Download - Adventures of the Wishing-Chair
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.