More Wishing-Chair Stories Part 2

Then Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky had to curtsy and bow to him, and ask for his commands. He could tell them to do anything he liked.

aYour Majesty, what would you have me do today?a asked Mollie, curtsying low.

aI would have you go and pick me six dandelions, six daisies, and six b.u.t.tercups,a said Peter, grandly, waving his hand. Mollie curtsied again and walked out backwards, nearly falling over a stool as she did so.

Then c.h.i.n.ky asked Peter what he was to do for him. aYour Majesty, what would you have me do?a he said, bowing low.

aI would have you go to the cupboard and get me a green sweet out of the bottle there,a said Peter commandingly. c.h.i.n.ky went to the cupboard. He couldnat see the bottle at first. He moved the tins about and hunted for it. He didnat see what was happening behind him!

Peter didnat see either. But what was happening was that the wishing-chair was growing its wingsa" under the red rug that was all around its legs! Peter sat in the chair, waiting impatiently for his commands to be obeyeda"and the chair flapped its red wings under the rug and wondered why it could not flap them as easily as usual!

Mollie was in the garden gathering the flowers that Peter had ordered. c.h.i.n.ky was still hunting for the bottle of sweets. The wishing-chair flapped its wings harder than evera"it suddenly rose into the air, and flew swiftly out of the door before Peter could jump out, and before c.h.i.n.ky could catch hold of it. It was gone!

aHie, Mollie, Mollie!a yelled c.h.i.n.ky in alarm. aThe wishing-chairas gonea"and Peteras gone with it!a Mollie came tearing into the playroom. aI saw it!a she panted. aOh, why didnat Peter or you see that its wings had grown? Now, itas gone off with Peter, and we donat know where!a aWe didnat see its wings growing because the red rug hid its legs!a said c.h.i.n.ky. aIt must have grown them under the rug and flown off before any of us guessed!a aWell, what shall we do?a asked Mollie. aWhat will happen to Peter?a aIt depends where heas gone,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aDid you see which way the chair went?a aTowards the west,a said Mollie. aPeter was yelling and shouting like anythinga"but he couldnat stop the chair.a aWell, wead better go on a journey of our own,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aIall catch Farmer Strawas two geese. They wonat like it mucha"but it canat be helped. We must go after Peter and the chair somehow!a He ran off down to the farm. Presently Mollie heard the noise of flapping wings, and down from the sky came c.h.i.n.ky, riding on the back of one of the geese, and leading the other by a piece of thick string. The geese hissed angrily as they came to the ground.

aThey are most annoyed about it,a said c.h.i.n.ky to Mollie. aThey only came when I promised them that I wouldnat let Farmer Straw take them to market next week.a a.s.s-ss-ss-ss!a hissed the big geese, and one tried to peck at Mollieas fat legs. c.h.i.n.ky smacked it.

aBehave yourself!a he said. aIf you peck Mollie Iall change your beak into a trumpet, and then youall only be able to toot, not cackle or hiss!a Mollie laughed. aYou do say some funny things, c.h.i.n.ky,a she said. She got on to the gooseas back. Up in the air it went, flapping its enormous white wings.

aWeall go to the cloud castle first of all,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aThe fairies there may have seen Peter going by and can tell us where they think the chair might have been going.a So they flew to an enormous white cloud that towered up into the sky. As they drew near it Mollie could see that it had turrets, and was really a cloud castle. She thought it was the loveliest thing she had ever seen.

There was a great gateway in the cloud castle. The geese flew through it and landed in a misty courtyard. Mollie was just going to get off when c.h.i.n.ky shouted to her.

aDonat get off, Molliea"you havenat got cloud-shoes on and youad fall right through to the earth below!a Mollie stayed on her goose. Small fairies dressed in all the colours of the rainbow came running into the courtyard, chattering in delight to see Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky. They wore cloud-shoes, rather like big flat snow-shoes, and with these they were able to step safely on the cloud that made their castle.

aCome in and have some lemonade!a cried the little folk. But c.h.i.n.ky shook his head.

aWe are looking for a boy in a flying chair,a he said. aHave you see him?a aYes!a cried the fairies, crowding round the geese, who cackled and hissed at them. aHe pa.s.sed about fifteen minutes ago. The chair had red wings and was flying strongly towards the west. Hurry and you may catch it up!a aThank you!a cried c.h.i.n.ky. He shook the string reins of his goose, and he and Mollie flew up into the air once more, and went steadily westwards.

aThere is a gnome who lives in a tall tower some miles westwards,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aIt is so tall that it sticks out above the clouds. We will make for there, and see if he has seen anything of Peter and the wishing-chair.a The geese flew on, cackling to one another. They were still in a bad temper. c.h.i.n.ky kept a look out for the tall towera"but Mollie saw it first. It looked very strange. It was sticking right through a big black cloud, and, as it was made of bright silver, it shone brilliantly.

There was a small window at the top. It was open. The geese flew down to the window-sill and c.h.i.n.ky stuck his head inside.

aHie, gnome of the tower! Are you in?a aYes!a yelled a voice. aIf that is the baker leave me a brown loaf, please.a aIt isnat the baker!a shouted c.h.i.n.ky. aCome on up here!a aWell, if itas the butcher, leave me a pound of sausages!a yelled the voice.

aIt isnat the butcher!a shouted back c.h.i.n.ky, getting cross. aAnd it isnat the milkman or the grocer or the newspaper boy or the fishmonger either!a aAnd it isnat the postman!a cried Mollie. aItas c.h.i.n.ky and Mollie!a The gnome was surprised. He climbed up the many steps of his tower till he came to the top. Then he put his head out of the window and gaped in amazement to see Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky on their two geese.

aHallo!a he said. aWhere do you come from?a aNever mind that,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aWeave come to ask you if youave seen a boy on a flying chair.a aYes,a said the gnome at once. aHe pa.s.sed about twenty minutes ago. I thought he was a king or something because he wore a golden crown. He was going towards the land of the Scally-Wags.a aOh my!a said c.h.i.n.ky in dismay. aAre you sure?a aOf course I am,a said the gnome, nodding his big head. aI thought he was the baker coming at first.a aYou think every oneas the baker!a said c.h.i.n.ky, and he jerked the reins of his goose. aCome on, goose! To the land of the Scally-Wags.a The geese flew off. The gnome climbed out on the window-sill and began to polish his silver tower with a big check duster.

aDoes he keep that tower polished himself?a said Mollie in surprise. aGoodness, it must keep him busy all the week!a aIt does,a said c.h.i.n.ky, grinning. aBecause as soon as heas done it all and reached the top, the bottom is dirty again and he has to begin all over again!a ac.h.i.n.ky, you didnat sound very pleased when you knew that Peter and the chair had gone to the Land of the Scally-Wags,a said Mollie. aWhy werenat you?a aWell, the Scally-Wags are horrid people,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aYou see, to that land go all the bad folk of Fairyland, Goblin-Land, Brownie-Town, Pixie-Land, Gnome-Country, and the rest. They call themselves Scally-Wags, and they are just as horrid as they sound. If Peter goes there he will be treated like a Scally-Wag, and expected to steal and tell fibs and behave very badly. And if he doesnat, they will say he is a spy and lock him up.a aOh, c.h.i.n.ky, I do think thatas horrid,a said Mollie in dismay. aPeter will hate being in a land like that.a aWell, donat worry, I dare say we shall be able to rescue him all right,a said c.h.i.n.kya"though really he had no idea at all how to save Peter. c.h.i.n.ky himself had never been to the Land of Scally-Wags before!

The geese cackled and hissed. They were getting tired. c.h.i.n.ky hoped they would be able to go on flying till they reached Scally-Wag Land. Mollie leaned over and looked down.

aLook, c.h.i.n.ky,a she said. aIs that Scally-Wag Land? Do you see those houses down therea"and that funny railway linea"and that river with those ships on?a aYes,a said c.h.i.n.ky, athat must be Scally-Wag Land. Down, geese, and land there!a The geese flew downwards. They landed by the river, and as soon as c.h.i.n.ky and Mollie had jumped off, the two geese paddled into the water and began to swim. c.h.i.n.ky tied their strings to a post, for he was afraid they might fly off.

A Scally-Wag ran up to him.

aWhere do you come from?a he asked. aAre you messengers from anywhere?a aNo,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aWeave come to look for someone who came to this land by mistake. We want to take him back.a aNo one leaves this land once they are here,a said the Scally-Wag. aI believe you are spies!a aIndeed we are not!a said Mollie. The Scally-Wag drew a whistle from his belt and blew on it loudly. c.h.i.n.ky looked alarmed. He caught hold of Mollieas hand.

aRun!a he said. aIf they think we are spies they will lock us up!a Off went the two, running at top speed, with the angry Scally-Wag after them. They didnat know where they were going! They only knew that they must run and run!

The Land of Scally-Wags.

MOLLIE and c.h.i.n.ky ran down the river-path, the Scally-Wag shouting after them. aSpies!a he called. aStop them! Spies!a c.h.i.n.ky dragged Mollie on and on. They were both good runners. Another Scally-Wag, hearing the first one shouting, tried to stop c.h.i.n.kya"but the pixie gave him a fierce push and he toppled into the river, splash! How he spluttered and shouted! That gave c.h.i.n.ky an idea.

He squeezed through a hedge and pulled Mollie after him. Then he lay in wait for the shouting Scally-Wag. As soon as he was through the hedge c.h.i.n.ky gave him a push tooa"and into the river he went, head-first, squealing like a rabbit! Mollie couldnat help laughing, for he seemed all arms and legs. The water wasnat deep, so he couldnat drowna"but dear me, how he yelled!

aCome on, Mollie,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aWe seem to be behaving just as badly as Scally-Wags, pushing people into the river like this!a They ran on. They seemed to run for miles. They asked every Scally-Wag they met if he had seen a little boy in that land, but n.o.body had. They all shook their heads and said the same thing.

aThere is no little boy in this land.a aWell, itas really very peculiar,a said c.h.i.n.ky to Mollie. aHe must be somewhere here!a aI say, c.h.i.n.ky, Iam getting so hungry,a said Mollie. aArenat you?a aYes, very,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aLetas knock at this cottage door and see if they will give us something to eat.a So he knockeda"rat-a-tat-tat. The door opened and a sharp-eyed little goblin looked out.

aWhat do you want?a he asked.

aWe are hungry,a said Mollie. aCould you give us anything to eat?a aLook!a said the goblin, pointing down the lane to where a bakeras cart was standing, full of loaves. aGo and take one of the bakeras loaves. Heas gossiping somewhere. He wonat miss one!a aBut we canat do that!a said Mollie in horror. aThatas stealing!a aDonat be silly,a said the goblin, looking at her out of his small, sharp eyes. aYou donat mind stealing, do you? Iave never met a Scally-Wag who minded stealing yet! Iall steal a loaf for you if you are afraid of being caught!a He set off towards the cart, keeping close by the hedge so that he wouldnat be seen. Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky stared at one another in dismay.

ac.h.i.n.ky, what horrible people live in this land,a said Mollie. aStop him! We canat let him steal like that. I would never eat any bread that had been stolen.a aLetas warn the baker,a said c.h.i.n.ky. But before they could find him, the goblin had sneaked up to the little cart and had grabbed a new loaf. Then back he scurried to Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky and gave them the loaf, grinning all over his face.

aIam sorry, but we couldnat have it,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aStealing is wrong.a aNot in Scally-Wag Land,a said the goblin, his cunning eyes twinkling.

aItas wrong anywhere,a said Mollie firmly. aCome on, c.h.i.n.ky. Weall put this loaf back into the cart.a They set off to the carta"but do you know, just as they were putting the loaf back, that horrid little goblin began to shout for all he was worth. aBaker, Baker! Thieves are at your cart! Look out!a The baker came hurrying out. He caught hold of c.h.i.n.ky and began to shake him. aYou bad Scally-Wag!a he cried.

aIam not a Scally-Wag! I was just putting back a loaf that the goblin stole!a cried c.h.i.n.ky.

aYou are a fibber!a said the baker, and he shook c.h.i.n.ky again until his teeth rattled. Mollie ran to the rescue. She tried to catch hold of the bakeras arma" but he pushed her and sent her flying. She caught at the little cart to try and save herselfa"and it went over! All the loaves rolled out into the road.

The baker gave a loud yell and ran to his cart. The watching goblin shrieked with delight. Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky ran off as fast as they could, crying, aWeare so sorry! But it was your own fault for not believing us!a They ran until they came to a field of b.u.t.tercups. They squeezed through a gap in the hedge, and sat down to get their breath.

aIam thirsty as well as hungry now,a said Mollie.

aWhere can we get a drink? If we went and asked for a drink of water surely no Scally-Wag would want to steal that for us! Look, thereas a cottage over there, c.h.i.n.ky. Letas go and ask.a They went to the cottage, hot and thirsty and tired. A brownie woman came to the door. She was a cross-looking creature.

aI thought you were the milkman,a she said.

aNo, heas just down the road there,a said c.h.i.n.ky, pointing. aPlease, Mam, may we have a drink of water.a aIall get you a drink of milk!a said the woman, and to c.h.i.n.kyas surprise she darted down the road to the milkmanas little hand-cart, and turned on the tap of the churn. The milk ran out of the tap on to the road.

aCome on!a said the woman. aDrink this!a aBut we canat do that!a cried Mollie in surprise and disgust. aThatas stealing. Oh, do turn off the tap. The milk is all going to waste!a The milkman could be heard coming down someoneas path, whistling. The woman ran back to her house, leaving the tap turned on. The milkman heard his milk running to waste and ran to turn off the tap, shouting angrily, aWho did this? Wait till I catch them!a aThey did it, those children did it! I saw them!a cried the brownie woman from her door. The milkman saw c.h.i.n.ky and Mollie standing nearby and made a dart at them. But this time they got away before they were caught. They ran down the lane and darted inside a little dark shed to hide.

aItas too bad,a said Mollie. aThese Scally-Wags keep doing horrid things and blaming them on to us. I do hate them!a aSh!a said c.h.i.n.ky. aThereas the milkman coming after us. Cover yourself in this old sack, Mollie, and Iall do the same.a They lay down in a corner, covered with the sacks. The milkman looked into the shed and ran on. Mollie sat up. She looked at c.h.i.n.ky and laughed.

aYou do look dirty and hot and untidy,a she said.

aSo do you,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aIn fact, we look like proper little Scally-Wags. They all look dirty and untidy too! Now, where shall we go next! If only we could find Peter!a They went out of the shed. The hot sun shone down on them. They felt thirstier than ever. They saw a little stream running nearby, looking cool and clear.

aWhat about getting a drink from that?a said Mollie.

aWell, I donat like drinking from streams,a c.h.i.n.ky said. aBut really, Iam dreadfully thirsty! Letas try it. But donat drink too much, Mollie.a The two of them knelt down by the stream, took water into their cupped hands and drank. Ooooh! It was so cold and delicious. Just as they finished, and were feeling much better, they heard a voice behind them.

aThat will be twopence each, please. You have drunk from my stream.a They turned and saw a wizard behind them, in a tall, pointed hat, and cloak embroidered with stars.

aWe havenat any money,a said c.h.i.n.ky.

aThen you had better come with me and work for me for one day to pay for the drinks you have had,a said the wizard. He tried to grab hold of Molliea"but quick as thought c.h.i.n.ky lifted his fist and brought it down on the wizardas pointed hat. It was crushed right down over his long nose, and he couldnat see a thing!

Once more Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky ran. aOh dear,a panted Mollie, awe really are behaving just like Scally-Wags, c.h.i.n.kya"but we canat seem to help it!a aLook! Thereas the river again!a said c.h.i.n.ky in delight. aAnd there are our two geese. Letas get on their backs, Mollie, and go away from this land. Iam sure Peter isnat here. No one seems to have seen him. Iam tired of being here.a aAll right,a said Mollie. They ran down the river-bank and called to the geese.

aCome here! We want to fly farther on!a And then, to their great surprise, a witch in a green shawl stood up on the bank and cried, aHie! Leave my geese alone!a aThey are not yours, they are ours!a yelled c.h.i.n.ky in anger. He cut the string as the geese came swimming to the bank. The witch tried to grab the two big birds a" and in a fright they spread their big wings, flew up into the air and away! Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky watched them in the greatest dismay. Their way of escape had gone!

c.h.i.n.ky was furious with the witch. Before Mollie could stop him he gave her a push, and she went flying into the water. Splash!

ac.h.i.n.ky! You mustnat keep pushing people into the water!a cried Mollie, turning to run away again a" but this time it was too late. The witch shouted a few magic words as she made her way out of the river a" and lo and behold, c.h.i.n.ky and Mollie found that they could not move a step!

aSo you thought you could push me into the river and run away, did you?a said the witch. aWell, you were mistaken! I shall now take you before our Kinga"and no doubt he will see that you are well punished. March!a The two found that they could walka"but only where the witch commanded. Very miserable indeed they marched down a long, long road, the witch behind them, and at last came to a small palace. Up the steps they went, and the witch called to the guard there.

aTwo prisoners for the King! Make way!a The guards cried, aAdvance!a and the three of them, Mollie, c.h.i.n.ky, and the witch, walked down a great hall. Sitting on a throne at the end, raised high, was the King, wearing a golden crown and a red cloak.

And oh, whatever do you think! Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky could hardly believe their eyesa"for the King was no other than Petera"yes, Peter himself! He was still wearing his golden cardboard crown and the red rug for a cloaka"and his throne was the wishing-chair. Its wings had disappeared. It looked just like an ordinary chair.

Peter stared at Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky in amazementa"and they stared at him. Mollie was just going to cry, aPeter! Oh, Peter!a when Peter winked at her, and c.h.i.n.ky gave her a nudge. She was not to give his secret away!

The Prince's Spells.

FOR a minute or two Peter, Mollie, and c.h.i.n.ky gazed at one another and said nothing. Then the witch spoke.

aYour Majesty, here are two prisoners for you. They pushed me into the river after they had tried to steal my geese.a aLeave them with me,a said Peter in a solemn voice. aI will punish them, witch.a The witch bowed and went out backwards. Mollie wanted to giggle but she didnat dare to. n.o.body said a word until the big door closed.

Then Peter leapt down from the chair and flung his arms round Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky. They hugged one another in delight.

aPeter, Peter! Tell us how it is you are King here!a said Mollie.

aWell, it is quite simple,a said Peter. aThe chair flew off with me, as you know. It flew for some time, and then began to go downwards. It landed on the steps of this palace, which had been empty for years.a aAs soon as the Scally-Wags saw me, all dressed up in my crown and cloak, sitting on the flying chair, they thought I must be some wonderful magic king come from a far-off land to live here. So they bowed down before me, and called me King. I didnat know what to do because the wishing-chairas wings disappeared, of course, so I couldnat escape. I just thought Iad better pretend to be a King, and wait for you to come alonga" for I guessed you and Mollie would find some way of getting to me! Now, tell me your adventures!a How Peter laughed when he heard what a lot of people c.h.i.n.ky had pushed into the water! aYou really are a bit of a Scally-Wag yourself, c.h.i.n.ky,a he said. aThatas the sort of thing the Scally-Wags love to do!a aPeter, how can we all escape?a asked Mollie. aIf only the wishing-chair would grow its wings again! But it never does when we really want it to!a aWhat will Mother say if we stay away too long?a said Peter, looking worried.

aWell, a day here is only an hour in your land,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aSo donat worry. Even if we have to be here for two or three days it wonat matter, because it will only be two or three hours really. Your mother wonat worry if you are only away for a few hours.a aAnd by that time perhaps the chair will have grown its wings again,a said Mollie, cheering up.

aLook here,a said c.h.i.n.ky, aI think you ought to make up some sort of punishment for us, Peter, or the witch will think there is something funny about you. Make us scrub the floor, or something. Anything will do.a aBut do give us something to eat,a said Mollie. aWe really are very hungry.a Peter clapped his hands. The door swung open and two soldiers appeared. They saluted and clicked their heels together.

aBring me a tray of chocolate cakes, some apples, and some sardine sandwiches,a commanded Peter. aAnd some lemonade, too. Oh, and bring two pails of hot water and two scrubbing-brushes. I am going to make my two prisoners scrub the floor.a The guards saluted and went out. In a few minutes two Scally-Wags, dressed in footmenas uniform, came in with the tray of food. How good it looked! Behind them followed another Scally-Wag carrying two pails of steaming hot water, two scrubbing-brushes, and some soap.

aYour Majesty, is it safe for you to be alone with two prisoners as fierce as these?a asked one of the Scally-Wags.

aDear me, yes,a said Peter. aI would turn them both into black-beetles if they so much as frowned at me!a The Scally-Wags bowed and went out. Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky giggled. aDo you like playing at being a King, Peter?a asked Mollie.

aIam not playing at it, I am a King!a said Peter. aCome and help yourselves to food, you two. Iall have some too. It looks good.a It was good! But in the middle of the meal there came a loud knock at the door. Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky flung down their sandwiches in a hurry, caught up scrubbing-brushes and went down on their hands and knees! They pretended to be hard at work scrubbing as three Scally-Wags entered with a message.

aYour Majesty!a they said, bowing low till their foreheads b.u.mped against the floor. aHis Highness, the Prince of Goodness Knows Where, is coming to see you tomorrow, to exchange magic spells. He will be here at eleven oaclock.a aOh,a said Peter. aThanks very much.a The three Scally-Wags looked angrily at Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky scrubbing the floor, and said, aShall we beat these prisoners for you, Your Majesty? We hear that they have pushed three people into the river, and smashed down the old wizardas hat on to his nose, and . . .a aThatas enough,a said Peter in a fierce voice. aI punish my prisoners myself. Any interference from you, and you will scrub my floor too!a aPardon, pardon, Your Majesty!a cried the three Scally-Wags, and they backed away so fast that they fell over one another and rolled down the steps. The two children and c.h.i.n.ky laughed till their sides ached.

aOh, Peter, you do make a good King!a said Mollie. aI do wish I could be a queen!a aI say! What about this Prince of Goodness Knows Where,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aIf he is really coming to exchange magic spells with you, Peter, you will find things rather difficult. Because, you see, you canat do any spells at all.a The three stared at one another. Then Peter had an idea.

aLook here, c.h.i.n.ky, couldnat you change places with me tomorrow, and do spells instead of me?a he asked. aIall say that I will receive the Prince alonea" so that none of the Scally-Wags will know itas you and not me.a aGood idea!a cried c.h.i.n.ky at once. aI donat know anything about the Prince, but perhaps I can manage to satisfy him. Thatas just what weall doa" change places!a That night Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky slept in the kitchen of the palace. They were quite comfortable on a big sofa there, though the two kitchen cats would keep on lying down on top of them. They were nice, warm cats, but very fat and heavy. Peter slept on a golden bed in a big bedrooma"but he said he would much rather have slept with Molly and c.h.i.n.ky on the kitchen sofa with the cats. It was lonely in the golden bed.

Peter told the soldiers that he meant to keep the two prisoners, Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky, as personal servants, and therefore they were to bring him in his breakfast. You may be sure that the two of them piled the trays up well with food of all kinds when they took the breakfast in! They laid it on a table, and then they all ate a good meal, though Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky had to eat theirs standing behind Peteras chair, in case someone came in suddenly.

As the morning went on and the time came nearer for the Prince to come, the three began to feel rather excited. Peter gave orders that he was to be alone with the Prince.

aSee that no one comes into the room whilst His Highness is here,a he said to the soldiers. They saluted and went out smartly. Peter said it was fun to have two soldiers obeying him like that.

aNow hereas the crown, c.h.i.n.ky,a he said, handing him the golden cardboard crown. aAnd hereas the red rug for a cloak. Get on to the wishing-chair throne. I guess the old wishing-chair never thought it was going to be used as a throne!a c.h.i.n.ky put on the crown and sat down on the chair, pulling his cloak round him. Mollie and Peter stood behind him as if they were servants. Eleven oaclock struck.

The door was thrown open and in came a tall and grandly dressed Prince. He swept off his feathered hat and bowed to c.h.i.n.ky. c.h.i.n.ky bowed back. The door shut.

c.h.i.n.ky and the Prince began to talk.

aI was on my way through your kingdom,a said the Prince, aand thought that I would come to exchange spells with you. I have here a spell that will change all the weeds in a garden into beautiful flowers. Would you care to exchange that for a spell of your own?a aNo, thank you,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aI have no weeds in my garden. It would be of no use to me.a aWell,a said the Prince, bringing out a bag embroidered with little golden suns, ahere is another spell, really most useful. Put a bit of the sh.e.l.l in this bag into an egg-cup and say aToorisimmer-loo-loo,a and you will see a beautiful new-laid egg appear. You can have it for your breakfast. There is enough sh.e.l.l in here to make one hundred thousand eggs.a aI canat bear eggs for breakfast,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aShow me something else.a aWell, what about this,a said the Prince. He showed c.h.i.n.ky a strange little cap with three red berries on it. aPut this cap on and you will know immediately who are your enemies and who are not, for the three red berries will wag about when enemies are before you.a aI know who are my enemies and who are not without wearing any cap,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aItas no good to me! You have no spells at all that are of any use, Prince!a aWell, what spells have you?a asked the Prince rather impatiently.

c.h.i.n.ky waved his hand in the air and a most delicious smell stole all around. It seemed like honeysuckle one minutea"like roses the nexta"like carnations the nexta" then like sweet-peasa"so that all the time you were sniffing and smelling in delight. The Prince was most excited.

aThat is a most unusual spell,a he said. aI should like that to take home to my Princess. She would be pleased.a aWell, I will give it to you if you will give me a spell that is useful to me,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aCan you, for instance, make wings grow on this throne of mine?a The Prince looked at the wishing-chair and rubbed his hand down its legs.

aYes,a he said at once. aI can easily do that. If I am not mistaken that throne of yours was once a flying chair! I will work the flying spell on it!a He took from his pocket a little blue tin. He took off the lid and dug his finger into the tin. Mollie saw that his finger was covered with green and yellow ointment. The Prince smeared it down the legs of the chair. Then he stood back and chanted a curious magic song. The children and c.h.i.n.ky watched in excitement. They saw the familiar red buds comea"and break out into feathers! The chair was growing its wings! It spread them outa"it flapped them and a draught came!

aQuick!a shouted c.h.i.n.ky, jumping on to the top of the chairas back, aget in, Mollie and Peter. We can fly off, now!a But the Prince gave a shout and s.n.a.t.c.hed c.h.i.n.kyas cardboard crown from his head.

aYou are not a real king!a he cried. aYour crown is only cardboard! Stop! Soldiers, soldiers! Come here at once!a The big door burst open. In came the soldiers and stared in amazement at the chair holding the two children and the pixie.

aHome, chair, home!a yelled all three in the chair. aFly out of the window!a The chair rose into the air, kicked out at the Prince, and knocked him over. Peter kicked out at the soldiers and knocked their helmets off! The chair flew out of the window and up into the air. Hurrah! They were leaving the Land of the Scally-Wagsa"and a good thing too, for, as Peter said, they stood a good chance of becoming as bad as Scally-Wags themselves if they stayed there very much longera"pushing people into rivers, kicking them over, and banging their hats over their noses!

aBut I quite enjoyed being a bit of a Scally-Wag for once,a said c.h.i.n.ky, as the chair flew in at the playroom.

aIt was a good thing for me that we had been playing at Kings and Queens before the chair flew to the Land of Scally-Wags,a said Peter. aIt was jolly nice every one thinking I was a king, I can tell you!a

The Last Adventure of All.