwillmakeinvisiblethingsvisible,orvisiblethingsinvisible.I’mratherbusytoday,soifyou’lldothejobyourself,I’llbeglad.”

“We’dloveto!”saidChinky.Hetookoffthelidofthepainttinandpickedupabrush.“It’sgoingtobefunnypaintingsomethingyoucan’tsee!”hesaid.

Hefeltforthelegsofthechairanddippedhisbrushintothepaint,whichwasaqueersilverycolourandseemedasthinassmoke.Hepaintedalongoneofthechair’sinvisiblelegs—andhey,presto!itcameintosightasbrownandsolidasever!

“I’vegotalegback!”saidChinky,inexcitement,andwavedhisbrushintheair.AdropofpaintflewontoPeter’snose.

theair.AdropofpaintflewontoPeter’snose.“Don’t,”saidPeter.Molliestaredathiminhorror.Hisnosehad

disappeared!“Peter,yournosehasgone!”shesaid.“Adropofthepaintwentontoit!

Oh,whatevershallwedo?“Getitbackagain,ofcourse,”saidChinky.“Didn’tyouhearWitchSnippit

saythatthispaintactedeitherway?Itmakesthingsseenthatcan’tbeseen,anditmakesthingsthatareseeableunseeable!Comehere,Peter—I’llpaintwhereyournoseshouldbe,andit’llcomebackagain!”

HedabbedsomepaintwherehethoughtPeter’snoseshouldbe—andsureenough,itdidcomebackagain!Molliewassoglad.Peterlookedhorridwithoutanose.

“I’llteachyoutomakemynosedisappear!”saidPetertoChinky.HedippedhisbrushinthepaintanddabbedatChinky’spointedears.Theyvanishedinatrice!

“Don’t!”saidChinkycrossly.HethrewsomepaintatPeter’sfeetandtheydisappearedatonce!

“Oh!”saidPeter,surprised.“Idon’tlikehavingnofeet.Ishallpaintthemback!Theretheyare!Stopit,Chinky.Idon’tlikethisgame.Itwouldbeawfulifsomethingdidn’tcomeback!”

Chinkywasnaughty.Hedippedhisbrushinthemagicpaint,andranitroundMollie’sneck.Howqueershelookedwithaheadandabodybutnoneck!Petercouldn’tbearit.Hepaintedherneckinagainatonce,andfrownedatChinky.

“Ifyou’renotcarefulI’llpaintyoufromtoptotoeandthentakeawaythetinofpaint!”hesaid.

“Nowlistentome,”suddenlysaidWitchSnippit’svoiceabovethem.“Ididn’tgiveyouthatpainttowaste.Ifyouarenotcarefultherewillnotbeenoughtofinishpaintingyourwishing-chair,andthenyouwillfindthereisabitstillleftinvisible,thatyoucannotsee.Sobesensible.”

ChinkyandPeterwentred.Theybegantopaintthechairbusily,andMolliejoinedthem.Theclockonthemantelpiecewassointerestedinwhattheywere

joinedthem.Theclockonthemantelpiecewassointerestedinwhattheyweredoingthatitwalkedrightoffthemantelpieceandfellintothecoal-scuttle.

“Itcanstaythere,”saidthewitch.“Itismuchtoocurious—alwayspokingitsnosewhereitisn’twanted.”

“Urrrrrrrrr!”saidtheclock,anddisappeared.Molliewasgladherclockathomedidn’tbehavelikethat.

Inanhour’stimethewishing-chairwasitselfagain,andallthepaintinthetinwasfinished.Thereitstoodbeforethem,theirsameoldwishing-chair.Ithadbeenverystrangetoseeitgraduallybecomingvisibletotheireyes.

“There’sabitatthebackherethatcan’tbeseen,”saidMollie,pointingtoabitthathadn’tcomebackagain.Buttherewasnopainttofinishthatbit,andthechildrendidn’tliketoaskforanymore.Sothattinypieceofthechairhadtoremaininvisible.Itlookedlikeahole!

“Thankyouverymuch,WitchSnippit,”saidChinkypolitely.“We’vefinishednow,andhadbetterbegettinghome.Couldyoustopyourhousespinningandletusgoout?”

“Verywell,”saidWitchSnippit.Shecalledoutamagicwordandthespinninghousesloweddown.“Goodbye,”shesaidtoChinkyandthechildren.“Comeandseemeagainanothertime.Hurry,now,orthehousewillstartspinningagain!”

Thethreesqueezedintothewishing-chair.Thehousestoppedandthewitchopenedthedoor.

“Home,wishing-chair!”shoutedChinky—andthechairflewstraightoutof

“Home,wishing-chair!”shoutedChinky—andthechairflewstraightoutofthedoorandupintotheair.

“Goodbye,goodbye!”calledMollieandPeter,lookingdownatthehouse,whichwasalreadyspinningfastagain.“Isay,thatwasaprettygoodadventure,wasn’tit!”

“Iwishwe’dgotsomeofthatmagicpaintwithus,”saidChinky.“Wecouldhavesomefunwithit!”

“I’mgladwehaven’t!”saidMollie.“Idon’tknowwhatmischiefyou’dgetinto,Chinky!”

TheSillyBoy

THEchildrenwerecrossbecauseMotherhadsaidthatthepaintersweretopaintthe walls of the playroom and mend a window—and this meant that theycouldn’tplaythereforsometime.

Theirplayroomwasbuiltrightatthebottomofthegarden,anditwasquitesafefortheirfriend,Chinky,thepixie,tolivethere,fornooneeverwenttothegardenplayroomexceptthemselves.Butnowthepainterswouldbethereforaweek.Howtiresome!

“It’sagoodthingit’ssummer-time,Chinky,sothatyoucanliveinthegardenforabit,”saidMollie.

“Oh,don’tworryaboutme,”saidChinky.“I’veanicecosyplaceinthehollowofanoaktree.It’sthechairI’mthinkingabout.Whereshallwekeepthat?Wecan’thaveitflyingaboutwhilstthepaintersarethere.”

“We’dbetterputitintheboxroom,indoors,”saidPeter.“Thatroom’sjustbeenrepainted,soIdon’texpectMotheroranyonewillthinkitmustbeturnedoutjustyet.Itwillbesafethere.”

So,whennoonewaslooking,PeterandMolliecarriedthewishing-chairuptotheboxroomandstooditsafelyinacorner.Theyshutthewindowuptightly,sothatitcouldn’tflyoutifitswingsgrewsuddenly.

Theycouldn’thaveChinkytoplaywiththeminthehouse,becausehedidn’twantanyonetoknowabouthim.SotheyaskedThomas,thelittleboyovertheroad,tocomeandplaysoldiers,onarainyafternoon.Theydidn’tlikehimverymuch,buthewasbetterthannobody.

Thomascame.Hesoongottiredofplayingsoldiers.Hebeganturninghead-over-heelsdownthenurseryfloor.Hecoulddoitverywell.

“Icanmakeawfulfaces,too,”hesaidtoMollieandPeter—andhebegantopullsuchdreadfulfacesthatthetwochildrengazedathiminsurpriseandhorror.

“Ourmothersaysthatifyoupullfacesandthewindhappenstochangeyoumaygetstucklikethat,”saidMollie.“Dostopit,Thomas.”

ButThomaswouldn’t.Hewrinkleduphisnoseandhisforeheadandblewouthischeeks—anddoyouknow,thewindchangedthatveryminute!

AndpoorThomascouldn’tgethisfacerightagain!Hetriedandhetried,buthecouldn’t.Itwasdreadful!Whateverwasheto

do?“Oh,Thomas,thewindchanged—Isawtheweathercockswingroundthat

verymoment!”criedMollie.“Ididwarnyou!Idothinkyou’resilly.”“Hecan’tgohomelikethat,”saidPeter.“Let’swashhisfaceinhotwater

—thenperhapsitwillgorightagain.”SotheywashedThomas’sfacewell—butitwasasbadaseverwhenthey

hadfinished!Screwed-upnoseandforeheadandblown-outcheeks...ohdear!“DoyousupposeChinkywouldknowwhattodo?”saidPeteratlast.“Who’sChinky?”askedThomas.“Neveryoumind,”saidMollie.“Peter,goandfindChinkyandseewhathe

says.I’llstayherewithThomas.Hemustn’tgooutofthenursery,becauseifhemeetsMotherorJane,theywillthinkhe’smakingfacesatthemandwillbeeversocross.”

socross.”Peterrandownstairs.Hewentintothegardenandwhistledalittletunethat

Chinkyhadtaughthim.Hehadtowhistlethiswheneverhewantedthepixie.Chinkywhistledback.Petersawhimunderabighawthornbush,mendinga

holeinhiscoat.

“What’sup?”askedChinky,sewingaway.“We’vegotaboyinournurserywho’sbeenmakingdreadfulfaces,”

explainedPeter.“Andthewindchangedjustashewasmakingaspeciallyhorribleone—andnowhecan’tgethisfacerightagain.SoMolliesentmetoaskyouifyoucoulddoanythingtohelp.”

“Aboyassillyasthatdoesn’tdeservehelp,”saidChinky,breakingoffhiscottonandthreadinghisneedleagain.“Yougoandtellhimso.”

“Ohno,Chinky,wereallymusthelphim,”saidPeter.“Hismothermaythinkwemadehisfacelikethat,andwe’llgetintotrouble.Youdon’twantustobesenttobedforaweek,doyou?”

“No,Idon’t,”saidChinky,puttingonhiscoat.“I’llhelpyoubecauseyou’remyfriends.There’sonlyonethingtobedoneforapersonwho’sbeenmakingfaceswhenthewindchanged.”

“What’sthat?”askedPeter.“You’vegottogetabitofthewindthatblewjustthen,andpuffitintohis

face,”saidChinky.“Thenhe’llbeallright—butit’sdreadfullydifficulttogetabitofthesamewind.”

“Howcanwe?”askedPeter,indismay.“We’dbettergointhewishing-chairtotheWindyWizard,”saidChinky.

“Heknowsalltheinsandoutsofeverywindthatblows.I’veseentheoldwishing-chairlookingoutofthewindowthisafternoon,tryingtogetout,soI’msureit’sgrownitswingsagain.Goandsee,andifithas,tellMollie,andwe’ll

sureit’sgrownitswingsagain.Goandsee,andifithas,tellMollie,andwe’llgoandgethelpfromtheoldwizard.”

“Oh,thankyou,Chinky,”saidPeter,andheranindoors.HewhisperedtoMollieallthatChinkyhadsaid.

“Ithinkthechairmusthavegrownitswings,”Molliesaid,“becausetherehavebeensuchqueersoundsgoingonintheboxroomthisafternoon—youknow,knockingsandbumping.Iexpectit’sthechairtryingtogetout.”

“I’llgoandsee,”saidPeter.Heranupthetopmostflightofstairsandopenedtheboxroomdoor.Thewishing-chairwasstandingbyit,readytoflyout—butPetercaughtholdofitjustasitwasslippingoutofthedoor.

“Nowjustwaitaminute,”hesaid.Butthechairwouldn’t!ItforceditswaypastPeterandthelittleboyjumpedintoit.“GotoChinky!”hecalled,hopingthatthechairwouldn’tmeetanyoneontheway.

Thechairflewdownthestairsandoutintothegarden.ItwenttowhereChinkywasstandingbythehawthornbush.ItwasflappingitsredwingsmadlyandChinkyjumpedintoitatonce.

“TotheWindyWizard’s!”heshouted.“Isay,Peter,isn’titinahurry!Itmusthavegottiredofbeingshutupintheboxroom!”

Molliewaslookingoutofthewindow.Shehadheardthechairflyingdownstairs.Shesawitupintheair,carryingPeterandChinky,andshewishedshewereinittoo!

“Someone’sgottostaywithThomas,though,”shethoughttoherself.“He’donlyrunhomeorgoandfindourmotherorsomething,ifwelefthimquitealone.Whatanuglyfacehehasnow!IdohopePeterandChinkyfindsomethingtoputitright!”

TheWindyWizard

THE wishing-chair rose high into the air, carrying Peter and Chinky. It hadstoppedrainingandwasahotsunnydayand thewind thechairmade rushingthrough the airwas very pleasant. PeterwishedMolliewaswith them. Itwasmuchmorefuntogoonadventuresalltogether.

Presentlythechaircameintoaverywindysky.Goodness,howthewindblew!Itblewthewhitecloudstorags.ItblewPeter’shairnearlyoffhishead!Itblewthechair’swingssothatitcouldhardlyflapthem.

“TheWindyWizardlivessomewhereabouthere,”saidChinky,lookingdown.“Look!Doyouseethathilloverthere,goldenwithbuttercups?There’sahousethere.It’stheWindyWizard’s,I’msure,becauseit’srockingaboutinalldirectionsasifthewindlivedinsideit!”

Downflewthewishing-chair.Itcametorestoutsidethecottage,whichwascertainlyrockingaboutinamostalarmingmanner.PeterandChinkyjumpedoffandrantothecottagedoor.Theyknocked.

“Comein!”criedavoice.Theyopenedthedoorandwentin.Oooh!Thewindrushedoutatthemandnearlyblewthemofftheirfeet!

“Good-day!”saidtheWindyWizard.Hewasamostpeculiar-lookingperson,forhehadlonghairandaverylongbeardandacloakthatswepttotheground,but,asthewindblewhishairandbeardandcloakupanddownandroundandaboutallthetime,itwasverydifficulttoseewhathewasreallylike!

“Good-day,”saidPeterandChinky,staringatthewizard.Hehadn’taverycomfortablehousetolivein,Peterthought,becausethereweredraughtseverywhere,roundhislegs,downhisneck,behindhisknees!Andallthecottagewasfullofawhispering,sighingsoundasifawindwastalkingtoitselfallthetime.

“Haveyoucometobuyalittlewind?”askedthewizard.“No,”saidChinky,“I’vecomeaboutaboywhomadefaceswhenthewind

changed—andhecan’tgetrightagain.Sowethoughtperhapsyoucouldhelpus.Iknowthatifwecouldgetalittleofthewindthatblewatthattime,andpuffitintohisface,he’llbeallright—buthowcanwegetthewind?”

“Whatafoolishboy!”saidtheWindyWizard,hiscloakblowingoutandhidinghimcompletely.“Whattimedidthishappen?”

“Athalf-pastthreethisafternoon,”saidPeter.“Iheardthenurseryclockstrike.”

“It’sdifficult,verydifficult,”saidthewizard,smoothingdownhiscloak.

“It’sdifficult,verydifficult,”saidthewizard,smoothingdownhiscloak.“Yousee,thewindblowsandisgoneinatrice!Nowletmethinkforamoment—whoislikelytohavekeptalittleofthatwind?”

“Whataboutthebirdsthatwereflyingintheairatthatmoment?”askedChinky.“Theymayhavesomeintheirfeathers,youknow.”

“Yes,sotheymay,”saidthewizard.Hetookafeatherfromajarthatwasfullofthem,andflungitoutofthedoor.

“Come,birds,andbring

Thebreezefromyourwing!”

hechanted.

PeterandChinkylookedoutofthedoor,hopingthatdozensofbirdswouldcome—butonlyoneappeared,andthatwasablackbird.

“Onlyonebirdwasflyingintheairwiththewindatthatmoment,”saidthewizard.“Come,blackbird,shakeyourfeathers.Iwantthewindfromthem!”

Theblackbirdshookhisglossyfeathersoutandthewizardheldagreenpaperbagunderthemtocatchthewindinthem.Thebagblewupalittle,likeaballoon.

“Notenoughwindheretochangeyourfriend’sfacebackagain!”saidthewizard,lookingatit.“Iwonderiftherewereanykitesusingthewindatthatmoment!

Hewenttoacupboardandtookthetailofakiteoutofit.Hethrewitupintotheairjustoutsidethedoor.

“Come,kites,andbring

Thebreezefromyourwing!”

hecalled.

PeterandChinkywatchedeagerly—andtotheirdelightsawtwokitessailingdownfromthesky.Onewasagreenoneandonewasared.Theyfellatthewizard’sfeet.

Heshookeachonetogetthewindintohisgreenbag.Itblewupjustalittlemore.

“Stillnotenough,”saidthewizard.“I’llgetthelittleshipsalong.Therewillsurelybeenoughthen!”

Herantothemantelpieceandtookatinysailordollfromit.Hethrewitupintotheairanditdisappeared.

“Come,ships,andbring

Thebreezefromyourwing!”

sangtheoldwizard,hishairandbeardstreamingoutlikesmoke.Then,sailingupatinklingstreamthatrandownthehillsidecamesixlittle

toysailingships,theirsailsfullofthewind.Theysailedrightuptothewizard’sfrontdoor,forthestreamsuddenlyseemedtorunthere—andquicklyandneatlytheoldwizardseizedeachship,shookitssailsintothegreenpaperbag,andthenpoppeditbackonthestream.AwaysailedtheshipsagainandPeterandChinkysawthemnomore.

Thepaperbagwasquitefatandfullnow.

Thepaperbagwasquitefatandfullnow.“That’saboutenough,Ithink,”saidthewizard.“NowI’llputthewindinto

apairofbellowsforyou!”Hetookasmallpairofbellowsfromhisfiresideandputthetipofthem

intothegreenpaperbag.Heopenedthebellowsandtheysuckedinalltheairfromthebag.ThewizardhandedthemtoPeterandChinky.

“Nowdon’tpuffwiththesebellowsuntilyoureachyourfriend,”hesaid.“Thenusethemhardandpuffalltheairintohisface!Itwillcomerightagaininatwink!”

“Thankyousomuchforyourhelp,”saidChinkygratefully.HeandPeterrantothewishing-chairagainandclimbedintoit,holdingthebellowscarefully.ThechairroseupintotheairasChinkycried,“Home,chair,home!”

Inafewminutesitwasflyinginattheboxroomwindow,forMolliehadrunupandopenedit,readyforthechairwhenitcamebackagain.PeterandChinkyshutthewindowafterthem,randowntothenurseryandburstinatthedoor.

Thomaswasstillthere,hisfacescrewedupandhischeeksblownout!“I’msogladyou’reback!”saidMollie.“It’shorridbeingherewith

Thomas.Hisfaceissonastytolookat,itmakesmefeelI’minadream!Haveyougotsomethingtomakeitright?”

“Yes,”saidChinky,showingherthebellows.“TheWindyWizardhasfilledthesebellowsfullofthewindthatblewwhenThomasmadethatface.Ifwepuffitathim,hisfacewillbeallrightagain!”

“Goonthen,puff!”saidMollie.SoChinkyliftedupthebellowsandpuffedthemrightintoThomas’sface—phoooooof!Thomasgaspedandspluttered.Heshuthiseyesandcoughed—andwhenheopenedthem,hisfacehadgonerightagain!Hisnoseandforeheadwerenolongerscrewedup,andhischeekswerequiteflat,notabitblownup!

“You’rerightagainnow,Thomas,”saidChinky.“Butletitbealessontoyounottobesillyanymore.”

“I’llneverpullfacesagain,”saidThomas,whohadreallyhadadreadfulfright.“Butwhoareyou?Areyouafairy?”

“NevermindwhoIam,anddon’tsayawordaboutmeorwhathashappenedthisafternoon!”saidChinky,andThomaspromised.Heranhomefeelingpuzzled,butveryhappytothinkthathehadgothisfaceitsrightshapeagain.

“Well,thatwasanexcitingsortofadventure,Mollie!”saidPeter,andhetoldherallaboutit.“TheWindyWizardwassonice.Isay—whataboutgivinghimbackhisbellows?”

“I’llmanagethat,”saidChinky,takingthem.“Imustgonoworsomeonewillcomeintothenurseryandseeme!Goodbyetillnexttime!”

Mr.Twisty

ONE day, when the two children and Chinky were in their playroom at thebottomofthegarden,readingquietly,aknocksoundedatthedoor.

Theylookedup.Asmallmanstoodthere,withhisstrawhatinhishandandaslylookonhisface.Hegrinnedatthem.

“Haveyouanythingoldtosell?”heasked.“Ibuyanyoldrubbish—anyoldclothes,furniture,carpets—anythingyoulike.I’llgiveyouagoodpriceforittoo.”

“No,thankyou,”saidMollie.“Wecouldn’tsellanythingunlessourmothersaidso.”

“Whataboutthatoldchairthere?”saidtheman,pointingtothewishing-chair.“Itcan’tbewantedoryouwouldn’thaveitinyourplayroom.Ilikethelookofthat.I’llgiveyouagoodpriceforthat.”

“Certainlynot!”saidPeter.“Pleasegoaway,orI’llcallthegardener.”Thelittlemanputonhisstrawhat,grinnedatthemall,andwent.Chinky

lookeduncomfortable.“Idon’tlikethelookofhim,”hesaidtothechildren.“Hemaymaketroubleforus.IthinkI’llhopoutintothegardentoday.Idon’tlikepeopleseeingmehere.”

Sohehoppedoutandwenttoplaywiththefairyfolkthere—andagoodthinghedidtoo—forinabouttenminutesMothercamedownthegardenfollowedbythelittlemaninthestrawhat.

“Areyouthere,PeterandMollie?”shesaid.“Oh,thisman,Mr.Twisty,sayshewillbuyanythingold—andhesawanoldchairherehewouldliketobuy.Icouldn’trememberit—whichisit?”

PoorMollieandPeter!Theyhadkepttheirwishing-chairsuchasecret—andnowthesecretwasout!Theyreallydidn’tknowwhattosay.

Mothersawthechairandlookedpuzzled.“Idon’trememberthatchairatall,”shesaid.

“I’llgiveyoutwopoundsforit,”saidMr.Twisty.“Tisn’tworthit—butI’lltakeitforthat.”

“Thatseemsalotofmoneyforaplayroomchair,”saidMother.“Well,fetchittonight,andyoucanhaveit.”

“Oh,Mother,Mother!”shriekedthetwochildren,indespair.“youdon’tunderstand.It’sourown,veryownchair.Weloveit.It’saveryprecioussortofchair.”

“Whateverdoyoumean?”saidMother,insurprise.“Itdoesn’tlookatallprecioustome.”

Well,MollieandPeterknewquitewellthattheycouldn’tsayitwasawishing-chairandgrewwings.

Itwouldbetakenawayfromthematonce,then,andputintoamuseumorsomething.Whateverweretheytodo?

“Twopoundsforthatdirtyoldchair,”saidMr.Twisty,lookingslylyatMother.

“Verywell,”saidMother.“I’llsendforittonight,”saidMr.Twisty,andhebowedandwentoffupthe

“I’llsendforittonight,”saidMr.Twisty,andhebowedandwentoffupthegardenpath.

“Don’tlooksoupset,silly-billies!”saidMother.“I’llbuyyouanicecomfywicker-chairinstead.”

MollieandPetersaidnothing.MollieburstintotearsassoonasMotherhadgone.“It’stoobad!”shesobbed.“It’sourownwishing-chair—andthathorribleMr.Twistyisbuyingitfortwopounds.”

Chinkycamein,andtheytoldhimwhathadhappened.Hegrinnedatthem,andputhisarmroundMollie.“Don’tcry,”hesaid.“I’vegotagoodplan.”

“What?”askedMollie.“IcangetMr.Knobbles,thepixiecarpenterwholivesoutinthefieldover

there,tomakemeachairalmostexactlylikethewishing-chair!”saidChinky.“We’llletMr.Twistyhavethatone—notours!Hewon’tknowthedifference.Hedoesn’tknowoursisawishing-chair—hejustthinksit’sanoldandvaluablechair.Well,hecanbuyonejustlikeit—withoutthemagicinit!”

“Ooh!”saidMollieandPeter,pleased.“Canyoureallygetonemadeintime?”

“Ithinkso,”saidChinky.“Comealongwithmeandsee.”Sotheysqueezedunderthehedgeatthebottomofthegardenandcrossed

thefieldbeyondtowhereabigoaktreestood.Chinkypulledarootaside,thatstuckoutabovetheground—andunderitwasatrap-door!

“Yousimplyneverknowwherethelittlefolklive!”saidMollieexcitedly.Chinkyrappedonthedoor.Itflewupandabald-headedpixiewithenormousearspoppedhisheadout.Chinkyexplainedwhathewantedandthepixieinvitedthemintohisworkshopunderground.Itwasadearlittleplace,scatteredwithsmalltables,chairs,andstoolsthatthecarpenterhadbeenmaking.

“Doyouthinkyoucouldmakeusthechairintime?”askedMollieeagerly.

“Well,ifIcouldgetaquick-spell,Icould,”saidthepixie.“Aquick-spellmakesyouworkthreetimesasfastasusual,youknow.Buttheyaresoexpensive.”

“Oh,”saidMollieandPeter,indismay.“Well,we’vehardlyanymoney.”“Wait!”saidChinky,grinningattheminhiswickedway.“Rememberthat

Mr.Twistyispayingtwopoundsforthechair!Canyoumakethechairandbuythequick-spellfortwopounds,Mr.Knobbles?”

Mr.Knobblesworkedoutasumonabitofpaperandsaidhejustcould.Hecamebacktotheplayroomwiththechildrenandsawtheirownchair.Henoddedhisheadandsaidhecouldeasilymakeonejustthesame.Thechildrenweresopleased.TheyhuggedChinkyandsaidhewasthecleverestpersontheyhadeverknown.Healwaysknewjusthowtogetthemoutofanydifficulty.

“Now,we’dbetterhideourownchair,”saidChinky.“Whereshallweputit?”

“Inthegardener’sshed!”saidMollie.“Gardenerwillbegoneatfive.We’ll

“Inthegardener’sshed!”saidMollie.“Gardenerwillbegoneatfive.We’llputitthere,then.”

Sotheydid,andcovereditupwithsacks.Justastheycamebackfromtheshed,theymetMr.Knobblescarryingonhisbackanewchair,justexactlyliketheiroldone!Itwassimplymarvellous!

“Thequick-spellworkedquickly!”hesaid.“Here’sthechair.Youcanbringmethemoneyanytime.”

Thechildrenthankedhimandputthechairintheirplayroom.ThentheywaitedforMr.Twisty.

Heturnedupforitathalf-pastsix,hisstrawhatinhishand,andtheusualwidesmileonhisslyface.“Ah,there’sthechair!”hesaid.“Here’sthemoney!Thankyouverymuch!”

Hetookthechaironhisback,paidoverthemoneyandwent,whistlingatune.

“Well,he’sgotamarvellouspixie-chairforhismoney,”saidChinky,“buthehasn’tgotawishing-chair!Hecansellthatchairfortwentypounds,Ishouldthink—forMr.Knobbleshasmadeitbeautifully—hasn’tusedasinglenail—stuckeverythingwithmagicglue!”

“Andwe’vegotourowndearchairstill!”criedthetwochildren,andsatdowninitforjoy.

JustthenMotherpoppedherheadin—andsawthechair!Chinkyonlyjusthadtimetohidehimselfbehindthesofa!

“Why!”shesaid,“thechairisn’tsoldafterall!I’mquiteglad,becauseitreallyisaprettychair.Ican’timaginehowIcametoletyouhaveitinyourplayroom.IthinkIwillhaveitinthehouse.Bringitupwithyoutonight,Peter.”

Motherwentawayagain.Chinkypoppedoutfromhishiding-placeandlookedattheothersindismay.

“Isay!”hesaid.“That’sbadnews.You’llhavetodoasyou’retold,Peter.Takethechairuptothehousewithyouwhenyougotonight—andwe’lltryandthinkofsomewayoutofthisnewfix.Ohdear!Whycan’twehaveourownchair!”

SoPetertookituptothehousewithhim—andMotherputitintothestudy.Supposeitgrewwingsthere!Whateverwouldhappen?

TwoBadChildren

MOLLIEandPeterwereveryupset.Motherhadgot theirwishing-chair in thestudy—andif itgrewitswings there thegrown-upsmightsee them—andthentheirsecret, theirgreatsecret,wouldbeknown.Whatevercouldbedoneaboutit?

Chinkyhadnoideasatall.Hesimplydidn’tknowhowtogetthechairbackintotheplayroom.Iftheyjusttookitback,Motherwouldnoticeandwouldhaveitbroughttothehouseagain.

PeterandMolliethoughtveryhardhowtogetthechairfortheirownagain—andatlastMolliehadanidea.SheandPeterrandowntotheplayroomtotellChinky.

“Thisismyidea,”saidMollie.“It’saverynaughtyoneandweshallgetintotrouble—butIdon’tseehowwecanhelpit.Afterall,itisourchair!”

“Goon,tellusyourplan,”saidPeter.“It’sthis,”saidMollie.“Let’sspillthingsoverthechair—andteartheseat

orsomething—andscratchthelegs!Then,whenMotherseeshowdirtyandscratchedandtornitis,shewon’tthinkitisgoodenoughforthestudy—andperhapswecanhaveitbackagain!”

“Isay!That’sareallygoodidea!”saidPeterandChinkytogether.“Butweshallgetintotrouble!”saidPeter.“YouknowhowMotherhates

ustomessthings—that’swhywehavethisplayroomatthebottomofthegarden—sothatwecandoaswelikeandnotspoilthingsinthedining-roomordrawing-roomorstudyupatthehouse.”

“Well,evenifwedogetintotroubleitwillbeworthitifwecangetbackourchair,”saidMollie.“Idon’tmindbeingpunishedifwecanonlygoforsomemoreadventures.”

“Allright,”saidPeter.“Idon’teither.Whatshallwedofirst?”“We’llspillsomeinkacrosstheseat,”saidMollie.“Comeon,then,”saidPeter.SotheyshoutedgoodbyetoChinky,who

wishedthemgoodluck,andranuptothehouse.Theywentintothestudy.Thewishing-chairstoodthere,lookingverygoodandproper.Motherhadputafinenewcushionintoit.Mollietookitout.Shedidn’twanttospoilanythingthatbelongedtoMother.

Petergottheink-bottle,andthetwochildrenemptiedinkacrosstheseatofthechair.ThentheywenttotellMother.

Shewascross!”Howvery,verycarelessofyou!”shescolded.“Youshallnotgoouttoteatoday,PeterandMollie.Iamverymuchannoyedwithyou.It’sagoodthingtheinkdidn’tgetontomynewcushion.”

MollieandPetersaidnothing.Theydidnotgoouttoteathatday,andtheyweresadaboutit—buttheykeptthinkingthatperhapstheymightgettheirwishing-chairback—sotheydidnotgettoounhappy.

ThenextdayPetersatinthewishing-chairandkickedhisbootsagainstthelegsashardashecould,sothattheywerescratchedanddented.Motherheardhimkickingandputherheadintothestudytoseewhatwasgoingonthere.

“Peter!”shecried,“whyaren’tyououtinthegardenonthisfineday—anddostopkickingyourfeetagainstthatchair!Oh,youbadboy,seewhatyouhavedone!”

Sheranovertothechairandlookedatthelegs.Theywerescratched!“Thisisverynaughty,Peter,”saidMother.“YesterdayyouandMolliespilt

inkonthischair—andnowyouhavekickeditlikethis.Youwillgotobedfor

inkonthischair—andnowyouhavekickeditlikethis.Youwillgotobedfortherestoftheday!”

PoorPeter!Hewentveryred,buthemarchedupstairswithoutaword.Itwashorridtohavetobesocarelesswithachair,especiallyonehelovedsomuch—butstill,somehoworotherhehad,togetitbacktotheplayroom!SupposeitgrewitswingswhenMotherwassittinginitandflewawaywithher.Whateverwouldshedo?Shewouldbesofrightened!

MolliewassorrythatPeterhadbeensenttobed.Shecreptintohisroomandgavehimapieceofchocolatetoeat.

“I’mgoingtoslittheseatnow,”shewhispered.“IexpectI’llbesenttobedtoo—butsurelyafterchairisn’tgoodenoughforthestudyandwe’llhaveitbackagain!”

SoMolliewentdownstairs,andtookherwork-basketintothestudy.Shegotoutherscissorsandbegantocutoutsomedolls’clothes—andthen,ohdear,sheranherscissorsintotheseatofthechairandmadeabigcutthere!

Mothercameinafterawhile—andshesawtheslitatonce.Shestaredinhorror.

“Mollie!Didyoudothat?”

“I’mafraidIdid,Mother,”saidMollie.“ThenyouareasbadasPeter,”saidMothercrossly.“Gotobedtoo.This

chairissimplydreadfulnow—inky,torn,andscratched!Itwillhavetogobacktotheplayroom.Ican’thaveitinthestudy.Youaretwobadchildren,andIamashamedofyouboth.”

ItwasdreadfultohaveMothersocross.Molliecriedwhenshegotintobed—butshewascomfortedwhenshethoughtthatthewishing-chairwasreallygoingbacktotheplayroom.SheandPeterhadtostayinbedallday,andtheywereverytiredofit.Butwhenthenextdaycame,theycarriedthechairbacktotheirplayroomandcalledChinky.

“We’vegotthechair,Chinky!”theycried.“Hurrah!Butwedidgetintotrouble.Webothwenttobedfortheday,andMotherwasdreadfullycross.Weshallhavetobeextranicetohernowtomakeup—becausewedidn’treallymeantovexher.Onlywehadtogetthechairbacksomehow!”

“Goodforyou!”saidChinky,pleased.Helookedatthechairandgrinned.“Myword!”hesaid.“Youdiddosomedamagetoit,didn’tyou!Whata

messit’sin!Mollie,you’dbettergetyourneedleandcottonandmendtheseat—andPeterandIhadbetterpolishupthelegsabitandtryandhidethescratches!”

SothatmorningthechildrenandChinkyworkedhardatthechairandbydinner-timeitreallylookedverymuchbetter.Mollieputbackintoitthecushiontheyalwayshadthere,andthenclappedherhandsforjoy.

theyalwayshadthere,andthenclappedherhandsforjoy.“Dearoldwishing-chair!”shesaid.“It’snicetohaveyouagain!Mr.Twisty

nearlygotyou—andMothernearlyhadyoutoo—butnowwe’vegotyoubackagainatlast!”

“AndI’mlongingforanotheradventure!”saidPeter.“Iwishitwouldgrowitswingsagain!”

“Itsoonwill!”saidChinky.“Iexpectitwantsanotheradventureasmuchaswedo!”

TheHorridQuarrel

ONEmorningMollie, Peter, andChinkywere playing in the playroom at thebottomof thegarden.Ithadbeenrainingallmorning,whichwashorrid in thesummer-time.Thechildrenandthepixiewereverytiredofstayingindoors.

Theyhadplayedludoandsnapanddraughtsandsnakesandladdersanddominoes.Nowtheredidn’tseemanyothergametoplay,andtheyweregettingcrossandbored.

“Cheerup,Peter!”saidMollie,lookingatPeter’scrossface.“Youlooklikeamonkeythat’slostitstail.”

“Andyoulooklikeagiraffewithasorethroat,”saidPeterrudely.“Don’tbehorrid!”saidMollie.“Well,don’tyou,then,”saidPeter.“I’mnot,”saidMollie.“Youare,”saidPeter.“Nowbequiet,youtwo,”saidChinky.“Idon’tliketohearyouquarrelling.

Youonlygetsilly.”“Don’tinterfere,”saidPetercrossly.“Youtalktoomuch,Chinky.”“Yes,rememberwe’vebeengiventwoearsbutonlyonemouth—soyou

shouldtalkonlyhalfasmuchasyouhear,”saidMollie.“Sametoyou,”saidChinky.“Allgirlstalktoomuch.”“Theydon’t!”saidMollie.“Howhorridofyoutosaythat,Chinky.”“You’rehorridthismorning,too,”saidChinky.“You’rebothhorrid.”“Well,ifyouthinkthat,justgoawayandplaysomewhereelse,”said

Mollieatonce.“Wedon’twantyou!”“Allrightthen,Iwill!”saidChinky,offended—andtothechildren’s

dismayhegotupandwalkedoutoftheplayroom!“There!Nowseewhatyou’vedone!”saidPeter,gettingup.“SentChinky

away!Supposehedoesn’tcomeback!”Herantothedoorandcalled.“Chinky!Hie,Chinky!Comebacka

minute!”Buttherewasnoanswer.Chinkyhadgone.Therewasnosignofhim

anywhere.“Idothinkyouarehorridandsilly,”saidPetertoMollie.“Fancysending

Chinkyawaylikethat!”“Ididn’tmeanto,”saidMollie,almostintears.“Hewasbeinghorrid,soI

wastoo.Wewereallbeinghorrid.”

wastoo.Wewereallbeinghorrid.”“Iwasn’t,”saidPeter.“Yes,youwere,”saidMollie.“No,Iwasn’t,”said

Peter.“Yes,youwere,”saidMollie.“Ishallsmackyouinaminute.”“Now,now!”saidavoice,andMotherlookedinatthedoor.“Youaresilly

toquarrellikethat!UncleJackishereandwantstoknowifyouwouldliketogowithhimtothefarm.Theyhavesomepuppiesthere,andhewantstochooseoneforhimself.Wouldyouliketogoandhelphim?”

“Ohyes!”criedPeterandMollie.“We’llputonourmacsandrubberbootsandgowithhim!”

Soofftheyran,forgettingallabouttheirquarrel—andallaboutChinkytoo!TheywenttothefarmwithUncleJackandchosealovelyblackpuppywithhim.

Thenbackhometheywent,chatteringandlaughing,forgettingallabouthowhorridtheyhadbeen,andenjoyingtheirlovelywalk.

Itwasdinner-timewhentheygothome.Theyhaddinnerandrandowntotheplayroomafterwards,meaningtoaskChinkytoplaywiththeminthefieldoutsidethegarden.

ButChinkywasn’tintheplayroom.PeterandMollielookedatoneanotherandwentred.

“Doyousupposehehasreallygone?”saidMollie,feelingupset.“Idon’tknow,”saidPeter.“I’llwhistleforhimoutsideandseeifhecomes

trottingoutofthebushes!”

trottingoutofthebushes!”SoPeterwenttothedoorandwhistledthelittlepixietunethatChinkyhad

taughthim.ButnoChinkycametrottingup.Itwasreallyhorrid.“Supposehenever,nevercomesagain!”saidMollie,crying.“Oh,Ido,do

wishI’dneversaidthattohim—tellinghimtogoaway.Ididn’treallymeanit.”“Ishan’tlikegoingadventuresinthewishing-chairunlessChinkyiswith

us,”saidPeter.“Itisn’tanyfunwithouthim.”“Peter,doyousupposehewillnevercomeandseeusagain?”askedMollie.“Ishouldn’tbesurprised,”saidPeter.“Pixiesarefunny,youknow—not

quitelikeordinarypeople.”Thetwochildrenwouldhavebeenveryunhappyindeedifsomething

hadn’tsuddenlyhappenedtotaketheirmindsawayfromtheirdisappointment.Thewishing-chairsuddenlygrewitswingsagain!

“Look!”saidMollieexcitedly.“Thechairisreadytoflyoffagain.Shallwego,Peter?”

“Idon’tfeelasifIwantto,nowChinky’snothere.”saidPetergloomily.“But,Peter,I’vesuchagoodidea!”saidMollie,runningtohim.“Listen!

Let’sgetinthewishing-chairandtellittogotoChinky’shome,whereveritis.Iexpecthe’sgonebackthere,don’tyou?Thenwecansaywe’resorryandaskhimtocomebackagain.”

“That’safineidea,”saidPeter,atonce.“Comeon,Mollie.Getin!We’llgoatonce.”

Sothetwochildrensqueezedintothewishing-chair.Ithadgrownitsfourredwingsrounditslegsandwaslazilyflappingthemtoandfro,longingtobeoffintotheaironcemore.

“GotoChinky’shome,”commandedPeter.Thechairroseupintotheair,flewoutofthedoorandrosehighabovethetrees.Itwasfuntoflyagain.Thetwochildrenlookeddownonthegardensandfields,andwishedChinkywerewiththem,sittinginhisusualplaceonthetopofthechair!

“IwonderwhereChinky’shomeis,”saidPeter.“Hehasnevertoldus.”“Weshallsoonsee,”saidMollie.Thechairflewonandon,justbelowtheclouds.Soonitcametothetowers

andspiresofFairyland.Thenitsuddenlyflewdownwardstoalittlevillageofquaintcrookedhouses,allofthemsmall,andallofthemwithbrightflowerygardens.Thechairflewdownintooneofthegardensandrestedthere.Thechildrenjumpedoffatonce.

Theywenttothelittlereddoorofthehouseandknocked.“Won’tChinkybesurprisedtoseeus!”saidMollie.Thedooropened.Anoldpixiewoman,withaverysweetfaceandbright

eyes,lookedoutatthem.“Oh!”saidMollie,indisappointment.“WethoughtthiswasChinky’s

home.”“Soitiswhenheisathome!”saidthepixiewoman.“I’mhismother.

Comein,please.”Theywentintoaneatandspotlesslittlekitchen.Chinky’smothersetginger

bunsandlemonadeinfrontofthem.“Thankyou,”saidPeter.“DoyouknowwhereChinkyis?”“Hecameandaskedmetomakeuphisbedfortonight,”saidthepixie

woman.“Hesaidhehadquarrelledwithyou,andwantedtocomeandliveathomeagain.”

Thechildrenwentred.“Ididn’tmeanwhatIsaid,”saidMollie,inalittlevoice.

“IexpectChinkywastoblametoo,”saidhismother.“Hewentouttobuyhimselfanewhandkerchief—andthoughI’vebeenwaitingandwaitingforhimhehasn’tcomeback—soIwonderedifhehadgonebacktoyouagain.”

“No,hedidn’tcomeback,”saidPeter.“Iwonderwhat’shappenedtohim.We’llstayalittlewhile,ifyoudon’tmind,andseeifhecomesback.”

Chinkydidn’tcomeback—butinashortwhilearound,fatpixiecamerunningupthepathandintothekitchen,puffingandpanting.

runningupthepathandintothekitchen,puffingandpanting.“Oh,Mrs.Twinkle!”hecried,whenhesawChinky’smother.“Adreadful

thinghashappenedtoChinky!”

“What!”criedeveryoneinalarm.“Hehadboughthimselfanicenewredhandkerchiefandwaswalking

downthelanehomeagainwhenabigyellowbirdswoopeddownfromtheair,caughtholdofChinkybythebelt,andflewoffwithhim!”criedthepixie.

“Ohmy,ohmy!”weptMrs.Twinkle.“Iknowthatbird.ItbelongstotheenchanterClip-clap.Healwayssendsthatbirdofhisoutwhenhewantstocapturesomeonetohelphim.PoorChinky!”

“Don’tcry!”saidPeter,puttinghisarmsroundtheoldwoman.“We’llgoandlookforChinky.Themagicchairwehavewilltakeus.Wewilltrytobringhimbacksafely.It’saverygoodthingwecametolookforhim!Comeon,Mollie—getintothewishing-chairandwe’lltellittogotowhereverChinkyis!”

Intheybothgot.PetertoldthechairtogotoChinky,anditroseintotheair.“Anotheradventure!”saidMollie.“Idohopeitturnsoutallright!”

TheEnchanterClip-Clap

THEwishing-chairrosehighupandflewsteadilytowardsthewest.Ithadalongwaytogosoitflewfasterthanusual,andallitsfourwingsflappedswiftly.

“Iwonderwheretheenchanterlives,”saidMollie.“Ihopehewon’tcaptureustoo!”

“Well,allthiswouldneverhavehappenedifwehadn’tquarrelledwithChinky,”saidPeter.“Hewouldn’thavegonebackhomethen—andwouldn’thavegoneouttobuyanewhandkerchief—andwouldn’thavebeencapturedbytheyellowbirdthatswoopeddownonhimandtookhimaway!”

“Ishallneverquarrelagain,”saidMollie.Itmadeherverysadwhensherememberedtheunkindthingsshehadsaidthatmorning.

Thechairflewoverawood.Mollieleanedoverthearmofthechairandlookeddown.

“Look,Peter,”shesaid.“Whatisthatfunnythingstickingoutofthewood?”

Peterlooked.“It’savery,veryhighstonetower,”hesaid.“Isn’titstrange?It’sjustatowerbyitself.Itdoesn’tseemtobepartofacastleoranything.Isay!Thechairisflyingdowntoit!Doyousupposethatiswheretheenchanterlives?”

“Itmustbe,”saidMollie.Thechildrenlookedeagerlydownwardstoseewhatsortoftowerthiswas.Itcertainlywasveryqueer!Ithadapointedroofbutnochimneysatall.Thechaircircledallrounditasitflewdownwards,tryingtofindawindow.Buttherewasnotasinglewindowtobeseen!

“Thisreallyisaverymagicsortoftower!”saidMollie.“Notawindowanywhere!Well,theremustbeadooratthebottomtogetinby.”

Thechairflewtothegroundandstayedthere.Thechildrenjumpedoff.Theywenttothetowerandlookedforadoor.Therewasnotonetobeseen!

Thetowerwasquiteround,andverytallindeed,higherthanthehighesttree—butithadnodoorsandnowindows,soitseemedquiteimpossibletogetintoit.MollieandPeterwalkedroundandrounditagreatmanytimes,butnomatterhowtheylooked,theycouldseenowaytogetin.

“DoyousupposeChinkyisinthere,”saidMollieatlast.“Suretobe,”saidPetergloomily.“Wetoldthechairtotakeustowhere

Chinkywas,youknow.”“Well,whatarewegoingtodo?”askedMollie.“ShallwecallforChinky

loudly?”

loudly?”“No,”saidPeteratonce.“Ifyoudothattheenchanterwillknowweare

hereandmaycaptureustoo.Don’tdoanythinglikethat,Mollie.”“Well,howelsearewetotellChinkywearehere?”saidMollie.“Wemust

dosomething,Peter.It’snogoodstandingherelookingfordoorsandwindowsthataren’tthere.”

“Sh!”saidPetersuddenly,andhepulledMolliebehindatree.Hehadheardanoise.

Molliecaughtholdofthewishing-chairandpulledthatbehindthetreetoo—andonlyjustintime!

Therecamealoudnoise,liketheclip-clappingofthunder.Agreatdoorappearedintheroundtower,halfashighasthetoweritself.Itopened—andoutcametheenchanterClip-clap!Hewasverytallandthin,andhehadalongbeardthatreachedtheground.Heworeitinaplaitanditlookedveryqueer.

“Seeyoufinishthatspellproperly!”hecalledtosomeoneinthetower.Thentherecameanotherlouddappingnoise,justlikearollandcrashofthunder,andthedoorinthetowerclosed—andvanished!Theenchanterstrodeawaythroughthewood,hisheadalmostashighasthetrees!

“Goodness!”saidMollie.“Weonlyjustgotbehindthistreeintime.It’simpossibletogetintothattower,Peter.Weshouldneverknowhowtomakethatdoorappear.”

“Whatarewetodo!”sighedPeter.“IhatetothinkofpooroldChinkyaprisonerinthere—andallbecausewequarrelledwithhim,too.”

“Let’shidethechairunderabushandseeifwecanfindanyonelivingnearhere,”saidMollie.“Wemightfindsomeonewhocouldhelpus.”

Sotheycarefullyhidthechairunderabramble-bush,andpiledbrackenoverittoo.Thentheyfoundalittlepathandwentdownit,wonderingwhereitledto.

Itledtoasmallandprettycottage.Thenamewasonthegate...DimpleCottage.Mollielikedthesoundofit.Shethoughttheywouldbequitesafeingoingthere.

Theyknocked.Totheirenormoussurprisethedoorwasopenedbyabrownmouse!Sheworeacheckapronandcap,andlargeslippersonherfeet.Thechildrenstared.Theycouldnevergetusedtothissortofthing,althoughtheyhadseenmanystrangesightsbynow.

“Goodafternoon,”saidthemouse.“Goodafternoon,”saidPeter,andthendidn’tknowwhatelsetosay.“Doyouwanttoseemymistress?”askedthemouse.

“Well,yes,perhapsitwouldbeagoodidea,”saidPeter.Sothemouseaskedtheminandshowedthemintoatinydrawing-room.

“Whatarewegoingtosay?”whisperedPeter—butbeforeMolliehadtimetoanswer,someonecameintotheroom.

Itwasasmallelf,withneatsilverywings,silverygoldenhair,andabigdimpleinhercheekwhenshesmiled.MollieandPeterlikedheratonce.

“Goodafternoon,”shesaid.“WhatcanIdoforyou?”Bothtalkingatonce,thetwochildrentoldhertheirtroubles—howtheyhad

quarrelledwithChinky—andhehadgonehome—andbeencaughtbytheyellowbirdbelongingtotheenchanterClip-clap—andhowtheirwishing-chairhadbroughtthemtothestrangetower.

“Butwedon’tknowhowtogetintoitandweareafraidofbeingcaughtbyClip-claptoo,”saidPeter.“Idon’tknowifyoucanhelpus?”

“Idon’tthinkIcan,”saidtheelf,whosenamewasDimple.“Nooneknowsaspellpowerfulenoughtogetintotheenchanter’stower.I’velivedhereforthreehundredyearsandnoonehasevergotintothattowerexcepttheenchanterandhisservantsandfriends.Iwouldn’ttryifIwereyou.”

“Wemust,”saidMollie.“Yousee,Chinkyisourownfriend—andwemusthelphimifwecan.”

“Yes—wehavetohelpourfriends,”saidtheelf.“Waitaminute—Iwonderifmymouseknowsanythingthatmighthelpus.Harriet!Harriet!”

Thelittleservantmousecamerunningin.“Yes,Madam,”shesaid.“Harriet,thesechildrenwanttogetintotheenchanter’stower,”said

Dimple.“Doyouknowofanywayin?”“Wellyes,Madam,Ido,”saidHarriet.“Oh,doyou!”criedMollie,indelight.“Do,dotellus,Harriet!”“Myauntielivesdowninthecellarsofthetower,”saidthelittlemouse.

“Sometimes,onmyafternoonoff,Igotoseeher.”

“Sometimes,onmyafternoonoff,Igotoseeher.”“Andhowdoyougetintothetower?”askedDimple.“Downthemouse-hole,ofcourse,”saidHarriet.“There’soneonthefar

sideofthetower.Ialwaysscamperdownthere.”“Oh,”saidthechildren,indisappointment,lookingatthesmallmouse.“We

couldn’tgetdownamouse-hole.Wearetoobig.Youareabigmouse,butevenso,themouse-holewouldnottakeus!”

Molliewassodisappointedthatshecriedintoherhandkerchief.Dimplepattedherontheback.

“Don’tdothat,”shesaid.“Icangiveyouaspelltomakeyousmall.Thenyoucanslipdownthemouse-holewithHarriet,andseeifyoucanfindChinky.”

“Ohthankyou,thankyou!”criedthechildren,indelight.“Thatiskindofyou!”

Dimplewenttoashelfandtookdownabox.Outofitsheshooktwopills.Theywerequeerbecausetheyweregreenonesideandredtheother!

“Hereyouare,”shesaid.“Eattheseandyouwillbesmallenoughtogodownthehole.Theytastehorrid,butnevermind.”

downthehole.Theytastehorrid,butnevermind.”Thechildreneachchewedupapill.Theycertainlyhadafunnytaste—but

theywereverymagicindeed,andnosoonerweretheyeatenthanMollieandPeterfeltasthoughtheyweregoingdowninalift—fortheysuddenlygrewverytinyindeed!TheylookedupatDimple,andsheseemedenormoustothem!

“Harriet,takeoffyourapronandcapandtakethesechildrentoyourauntie,”saidDimple.SoHarrietcarefullyfoldeduphercapandapronandthenwentoutwiththechildren.Shetookthemtothetowerandshowedthemasmallholeunderthewall.

“Downhere!”shesaid—anddowntheyallwent!

TheStrangeTower

THEholewasdarkandsmeltabitfunny.MollieclungtightlytoPeter’shand.Itwasstrangebeingsosmall.Harrietthemousewentoninfront,andtheycouldseeherlittlegleamingeyesassheturnedroundnowandagain.OncePetertrodonhertailandshegaveanangrysqueal.

“Sosorry,”saidPeter.“Ikeepforgettingyouhavesuchalongtail,Harriet.”

Atlasttheycametoaplacewherethetunnelwidenedoutintoaroom.Itwasverywarmthere.AlargemousepouncedonHarrietandgaveherahug.

“Oh,Auntie,you’reathome!”saidHarriet.“See,I’vebroughtyoutwochildren.Theywantedtogetintothetower,soIthoughttheymightaswelluseourmouse-tunnel.It’stheonlywayin.”

“Goodafternoon,”saidHarriet’saunt.Sheseemedjustanordinarymouseexceptthatsheworelargespectacles.Herhomewaschieflymadeofpaper,itseemed.Therewerehundredsoflittlebitsofit,neatlymadeintobedsandtables.

“Whatarethechildrengoingtodo?”saidHarriet’saunt.“Wewouldliketoknowhowtogetintothecellars,”saidPeter.“Yousee,

ifyoushowusthewaytherewecangetintothetoweraboveandperhapsfindthefriendwearelookingfor.”

“Well,comethiswaythen,”saidtheaunt.“Butlookoutforthecat,won’tyou?Shesometimeswaitsaboutinthecellarandyoudon’twanthertocatchyou.”

Shetookthemdownanothernarrowpassage,andthenthechildrenfoundthemselveswalkingoutofaholeintoadark,dampcellar.

“Goodbye,”saidthemouse.“I’llputalittlecandlejustinsidethishole,sothatyouwillknowthewayback,children.Ihopeyoufindyourfriend.”

MollietookPeter’shand.Thecellarwasverydark,Achinkoflightcamefromsomewheretotheright.

“Thecellarstepsmustgouptowardsthatchinkoflight,”saidPeter.“Comeon.Walkcarefullyincasewebumpintoanything.Andlookoutforthecat!Weareverysmall,youknow.”

Theyfoundthesteps.Theyseemedvery,verybigtothechildren,nowthattheyweresotiny,andPeterhadtohelpMollieupeachone.Atlasttheygottothetop.Theylookedunderthedoorthatstoodatthetopofthesteps.Beyondwasakitchen.

“Doyousupposetheenchanterisbackyet?”whisperedMollie.

“Doyousupposetheenchanterisbackyet?”whisperedMollie.“No,”saidPeter.“Weshouldhaveheardthatclip-clappingnoiseifhehad

comeback.Ithinkwearesafeatthemoment.Butwemusthideatonceifwehearhimcoming.Andlookoutforthecat,Mollie.”

“Canwesqueezeunderthedoor,doyouthink?”askedMollie.Buttheycouldn’t.Thecrackwasnotbigenough.However,thedoorwasnotquiteclosed,andbypushingwithalltheirmightthetwochildrenmanagedtogetitjustenoughopentosqueezethrough.

Theylookedround.Theywereinaverybigkitchen—oritseemedbigtothem,becausetheyweresotiny.TheycouldnotseeChinkyanywhere.

“Comeon,”saidPeter,givingMolliehishand.“We’llgointothenextroom.”

“Meow!”suddenlycameavoice,andalargetabbycatwithgreeneyescameoutfrombehindachair.Molliefeltquiteshakyattheknees.Sheknewwhatamousemustfeellikewhenitsawacat!Whatagiantofananimalitseemed!

“Don’tshowityouarefrightened,”saidPeter.“Ithassmeltus,andwedon’tsmelllikemice.Stayhereamoment,Mollie,andI’llgoovertoitandstrokewhatIcanreachofit.”

“Oh,Peter,youarebrave!”saidMollie.Peterwalkedboldlyovertothecatandstrokedherlegs.Sheseemedverypleasedandpurredloudly.PeterbeckonedtoMollie.Sheranoverandstrokedthecattoo.Itwasafriendlycreature.

Itwentintothenextroom,purringtoMollieandPeter,whofollowedher.Thisroomwasverysmallandwaslightedbyacandle.Nodaylightcameinto

Thisroomwasverysmallandwaslightedbyacandle.Nodaylightcameintothetower,fortherewerenowindows.

Noonewasinthislittleroomeither.Adishstoodonthefloorwithsomemilkinit,andalargeroundbasketwithafatcushioninitstoodnearby.

“Thismustbethecat’sroom,”saidMollie.“Thereisnofurnitureinit.IdowonderwhereChinkyis.”

Thereweresomestairsgoingupwardsfromthecat’slittleroom.Thechildrenclimbedthemwithgreatdifficultyfortheywereverysmall,andthestairsseemedverybig.

Beforetheygottothetoptheyheardthesoundofcrying.ItwasChinky!Hemustindeedbeveryunhappyifhewerecrying!Hehardlyevercried.

HowMollieandPetertriedtoclimbthosestairsquickly!Atlasttheyreachedthetopandfoundthemselvesbeforeabigopendoor.Theyranin.Chinkywaslyingonasmallbed,cryingasifhisheartwouldbreak!

“Chinky!Chinky!Don’tcry!Weareheretorescueyou!”shoutedPeter,hopingthatChinkywouldhearhisvoice,foritwasaverysmallonenow.

Chinkydidhearit.Hesatupatonce,withthetearsstillrunningdownhischeeks.HesawMollieandPeterandstaredattheminthegreatestsurprise.Hecouldn’tsayaword.

“Chinky!”criedMollie,runningovertohim.“We’vecometosaveyou.Cheerup!Wegotinthroughamouse-holeafteranelfhadmadeussmall.Howcanwesaveyou?”

“Oh,youaregood,goodfriendstocomeandlookforme,”saidChinky,dryinghiseyes.“Ihatebeinghere.Ihatethisenchanter.Hewantsmetodobadspells,andIwon’t.IwasafraidIwouldbehereforhundredsofyearsandneverseeyouagain.”

“Tellushowwecangetaway”,”saidPeter.“Well,theonlywayinseemstobethemouse-holeyoucameby,”said

Chinky.“SoIsupposetheonlywayoutisthemouse-holetoo.ButI’mtoobigtogothatway.”

“Well,I’llgobacktoDimple’scottageandaskherforapilltomakeyousmalllikeus,”saidPeter,atonce.“ThenwhenIbringitbackyoucantakeit,andwe’llallgodownthehole,getDimpletomakeustherightsizeagain,findthewishing-chair,andgohome.See?”

“Itsoundseasyenough,”saidChinky.“ButIdon’tsomehowthinkitwillallgoquitesonicelyasthat.Still,wecanbuttry.LeaveMollieherewithme,Peter,andyougodownthemouse-holeagain.”

“We’llseehimsafelytothecellardoor,”saidMollie.Sotheyallwent

“We’llseehimsafelytothecellardoor,”saidMollie.Sotheyallwentdownthestairsagain,andwerejustgoingthroughthecat’slittleroomwhenChinkyturnedpale.

“Theenchanter’scomingback!”hesaid.“Oh,wherecanyouhide?”“Quick,quick,thinkofsomewhere!”criedMollie.Therecameaclip-

clappingnoise,likethunder,asshespoke.Thetowersplitinhalfandadoorcame.Itopened,andinstrodetheenchanter,tallandthin,hisplaitedbeardsweepingtheground.

ButbeforehehadseenthetwochildrenPeterhadpulledMollieovertothecat’sbasket.Thebigcatwaslyingtherecomfortably.Thechildrenscrambledinandlaydownbythecat,hidinginherthickfur.Chinkywasleftbyhimself.

“Ismellchildren!”saidtheenchanter.

“Howcouldchildrengetintoyourtower,master?”saidChinky.Theenchantersniffedandbegantolookallroundthetworooms.Thecat

didnotstir.Clip-clapstrokedherashepassed,andshepurred—butshestayedinherbasket,andMollieandPetercuddledcloseintoherfur,hopingshewould

inherbasket,andMollieandPetercuddledcloseintoherfur,hopingshewouldnotmoveatall.

Theenchanterdidnotthinkoflookinginthecat’sbasket.Hesoongaveupthehuntandranupthestairs,callingtoChinkytogowithhim.

“Goquicklynow,Peter,”whisperedChinky,beforehefollowedClip-clap.“Molliecanstaywiththecat.Sheissafethere.”

QuickascouldbePeterslippedacrossthefloortothecellardoor,squeezedthroughthesmallopening,andmadehiswaydownthesteps.Hesawthetinycandlelightburningattheentrancetothemouse-holeandranacrosstoit.Inhewentandmadehiswayuptothemouse-room.Harrietthemousewasstillthere,talkingtoherauntie.

“Please,willyoutakemebacktoDimple?”askedPeter.“Itisveryimportant.”

Harrietgavehimherpawandtookhimuptheholeoutintotheopenairagain.ThentheyhurriedtogethertoDimple’scottage.SoonPeterhadtoldDimpleallthathadhappened.Shegavehimanotherred-and-greenpill,andwarnedhimtobecarefulnottoletClip-clapseehim.

ThenoffwentPetertothemouse-holeagain.Ah!Chinkywouldsoonbesafe!

TheGreatEscape

PETERhurriedfromDimple’scottage,holdingthepill inhishandthatwastomakeChinkyassmallashewas—thentheycouldallescapedownthemouse-hole!

Herandowntheholeandmadehiswaytothecellar.Heclimbedupthestepstothekitchen.Hepeepedunderthedoor.Therewasnooneinthekitchen.

Heranoverthefloortothelittleroombelongingtothecat.Thebiggreytabbywasstillinthebasket,andMolliewastheretoo,hidingsafelyunderthethickfur.Good!

“Chinkyisstillupstairswiththeenchanter,”shewhispered.Justatthatmomenttherecamefootstepsdownthestairs,andtheenchantercamein.

Thecatjumpedoutofherbasketandwenttogreethim,rubbingagainstClip-clap’slegsandpurringloudly.MollieandPetercroucheddowninthebasketandtriedtohideunderthecushion—but,alas!Theenchantersawthem!

“Aha!IthoughtIsniffedchildren!”hesaid.Hecameovertothebasketandlookeddown.

“Howsmallyouare!”hesaid.“Ididnotknowthereweresuchsmallchildrentobefound.Whathaveyougotinyourhand,littleboy?”

Ohdear!WhatPeterwasholdingsotightlywasthelittlegreen-and-redpillthatwastomakeChinkysmallenoughtogodownthemousehole!Peterputhishandbehindhisbackandglaredatthetallenchanter.

Butitwasnouse.HehadtoshowClip-clapwhathehad—andnosoonerdidtheenchanterseethelittlegreen-and-redpillthanheguessedwhatitwasfor!

“Oho!”hesaid.“Soyoumadeyourselvessmallfirst,didyou—andcameinthroughamouse-hole,Iguess—thinkingtomakeChinkysmalltoo,sothathemightescapethesameway!Well—I’llspoilallthat!Youshallgrowbigagain—andyouwon’tbeabletocreepdownanymouse-holes!YoucanstayhereandhelpChinkyworkforme!”

HetappedMollieontheheadandthenPeter.Theyshotuptotheirownsizeagain,andstaredatClip-clapinalarmanddismay.Whatahorridendingtoalltheirplans!Theyhadthoughtthemselvessoclever,too.

“Well,”saidClip-clap,lookingatthem.“Youwon’tescapeinahurrynow,Ipromiseyou!Nooneknowsthesecretofmakingthedoorcomeinthistowerbutme!Chinky!Chinky!Comeandseeyourfinefriendsnow!”

Chinkycamerunningdownthestairsandstoppedinthegreatestdismay

ChinkycamerunningdownthestairsandstoppedinthegreatestdismaywhenhesawPeterandMollie,boththeirrightsize,standinginfrontoftheenchanter.

“Soyouhadalllaidfineplansforescape,hadyou?”saidClip-clap.“Well,nowyoucanjustsettledowntoworkinghardforme,andusingthosegoodbrainsofyoursformyspells!GoandhelpChinkytopolishmybedroomfloor,andafterthatyoucancleanallthesilverwandsIuseformymagic!”

Thethreewentupstairsverysadlyandinsilence.Chinkyhandedeachchildalargeyellowdusterandallthreewentdownontheirhandsandkneesandbegantopolishthewoodenfloor.

“Don’tsayawordtillwehearClip-clapgooutagain,”whisperedChinky.“Hehasearsassharpasahare’s.”

Sonobodysaidaworduntiltheyheardtheclip-clapcrashingnoise,andknewthattheenchanterhadgoneoutagain.Thentheystoodupandlookedatoneanother.

“Whatarewetodonow?”groanedPeter.“Listen!”saidChinkyquickly.“Ihaveaplan.Where’sthewishing-chair?”“Underabramblebushoutsidethetower,”saidPeter.“Butwhat’sthegood

ofthat?Wecan’tgetouttoit,andcertainlythechaircan’tgetin!”“I’mnotsosureofthat!”saidChinky.“Youknowthatmouseyoutoldme

about—Dimple’sservant?Well,ifyoucouldspeaktoher,Peter,andtellhertogotoDimpleandtellherwhat’shappened,shemightbeabletomakethewishing-chairsmallenoughforHarriettogetitdownthemouse-holeandintothecellar.Iknowaspelltomakeittherightsize—andthen,whenClip-clapdoeshisdisappearingactandgoesoutthroughthetowerdoor,we’llflyouttoo!See?”

“OhChinky,Chinky,youareclever!”criedMollie,indelight.“Peter,godowntothecellarandcallHarriet.Shemaybesomewhereabout.Ifnot,herauntiewillsurelybethere!”

SoPeterhurrieddowntothecellarandcalledHarriet.Shewasn’tthere,butherauntiecame—thebrownmousewithspectacleson.Petertoldherallthathadhappened,andbeggedhertogoandtellDimple,theelf.Shehurriedoffatonce,andPeterwaitedanxiouslytoseewhatwouldhappennext.

ButClip-clapcamebackbeforeanythingelsehadhappened.Hesetthethreetoworkpolishinghismagicwands—buttookthemagicoutofthemfirst!Hewasn’tgoingtohaveChinkydoinganymagicwiththem,nothe!

AfterteaClip-clapwentoutagain,andPeterhurrieddowntothecellar.TohisgreatdelighthefoundHarrietthere—andjustinsidethemouse-holeshehadtheirwishing-chair!Itwasassmallasadoll’shousechair.

“Myauntietoldmeallthathadhappened,”whisperedHarriet.“ItoldDimple,mymistress,andwefoundthewishing-chair.Dimplemadeitsmallenoughformetotakedownthemouse-hole.Hereitis.Goodluck!”

Shepushedthetinywishing-chairoutofthehole.Peterpickeditupgladlyandranupthecellar-stepswithit.HowgladChinkyandMollieweretoseeit!

“Now,”saidChinky,“Imustmakeitbigagain.”Hefeltinhispocketsandtookoutadustercolouredyellowandgreen.Ithadaqueer-smellingpolishinthemiddleinagreatsmear.Chinkybegantopolishthechair.

Ashepolishedit,itgrewbigger—andbigger—andbigger!Thechildrenwatchedinamazement.

Atlastitwasitsusualsize.“Whereshallwehideit?”askedMollie.“Isay!Don’tlet’shideitanywhere!”saidPetersuddenly.“Whataboutus

“Isay!Don’tlet’shideitanywhere!”saidPetersuddenly.“Whataboutusallgettingintoit,andwaitingtillClip-clapcomesback?Then,assoonasheopensthedoortocomein,we’llyelltothechairtoflyout—andoffwe’llgo!Theenchanterwon’tknowwhat’shappeningtillit’stoolatetostopus!”

“That’sasplendididea!”saidChinky,atonce.“We’lldoit.Comeon—getin,youtwo—theenchantermaybeinatanymoment!Wemustbeready!”

“Thegoodoldwishing-chairstillhasitswings,”saidMollie,thankfully.“Wouldn’titbeawfuliftheywent,andwecouldn’tflyaway?”

“Don’tsaythingslikethatinfrontofthechair,”saidPeter.“Youknowhowsillyitcanbesometimes.Haveyouforgottenthetimeitlandedusallintoachimney?”

“‘Sh!”saidChinky.“IcanhearClip-clapcoming.”Crash!Thetowersplitintwo,andagreatdoorappearedintheslit.It

opened—andinstrodeClip-clap,callingChinky.“Hi,Chinky,Chinky!”“Home,wishing-chair,home!”yelledChinky.“Hallo,Clip-clap—hereI

am!”Thechairroseupintotheair,flewpasttheleftearoftheastonished

enchanterandshotoutofthedoorbeforeClip-clapcouldshutit!Theyweresafelyoutinthewoodagain!

“There’sDimpleandHarrietbelow,wavinglikemad!”saidPeter.“Waveback,youtwo!”

TheyallwavedtoDimpleandHarrietandcalledgoodbye.“We’llsendthemapostcardwhenwegetback,”saidChinky.“Theywereverygoodtohelpus.”

“Won’tClip-clapbeangrytothinkwe’veescapedafterall!”saidMollie.“Isay!Oughtn’tyoutogoandtellyourmotheryouaresafe?”saidPeter.

“Shewasveryworriedaboutyou.”“I’llgotonightwhenyouarebothinbed,”saidChinky.“I’lltakeyouhome

safelyfirst.My,whatadventureswe’vehadsincethismorning!”“I’mnotgoingtoquarreleveragain,”saidMollie,asthechairflewinatthe

playroomdoor.ShejumpedoffandflungherarmsroundChinky.“Itwashorridwhenyoudidn’tcomeback.Ididn’tmeanwhatIsaid.Youwillalwaysbeourfriend,won’tyou,Chinky?”

“Ofcourse,”saidChinky,grinningalloverhischeekypixieface.“Iwouldhavecomebackthenextday.Iwasjustinabadtemper.Weallwere.”

“I’msorryaboutit,too,”saidPeter.“Anyway,we’realltogetheragain,friendsasmuchasbefore.”

“You’dbetterruninandshowyourmotheryou’reallright,”saidChinky.

“You’dbetterruninandshowyourmotheryou’reallright,”saidChinky.“Mothersaresuchworriers,youknow.You’venotbeenintotea,soyourswillwonderifyou’reallright.Goodbye!Thankssomuchforrescuingme.”

PeterandMollieranoffhappily.Thankgoodnesseverythingwasallrightagain!Goodoldwishing-chair—whatwouldtheydowithoutit?

Big-EarsTheGoblin

ONEday,whenMollie and Peterwere playingwithChinky in the playroom,theyheardfootstepsrunningdownthegarden.

“Quick!Hide,Chinky!Thereissomeonecoming!”criedMollie.Thepixiealwayshidwhenanyonewasabout.Herantoacupboardandgotinside.PetershutthedoorjustasMothercameintotheplayroom.

“Children!”shesaid,“I’velostmyring!Imusthavedroppeditinthegardensomewhere.Pleaselookforit,andseeifyoucanfindit.Itisaveryvaluablering.”

PeterandMolliewereupset.Theyknewthattheirmotherwasveryfondofherbestring.Itwasaveryprettyone,setwithdiamondsandrubies.Theyranoutintothegardenandbegantohunt—butnomatterwheretheylookedtheycouldseenosignofanyring!

“Let’sgoandaskChinkytohelp,”saidMollie.Sotheyranbacktotheplayroom.Chinkyhadgotoutofthecupboardandwassittingreading.Theytoldhimhowtheyhadhuntedandhuntedforthering.

“I’llsoonfindoutifit’sinthegarden,”hesaid,shuttinghisbook.“Isyourmothercertainshedroppeditthere?”

“Quitecertain,”saidPeter.“Howareyougoingtofindoutwhereitis,Chinky?”

“You’llseeinaminute!”saidthepixie,withagrin.Hewenttothedooroftheplayroomandlookedround.Therewasnooneabout.Hewhistledsoftlyastrangelittletwitteringtune.Afreckledthrushflewdowntohishandandstoodonhisoutstretchedfingers.

“Listen,Freckles,”saidChinky.“Thereisaringlostinthisgarden.Getallthebirdstogetherandtellthemtohuntforit.”

Frecklesgaveachirrupandflewoff.Inafewminutesallthebirdsinthegardenweregatheredtogetherinathicklilacbush.MollieandPetercouldhearthethrushsingingaway,justasifheweretellingastoryinasong.Theyknewhemustbetellingthebirdswhattodo.

Inafewsecondseverysparrow,starling,thrush,blackbird,robin,andfinchwashoppingabouttheground,underbushesandinthebeds,underthehedgesandoverthegrass.Theypeckedhereandthere,theyturnedovereveryleaf,andtheyhuntedforthatringasneitherMollienorPetercouldpossiblyhavehunted.

AtlastFrecklesthethrushcameback.HeflewdownontoChinky’sshoulderandchirrupedalongandprettysongintohisear.Thenheflewoff.

shoulderandchirrupedalongandprettysongintohisear.Thenheflewoff.“Whatdoeshesay?”askedMollie.“Hesaysthatyourmother’sringisnowherehereatall,”saidChinky.“She

can’thavedroppeditinthegarden.”“Butsheknowsshedid,”saidMollie.“Reallyshedoes,Chinky.”“Well,someonemusthavefounditalready,then,”saidChinky.“Iwonder

ifanygoblinwasaboutlastnight!Theyarenothonestiftheyfindanybeautifuljewel.Wait!I’llfindout!”

Hewenttothelawnneartheplayroom.Itwaswellhiddenfromthehouse,sohecouldnotbeseen.Hedrewaringonthegrassinbluechalk.

“Keepawayfromthisring,”hesaidtothewatchingchildren.“WhenIsaythegoblinspell,youwillseeblueflamesandsmokecomeupfromthering—ifgoblinshavebeenthiswayduringthelastfewhours.Don’tgotoonear.Ifnothinghappensweshallknowthatnogoblinshavebeenthisway.”

MollieandPeterwatchedwhilstChinkydancedslowlyroundthering,

MollieandPeterwatchedwhilstChinkydancedslowlyroundthering,chantingastringofcurious,magic-soundingwords.

“Look!Look!Smokeiscoming—andblueflames!”shriekedMollieexcitedly.“Oh,Chinky,don’tgotoonear!”

Sureenough,astheywatched,theringbegantosmokeasifitwereonfire,andsmallblueflamesflickeredallaround.Chinkystoppedsinging.Hethrewapinchofdustoverthering.Smoke,flames,andchalkringvanishedasiftheyhadneverbeenthere!

“Yes,”saidChinky,“agoblinhasbeenhereallright!Whenabluechalkringflameslikethatit’sasuresignofgoblins.Iwonderwhichoneitwas.I’lljustgoandaskthefairiesatthebottomofthegarden—they’llknow.”

Heranoff.Thechildrendidn’tfollow,fortheyknewthatChinkydidn’tlikethemtoseethefairies,whowereveryshy.Hecameback,runningfast,hisfaceredwithexcitement.

“Yes—thefairiessawBig-Earsthegoblinpassbyherelastnight—sohemusthavefoundtheringandtakenit.Theysaidthatheseemedverypleasedaboutsomething.”

“Ohdear!HowcanwegetitbackforMother?”askedMollieindespair.“We’llgetitbackallright.Don’tworry,”saidChinky.“Assoonasthe

wishing-chairgrowsitswingsagainwe’llgoofftooldBig-Ears.He’llsoongiveitback.He’sanoldcoward.”

“Good!”saidthechildrenindelight.“Oh,won’titbefuntohaveanadventureagain!WheredoesBig-Earslive?”

“Notveryfaraway,”saidChinky.“InGoblinTown.Listen—there’syourdinner-bell.YougointodinnerandI’llseeifIcangetthewishing-chairtogrowitswingsagain.Sometimesalittlesinginghelpsit.”

Thechildrenranindoors,bubblingwithexcitement.Whatfunifthechairgrewitswingsthatafternoon.

Afterdinnertheyranbacktotheirplayroom.Chinkymetthematthedoorwithagrin.

“Thechair’sgrownitswings!”hesaid.“Itisinagreathurrytogetaway,socomeon!”

PeterandMollieranintotheplayroom.Thewishing-chaircertainlyseemedinagreathurrytogo.Itswingswereflappingmerrily,anditwasgivinglittlehopsaboutthefloor.

“Itthinksit’sabirdorsomething!”saidChinky,grinning.“Itwilltwittersoon!”

Thechildrensatdownontheseat.Chinkyclimbedontotheback.“ToGoblinTown!”hecried.

GoblinTown!”hecried.Thechairroseintotheairandflewoutofthedoorwithsucharushthatthe

childrenwerenearlythrownoutoftheirseats.“Steady,chair,steady!”saidChinky.“There’snotsuchadreadfulhurry,

youknow.”Thechairflewhigh,anditsredwingsflappedstrongly.Itwassohighin

theairthatthechildrenwereabovetheclouds,andcouldseenothingbelowthembuttherollingwhitemist,likeagreatdazzlingsnowfield.

“Wherearewenow?”askedMollie,peeringdown.“ArewegettingnearGoblinTown?”

“Wemustbe,”saidChinky.“Butweshan’tknowtillthechairdivesdownthroughthecloudsagain.Ah!Herewego!”

Downwentthechairthroughthecoldwhiteclouds.ThechildrenlookedtoseeifGoblinTownwasbelow.

“Lookatthosefunny,crookedlittlehouses!”criedMollieindelight.“Andlookatthegoblins!Oh,it’samarket,orsomething!”

Thechairflewdowntoabusymarket-place.Thegoblinscrowdedrounditinsurprise.

“Goodafternoon,”saidChinky,gettingdownfromthebackofthechair.“CanyoutellmewhereBig-Earslives?”

“Helivesintheyellowcottageatthefootofthehill,”saidalittlegreengoblin,pointing.Thechildrencarriedthechairdownthehill,forithadstoppedflappingitswingsandseemedtired.Theycametotheyellowcottage,andChinkyknockedloudly.

Thedooropened.Therestoodagoblinwithyelloweyesandgreatbigpointedearsthatstuckabovethetopofhishead.

“Goodmorning,Big-Ears,”saidChinky.“Wehavecomeforthatringyoupickedupinourgardentheothernight.”

“W-w-w-whatr-r-r-ring?”stammeredthegoblin,goingpalewithfright.“Id-d-d-didn’tseeanyring.”

“Ohyes,youdid,”saidChinkyfirmly.“Andifyoudon’tgiveitbackATONCEI’llturnyouintoawrigglingworm.”

“No,no,no!”criedBig-Ears,fallingtohisknees.“Don’tdothat.Yes—Ididtakethering—butIhavegivenittotheSnoogle,wholivesinthatcastleoverthere.”

“OfftotheSnooglethen!”shoutedChinky,andhejumpedintothewishing-chair.Thechildrenfollowed—andupwentthechairintotheair.TheywereofftotheSnoogle—whateverhemightbe!

TheSnoogle

THE wishing-chair was off to find the Snoogle! “If the Snoogle has yourmother’sring,weshallhavetofindsomewayofgettingitback,”saidChinky.“Iwonderwhoorwhatheis.I’veneverheardofhimbefore.”

Thechairflewon.Soon,inthedistance,thethreecouldseeanenormouscastlesetonahilltop.Atthebottom,allroundthefoot,wasagreatmoatfullofwater.Adrawbridgestretchedacrossthemoat—but,evenasthechildrenlookedatit,itwasdrawnupintothegatewayonthecastlesideofthemoat.

“There’snowayofgettingintheSnoogle’scastleexceptbyflying,that’splain,”saidChinky.“Flyontotheroof,wishing-chair.”

Thewishing-chairflewtotheroofofthecastle.Itwasturreted,andthechairflewovertheturretsanddownontoaflatpartbehind.

SittingontheroofbaskinginthesunshinewastheSnoogle.Thechildrenstaredathiminastonishment.Hewasthefunniest-looking

creaturetheyhadeverseen.Hehadthebodyofadragon,thetailofacat,alwaystwirlingandtwisting—andtheheadofayellowduck!

Hewassittinginadeck-chairfastasleep.Thewishing-chairflewdownbesidehischair,andthechildrenstaredattheSnoogle.Theydidnotgetoutofthechair,because,really,theyhardlylikedthelookoftheSnoogle.

ButChinkyjumpeddownandwenttohaveagoodstareathim.“Snore-r-r-r-r-r!”wentthesleepingSnoogle.“Snore-r-r-r-r-r!”“Hie!Wakeup,Snoogle!”shoutedChinky,andhegavetheSnoogleapoke

inthechest.TheSnooglewokeupinafrightandquackedloudly.“Quack,quack,quack,quack,quack!”Heleapttohistwopairsofdragon

feetandglaredatChinky.“I’vecometofetchtheringthatBig-Earsthegoblingaveyou,”said

Chinkyboldly.“Willyougetit,please?”“You’dbettergetityourself,”saidtheSnooglesulkily.“Whereisit,then?”askedChinky.“Godownthestairsthere,andwalkdowntwohundredsteps,”said

Snoogle.“Youwillcometoabolteddoor.Unboltitandwalkin.Youwillseemybedroomthere.Inabigboxonthemantelpieceyouwillfindthering.ItwasgiventomebyBig-Ears,andIthinkyoushouldgivemesomethinginreturnforit.”

“Youshallhavenothing!”criedChinky.“YouknewquitewellthatBig-Earsshouldnothavetakenthatringfromourgarden.Ibelieveyouwerejust

Earsshouldnothavetakenthatringfromourgarden.Ibelieveyouwerejustkeepingitforhimtillpeoplehadforgottenitandhadgivenuphuntingforit.YouarejustasdishonestasBig-Ears!”

TheSnooglewaveditscat-liketailtoandfroinanger.Itgaveafewloudquacks,butChinkyonlylaughed.Hedidn’tseemabitafraidoftheSnoogle.

“I’llgodownandgetthering,”hesaidtotheothers.“Stayhere.”Herandownthesteps—butnosoonerhadhedisappeareddownthemthan

theSnooglealsowentdown—followingsoftlybehindChinky!“Oh!He’sgonetocatchChinky!”criedMollie.“Shout,Peter,shout,and

warnhim!”SoPetershoutedwithallhismight—butChinkywastoofardownthesteps

tohear.TheSnooglewaitedforhimtounboltthebedroomdoor—andthen,whenChinkywassafelyinsidelookingfortheboxonthemantelpiece,heslammedthedoorandboltedit.

“Quack!”hecried,withadeepchuckle.“Nowyouarecaught,youcheekylittlepixie.”

MollieandPeterwererunningdownthesteps,shoutingtoChinky.Theysuddenlyheardthesoundofthebedroomdoorbeingslammed,andtheboltsdrivenhome.

“Stop,Mollie,”saidPeter,clutchingholdofherarm.“Chinkyiscaught.It’snouseusrunningstraightintotheSnoogleashecomesback.Slipintothisroomhere,andperhapshewillgopastusuptotheroofagain.”

Theyslippedintoanearbyroom.Theyhidbehindthedoor—andashepassed,theSnooglepoppedhisheadintotheroomandlookedroundit—buthedidnotseethetwochildrensqueezedtightlybehindthedoor.

“Quack!”hesaidloudly,andwentonupthesteps.MollieandPeterslippedoutoftheroomassoonasitwassafeandranto

whereChinkywashammeringontheinsideofthebolteddoorinafuriousrage.“Letmeout,letmeout!”hewasshouting.

“Chinky,Chinky,hush!”saidPeter.“We’vecometogetyouout.Wearejustgoingtounboltthedoor.”

Theboltswerebigandheavy.IttookbothMollieandPetertopullthemback.Theyopenedthedoor—andtherewasChinky,lookingasangryascouldbe.

“TothinkIshouldhavebeentrappedsoeasily!”saidChinky,inafury.“Anyway—I’vegotthering!Look!”

Heshowedthemaring—andsureenoughitwastheveryonetheirmotherhadlost!MollieandPeterweresopleased.

“NowI’lljustgoandtellthatSnooglewhatIthinkofhim!”saidChinkyfiercely.“I’mnotafraidofanySnoogle—silly,duck-headedcreature!”

“Oh,Chinky,dobecareful,”saidMollie,halfafraid.“We’vegotthering.Can’twejustgoquietlyuptotheroof,getintoourchair,andgoaway?I’dmuchratherdothat.”

“We’llgetintothechairandflyawayallright,”saidChinky.“ButI’mjustgoingtotelltheSnoogleafewthingsfirst.”

Thechildrenhadneverseenthelittlepixielooksoangry.Hemarchedupthestepsandoutontheroof.MollieandPeterfollowed.

TheSnooglewaslookingallroundforthetwochildren,quackingangrily.Hewassurprisedtoseethemcomingupthesteps—andevenmoresurprisedto

Hewassurprisedtoseethemcomingupthesteps—andevenmoresurprisedtoseeChinky,whomhethoughtwassafelyboltedintheroombelow.

“Now,lookhere,Snoogle,”saidChinkyboldly,walkingrightuptothesurprisedcreature,“howdareyoutrytocapturemelikethat?Iamapixie—yes,andapowerfulonetoo.Icandospellsthatwouldfrightenyou.ShallIturnyouintoablack-beetle—oratadpole—orawaspwithoutasting?”

Tothechildren’ssurprise,theSnooglelookedverymuchfrightened.HewassuchabigcreaturecomparedwithChinky—itseemedstrangethatheshouldbesoscaredofhim.

“I’veagoodmindtoflyoffinourchairtothePixieKingandcomplainofyou,”saidChinky.“Yes—IthinkthatisjustwhatIshalldo!Youwillhaveyourcastletakenawayfromyouthen,fordaringtointerferewithapixie.”

“Noonecangetmeoutofmycastle,”saidtheSnoogle,inaquackingsortofvoice.“Ihaveabigmoatround—andadrawbridgethatIcankeepdrawnupformonthsonend.Doyourworst,stupidlittlepixie!”

“Verywell,then,Iwill!”saidChinky.“Butjusttogoonwith—takethat,yousillySnoogle!”

ChinkytookholdoftheSnoogle’swavingtailandpulledithard.NaughtyChinky!Therewasnoneedtodoathinglikethat.ItmadetheSnoogleveryangryindeed...buthedidnotdaretotouchChinkyorthechildren,forhereallywasafraidofChinky’smagic.

ButtheSnooglewasnotafraidofthewishing-chair.Herantoitandstoodbyit.“Youshallnotflyoffinyourchairnow!”hequackedloudly.“Aha!Thatwillpunishyou.”

“Ohyes,wewill!”shoutedChinky,andherantopushtheSnoogleaway—but,ohdear,ohdear,whateverdoyousupposetheSnoogledid?Withfourhardpeckshepeckedofftheredwingsofthepoorwishing-chair!Theretheylayontheground,fourbunchesofredfeathers!

“Oh!Youwickedcreature!”shoutedMollie,inarage.“Youhavespoiltourlovely,lovelywishing-chair!Oh,howcouldyoudoathinglikethat!Oh,Chinky,whydidyoumaketheSnoogleangry?Lookwhathe’sdone!”

Mollieburstintotears.Shecouldn’tbeartoseethewingsofthewishing-chairontheground,insteadofflappingawaymerrilyonitslegs.Peterturnedpale.Hedidnotknowhowtheywouldgethomenow.

Chinkywasfullofhorror.Hehadnotthoughtthatsuchathingwouldhappen—butitwasdonenow!

“Well,Ithinkyou’llagreethatyoucan’tflyawaynow,”saidtheSnoogle,withagrin.“Takeyourchairandgodownintothekitchen.Youcanlivetherenow.Nooneevercomeshere—andyoucan’tgetout—soweshallbenice

now.Nooneevercomeshere—andyoucan’tgetout—soweshallbenicecompanyforoneanother!”

Chinkypickedupthechair.Thethreeofthemwalkeddownthestepsverysorrowfully.

“Weareinaprettyfixnow!”saidPetergloomily.“Idon’tknowwhatwearegoingtodonowthatourwishing-chaircan’tfly!”

TheSnoogle’sCastle

THE children and Chinky carried the wishing-chair down to the Snoogle’skitchen.Thiswasabigbarestoneplacewithahugefireroaringinthegrate.

Chinkystoodthechairdownonthestonefloorandsatinit,lookingverygloomy.

“Iknowitwasmyfaultthatthewishing-chair’swingswerepeckedoff,”hesaidtotheothers.“Don’tcry,Mollie.TheremustbesomewayofgettingoutoftheSnoogle’scastle.”

“I’mnotcryingbecauseI’mafraidwecan’tescape,”saidMollie.“I’mcryingbecauseofthepoorwishing-chair.Isthistheendofallourflyingadventures?Itishorridtothinkwemaynevergoanymore!”

“Don’tthinkaboutthat,”saidChinky.“Thefirstthingis—canwepossiblygetoutofhere?WhereistheSnoogle,Iwonder?”

“Here!”saidthequackingvoiceoftheduck-headedSnoogle,andhelookedintothekitchen.“Ifyouwantanytea,therearecakesinthelarder—andyoumightmakesometeaandputsomecakesonaplateformetoo.”

“Isupposewemightaswelldowhathesays,”saidPeter.Hewenttothelarderandlookedinside.Hesawatintherewithcakesprintedonit.Insidethereweresomefinechocolatebuns.ThechildrenputsomeonaplateforthemselvesandsomeonaplatefortheSnoogle.Mollieputthekettleonthefiretoboil.Theyallwaitedforthesteamtocomeout—butnobodysaidaword.Theyweretoounhappy.

WhenthekettleboiledMolliemadeteaintwoteapots.Shetookoneteapot,cupandsaucer,andplateofcakestotheSnoogle,whowassittinginthedining-roomreadinganewspaper.Itwasupsidedown,soMolliedidn’tthinkitwasmuchusetohim.Butshewastoopolitetosayso.Shecouldn’thelpfeeling,too,thatitwouldbemuchbetterforallofthemiftheytriedtobefriendlywiththeSnoogle.

SheputthetraydownbytheSnoogleandlefthim.Heopenedhisgreatbeakbeforeshewasoutoftheroomandgobbleduponecakeafteranother.Molliethoughthemustbeaverygreedycreature.

Shewentbacktothekitchen,andsheandtheothersmunchedchocolatebunsanddrankhottea,wonderinggloomilywhattodonext.

“Perhapswecouldswimacrossthatmoat,”saidMollieatlast.“We’lllookandsee,whenwecancreepawayforafewminutes,”said

Peter.

Peter.“Listen,”saidChinky.“What’sthatnoise?”Theylistened.“Snore-r-r-r-r-r!Snore-r-r-r-r-r!”wenttheSnoogleinthedining-room.The

threelookedatoneanother.“Whataboutpokingallroundtoseeifthere’sanywayofescapenow?”

whisperedPeter.“Comeon,then!”saidChinky.Theyallgotup.Theywenttothekitchen

doorandopenedit.Itlookedstraightontothemoat.Howwideanddeepandcolditlooked!

“Ooh!”saidMollie.“I’dneverbeabletoswimacrossthat,I’msure.Norwouldyou,Peter!”

“Andlook!”saidChinky,pointingdownintothewater.“Therearegiantfrogsthere—theywouldbiteus,Iexpect!”

Sureenough,asMollieandPeterpeereddownintothewatertheysawthebluntsnoutsofmanygiantfrogs.“Oooh!”saidMollie.“I’mnotgoingtojumpinthere!”

“Isay!”saidPeter.“Whataboutthedrawbridge?Couldn’tweletthatdownourselvesandescapethatway?”

“Ofcourse!”saidChinky.“Comeon.We’llfinditbeforetheoldSnoogleawakes.”

Theywentthroughthekitchenandintoabigwidehall.Theyswungopenthegreatfrontdoor.Apathleddowntoagatewaythatoverlookedthemoat.Thedoorofthegatewaywasthedrawbridge,drawnupovertheentrance.

Thethreerandowntothegate.Chinkylookedcarefullyatthechainsthatheldupthedrawbridge.

“Look!”hesaidtotheothers.“Thesechainsarefastenedbyapadlock.Thedrawbridgecannotbeletdownunlessthekeyisfittedintothepadlockandthelockisturned.Thenthedrawbridgewillbeletdownoverthemoat.”

“Whereisthekeytothepadlock,Iwonder,”saidMollie.“Iknow,”saidPeter.“TheSnooglehasit.Isawabigkeyhangingfrom

himsomewhere.”“Can’twegetit?”askedMollie.“He’sasleep.Let’stry.”Theytiptoedintothedining-room.TheSnooglewascertainlyveryfast

asleep.“Iguesswecangetthekeywithoutwakinghim!”whisperedChinky,in

delight.“Whereisit?”TheylookedallroundtheSnoogleforthekey—buttheycouldn’tseeit.

Andthen,atlastPetersawit—orpartofit.TheSnooglewassittingonit!They

Andthen,atlastPetersawit—orpartofit.TheSnooglewassittingonit!Theycouldjustseetheheadofthekeystickingoutfromunderneathhim.

“Nogood,”saidChinky,shakinghisheadandtiptoeingout.“Weshouldcertainlywakehimifwetriedtopullthatkeyout,ashe’ssittingonit.Isupposethat’swhyhesatonit,tostopusgettingit!”

“Anyway,Iexpectthedrawbridgewouldhavemadeanawfulnoiserattlingdownonitschains,”saidPetergloomily.“TheSnooglewouldhavehearditandwokenupandcomeafterus.”

“Whatshallwedonow?”saidMollie,indespair.“Wecan’tswimthemoat,Wecan’tunlockthedrawbridgeandletit

down.”“There’sonethingwemighttry,”saidChinky.“Imighttrytowhistleone

ofthebirdsdowntoawindow-sillandtellitofourdreadfulfix.Itwouldflybacktopixie-landandperhapstheKingwouldsendtorescueus.Youneverknow.”

know.”“Yes—dothat,”saidMollie,cheeringup.Thechildrenandthepixiewent

upthestairsandintoabedroom.Theyleanedoutoftheopenwindow.Belowlaythesilverymoat.

Chinkybegantowhistle.Itwasasoftwhistle,butaverypiercingone.MolliefeltsurethatifshehadbeenabirdshewouldhavecomeinanswertoChinky’swhistle.

Chinkystoppedhiswhistling.Helookedanxiouslyintotheskyandwaited.Nobirdcame.Nobirdwastobeseen.

“I’lltryagain,”saidChinky.Hewhistledoncemore.Theywaited,lookingeverywhereforthesignofabird.

“TherearenobirdsinthisSnooglecountry,”saidthepixie,withasigh.“Onewouldhavecomeifitcould.”

“Well,”saidMollie,lookingworried,“whatevercanwedonow?Theredoesn’tseemtobeanywayofescapeatall—noranywayofgettingpeopletohelpus.”

“Let’sgointoeachoftherooms,upstairsanddownstairs,andseeifthereisanyonethere,”saidChinky.“Wemightfindaservantorsomeone—theymighthelpus.Youneverknow!”

Sothechildrenandthepixiewentintoeachroom,onebyone.Theywerequeer,untidyrooms.ItlookedasiftheSnooglelivedinoneforabitandthen,whenitbecametoountidy,wentintoanotheroneandlivedthereuntilthesamethinghappened!

Therewasnooneatallinanyoftherooms.OnlytheSnooglelivedinthecastle,thatwasplain.

“Well,we’vebeeninmanyfixes,”saidthepixiegloomily,“butthisisaboutthetightestfixwe’veeverbeenin.HowIhatetheSnoogleforpeckingthewingsoffourdearoldwishing-chair!”

ThechildrenandChinkywentdownintothekitchenagain.TheSnooglewasnolongersnoringinthedining-room.Hemustbeawake!

Hewas.Hecameintothekitchen,snappinghisduck-beakandwavinghiscat’stail.

“Well,”hesaid,withagrin.“Beenalloverthecastletofindawayofescape?Aha!Youwon’tfindthatinahurry!Well,asyou’rehere,youmayaswellwaitonme.I’mtiredofdoingmyowncookingandwashing-up.Youcandoitforme.”

“Wewon’t,then!”saidPeterfuriously.“Itisbadenoughtohavetobehere,withoutwaitingonaduck-headedcreaturelikeyou!”

“Hush,Peter,”saidMolliesuddenly.“Hush!Verywell,Snoogle,wewill

“Hush,Peter,”saidMolliesuddenly.“Hush!Verywell,Snoogle,wewilldoasyousay.Wherewouldyoulikeyoursupper?Thereisaclothinthedrawer,butitisdirty.Haveyouacleanone,sothatIcanbegintogetyoursupperforyou?”

“Youareasensiblegirl,”saidtheSnoogle,pleased.“Ihaveacleanclothupstairs.Iwillgetit.”

Hewentoutoftheroom.ChinkyandPeterturnedandstaredatMollieinamazement.WhatdidshemeanbygivinginsomeeklytothehorridSnoogle?

“Peter!Chinky!Look!”saidMollie,andshepointedtothewishing-chair,whereitstoodinacornerofthekitchen.Theotherslooked—andwhateverdoyousupposetheysaw?Guess?

Thewishing-chairwasgrowingnewwings!Yes,really!Tinyredbudswereformingonitslegs.Theygrewfast.Theyburstintofeathers.Theyweregrowingintonew,strongwings!

“Goodness!”saidPeterandChinky,amazed.“Whowouldhavethoughtofthat!Goodoldwishing-chair!”

“Quick—herecomestheSnoogle.Putthechairbehindthetable,wherehecan’tseeitswingsgrowing,”saidMollie.SoChinkypusheditbehindthetablejustintime.TheSnooglepatteredin,andheldoutacleanclothtoMollie.

“Thankyou,”saidthelittlegirlpolitely.“Andhaveyougotsomeegg-cups,please?Iwillboilyousomeeggsforsupper.”

TheSnoogletrottedouttofetchsomeegg-cups.Assoonashewasgone,Mollie,Peter,andChinkycrowdedintothewishing-chair.

“Home,asquicklyasyoucan,wishing-chair!”shoutedChinky.Thechairflappeditsnewredwingsandroseintotheair.TheSnooglecamerunningintothekitchen.Hequackedwithrage.Hetriedtogetholdofthechairasitflewpasthim.

Chinkykickedoutathimandcaughthimonhisbigyellowbeak.TheSnooglegaveasquawkandsatdownsuddenly.

“Goodbye,goodbye,dearSnoogle!”yelledChinky,wavinghishand.“Docallinandseeuswhenyouarepassing,andwe’llgiveyouacleanclothforteaandboilyousomeeggs!”

Thechairflewhomeatagreatrate.Atlastitcametotheplayroomandflewintoit.Itsetitselfdownonthefloor,anditswingsgaveonemoreflapandvanished.

“Ha!Theoldwishing-chairistired!”saidChinky.“Idon’twonder!Ihopeitwillsoongrowitswingsagain.Wedohavesomeadventures,don’twe,children!”

“Where’sMother’sring,Chinky?”askedPeter,suddenlyrememberingwhytheyhadgoneadventuring—togethismother’slostring!

“Hereyouare,”saidChinky,andhegavePeterthering.“Won’tyourmotherbepleased!Shewon’tguesswhatalotofadventureswehadgettingbackherringforher!”

PeterandMollieranoffhappily.Theycalledtheirmotherandgaveherherring.“Youhaddroppeditinthegarden,Mother,”saidPeter.

“Thankyou!Youarekindchildrentofinditforme!”saidMother.Butshedidn’tguessthatBig-Earsthegoblinhadstolenit—andthattheSnooglehadhadittoo!No—thatwasthechildren’ssecret.

TheChairRunsAwayAgain

ONE afternoon Mollie, Peter, and Chinky were in the playroom together,playingatKingsandQueens.TheyeachtookitinturntobeaKingoraQueen,andtheyworetheredrugforacloak,andacardboardcrowncoveredwithgoldpaper.Thewishing-chairwasthethrone.

ItwasPeter’sturntobeKing.Heputonthecrownandwoundtheredrugroundhisshouldersforacloak.Hedidfeelgrand.Hesatdowninthewishing-chairandarrangedthecloakroundhim,sothatitfellallroundthechairandontothefloortoo,justlikearealking’scloak.

ThenMollieandChinkyhadtocurtsyandbowtohim,andaskforhiscommands.Hecouldtellthemtodoanythingheliked.

“YourMajesty,whatwouldyouhavemedotoday?”askedMollie,curtsyinglow.

“Iwouldhaveyougoandpickmesixdandelions,sixdaisies,andsixbuttercups,”saidPeter,grandly,wavinghishand.Molliecurtsiedagainandwalkedoutbackwards,nearlyfallingoverastoolasshedidso.

ThenChinkyaskedPeterwhathewastodoforhim.“YourMajesty,whatwouldyouhavemedo?”hesaid,bowinglow.

“Iwouldhaveyougotothecupboardandgetmeagreensweetoutofthebottlethere,”saidPetercommandingly.Chinkywenttothecupboard.Hecouldn’tseethebottleatfirst.Hemovedthetinsaboutandhuntedforit.Hedidn’tseewhatwashappeningbehindhim!

Peterdidn’tseeeither.Butwhatwashappeningwasthatthewishing-chairwasgrowingitswings—undertheredrugthatwasallarounditslegs!Petersatinthechair,waitingimpatientlyforhiscommandstobeobeyed—andthechairflappeditsredwingsundertherugandwonderedwhyitcouldnotflapthemaseasilyasusual!

MolliewasinthegardengatheringtheflowersthatPeterhadordered.Chinkywasstillhuntingforthebottleofsweets.Thewishing-chairflappeditswingsharderthanever—itsuddenlyroseintotheair,andflewswiftlyoutofthedoorbeforePetercouldjumpout,andbeforeChinkycouldcatchholdofit.Itwasgone!

“Hie,Mollie,Mollie!”yelledChinkyinalarm.“Thewishing-chair’sgone—andPeter’sgonewithit!”

Molliecametearingintotheplayroom.“Isawit!”shepanted.“Oh,whydidn’tPeteroryouseethatitswingshadgrown?Now,it’sgoneoffwithPeter,

didn’tPeteroryouseethatitswingshadgrown?Now,it’sgoneoffwithPeter,andwedon’tknowwhere!”

“Wedidn’tseeitswingsgrowingbecausetheredrughiditslegs!”saidChinky.“Itmusthavegrownthemundertherugandflownoffbeforeanyofusguessed!”

“Well,whatshallwedo?”askedMollie.“WhatwillhappentoPeter?”“Itdependswherehe’sgone,”saidChinky.“Didyouseewhichwaythe

chairwent?”“Towardsthewest,”saidMollie.“Peterwasyellingandshoutinglike

anything—buthecouldn’tstopthechair.”“Well,we’dbettergoonajourneyofourown,”saidChinky.“I’llcatch

FarmerStraw’stwogeese.Theywon’tlikeitmuch—butitcan’tbehelped.WemustgoafterPeterandthechairsomehow!”

Heranoffdowntothefarm.PresentlyMollieheardthenoiseofflappingwings,anddownfromtheskycameChinky,ridingonthebackofoneofthegeese,andleadingtheotherbyapieceofthickstring.Thegeesehissedangrilyastheycametotheground.

“Theyaremostannoyedaboutit,”saidChinkytoMollie.“TheyonlycamewhenIpromisedthemthatIwouldn’tletFarmerStrawtakethemtomarketnextweek.”

“Ss-ss-ss-ss!”hissedthebiggeese,andonetriedtopeckatMollie’sfatlegs.Chinkysmackedit.

“Behaveyourself!”hesaid.“IfyoupeckMollieI’llchangeyourbeakintoatrumpet,andthenyou’llonlybeabletotoot,notcackleorhiss!”

Mollielaughed.“Youdosaysomefunnythings,Chinky,”shesaid.Shegotontothegoose’sback.Upintheairitwent,flappingitsenormouswhitewings.

“We’llgotothecloudcastlefirstofall,”saidChinky.“ThefairiestheremayhaveseenPetergoingbyandcantelluswheretheythinkthechairmighthavebeengoing.”

Sotheyflewtoanenormouswhitecloudthattoweredupintothesky.AstheydrewnearitMolliecouldseethatithadturrets,andwasreallyacloudcastle.Shethoughtitwastheloveliestthingshehadeverseen.

Therewasagreatgatewayinthecloudcastle.Thegeeseflewthroughitandlandedinamistycourtyard.MolliewasjustgoingtogetoffwhenChinkyshoutedtoher.

“Don’tgetoff,Mollie—youhaven’tgotcloud-shoesonandyou’dfallrightthroughtotheearthbelow!”

Molliestayedonhergoose.Smallfairiesdressedinallthecoloursoftherainbowcamerunningintothecourtyard,chatteringindelighttoseeMollieand

rainbowcamerunningintothecourtyard,chatteringindelighttoseeMollieandChinky.Theyworecloud-shoes,ratherlikebigflatsnow-shoes,andwiththesetheywereabletostepsafelyonthecloudthatmadetheircastle.

“Comeinandhavesomelemonade!”criedthelittlefolk.ButChinkyshookhishead.

“Wearelookingforaboyinaflyingchair,”hesaid.“Haveyouseehim?”“Yes!”criedthefairies,crowdingroundthegeese,whocackledandhissed

atthem.“Hepassedaboutfifteenminutesago.Thechairhadredwingsandwasflyingstronglytowardsthewest.Hurryandyoumaycatchitup!”

“Thankyou!”criedChinky.Heshookthestringreinsofhisgoose,andheandMollieflewupintotheaironcemore,andwentsteadilywestwards.

“Thereisagnomewholivesinatalltowersomemileswestwards,”saidChinky.“Itissotallthatitsticksoutabovetheclouds.Wewillmakeforthere,andseeifhehasseenanythingofPeterandthewishing-chair.”

Thegeeseflewon,cacklingtooneanother.Theywerestillinabadtemper.Chinkykeptalookoutforthetalltower—butMolliesawitfirst.Itlookedverystrange.Itwasstickingrightthroughabigblackcloud,and,asitwasmadeofbrightsilver,itshonebrilliantly.

Therewasasmallwindowatthetop.Itwasopen.Thegeeseflewdowntothewindow-sillandChinkystuckhisheadinside.

“Hie,gnomeofthetower!Areyouin?”“Yes!”yelledavoice.“Ifthatisthebakerleavemeabrownloaf,please.”“Itisn’tthebaker!”shoutedChinky.“Comeonuphere!”“Well,ifit’sthebutcher,leavemeapoundofsausages!”yelledthevoice.“Itisn’tthebutcher!”shoutedbackChinky,gettingcross.“Anditisn’tthe

milkmanorthegrocerorthenewspaperboyorthefishmongereither!”“Anditisn’tthepostman!”criedMollie.“It’sChinkyandMollie!”Thegnomewassurprised.Heclimbedupthemanystepsofhistowertillhe

cametothetop.ThenheputhisheadoutofthewindowandgapedinamazementtoseeMollieandChinkyontheirtwogeese.

“Hallo!”hesaid.“Wheredoyoucomefrom?”“Nevermindthat,”saidChinky.“We’vecometoaskyouifyou’veseena

boyonaflyingchair.”“Yes,”saidthegnomeatonce.“Hepassedabouttwentyminutesago.I

thoughthewasakingorsomethingbecauseheworeagoldencrown.HewasgoingtowardsthelandoftheScally-Wags.”

“Ohmy!”saidChinkyindismay.“Areyousure?”“OfcourseIam,”saidthegnome,noddinghisbighead.“Ithoughthewas

“OfcourseIam,”saidthegnome,noddinghisbighead.“Ithoughthewasthebakercomingatfirst.”

“Youthinkeveryone’sthebaker!”saidChinky,andhejerkedthereinsofhisgoose.“Comeon,goose!TothelandoftheScally-Wags.”

Thegeeseflewoff.Thegnomeclimbedoutonthewindow-sillandbegantopolishhissilvertowerwithabigcheckduster.

“Doeshekeepthattowerpolishedhimself?”saidMollieinsurprise.“Goodness,itmustkeephimbusyalltheweek!”

“Itdoes,”saidChinky,grinning.“Becauseassoonashe’sdoneitallandreachedthetop,thebottomisdirtyagainandhehastobeginalloveragain!”

“Chinky,youdidn’tsoundverypleasedwhenyouknewthatPeterandthechairhadgonetotheLandoftheScally-Wags,”saidMollie.“Whyweren’tyou?”

“Well,theScally-Wagsarehorridpeople,”saidChinky.“Yousee,tothatlandgoallthebadfolkofFairyland,Goblin-Land,Brownie-Town,Pixie-Land,Gnome-Country,andtherest.TheycallthemselvesScally-Wags,andtheyarejustashorridastheysound.IfPetergoestherehewillbetreatedlikeaScally-Wag,andexpectedtostealandtellfibsandbehaveverybadly.Andifhedoesn’t,theywillsayheisaspyandlockhimup.”

“Oh,Chinky,Idothinkthat’shorrid,”saidMollieindismay.“Peterwillhatebeinginalandlikethat.”

“Well,don’tworry,Idaresayweshallbeabletorescuehimallright,”saidChinky—thoughreallyhehadnoideaatallhowtosavePeter.Chinkyhimself

Chinky—thoughreallyhehadnoideaatallhowtosavePeter.ChinkyhimselfhadneverbeentotheLandofScally-Wagsbefore!

Thegeesecackledandhissed.Theyweregettingtired.ChinkyhopedtheywouldbeabletogoonflyingtilltheyreachedScally-WagLand.Mollieleanedoverandlookeddown.

“Look,Chinky,”shesaid.“IsthatScally-WagLand?Doyouseethosehousesdownthere—andthatfunnyrailwayline—andthatriverwiththoseshipson?”

“Yes,”saidChinky,“thatmustbeScally-WagLand.Down,geese,andlandthere!”

Thegeeseflewdownwards.Theylandedbytheriver,andassoonasChinkyandMolliehadjumpedoff,thetwogeesepaddledintothewaterandbegantoswim.Chinkytiedtheirstringstoapost,forhewasafraidtheymightflyoff.

AScally-Wagranuptohim.“Wheredoyoucomefrom?”heasked.“Areyoumessengersfrom

anywhere?”“No,”saidChinky.“We’vecometolookforsomeonewhocametothis

landbymistake.Wewanttotakehimback.”“Nooneleavesthislandoncetheyarehere,”saidtheScally-Wag.“I

believeyouarespies!”“Indeedwearenot!”saidMollie.TheScally-Wagdrewawhistlefromhis

beltandblewonitloudly.Chinkylookedalarmed.HecaughtholdofMollie’shand.

“Run!”hesaid.“Iftheythinkwearespiestheywilllockusup!”Offwentthetwo,runningattopspeed,withtheangryScally-Wagafter

them.Theydidn’tknowwheretheyweregoing!Theyonlyknewthattheymustrunandrun!

TheLandofScally-Wags

MOLLIE and Chinky ran down the river-path, the Scally-Wag shouting afterthem.“Spies!”hecalled.“Stopthem!Spies!”

ChinkydraggedMollieonandon.Theywerebothgoodrunners.AnotherScally-Wag,hearingthefirstoneshouting,triedtostopChinky—butthepixiegavehimafiercepushandhetoppledintotheriver,splash!Howhesplutteredandshouted!ThatgaveChinkyanidea.

HesqueezedthroughahedgeandpulledMollieafterhim.ThenhelayinwaitfortheshoutingScally-Wag.AssoonashewasthroughthehedgeChinkygavehimapushtoo—andintotheriverhewent,head-first,squealinglikearabbit!Molliecouldn’thelplaughing,forheseemedallarmsandlegs.Thewaterwasn’tdeep,sohecouldn’tdrown—butdearme,howheyelled!

“Comeon,Mollie,”saidChinky.“WeseemtobebehavingjustasbadlyasScally-Wags,pushingpeopleintotheriverlikethis!”

Theyranon.Theyseemedtorunformiles.TheyaskedeveryScally-Wagtheymetifhehadseenalittleboyinthatland,butnobodyhad.Theyallshooktheirheadsandsaidthesamething.

“Thereisnolittleboyinthisland.”“Well,it’sreallyverypeculiar,”saidChinkytoMollie.“Hemustbe

somewherehere!”“Isay,Chinky,I’mgettingsohungry,”saidMollie.“Aren’tyou?”“Yes,very,”saidChinky.“Let’sknockatthiscottagedoorandseeifthey

willgiveussomethingtoeat.”Soheknocked—rat-a-tat-tat.Thedooropenedandasharp-eyedlittle

goblinlookedout.“Whatdoyouwant?”heasked.

“Wearehungry,”saidMollie.“Couldyougiveusanythingtoeat?”“Look!”saidthegoblin,pointingdownthelanetowhereabaker’scartwas

standing,fullofloaves.“Goandtakeoneofthebaker’sloaves.He’sgossipingsomewhere.Hewon’tmissone!”

“Butwecan’tdothat!”saidMollieinhorror.“That’sstealing!”“Don’tbesilly,”saidthegoblin,lookingatheroutofhissmall,sharpeyes.

“Youdon’tmindstealing,doyou?I’venevermetaScally-Wagwhomindedstealingyet!I’llstealaloafforyouifyouareafraidofbeingcaught!”

Hesetofftowardsthecart,keepingclosebythehedgesothathewouldn’tbeseen.MollieandChinkystaredatoneanotherindismay.

“Chinky,whathorriblepeopleliveinthisland,”saidMollie.“Stophim!Wecan’tlethimsteallikethat.Iwouldnevereatanybreadthathadbeenstolen.”

“Let’swarnthebaker,”saidChinky.Butbeforetheycouldfindhim,thegoblinhadsneakeduptothelittlecartandhadgrabbedanewloaf.ThenbackhescurriedtoMollieandChinkyandgavethemtheloaf,grinningalloverhisface.

“I’msorry,butwecouldn’thaveit,”saidChinky.“Stealingiswrong.”“NotinScally-WagLand,”saidthegoblin,hiscunningeyestwinkling.“It’swronganywhere,”saidMolliefirmly.“Comeon,Chinky.We’llput

thisloafbackintothecart.”Theysetofftothecart—butdoyouknow,justastheywereputtingtheloaf

back,thathorridlittlegoblinbegantoshoutforallhewasworth.“Baker,Baker!Thievesareatyourcart!Lookout!”

Thebakercamehurryingout.HecaughtholdofChinkyandbegantoshakehim.“YoubadScally-Wag!”hecried.

“I’mnotaScally-Wag!Iwasjustputtingbackaloafthatthegoblinstole!”criedChinky.

criedChinky.“Youareafibber!”saidthebaker,andheshookChinkyagainuntilhis

teethrattled.Mollierantotherescue.Shetriedtocatchholdofthebaker’sarm—buthepushedherandsentherflying.Shecaughtatthelittlecarttotryandsaveherself—anditwentover!Alltheloavesrolledoutintotheroad.

Thebakergavealoudyellandrantohiscart.Thewatchinggoblinshriekedwithdelight.MollieandChinkyranoffasfastastheycould,crying,“We’resosorry!Butitwasyourownfaultfornotbelievingus!”

Theyranuntiltheycametoafieldofbuttercups.Theysqueezedthroughagapinthehedge,andsatdowntogettheirbreath.

“I’mthirstyaswellashungrynow,”saidMollie.“Wherecanwegetadrink?Ifwewentandaskedforadrinkofwater

surelynoScally-Wagwouldwanttostealthatforus!Look,there’sacottageoverthere,Chinky.Let’sgoandask.”

Theywenttothecottage,hotandthirstyandtired.Abrowniewomancametothedoor.Shewasacross-lookingcreature.

“Ithoughtyouwerethemilkman,”shesaid.“No,he’sjustdowntheroadthere,”saidChinky,pointing.“Please,Mam,

maywehaveadrinkofwater.”“I’llgetyouadrinkofmilk!”saidthewoman,andtoChinky’ssurpriseshe

darteddowntheroadtothemilkman’slittlehand-cart,andturnedonthetapofthechurn.Themilkranoutofthetapontotheroad.

“Comeon!”saidthewoman.“Drinkthis!”“Butwecan’tdothat!”criedMollieinsurpriseanddisgust.“That’s

stealing.Oh,doturnoffthetap.Themilkisallgoingtowaste!”Themilkmancouldbeheardcomingdownsomeone’spath,whistling.The

womanranbacktoherhouse,leavingthetapturnedon.Themilkmanheardhismilkrunningtowasteandrantoturnoffthetap,shoutingangrily,“Whodidthis?WaittillIcatchthem!”

“Theydidit,thosechildrendidit!Isawthem!”criedthebrowniewomanfromherdoor.ThemilkmansawChinkyandMolliestandingnearbyandmadeadartatthem.Butthistimetheygotawaybeforetheywerecaught.Theyrandownthelaneanddartedinsidealittledarkshedtohide.

“It’stoobad,”saidMollie.“TheseScally-Wagskeepdoinghorridthingsandblamingthemontous.Idohatethem!”

“Sh!”saidChinky.“There’sthemilkmancomingafterus.Coveryourselfinthisoldsack,Mollie,andI’lldothesame.”

Theylaydowninacorner,coveredwiththesacks.Themilkmanlooked

Theylaydowninacorner,coveredwiththesacks.Themilkmanlookedintotheshedandranon.Molliesatup.ShelookedatChinkyandlaughed.

“Youdolookdirtyandhotanduntidy,”shesaid.“Sodoyou,”saidChinky.“Infact,welooklikeproperlittleScally-Wags.

Theyalllookdirtyanduntidytoo!Now,whereshallwegonext!IfonlywecouldfindPeter!”

Theywentoutoftheshed.Thehotsunshonedownonthem.Theyfeltthirstierthanever.Theysawalittlestreamrunningnearby,lookingcoolandclear.

“Whataboutgettingadrinkfromthat?”saidMollie.“Well,Idon’tlikedrinkingfromstreams,”Chinkysaid.“Butreally,I’m

dreadfullythirsty!Let’stryit.Butdon’tdrinktoomuch,Mollie.”Thetwoofthemkneltdownbythestream,tookwaterintotheircupped

handsanddrank.Ooooh!Itwassocoldanddelicious.Justastheyfinished,andwerefeelingmuchbetter,theyheardavoicebehindthem.

“Thatwillbetwopenceeach,please.Youhavedrunkfrommystream.”Theyturnedandsawawizardbehindthem,inatall,pointedhat,andcloak

embroideredwithstars.

“Wehaven’tanymoney,”saidChinky.“Thenyouhadbettercomewithmeandworkformeforonedaytopayfor

thedrinksyouhavehad,”saidthewizard.HetriedtograbholdofMollie—butquickasthoughtChinkyliftedhisfistandbroughtitdownonthewizard’spointedhat.Itwascrushedrightdownoverhislongnose,andhecouldn’tseeathing!

OncemoreMollieandChinkyran.“Ohdear,”pantedMollie,“wereallyarebehavingjustlikeScally-Wags,Chinky—butwecan’tseemtohelpit!”

“Look!There’stheriveragain!”saidChinkyindelight.“Andthereareourtwogeese.Let’sgetontheirbacks,Mollie,andgoawayfromthisland.I’msurePeterisn’there.Nooneseemstohaveseenhim.I’mtiredofbeinghere.”

“Allright,”saidMollie.Theyrandowntheriver-bankandcalledtothegeese.

“Comehere!Wewanttoflyfartheron!”Andthen,totheirgreatsurprise,awitchinagreenshawlstooduponthe

Andthen,totheirgreatsurprise,awitchinagreenshawlstooduponthebankandcried,“Hie!Leavemygeesealone!”

“Theyarenotyours,theyareours!”yelledChinkyinanger.Hecutthestringasthegeesecameswimmingtothebank.Thewitchtriedtograbthetwobigbirds—andinafrighttheyspreadtheirbigwings,flewupintotheairandaway!MollieandChinkywatchedtheminthegreatestdismay.Theirwayofescapehadgone!

Chinkywasfuriouswiththewitch.BeforeMolliecouldstophimhegaveherapush,andshewentflyingintothewater.Splash!

“Chinky!Youmustn’tkeeppushingpeopleintothewater!”criedMollie,turningtorunawayagain—butthistimeitwastoolate.Thewitchshoutedafewmagicwordsasshemadeherwayoutoftheriver—andloandbehold,ChinkyandMolliefoundthattheycouldnotmoveastep!

“Soyouthoughtyoucouldpushmeintotheriverandrunaway,didyou?”saidthewitch.“Well,youweremistaken!IshallnowtakeyoubeforeourKing—andnodoubthewillseethatyouarewellpunished.March!”

Thetwofoundthattheycouldwalk—butonlywherethewitchcommanded.Verymiserableindeedtheymarcheddownalong,longroad,thewitchbehindthem,andatlastcametoasmallpalace.Upthestepstheywent,andthewitchcalledtotheguardthere.

“TwoprisonersfortheKing!Makeway!”Theguardscried,“Advance!”andthethreeofthem,Mollie,Chinky,and

thewitch,walkeddownagreathall.Sittingonathroneattheend,raisedhigh,wastheKing,wearingagoldencrownandaredcloak.

Andoh,whateverdoyouthink!MollieandChinkycouldhardlybelievetheireyes—fortheKingwasnootherthanPeter—yes,Peterhimself!Hewasstillwearinghisgoldencardboardcrownandtheredrugforacloak—andhisthronewasthewishing-chair.Itswingshaddisappeared.Itlookedjustlikeanordinarychair.

PeterstaredatMollieandChinkyinamazement—andtheystaredathim.Molliewasjustgoingtocry,“Peter!Oh,Peter!”whenPeterwinkedather,andChinkygaveheranudge.Shewasnottogivehissecretaway!

ThePrince’sSpells

FORaminuteor twoPeter,Mollie,andChinkygazedatoneanotherandsaidnothing.Thenthewitchspoke.

“YourMajesty,herearetwoprisonersforyou.Theypushedmeintotheriveraftertheyhadtriedtostealmygeese.”

“Leavethemwithme,”saidPeterinasolemnvoice.“Iwillpunishthem,witch.”

Thewitchbowedandwentoutbackwards.Molliewantedtogigglebutshedidn’tdareto.Nobodysaidaworduntilthebigdoorclosed.

ThenPeterleaptdownfromthechairandflunghisarmsroundMollieandChinky.Theyhuggedoneanotherindelight.

“Peter,Peter!TellushowitisyouareKinghere!”saidMollie.“Well,itisquitesimple,”saidPeter.“Thechairflewoffwithme,asyou

know.Itflewforsometime,andthenbegantogodownwards.Itlandedonthestepsofthispalace,whichhadbeenemptyforyears.”

“AssoonastheScally-Wagssawme,alldressedupinmycrownandcloak,sittingontheflyingchair,theythoughtImustbesomewonderfulmagickingcomefromafar-offlandtolivehere.Sotheyboweddownbeforeme,andcalledmeKing.Ididn’tknowwhattodobecausethewishing-chair’swingsdisappeared,ofcourse,soIcouldn’tescape.IjustthoughtI’dbetterpretendtobeaKing,andwaitforyoutocomealong—forIguessedyouandMolliewouldfindsomewayofgettingtome!Now,tellmeyouradventures!”

HowPeterlaughedwhenheheardwhatalotofpeopleChinkyhadpushedintothewater!“YoureallyareabitofaScally-Wagyourself,Chinky,”hesaid.“That’sthesortofthingtheScally-Wagslovetodo!”

“Peter,howcanweallescape?”askedMollie.“Ifonlythewishing-chairwouldgrowitswingsagain!Butitneverdoeswhenwereallywantitto!”

“WhatwillMothersayifwestayawaytoolong?”saidPeter,lookingworried.

“Well,adayhereisonlyanhourinyourland,”saidChinky.“Sodon’tworry.Evenifwehavetobeherefortwoorthreedaysitwon’tmatter,becauseitwillonlybetwoorthreehoursreally.Yourmotherwon’tworryifyouareonlyawayforafewhours.”

“Andbythattimeperhapsthechairwillhavegrownitswingsagain,”saidMollie,cheeringup.

“Lookhere,”saidChinky,“Ithinkyououghttomakeupsomesortof

“Lookhere,”saidChinky,“Ithinkyououghttomakeupsomesortofpunishmentforus,Peter,orthewitchwillthinkthereissomethingfunnyaboutyou.Makeusscrubthefloor,orsomething.Anythingwilldo.”

“Butdogiveussomethingtoeat,”saidMollie.“Wereallyareveryhungry.”

Peterclappedhishands.Thedoorswungopenandtwosoldiersappeared.Theysalutedandclickedtheirheelstogether.

“Bringmeatrayofchocolatecakes,someapples,andsomesardinesandwiches,”commandedPeter.“Andsomelemonade,too.Oh,andbringtwopailsofhotwaterandtwoscrubbing-brushes.Iamgoingtomakemytwoprisonersscrubthefloor.”

Theguardssalutedandwentout.InafewminutestwoScally-Wags,dressedinfootmen’suniform,cameinwiththetrayoffood.Howgooditlooked!BehindthemfollowedanotherScally-Wagcarryingtwopailsofsteaminghotwater,twoscrubbing-brushes,andsomesoap.

“YourMajesty,isitsafeforyoutobealonewithtwoprisonersasfierceasthese?”askedoneoftheScally-Wags.

“Dearme,yes,”saidPeter.“Iwouldturnthembothintoblack-beetlesiftheysomuchasfrownedatme!”

TheScally-Wagsbowedandwentout.MollieandChinkygiggled.“DoyoulikeplayingatbeingaKing,Peter?”askedMollie.

“I’mnotplayingatit,IamaKing!”saidPeter.“Comeandhelpyourselvestofood,youtwo.I’llhavesometoo.Itlooksgood.”

Itwasgood!Butinthemiddleofthemealtherecamealoudknockatthedoor.MollieandChinkyflungdowntheirsandwichesinahurry,caughtupscrubbing-brushesandwentdownontheirhandsandknees!TheypretendedtobehardatworkscrubbingasthreeScally-Wagsenteredwithamessage.

“YourMajesty!”theysaid,bowinglowtilltheirforeheadsbumpedagainst

“YourMajesty!”theysaid,bowinglowtilltheirforeheadsbumpedagainstthefloor.“HisHighness,thePrinceofGoodnessKnowsWhere,iscomingtoseeyoutomorrow,toexchangemagicspells.Hewillbehereateleveno’clock.”

“Oh,”saidPeter.“Thanksverymuch.”ThethreeScally-WagslookedangrilyatMollieandChinkyscrubbingthe

floor,andsaid,“Shallwebeattheseprisonersforyou,YourMajesty?Wehearthattheyhavepushedthreepeopleintotheriver,andsmasheddowntheoldwizard’shatontohisnose,and...”

“That’senough,”saidPeterinafiercevoice.“Ipunishmyprisonersmyself.Anyinterferencefromyou,andyouwillscrubmyfloortoo!”

“Pardon,pardon,YourMajesty!”criedthethreeScally-Wags,andtheybackedawaysofastthattheyfelloveroneanotherandrolleddownthesteps.ThetwochildrenandChinkylaughedtilltheirsidesached.

“Oh,Peter,youdomakeagoodKing!”saidMollie.“IdowishIcouldbeaqueen!”

“Isay!WhataboutthisPrinceofGoodnessKnowsWhere,”saidChinky.“Ifheisreallycomingtoexchangemagicspellswithyou,Peter,youwillfindthingsratherdifficult.Because,yousee,youcan’tdoanyspellsatall.”

Thethreestaredatoneanother.ThenPeterhadanidea.“Lookhere,Chinky,couldn’tyouchangeplaceswithmetomorrow,anddo

spellsinsteadofme?”heasked.“I’llsaythatIwillreceivethePrincealone—sothatnoneoftheScally-Wagswillknowit’syouandnotme.”

“Goodidea!”criedChinkyatonce.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthePrince,butperhapsIcanmanagetosatisfyhim.That’sjustwhatwe’lldo—changeplaces!”

ThatnightMollieandChinkysleptinthekitchenofthepalace.Theywerequitecomfortableonabigsofathere,thoughthetwokitchencatswouldkeeponlyingdownontopofthem.Theywerenice,warmcats,butveryfatandheavy.Petersleptonagoldenbedinabigbedroom—buthesaidhewouldmuchratherhavesleptwithMollyandChinkyonthekitchensofawiththecats.Itwaslonelyinthegoldenbed.

Petertoldthesoldiersthathemeanttokeepthetwoprisoners,MollieandChinky,aspersonalservants,andthereforetheyweretobringhiminhisbreakfast.Youmaybesurethatthetwoofthempiledthetraysupwellwithfoodofallkindswhentheytookthebreakfastin!Theylaiditonatable,andthentheyallateagoodmeal,thoughMollieandChinkyhadtoeattheirsstandingbehindPeter’schair,incasesomeonecameinsuddenly.

AsthemorningwentonandthetimecamenearerforthePrincetocome,thethreebegantofeelratherexcited.Petergaveordersthathewastobealone

thethreebegantofeelratherexcited.PetergaveordersthathewastobealonewiththePrince.

“SeethatnoonecomesintotheroomwhilstHisHighnessishere,”hesaidtothesoldiers.Theysalutedandwentoutsmartly.Petersaiditwasfuntohavetwosoldiersobeyinghimlikethat.

“Nowhere’sthecrown,Chinky,”hesaid,handinghimthegoldencardboardcrown.“Andhere’stheredrugforacloak.Getontothewishing-chairthrone.Iguesstheoldwishing-chairneverthoughtitwasgoingtobeusedasathrone!”

Chinkyputonthecrownandsatdownonthechair,pullinghiscloakroundhim.MollieandPeterstoodbehindhimasiftheywereservants.Eleveno’clockstruck.

ThedoorwasthrownopenandincameatallandgrandlydressedPrince.HesweptoffhisfeatheredhatandbowedtoChinky.Chinkybowedback.Thedoorshut.

ChinkyandthePrincebegantotalk.“Iwasonmywaythroughyourkingdom,”saidthePrince,“andthought

thatIwouldcometoexchangespellswithyou.Ihavehereaspellthatwillchangealltheweedsinagardenintobeautifulflowers.Wouldyoucaretoexchangethatforaspellofyourown?”

“No,thankyou,”saidChinky.“Ihavenoweedsinmygarden.Itwouldbeofnousetome.”

“Well,”saidthePrince,bringingoutabagembroideredwithlittlegoldensuns,“hereisanotherspell,reallymostuseful.Putabitoftheshellinthisbagintoanegg-cupandsay‘Toorisimmer-loo-loo,’andyouwillseeabeautifulnew-laideggappear.Youcanhaveitforyourbreakfast.Thereisenoughshellinheretomakeonehundredthousandeggs.”

heretomakeonehundredthousandeggs.”“Ican’tbeareggsforbreakfast,”saidChinky.“Showmesomethingelse.”“Well,whataboutthis,”saidthePrince.HeshowedChinkyastrangelittle

capwiththreeredberriesonit.“Putthiscaponandyouwillknowimmediatelywhoareyourenemiesandwhoarenot,forthethreeredberrieswillwagaboutwhenenemiesarebeforeyou.”

“Iknowwhoaremyenemiesandwhoarenotwithoutwearinganycap,”saidChinky.“It’snogoodtome!Youhavenospellsatallthatareofanyuse,Prince!”

“Well,whatspellshaveyou?”askedthePrinceratherimpatiently.Chinkywavedhishandintheairandamostdelicioussmellstoleall

around.Itseemedlikehoneysuckleoneminute—likerosesthenext—likecarnationsthenext—thenlikesweet-peas—sothatallthetimeyouweresniffingandsmellingindelight.ThePrincewasmostexcited.

“Thatisamostunusualspell,”hesaid.“IshouldlikethattotakehometomyPrincess.Shewouldbepleased.”

“Well,Iwillgiveittoyouifyouwillgivemeaspellthatisusefultome,”saidChinky.“Canyou,forinstance,makewingsgrowonthisthroneofmine?”

ThePrincelookedatthewishing-chairandrubbedhishanddownitslegs.“Yes,”hesaidatonce.“Icaneasilydothat.IfIamnotmistakenthat

throneofyourswasonceaflyingchair!Iwillworktheflyingspellonit!”Hetookfromhispocketalittlebluetin.Hetookoffthelidanddughis

fingerintothetin.Molliesawthathisfingerwascoveredwithgreenandyellowointment.ThePrincesmeareditdownthelegsofthechair.Thenhestoodbackandchantedacuriousmagicsong.ThechildrenandChinkywatchedinexcitement.Theysawthefamiliarredbudscome—andbreakoutintofeathers!Thechairwasgrowingitswings!Itspreadthemout—itflappedthemandadraughtcame!

“Quick!”shoutedChinky,jumpingontothetopofthechair’sback,“getin,MollieandPeter.Wecanflyoff,now!”

ButthePrincegaveashoutandsnatchedChinky’scardboardcrownfromhishead.

“Youarenotarealking!”hecried.“Yourcrownisonlycardboard!Stop!Soldiers,soldiers!Comehereatonce!”

Thebigdoorburstopen.Incamethesoldiersandstaredinamazementatthechairholdingthetwochildrenandthepixie.

“Home,chair,home!”yelledallthreeinthechair.“Flyoutofthewindow!”Thechairroseintotheair,kickedoutatthePrince,andknockedhimover.

Peterkickedoutatthesoldiersandknockedtheirhelmetsoff!Thechairflewout

Peterkickedoutatthesoldiersandknockedtheirhelmetsoff!Thechairflewoutofthewindowandupintotheair.Hurrah!TheywereleavingtheLandoftheScally-Wags—andagoodthingtoo,for,asPetersaid,theystoodagoodchanceofbecomingasbadasScally-Wagsthemselvesiftheystayedthereverymuchlonger—pushingpeopleintorivers,kickingthemover,andbangingtheirhatsovertheirnoses!

“ButIquiteenjoyedbeingabitofaScally-Wagforonce,”saidChinky,asthechairflewinattheplayroom.

“ItwasagoodthingformethatwehadbeenplayingatKingsandQueensbeforethechairflewtotheLandofScally-Wags,”saidPeter.“ItwasjollyniceeveryonethinkingIwasaking,Icantellyou!”

TheLastAdventureofAll

CHINKYwasreadingbyhimself in theplayroom,curleduponthecouch.HewaswaitingforMollieandPetertocomeandplaywithhim.Theyweregoingtosetout the railway linesallover the room,and run the twoengines roundandround.Itwouldbefun,Chinkythought.

Helistenedforthetwochildrentocomealong.Soonheheardthem.Buttheywerenotrunningmerrilyalongasusual.Theywerecomingslowly.Chinkywonderedifanythinghadhappened.Usuallythechildrenonlywalkedslowlyiftheyhadbeenindisgrace,orweresadaboutsomething.Herantothedoorandlookedout.

Yes—itwasMollieandPeter—buttheydidlookmiserable.Chinkyrantothemandtooktheirhands.

“What’sthematter?”hecried.“Haveyoubeenpunishedforsomething?”“No,”saidPeter.“ButMotherhasjusttoldussomebadnews.”“What?”criedChinky.“ShehastoldusthatMollieandIaretogoawaytoschool,”saidPeter.“Butyougotoschoolnow,”saidChinky,puzzled.“Youlikeschool.”“Yes,butthisisanewschool—itiscalled,aboarding-school,”saidMollie.

“Wegothereandlivethere—sleepthere,haveourmealsthere,andeverything!Weshan’tbeabletopopdowntoourplayroomandplaywithyou,Chinky.”

Thepixiestaredatthetwochildrenindismay.“Butwon’tyouevercomebackagain?”heasked.“Won’tyoueverseeyourmotherandfathereven?”

Peterlaughed.“Oh,yes,”hesaid.“Weshallseethemoften.Weshallcomehomeforholidaysandathalf-termtoo.Soitisn’treallysobad,Isuppose.Butitmeansweshan’tbeabletoseeyoueverydayaswedonow,Chinky.Youwillhavetowaitmanyweeksbeforewecomebackagain.”

havetowaitmanyweeksbeforewecomebackagain.”“Ohdear!”saidChinky.“Idohatetheideaofthat!Butperhapsitwillbea

goodthingbecause,youknow,mymotherisratherlonelylivingbyherselfinFairyland.Ioughttogoandlivewithherabit.ThenIcouldcomeandlivewithyouintheholidays,couldn’tI?”

“Yes,”saidPeter.“ButIsay,Chinky—whataboutthewishing-chair?Wecan’tleaveitherebyitself.Itmightflyawayandnotcomeback.”

“Orgetstolenbysomeone,”saidMollie.“Yes,that’strue,”saidChinky.“Well,IthinkI’dbettertakeithomewith

me,don’tyou?Mymotherwillkeepitsafelyforustillweneedit.Wewillseethatitdoesn’tflyoff.”

“That’sagoodidea,”saidPeter.“Whenareyougoingtoschool?”askedChinky.“Tomorrow,”saidMollie.“Iamgoingtoagirls’schoolandPeterisgoing

toaboys’school.Weshallmissoneanotherdreadfully.ButIexpectitwillbefuntolivewithlotsofotherchildren.”

“Perhapsthewishing-chairwillgrowitswingsoncemorebeforewehavetosaygoodbyetoit,”saidPeter.“Butanyway,we’llgooffadventuringintheholidayswhentheycome.And,oh,Chinky!Isupposeyoucouldn’tcomeinthechairtoschoolonenight?Itwouldbesoexciting!”

“I’llsee,”saidChinky.“Idon’twanttheotherchildrentoknowaboutthewishing-chair—andtheywouldseeitifIcame.”

“Look!”saidMolliesuddenly.“Thechairisgrowingitswings!Itmusthaveheardwhatweweresaying.Itwantstotakeusonalastadventure.Comeon,youtwo,getin!”

Chinkysatinhisusualplace,onthebackofthechair.MollieandPetersqueezedintotheseat.Thechairflappeditswingsstronglyandflewoffintotheair.Upitflewandup,andwentduesouth.

“Wehaven’tbeenthiswaybefore,”saidChinky,peeringdown.“Wepassoversomestrangelandshereabouts,Iknow.Chair,youarenottogodownanywherehere.Wemightfinditdifficulttogetaway.”

ThechairobeyedChinky.Itflewon,keepingquitehigh.Thechildrenleanedoverthearmstoseewhattheywerepassing.TheysawthattheymustbeflyingoverGiantland,forthepeoplelookedverybigandtall.Someofthegiantssawthemandwavedtothemtocomedown.Butthechairflewon.Itcametoyetanotherland.

Thiswasapeculiar-lookingplace.Thepeopleseemedtohavenolegs,butrolledabouthereandthereontheirround,fatlittlebodies.

rolledabouthereandthereontheirround,fatlittlebodies.“That’sthelandofRollabouts,”saidChinky,pointing.“Ioncewentthere

whenIwaslittle,anddearme,howIkeptfallingoverthoseRollabouts.Theywillkeeprollinginbetweenyourfeet!”

Mollielaughed.ShethoughtshewouldliketoflydownandseetheRollabouts—butthechairkepton,flyingstrongly.

“Nowwhatisthisland,Iwonder?”saidChinky,lookingdown.“Oh,myword!Iknow!It’swheretheChatterboxeslive!Dreadfulpeople,theyare!Theytalkallthetime,andsimplywon’tletyougetawordin!”

“Idon’tlikechatterboxes,”saidPeter.“Theyaredullandtiresome,andjusttalkaboutthemselvesallthetime.Oh,Isay,Chinky!Thechair’sgoingdown!”

“Keepup,chair!”commandedChinky.,Thechairswungitselfupwards.ButtheChatterboxeshadseenitandtheycalledtoit.

“Hie,chair,chair,chair!Comeondownhere!We’velotstosaytoyou,andwe’dliketohearallyouradventures,andseeyourwonderfulwings,and...”

“And,and,and!”saidChinky.“They’llgoontalkingforever!”TheChatterboxesgrewangrywhentheysawthatthechairwasnotcoming

down.Oneofthemranindoorsandfetchedalongrope.Herolleditroundinringsonhisarm.Then,takingcarefulaim,hethrewitupatthechair,asacowboythrowsalasso.Theloopofropefellrightroundthechair.TheChatterboxgaveayellofdelight.Hepulledtheropetightly.Chinkyandthechildrenwerecaughtneatly,fortheropewasroundthem,too!

TheChatterboxbegantohaulontherope,andalthoughthechairflappeditswingsashardasitcouldandtriedtoflyupwards,therewasnohelpforit—ithadtocomedown!Bump!Itwasdownontheground.

TheChatterboxesundidtherope,talkingallthetime.“Youshouldhavecomedownwhenwecalledyou!Yousee,youhadtocomedownanyhow!Wherewereyougoingto?Wheredidyoucomefrom?Whatareyournames?”

“MynameisChinky,”beganthepixie—buttheChatterboxesdidnotwanttolistentoanything.Theyjustwentontalking,allofthematonce.

“Theysoundlikethemonkey-houseatthezoo!”saidPeterindespair.“LISTEN,CHATTERBOXES!LETUSGOONOURJOURNEY!”Peter

shoutedasloudlyashecould—buttheChatterboxestooknonotice.TheypulledthetwochildrenandChinkyalongtoalittlecottage,saying,“Youmustcomeandhavesomelemonade!Youmusthavesomebiscuits!”

“Oh,well,”saidPetertoMollie.“Icanalwaysdowithlemonadeandbiscuits.Idon’tlikeleavingthechairbehind,though.Isay,Chatterboxes,canwebringthechairwithus?”

“Ohyes,wewillsendsomeonebacktofetchit,”saidthelittlefolk.“Yougo,Lollipop!Yougo,Twisty!Yougo,Knobbly!”

go,Lollipop!Yougo,Twisty!Yougo,Knobbly!”Lollipop,Twisty,andKnobblyallbegantotellwhytheydidn’twanttogo

—andintheendnobodywentatall.Theyweremostannoyinglittlepeople,alltalkandnothingelse!

Theysatdowninthelittlekitchen,andwentontalking,whilstthechildrenandChinkywaitedpatientlyforthelemonadeandbiscuits.Buteveryonewantedtotalk,andnoonefetchedanythingtoeatordrink.

“Youknow,whenwesawyourchairwethought‘Whatawonderfulthing!’Andwedidwanttoseeitandseeyoutoo,sowecalledyou,butyouwouldn’tcomedown,andthenwehadtolassoyou,andyoucamedown,andwhatnicepeopleyouare,andwearesopleasedtohaveyouhere,andtogiveyoulemonadeandbiscuits,andtobeyourfriends,andlistentoallyouhavetotellusofyourwonderfuladventures,and...”

“Oh,dobequietforaminute,”saidMollie,puttingherhandsoverherears.“Yougoonandonandon.”

“Andwhataboutsomelemonadeandbiscuits,”saidChinky.“Ohyes,lemonadeandbiscuits,ofcourseyoushallhavesome,andwewill

allhavesome,too!”criedtheChatterboxes.“Howniceitistohaveyouhereeatinganddrinkingwithus,andtellingusallyouradventures,andsharingyourwonderfuljourneys,and...”

“Well,wehaven’ttoldyouanythingsofar!”saidPeter,gettingannoyed.“Isay,Chinky,let’sgetbacktoourchair.I’mtiredofwaitinghereforlemonadeandbiscuitsthatdon’tcome!”

TheypushedasidethesillylittleChatterboxesandwenttogettheirchair—butitwasgone!Theysawithighinthesky,alittleblackspeck,flyingawaytothenorth!

“Bother!”saidChinkycrossly.“Nowwe’vegottogobackbytrain!Dogetaway,Chatterboxes,anddon’ttalksoloudlyinmyearsallthetime.Youmakemequitedeaf!”

“Hurry!”calledMollie.“There’satrainoverthereinthatstation!”Thethreeranfast,withthestupidChatterboxeschatteringhardbehindthemallthetime,sayingsomethingaboutlemonadeandbiscuits!

Theyjumpedintothetrain,andonlyjustintimetoo!Itwasafunnytrain—awoodenone,withopentrucks.InChinky’scarriagetherewasahedgehog,aChatterbox,andamolewhowasfastasleep.

TheChatterboxwastalkingasusual.Thehedgehogspreadouthispricklesandprickedhim.TheChatterboxlookedathimangrily.

“EverytimeyouopenyourmouthIshallprickyou,”saidthehedgehoginahoarse,crossvoice.TheChatterboxglaredathim,butdidn’tdaretosayanotherword.

“It’sapitythatahedgehogdoesn’ttravelwitheveryChatterbox,”whisperedMollietoChinky.Thetrainclatteredon,andstoppedatfunnystations.TheChatterboxwaiteduntilthehedgehoggotoutandthenbeganrattlingonaboutallsortsofthings,neverstoppingforamoment.Themolesnoredloudly.Chinky,Mollie,andPeterturnedtheirbacksonthesillychatterboxandpretendednottolisten.Howgladtheyweretogettotheirownstationandjumpout.

“Well,IhopeIshallneverbeachatterbox!”saidMollie.“Wewon’tletyoube!”saidPeter.“Comeon—let’sgohomeandseeifthe

wishing-chairissafelyback.”Theyranthroughthewoodanddownthelaneandintotheirgarden.Butdo

youknow,thewishing-chairwasnotthere!Ithadn’tcomeback!“Oh,doyousupposeithasgoneawayforever?”criedMollie.“Doyou

thinkitheardwhatweweresayingandranaway?”“It’sfunny,”saidChinky,puzzled.“Ishouldn’thavethoughtitwouldleave

uslikethat!Ohdear—andyou’regoingawaytoschooltomorrow!Itmighthaveletyousaygoodbyetoit!”

JustthenatinyfairycameknockingattheplayroomdoorwithanoteforChinky.Heopeneditandreadit—andhisfacebrokeintosmiles.“Justlistentothis!”hecried.“It’sfrommymother.Shesays:

‘Dear Chinky, this is just to let you know that the wishing-chair arrivedherebyitselftoday.Idon’tknowwhy.—YourlovingMother.’

“Oh,thecleveroldchair!”saidPeter.“Itheardussaythatyouwouldlivewithyourmotherandkeepitthere—soithasgonethereitself!Well,youmustsaygoodbyetoitforus,Chinky—andwe’llhopetoseeitwhenwecomehomeforhalf-term.”

Abellrangatthetopofthegarden.MollierantoChinkyandhuggedhim.“That’sthebelltotellustogoin,”shesaid.“We’dbettersaygoodbyenow,dear,dearChinky,incasewecan’tgetdowntotheplayroomtomorrowbeforewego.Goodbyeanddon’tforgetus!”

Theyallhuggedoneanother.Chinkywavedtothemastheyranupthegarden.Hefeltrathersad—butnevermind,therewouldbemoreadventureswhentheholidayscame!Hewouldwaitforthose.

ChinkycaughtthebustoFairylandandwenttoMrs.Twinkle,hismother.Thechildrenpackedtheirlastthings.Everythingwasreadyforschool.Theycouldn’thelpfeelingratherexcited.

Theplayroomwasempty.Thewishing-chairwasgone.Ah—butwaittilltheholidays!Whatfineadventurestheywouldallhavethen!

THEEND

OriginalIllustrations

What’saShilling?

ForthosenotfamiliarwitholdUKcurrency…Predecimalization(1971)apoundconsistedoftwentyshillings,eachof

whichinturnconsistedoftwelvepenniesorpence.Postdecimalizationapoundconsistsofonehundred[new]pence.AstraightconversionforthethreeshillingswhichMollieandPeterhavein

theirmoney-boxistherefore(3/20)X100=15pence.Buyingthevasefor2/6[twoshillingsandsixpenceor“twoandsix”]leavesthemsixpencefortheflowers.IncurrentUKcurrencythat’s12½pand2½p,althoughwe’velongsincegotridofthe½p.

Morerealisticconversionratesasat2010usingRetailPriceIndexandAverageEarningsare:

1950(publication):£4.00/£11.50

1937(firstedition):£7.50/£22.00

Source:http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/result.php

Ifyouneedtorelatethestoryinrelativetermseitherfiveortenpoundswouldbereasonable.