magic faraway tree

Magic Faraway Tree, The-Blyton, Enid.

I .

D i ck Come s t o S t ay .

Onc e upon a t ime t he r e w e re t h r ee c h i ld r en , J o , Bes s i e a nd Fa nny . They l i ve d wi th t he i r mo t he r and f a t he r i n a l i t t l e c o t t a ge deep i n t he c oun t ry . The g i r l s had to he lp t he i r mo the r i n t he house , and Jo he lped h i s f a the r i n t he ga rden .

Now , one da y the i r mo the r ha d a l e t t e r . S he d i dn ' t ve ry o f t e n have l e t t e r s , so t he ch i ld r en w onde red w ha t i t w as abou t .

"L i s t e n ! " she sa id . "Th i s i s s ome t h ing qu i t e exc i t i ng fo r you . Your cous in Di ck i s com ing to s t a y wi th u s ! "

"Ooh!" s a i d a l l t he ch i ld r en , p l ea s ed . D ick w as abou t t he s ame age a s J o . He wa s a mer ry boy , r a t he r naugh t y , and i t w ou ld be suc h fun to have h i m.

"He can s l ee p wi th me in my l i t t l e bed room !" sa id J o . "Oh , M othe r , wha t f un ! When i s he coming? "

"To-mor row , " s a id M othe r . "You g i r l s c an pu t up a l i t t l e bed fo r h im in Jo ' s r oom, and , J o , you mus t m ake room fo r D ic k ' s t h i ngs i n you r cupboa rd . H e i s go i ng to s t ay qu i t e a l ong t im e , beca use h i s mo the r i s i l l and ca n ' t l ook a f t e r h im . "

The t h r ee ch i ld r en f l ew ups t a i r s t o ge t Jo ' s r oom r ea dy fo r Di ck a s we l l .

" I s a y ! Wha t wi l l D ick s ay w hen w e t e l l h i m abou t t he E nchan te d Wood and the Fa raw ay Tree ?" c r i e d Jo .

"And w ha t wi l l he sa y when w e s how h im ou r f r i ends t he r e -S i lky , and o ld Moon-F ac e , and t he dea r o l d dea f S auce pan M an , and eve ryone ! " sa id Bes s i e .

"He wi l l ge t a s u rp r i s e ! " s a id F anny .

They go t eve ry t h ing r eady fo r t he i r c ous i n . They pu t up a l i t t l e c amp-be d fo r h im , a nd found som e b l a nke t s . They pu t a cus h ion fo r a p i l l ow . The y made room in J o ' s cupboa rd and ches t o f d r a we r s fo r D ic k ' s t h ings . The n

t hey l ooked ou t o f t he w indow . I t l ooked on t o a da rk , t h i ck w ood , w hose t r ee s w aved i n t he w ind , no t f a r f r om t he bo t t om o f t he ga rden .

"The E nchan t ed Wood!" s a id Be ss i e s o f t l y . "Wha t marve l lous adven t u re s we have had t he r e . M aybe D ic k wi l l ha ve s ome , t oo . "

Di ck a r r i ved the ne x t day . H e ca me i n t he ca r r i e r ' s c a r t , w i t h a s ma l l bag o f c lo t hes . He jumped dow n and hugge d the ch i ld r en ' s mo the r .

"Ha l lo , A un t P o l l y ! " he s a id . " I t ' s good o f you to have me . H a l lo , J o ! I s a y , a r en ' t Bes s i e a nd Fa nny b ig now ? I t ' s l ove ly t o be w i th you a l l aga i n . "

The c h i ld r e n took h im up to h i s r oom. T he g i r l s unpac ked h i s bag and pu t h i s t h ings nea t ly a way i n t he c upboa rd and the ches t . T hey show ed h i m the bed he w as t o s l ee p on .

" I expec t I s ha l l f i nd i t r a the r du l l he r e a f t e r l i v ing i n London , " s a id "Di ck , pu t t i ng h i s ha i rb rushe s on t he l i t t l e d r e s s i ng - t ab l e . " I t s eem s s o qu i e t . I sha l l m i s s t he no i s e o f bus es and t r a ms . "

"You w on ' t f i nd i t du l l ! " sa id J o . "My w ord ,

Di ck , w e ' ve had more adven tu re s s inc e w e 've been he re t han eve r we had whe n we l i ve d in a b ig t own . "

"Wha t so r t o f adven tu re s? " a s ked Di ck in s u rp r i s e . " I t s e ems suc h a qu i e t p l ac e t ha t I shou l dn ' t have t hough t t he r e wa s e ven a s ma l l adven t u re t o be found ! "

The c h i ld r e n took D ick to t he w indow . "Look , D ick , " s a i d Jo . "D o you s ee t ha t t h i c k , da rk w ood ove r t he r e , back ing on t o t he l ane a t t he bo t tom o f ou r ga rden? "

"Ye s , " s a i d Di ck . " I t s eem s qu i t e o rd i na ry t o m e , exce p t t ha t t he l e aves o f t he t r ee s s eem a da rke r g r ee n than u s ua l . "

"Wel l , l i s t en , D ick - tha t ' s t he Encha n ted W ood!" sa i d Bes s i e .

Di ck ' s e yes ope ned w ide . H e s t a r e d a t t he wood , "Y ou ' r e ma k ing fun o f me! " he sa id a t l a s t .

"No , w e ' r e no t , " sa i d F anny , "We m ean w ha t w e s ay . I t s nam e i s t he Encha n ted Wood-a nd i t i s e nchan te d . Ar i d oh , D i ck , i n t he mi dd le o f i t i s t he m os t wonde r fu l t r e e i n t he wor l d ! "

"Wha t so r t o f t r ee? " a s ked D ick , f ee l i ng qu i t e exc i t e d .

" I t ' s a s i mp ly e no rmous t r ee , " s a i d Jo . " I t s t op goes r i gh t up t o t he c l ouds -and oh , D ick , a t t he t op o f i t i s a lw ays som e s t r ange l and . Y ou can go the r e by c l i mb ing up t he t op b r anc h o f t he F a raw ay T ree , go i ng up a l i t t l e l adde r t h rough a ho l e i n t he b ig c l oud tha t a lw ays l i e s on t he t op o f t he t r ee - and the r e you a r e i n som e pecu l i a r l and ! "

" I don ' t t h ink I be l i e ve you , " sa id D ick . "Y ou a r e m ak ing i t a l l up . "

"Di ck ! We ' l l t ake you the r e a nd show you w ha t w e m ean , " s a id Be ss i e . " I t ' s a l l qu i t e t r ue . Oh , D ic k , we 've ha d suc h exc i t i ng adve n tu re s a t t he t op o f t he Fa raw ay Tree . We ' ve bee n to t he Roc k ing La nd , and the B i r thda y Land . "

"And t he La nd o f Take -W ha t -Y ou-Wan t and the Land o f t he S nowm an , " sa id F anny . "Y ou ju s t c a n ' t t h ink how exc i t i ng i t a l l i s . "

"And , D ic k , a l l k inds o f quee r f o lk l i ve i n t he t r unk o f t he F a raw ay T ree , " sa id J o . "We ' ve l o t s o f good f r i ends t he r e . W e ' l l t ake you to t hem one day . The re ' s a dea r l i t t l e f a i ry ca l l e d S i lky , beca use

she ha s suc h a mas s o f s i l ky go ld ha i r . "

"And t he r e ' s Moon-F ace , w i th a b i g round f ace l i ke t he moon! H e ' s a da r l i ng ! " sa id Bes s i e .

"And t he r e ' s f unny o ld M is t e r Wa tz i snam e , " s a id F anny .

"Wha t ' s h i s r ea l name ?" a s ked D ick i n su rp r i se .

"Nobody know s , no t eve n h ims e l f , " sa i d Jo . "S o eve ryone ca l l s h im M is t e r Wa t z i s name . Oh , a nd the r e i s t he o ld S auc epan M an . H e ' s a l wa ys hung a round w i th ke t t l e s and sa ucepans and t h ings , and he ' s s o dea f t ha t he a lw ays hea r s eve ry th ing w rong . "

Di ck ' s e yes be gan to s h ine . "Take m e the r e , " he begge d . "Qu i ck , t ake me! I c an ' t w a i t t o s ee a l l t he se exc i t i ng peop l e . "

"We c an ' t go t i l l M o the r s ays s he does n ' t need u s i n t he house , " sa id Bes s i e . "Bu t w e w i l l t ake you -o f cou r s e w e wi l l . "

"And , D ic k , t he r e ' s a s l i ppe ry s l i p , a s l i de t ha t goes r i gh t dow n the i n s ide o f t he t r ee f rom the t op t o t he bo t tom," s a i d Fa nny . " I t be l ongs t o Moon-F ace . H e l ends pe op le c ush i ons t o s l i de dow n

on . "

" I do wa n t t o go dow n tha t s l i de , " sa i d Di ck , ge t t i ng t e r r i b l y impa t i en t . "Why do you t e l l m e a l l t he s e t h ings i f you can ' t t ake m e to s ee t hem now? I ' l l n eve r be ab l e t o s l eep t o -n igh t ! G ood g rac ious ! My hea d f ee l s i n a w h i r l a l r eady t o t h ink o f t he F a raw ay T ree and M oon-F ace a nd S i lky and the s l i ppe ry - s l i p . "

"Di ck , w e ' l l t ake you a s s oon a s eve r w e can , " p rom is ed J o . "The re ' s no hu r ry . The F a ra wa y

Tree i s a lw ays t he r e . We neve r , neve r know wha t l a nd i s go ing to be a t t he t op . We have to be ve ry ca r e fu l s ome t ime s bec aus e t he r e migh t be a dange rous l a nd -one tha t we cou ldn ' t ge t aw ay f rom!"

A vo i ce c ame f rom downs ta i r s . "Ch i ld r e n ! Are you go i ng to s t ay up a l l t he day? I s uppos e you don ' t wa n t any t ea? W ha t a p i t y -bec aus e I have m ade som e s cones fo r you and pu t ou t som e s t r aw be r ry j am!"

F our ch i ld r e n r aced dow n the s t a i r s . S cones and s t r aw be r ry j am! G rac i ous , t hey w ere n ' t go i ng to mi ss t hos e . G ood o ld M othe r - she was a l wa ys t h ink i ng o f som e n i c e l i t t l e t r ea t f o r t he m.

" Jo , F a t he r w an t s you to d i g up som e po ta t oes fo r h im a f t e r t e a , " s a id Mot he r . "D ick c an he lp you . A nd , Bes s i e and F anny , I w an t you to f i n i sh my i ron i ng fo r me , be caus e I have to t ake som e me nded c lo t hes t o M rs . Ha r r i s , and s he l i ve s s uch a l ong w ay aw ay . "

The c h i ld r e n had been r a the r hop ing t o go ou t and t ake D ick t o t he Encha n ted Wood . T hey looke d d i s appo in t ed . Bu t t he y sa id no th i ng , beca use t hey knew tha t i n a f a mi l y eve ryone ha d to he l p whe n they cou l d .

Mot he r s aw the i r d i s appo in t e d f ace s and s mi l ed . " I s uppos e you w an t t o t ake Di ck to s ee t hose pecu l i a r f r i e nds o f you r s , " s he s a id . "We l l now , l i s t e n - i f you a r e good ch i ld r e n to -day , a nd do the j obs you have to do , I ' l l g ive you a who l e day ' s ho l iday t o -mor row ! Then you m ay t ake you r d inne r and you r t e a and go to v i s i t any f r i ends

you l i ke . How w ou ld you l i ke t ha t ? "

"Oh , M othe r , t hank you ! " c r i ed t he ch i l d r en in de l igh t ,

"A w ho le day ! " s a id Bes s i e . "W hy , Di ck , w e can s how you eve ry th i ng ! "

"And m aybe l e t you pee p in to w ha t eve r l a nd i s a t t he t op o f t he F a raw ay Tree , " wh i spe red F anny . "Oh , w ha t f un ! "

S o they d id t he i r w ork w e l l a f t e r t e a a nd looked fo rw ard to t he nex t day . D i ck dug ha rd , a nd Jo w as p l ea se d wi th h im . I t w as go i ng to be fun t o have a cous i n wi th t he m, ab l e t o w ork and p l a y and en j oy eve ry th i ng , t oo !

When t hey w en t t o be d tha t n igh t t hey l e f t t he doo r s o f t he i r r ooms open so t ha t t hey mi gh t ca l l t o one ano the r .

"S l eep w e l l , D ick ! " ca l l e d Bes s i e . " I hope i t ' s f i ne t o -mor row ! Wha t fun we sha l l ha ve ! "

"Good n i gh t , Bes s i e ! " c a l l e d back D ick . " I c an ' t t e l l you how I 'm long ing fo r t o -mor row . I know I sha n ' t be ab l e t o s l ee p to -n igh t ! "

Bu t he d i d - and s o d id a l l t he o t he r s . When M othe r c ame up a t t e n o ' c lock she peeped i n a t t he ch i ld r en , and no t one w as awa ke .

Jo w oke f i r s t nex t da y . He s a t up and looke d ou t o f t he w indow . The sun s t r eam ed in , w a rm a nd b r igh t . J o ' s he a r t j um ped fo r j oy . H e l eaned ove r t o Di ck ' s be d and shook h i m.

"Wake up ! " he sa id . " I t ' s t o -mor row now -and w e ' r e go ing to t he Encha n ted Wood!"

2 .

Of f t o t he E nchan t ed Wood .

The c h i ld r e n a t e t he i r b r e ak fa s t qu i c k ly . M o the r t o ld Bes s i e and F anny t o cu t s andw ic hes fo r t hems e l ves and to t a ke a s ma l l choc o la t e cake f rom the l a rde r .

"You c an t a ke a pac ke t o f b i s cu i t s , t oo , " s he s a id , " and t he r e a r e app le s i n t ha t d i s h ove r t he r e . I f you a r e hung ry w hen you com e home to -n igh t I w i l l ba ke you s ome po t a toes i n t he oven , and you c an ea t t hem in t he i r sk i n s w i t h sa l t a nd bu t t e r . "

"Oooh , M othe r -we sha l l be hung ry ! " s a i d Jo a t once . "H ur ry up w i th t hose sa ndwi ches , Bes s i e and F anny . W e wa n t t o s t a r t o f f a s s oon a s pos s ib l e . "

"Now don ' t be t oo l a t e home , o r I s ha l l w or ry , " sa id M othe r . "Look a f t e r you r cous in , J o . "

"Ye s , I w i l l , " p romi se d Jo .

At l a s t e ve ry th i ng was r ea dy . Jo pa cked the food in to a l e a t he r bag and s l ung i t ove r h i s shou l de r . The n the fou r o f t he m s e t o f f t o t he E nchan te d Wood .

I t d idn ' t t ake t hem long t o ge t t he r e . A na r row d i t c h wa s be tw een the l ane and the wood .

"You ' ve go t t o j um p ove r t he d i t ch , D ic k , " sa id J o . They a l l j um ped ove r . D i ck s tood s t i l l w hen he w as i n t he wood .

"Wha t a s t r ange no i se t he l e aves o f t he t r ee s ma ke , " he s a id . " I t ' s a s i f t hey w ere t a lk i ng to one a no the r - t e l l i ng se c r e t s . "

"Wis ha , w i s ha , w i s ha , w i s ha , " w h i s pe red t he t r ee s .

"They a r e t a l k ing s ec r e t s , " sa i d Bes s i e . "A nd do you know, D ic k - i f t he t r ee s ha ve any me ss age fo r u s , w e ca n hea r i t by p r e s s i ng ou r l e f t e a r s t o t he t r unks o f t he t r e e s ! T hen w e r ea l l y hea r wha t t hey s ay . "

"Wis ha -w i s ha -w i s ha -w i s ha , " s a id t he t r ee s .

"Come on , " s a i d Jo i mpa t i en t l y . "Le t ' s go t o t he F a raw ay Tre e . "

They a l l w en t on - and soon c ame to t he que e r ma g ic t r e e . D ick s t a r e d a t i t i n t he g r ea t e s t a s ton i s hme n t .

"Why , i t ' s s imp l y EN ORM O US !" he s a i d . " I ' v e ne ve r s een s uch a b i g t r ee i n my l i f e . A nd you ca n ' t pos s ib ly s ee t he t op . Goodnes s g r ac i ous ! W ha t k ind o f t r e e i s i t ? I t ' s go t oak l e aves , and ye t i t doe sn ' t r e a l l y s eem l ike an oak . "

" I t ' s a f unny t r ee , " s a i d Bes s i e . " I t m ay g row a co rns and oak l e aves fo r a l i t t l e wa y - and then s udden l y you no t i c e t ha t i t ' s g rowi ng p lums . The n ano the r day i t may g row app le s o r pe a r s . Y ou ju s t ne ve r know . Bu t i t ' s a l l ve ry exc i t i ng . "

"How do you c l imb i t ? " a sked D ic k . " In t he o rd i na ry w ay?"

"Wel l , w e w i l l t o -day , " s a id J o , "bec ause we wa n t t o s how you ou r f r i ends who l i ve i n s i de t he t r ee . Bu t som e t i mes t he r e ' s a r ope t ha t i s l e t dow n the t r ee , and w e can go up qu i ck ly w i t h t he he l p o f t ha t . Or s ome t im es M oon-F ace l e t s dow n a cus h ion on the end o f a r ope a nd then pu l l s u s up one by one . "

He sw ung h im se l f up in t o t he t r ee , and t he o the r s f o l l owe d . Af t e r a b i t D i ck gave a shou t . " I s a y ! I t ' s m os t ex t r ao rd i na ry ! Th i s t r ee i s g row ing nu t s now! L ook! "

S u re enough i t wa s . D ic k p i cked s ome and c r ac ked them . They w ere haze l nu t s , r i pe a nd sw ee t . Eve ryone had s ome and e n joyed t hem.

Now w hen the y had a l l go t ve ry h i gh up indee d , D i ck wa s m os t su rp r i se d to s ee a l i t t l e w indow in t he t r unk o f t he F a raw ay Tre e .

"Goodne ss -does s omebody l i ve j u s t he r e?" he c a l l ed t o t he o the r s . "Look-the r e ' s a w indow he re . I ' m go i ng to peep i n . "

"You ' d be t t e r no t ! " shou t ed Jo . "T he A ngry P i x i e l i ve s t he r e , and he ha t e s peop le peep ing i n . "

Bu t D ick f e l t s o cu r i ous t ha t he j u s t had to pe ep in . The Angry P ix i e w as a t hom e . H e w as f i l l i ng h i s ke t t l e w i t h wa te r , w hen he l ooked up and s aw Di ck ' s s u rp r i s ed f ac e a t h i s w i ndow. N o th i ng made t he p ix i e s o ang ry a s t o s ee pe op le l ook i ng a t h i m . H e ru s hed to t he wi ndow a t once and f l ung i t open .

"P eep ing a ga in ! " he s hou te d . " I t ' s t oo bad ! A l l day a nd n igh t pe op le com e peep i ng . Take t ha t ! "

He emp t i ed t he ke t t l e o f w a t e r a l l ove r poo r D ick . T hen he s l am med h i s wi ndow a nd d r ew the cu r t a in s ac ro ss . J o , Bess i e and F anny cou l dn ' t he lp l augh i ng .

" I t o ld you no t t o pee p in a t t he A ngry P ix i e , " s a i d Jo , w ip i ng Di ck w i th h i s hanky . "H e ' s nea r ly a l wa ys i n a bad t e mper . O h , and by the wa y , Di ck , 18

I mus t w a rn you abou t som e th i ng e l s e . The re ' s an o l d wom an w ho l i ve s h igh up in t he t r e e w ho i s a lw ays wa sh i ng . She emp t i e s t he w a t e r dow n the t r ee , and i t com es s l i s h - s l o sh i ng down . Y ou ' l l have to l ook ou t f o r t ha t o r you ' l l ge t we t . "

Di ck looke d up the t r ee a s i f he ha l f expe c t ed t he w a te r t o come tumb l ing down a t once .

"Come on , " s a i d Bes s i e . "We ' l l come t o whe re t he O w l l i ve s soon . H e ' s a f r i end o f S i l ky ' s , and s ome t im es b r i ngs u s no t e s f rom he r . "

The ow l w as f a s t a s l e ep . H e u s ua l ly on l y woke up a t n i gh t - t i me . D ick pee re d in a t h i s w indow and s aw the b ig ow l a s l ee p on a bed . H e cou l dn ' t he lp l augh ing .

" I am e n joy ing a l l t h i s , " he sa id t o F anny . " I t ' s qu i t e an adve n tu re . "

The c h i ld r e n c l im bed h ighe r , and cam e to a b road b r anch . "T he re ' s a dea r l i t t l e ye l l ow doo r , w i t h a knocke r a nd a be l l ! " c r i e d Di ck in s u rp r i s e , s t a r ing a t t he doo r se t nea t ly i n t he t r unk o f t he t r ee . "Who l i ve s t he r e? "

"Our f r i end S i lky , " s a i d Jo . "R i ng the be l l and s he ' l l open the doo r . "

Di ck r ang t he l i t t l e be l l and hea rd i t go t i ng -a - l i ng in s ide . F oo t s t e ps pa t t e r ed t o t he doo r . I t ope ned , and a p r e t t y l i t t l e e l f l ooked ou t . He r ha i r hung round he r f ac e l i ke a go lde n mi s t .

"Ha l lo , S i l ky ! " c r i e d Jo . "W e 've come t o se e you - and w e ' ve b rough t ou r cous in , D ick , w ho has come to l i ve w i th u s . H e ' s hav i ng a l ove ly t i me exp lo r i ng the F a ra way T ree . "

"How do you do , D ick? " sa id S i lky , ho l d ing ou t

he r s ma l l hand . D ick s hook hands s hy ly . H e though t S i lky w as t he l ove l i e s t c r ea tu r e he had eve r se en .

" I ' l l com e w i th you i f you a r e go ing t o v i s i t M oon-F ace , " sa i d S i lky . " I wa n t t o bo r row bo rne j am f rom h im. I ' l l t ake s ome Pop B i sc u i t s w i th m e , and w e ' l l have them in M oon-Fa ce ' s hous e . "

"Wha t eve r a r e Pop B i sc u i t s ? " a s ked D ic k , i n s u rp r i s e .

"Wai t and s ee ! " s a i d Jo w i t h a g r in .

They a l l w en t up the t r e e aga i n . S oon they hea rd a funny no i s e . "Tha t ' s o ld M is t e r W a tz i sna me s no r ing , " s a i d Jo . "L ook- the r e he i s ! "

S u re enough , t he r e he w as , s i t t i ng i n a c omfo r t ab l e cha i r , h i s hands fo lded ove r h i s b ig t ummy, a nd h i s mou th w ide open .

"How I ' d l ove t o pop som e th i ng in to h i s open m ou th ! " s a id D ic k a t once .

"Ye s , t ha t ' s wha t eve rybody f e e l s , " sa id J o . "Moon-F ac e and S i l ky once popped s ome a co rns i n -d idn ' t you , S i lky? And W atz i sna me w as ve ry ang ry . H e th r e w M oon-F ace up t h rough the ho l e i n t he c loud , a nd l anded h im i n to t he s t r ange coun t ry t he r e . "

"Where ' s t he o l d Sa ucepan M an? " a s ked Bes s i e . "H e i s u s ua l ly w i t h h i s f r i end , M is t e r Wa tz i s name . "

" I expec t he ha s gone t o se e Moon-F ac e , " s a id S i l ky . "Come on . We ' l l soon be t he r e . "

As the y we n t up the t r ee , S i l ky sudde n ly s topped . "L i s t en , " s he s a id . T hey a l l l i s t e ned . They he a rd a cu r i ous no i se - " s l i s hy - s l o shy - s l i shy - s lo s hy" -comi ng n ea r e r a nd n ea r e r .

" I f s D am e Was ha l o t ' s d i r t y w a te r c oming ! " ye l l e d Jo . "G e t unde r a b r anch , eve ryone . "

Di ck w as n ' t a s qu i ck a s t he o the r s . They a l l h i d unde r b ig boughs - bu t poo r o ld D ick w as n ' t qu i t e unde r h i s w hen the wa t e r ca me pou r ing dow n the t r ee . I t t umb l ed on to h i s hea d and w en t dow n h i s neck . D ic k was ve ry ang ry . The o the r s w e re s o r ry , bu t t he y though t i t w as ve ry funny , t oo .

"Ne x t t i me I c l im b th i s t r ee I ' l l w ea r a ba th ing -d re ss , " s a id D ick , t r y ing to wi pe h im se l f d ry . "Rea l ly , I t h i nk som ebody ough t t o s t op Da me Wa sha lo t pou r ing he r w a t e r aw ay l i ke t ha t . H ow d i sgus t i ng ! "

"Oh , you ' l l soon ge t u s ed to i t , and dodge t he w a te r e a s i l y , " s a i d Jo . O n they a l l w en t up the t r e e aga i n , and a t l a s t c a me a lmos t t o t he t op . T he re t hey s aw a doo r i n t he t r unk o f t he t r e e , and f rom be h ind the doo r came the s ound o f vo i c e s .

"Tha t ' s M oon-Fa ce and t he o ld S auc epan M an , " s a id J o , and he ba nged on the doo r . I t f l ew open and M oon-F ace l ooked ou t . H i s b i g round f ace beam ed w i th s mi l e s whe n he s aw who h i s v i s i t o r s we re .

"Ha l lo , ha l l o , ha l l o , " he s a i d . "Come a long in . T he S aucepa n Man i s he r e . "

Eve ryone we n t i n t o Moon-F ace ' s cu r i ous round room . The re w as a l a rge ho l e i n t he m idd le o f i t , w h ich w as t he beg inn i ng o f t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , t he wonde r fu l s l i de t ha t wen t r ound and round dow n the i n s i de o f t he t r ee , r i gh t t o t he bo t tom. M oon-F ace ' s f u rn i tu r e wa s a r r anged round the i n s ide o f

the t r ee t r unk , and i t w as a l l cu rved t o f i t t he cu rve o f t he t r e e . H i s bed wa s c u rved , t he c ha i r s w e re cu rve d , t he s o f a and t he s tove . I t was ve ry quee r .

Di ck s t a r e d a t i t a l l i n t he g r ea t e s t su rp r i se . He r ea l l y f e l t a s i f he mus t be i n a d r e am. H e s aw som ebody ve ry quee r s i t t i ng on the s o f a .

I t w as t he o l d Sa ucepan M an . H e r ea l l y w as a ve ry c u r ious s i gh t . H e w as hung a l l r ound wi th s aucepa ns a nd ke t t l e s , and he w ore a s auc epan fo r a ha t . Y ou cou l d ha rd ly s ee a ny th ing o f h i m exce p t h i s f ac e , hands and f ee t , beca use he wa s s o hung abou t wi th s aucepa ns and t h ings . He made a t r em endous c l a t t e r w hene ve r he move d .

"Who ' s t ha t ? " he sa id , l ook i ng a t D ick .

"Th i s i s D ick , " s a i d Jo , a nd Di ck we n t f o rw ard to s hake ha nds .

The S auc epan M an w as ve ry dea f , t hough he d id s ome t im es he a r qu i t e we l l . Bu t he nea r l y a lw ays hea rd e ve ry th i ng wrong , a nd som e t im es he w as ve ry funny .

"Ch ick? " he s a id . "We l l , t ha t ' s a f unny name fo r a boy . "

"No t Ch ick , bu t DICK !" s hou ted M oon-F ace .

"S t i ck? " sa id t he Sa ucepan M an , s hak ing ha nds . "G ood morn i ng , S t i ck . I hope you a r e we l l . "

Di ck g igg l ed . M oon-Fa ce go t r e ady to s hou t a ga in , bu t S i lky qu i ck l y handed h i m he r bag o f P op B i scu i t s . "Don ' t ge t c ro s s wi th h im , " she s a i d . "Look - l e t ' s a l l have som e P op B i s cu i t s . T hey a r e f r e sh m ade to -da y . And , oh , Moon-F ac e , do t e l l u s -w ha t l a nd i s a t t he t op o f t he F a raw ay Tre e t o -day?"

"The L and o f Tops y -Turvy , " s a i d Moon-F ace . "Bu t I don ' t adv i se you t o go the r e . I t ' s m os t uncomfo r t a b l e . "

"Oh , do l e t ' s , " c r i ed D ic k . "Can ' t w e ju s t pee p a t i t ? "

"We ' l l s ee , " sa id J o , g iv ing h i m a P op B i s cu i t . "Ea t t h i s , D ick . "

P op B i s cu i t s w e re l ove ly . D ick pu t one i n h i s m ou th and b i t i t . I t w en t pop ! a t onc e - and he found h i s m ou th fu l l o f sw ee t honey f rom t he mi dd le o f t he b i sc u i t .

"De l i c ious ! " he s a id . " I ' l l h a ve ano the r . I s a y , Jo -D O l e t ' s t ake ou r l unch up in to t he l a nd o f Tops y -Turvy . O h , do , do ! "

The L and o f Tops y -Turvy

"Wha t i s Tops y -Turvy La nd l i ke? " a s ked J o , t ak ing a no the r P op B i s cu i t .

"Ne ve r been t he r e , " s a i d Moon-F ace . "Bu t I s hou ld t h i nk i t ' s qu i t e sa f e , r e a l l y . I t ' s on ly j u s t com e the r e , s o i t s hou ld s t ay fo r a wh i l e . W e cou ld go up and s ee w ha t i t ' s l i ke a nd come dow n aga in i f w e don ' t l i ke i t . S i l ky and I and S auc epan w i l l come wi th you , i f you l i ke . "

Moon-F ac e t u rne d to t he S auc epan M an , w ho wa s e n joy ing h i s f i f t h P op B i s cu i t .

"S aucepa n , we ' r e go i ng up the l adde r , " he s a i d . "Are you c oming? "

"Hum ming? " sa id S aucepa n , l ook ing a l l r ound a s i f he t hough t t he r e m igh t be bee s abou t , "No , I d i dn ' t hea r any hum ming . "

" I sa id , a r e you COM IN G?" s a i d Moon-F ac e .

"Oh , c oming? ' s a id S auc epan . "O f cou r s e I ' m com ing . A re we go ing to t ake ou r l unch?"

"Ye s , " s a i d Moon-F ac e , go ing to a cu rved doo r t ha t opene d on to a t i ny l a rde r . " I ' l l s ee w ha t I ' v e go t . T oma t oes . P l ums . Gi nge r s naps . G i nge r bee r . I ' l l b r ing them a l l . "

He pu t t he m in t o a ba s ke t . T hen the y a l l w en t ou t o f t he funny , cu rved room on to t he b ig b r a nch ou t s ide . M oon-F ace shu t h i s doo r .

Jo l ed t he wa y up to t he ve ry t op o f t he Fa raw ay Tree . Then s udden ly D ic k gave a shou t o f a s t on i s hmen t .

"Look! " he c r i ed . "T he re ' s a n eno rmous wh i t e c loud above a nd a round u s . I sn ' t i t quee r ! "

S u re enough , a va s t wh i t e c l oud sw am above the m -bu t j u s t nea r by w as a ho l e r i gh t t h rough t he c l oud !

"Tha t ' s w he re w e go , up tha t ho l e , " sa i d Jo . "S ee t ha t b r anch tha t goes up the ho l e? Com e on ! "

They a l l w en t up the l a s t and topm os t b r anch o f t he Fa raw ay Tree . I t w en t up and up th rough t he pu rp l e ho l e i n t he c l oud . A t t he ve ry e nd o f t he b r anch w as a l i t t l e l a dde r .

Jo c l im bed the l adde r - a nd sudde n ly h i s head poke d ou t i n t o t he L and o f Tops y -Turvy !

Then one by one a l l t he o t he r s f o l l ow ed-and s oon a l l s even o f t hem s tood in t he cu r ious l a nd .

Di ck w as no t a s u s ed to s t r ange l ands a s we re t he o the r s . He s t ood and s t a r ed , w i t h h i s eyes so w ide open tha t i t r e a l l y se emed a s i f t hey w ere go ing to d rop ou t o f h i s head !

And , i ndeed , i t w as a s t r ange s igh t he s aw. E ve ry hous e w as ups i de down , and s tood on i t s c h imne ys . T he t r ee s w e re ups ide down , t he i r he ads bu r i ed i n t he g round and the i r r oo t s i n t he a i r . A nd , dea r me , t he peop le wa l ked ups i de -dow n , t oo !

"They a r e w a lk ing on t he i r ha nds , w i t h t he i r l eg s i n t he a i r ! " s a i d Jo , "Goodne ss , w ha t a quee r t h i ng to do ! "

Eve ryone s t a r ed a t t he fo l k o f Tops y -Turvy La nd . They go t a long ve ry qu i ck l y on the i r hands , and o f t en s toppe d to t a lk t o one a no the r , cha t t e r i ng bus i ly . S ome o f t hem had be en s hopp ing , and ca r r i ed t he i r ba s ke t s on one foo t .

"Le t ' s go and pee p in s ide a house a nd se e w ha t i t ' s l i ke , a l l t ops y - tu rvy , " sa id J o . So t hey s e t o f f t o t he nea re s t hous e . I t l ooked mos t pec u l i a r s t and ing on i t s ch im neys . No s moke c ame ou t o f t hem -bu t s moke c ame ou t o f a w indow nea r t he t op .

"How do w e ge t i n?" s a id Be ss i e . They w a tc hed a T opsy -T urvy man w a lk on h i s hands t o ano t he r hous e . He jumpe d in a t t he nea re s t w indow , go ing up a l a dde r f i r s t .

The c h i ld r e n looked fo r t he l adde r t ha t e n t e r e d the hous e t he y we re nea r . They s oon found i t . They w en t up i t t o a wi ndow a nd peeped i n s i de .

"Gra c ious ! " s a id J o . "Eve ry t h ing r ea l l y i s ups ide down i n i t - t he cha i r s a nd t ab l e s , and

eve ry t h ing . H ow unc omfo r t ab l e i t mus t be ! "

An o l d l ady w as i n s ide t he hous e . S he w as s i t t i ng ups i de dow n in an ups i de -dow n cha i r and looked ve ry pecu l i a r . S he w as ang ry w hen she sa w the c h i ld r e n peep ing i n .

S he c l a pped he r hands , and a t a l l man , w a l k ing on h i s hands , c am e runn ing in f rom the ne x t r oom.

"S end thos e rude c h i ld r en a wa y , " shou t ed the o l d wom an . The t a l l man hu r r i ed t o t he w indow on h i s hands , and the ch i l d r en qu i ck l y s l i d dow n the l adde r , f o r t he man l ooked r a t he r f i e r c e .

" I t ' s a s i l l y l and , I t h i nk , " sa i d Jo . " I vo t e w e ju s t ha ve ou r l unch a nd then l ea ve th i s p l ace . I w onde r w hy eve ry t h ing i s t ops y - tu rvy . "

"Oh , a spe l l w as pu t on eve ry th ing a nd eve rybody , " s a id M oon-F ace , " and in a t r i c e eve ry th i ng wa s t opsy - t u rvy . Look-w ou ldn ' t t ha t be a good p l ace t o s i t a nd ea t ou r l unch in? "

I t w as unde r a b i g oak t r ee whos e roo t s s tood h i gh in t he a i r . J o and Moon-F ac e s e t ou t t he l unc h . I t l ooke d ve ry good .

"The re ' s p l en t y fo r eve rybody , " s a i d Jo . "H ave a sa ndwi ch , S i lky?"

"S aucepa n , have a p l um?"

"Crumb?" s a i d Sa ucepan , i n su rp r i se . " I s t ha t a l l you ca n spa re fo r me-a c rumb? "

"P LU M, P LU M , PL UM !" s a id M oon-F ace , pus h ing a r i pe one in to t he S aucepa n Man ' s hands .

"Oh , p l um," s a id S auc epan . "We l l , w hy d idn ' t you s ay s o? '

Eve rybody g i gg led . T hey a l l s e t t o w ork to e a t a good l unch .

In t he m idd le o f i t , J o happene d to l ook round , a nd he s aw s ome th ing su rp r i s i ng .

I t w as a po l i cema n comi ng a long , w a lk i ng on h i s hands , o f cou r s e .

"Look w ha t ' s comi ng , " sa i d Jo w i t h a l a ugh . Eve ryone l ooked . M oon-Fa ce we n t pa l e .

" I don ' t l i ke t he l ook o f h im , " he s a i d . "Suppos e he ' s come to l oc k u s up fo r som e th i ng? We c ou ldn ' t ge t awa y down t he F a raw ay Tre e be fo re t h i s l and s w ung aw ay f rom t he t op ! "

The po l i ce man ca me r i gh t up to t he l i t t l e c row d unde r t he t r ee .

"Why a r e n ' t you T opsy -T urvy?" he a sked i n a s t e rn vo i ce . "D on ' t you know t ha t t he ru l e i n

th i s l a nd i s t ha t eve ry th i ng and eve ryone has t o be ups ide -down?"

"Ye s , bu t we don ' t be long to t h i s s i l l y l and , " s a id J o . "A nd i f you w ere se ns i b l e , you ' d make ano the r r u l e , s ay ing t ha t e ve rybody mus t be t he r i gh t

wa y up . You ' ve j u s t no i dea how s i l l y you look , po l i cem an , wa lk ing on you r hands ! "

The po l i ce man w en t r e d wi th ange r . H e t ook a s o r t o f s t i c k f rom h i s be l t and t a pped J o on the hea d wi th i t .

"Tops y -Turvy ! " he s a i d . "Tops y -Turvy ! "

And t o Jo ' s ho r ro r he had t o t u rn h im se l f ups i de -dow n a t onc e ! The o t he r s s t a r ed a t poo r J o , s t and ing on h i s hands , h i s l e g s i n t he a i r .

"Oh , go l ly ! " c r i ed J o . " I c an ' t e a t any th i ng p rope r ly now bec ause I need my hands t o w a l k wi th . P o l i c eman , pu t me r i gh t aga in . "

"You a r e r i gh t now, " s a i d t he po l i cem an , and w a lke d so l emn l y awa y on h i s hands .

"P u t J o t he r i gh t wa y up , " sa id D ick . S o eve ryone t r i e d t o ge t h im ove r s o t ha t he w as t he r i gh t wa y up aga i n . Bu t a s soon a s t hey go t h i s l eg s down and h i s hea d up , he t u rned t opsy - t u rvy aga i n . He j u s t cou ldn ' t he lp i t , f o r he w as unde r a s pe l l .

A g roup o f T opsy -T urvy peop le came to w a tc h . They l a ughed loud l y . "Now he be longs t o Tops y -Turvy L and ! " t hey c r i ed . "H e ' l l ha ve to s t a y he r e w i t h u s . N eve r m ind , boy -you ' l l s oon ge t u se d to i t ! "

"Take me bac k to t he Fa raw ay Tree , " begged J o , a f r a i d t ha t he r ea l l y and t r u ly m igh t be made to s t ay i n t h i s quee r l and . "H ur ry ! "

Eve ryone jumpe d to t he i r f ee t . They he l ped J o a long t o whe re t he ho l e r an down t h rough the c loud . H e w asn ' t u s ed t o wa lk ing on h i s hands and he kep t f a l l i ng ove r . They t r i ed t he i r be s t t o make h im s t a nd up r igh t , bu t he cou ldn ' t . T he s pe l l w ou ldn ' t l e t h i m .

" I t w i l l be d i f f i cu l t t o ge t h im dow n th rough t he ho l e , " s a i d Di ck . "Look-the r e i t i s . I ' d be t t e r go dow n f i r s t and s ee i f I c an he lp h im . You o t he r s push h i m th rough a s c a r e fu l l y a s you can . H e ' l l ha ve to go ups ide dow n , I 'm a f r a i d . "

I t w as ve ry d i f f i cu l t t o ge t J o t h rough t he ho l e , becaus e h i s ha nds and head ha d to go f i r s t . M oon-F ace he ld h i s l e g s t o gu ide h im . Di ck he l d h i s shou l de r s a s he cam e dow n the l adde r , s o t ha t he w ou ldn ' t f a l l .

A t l a s t t hey w ere a l l s even t h rough the ho l e i n t he c louds , and w ere on t he b road b r anc h ou t s ide M oon-F ace ' s house . J o he l d on to t he b r anch w i th h i s hands , h i s l eg s w e re i n t he a i r .

"Moon-F ac e ! S i lky ! Ca n ' t you poss ib l y t ake t h i s spe l l a way? " g roaned he . " I t ' s d r e ad fu l . "

"S i lky , w ha t l and i s com ing to t he t op o f t he F a raw ay Tre e nex t? " a s ked Moon-F ac e . "H ave you hea rd? '

" I t h ink i f s t he La nd o f Spe l l s , " s a id S i l ky . " I t s hou ld com e to -mor row . Bu t I ' m no t r e a l l y su r e . "

"Oh , w e l l , i f i t ' s t he Land o f S pe l l s , we cou ld e a s i l y ge t a s pe l l f r om the r e t o pu t J o r i gh t , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , bea ming . " J o , you mus t s t a y t he n i gh t w i th me and w a i t f o r t he La nd o f Spe l l s

tomor row . The o the r s can go hom e and t e l l wha t ha s happened . "

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id J o . " I c an ' t pos s i b ly c l imb up t he t r e e aga i n i f I ' m ups ide down-s o I ' l l j u s t have t o wa i t he r e . Mo t he r w i l l neve r be l i eve i t , t hough , whe n the o t he r s t e l l he r w hy I don ' t go home . S t i l l , i t c an ' t be he lped . "

They a l l w en t i n to M oon-F ace ' s house . Jo s tood on a c ha i r , ups ide down . The o t he r s sa t abou t a nd t a l ked . D ick w as so r ry fo r J o , bu t he cou ldn ' t he lp f e e l i ng a b i t e xc i t ed . G oodness - i f t h i s wa s t he s o r t o f adven t u re t ha t Jo , Be ss i e and F anny had , w ha t f un t h ings we re go ing t o be !

The o t he r s began t e l l i ng h im a l l t he adven t u re s t hey had ha d . S i lky ma de som e t e a , and w en t dow n the t r ee t o f e t c h som e more P op B i scu i t s . When i t w as ha l f -pas t f i ve Be ss i e sa id t hey m us t go .

"Good-bye , Jo , " s he s a i d . "Don ' t be t oo unhappy . P r e t e nd you a r e a ba t -t hey a lw ays s l eep ups ide dow n , you know , and don ' t m ind a b i t ! Com e on , D i ck -w e ' r e go ing dow n the s l i ppe ry - s l i p ! "

Di ck w as exc i t ed . H e took t he r ed cus h ion t ha t M oon-F ace ga ve h im and sa t h im se l f a t t he t op o f t he s l i de . Bes s i e gave h i m a pus h .

And o f f he we n t , r ound and round t he i n s ide o f t he eno rm ous F a raw ay Tree , s i t t i ng sa f e ly on h i s cus h ion . W ha t a w ay t o ge t dow n a t r ee !

4 -The L and o f S pe l l s

Di ck s ho t r ound dow n the i n s i de o f t he F a ra wa y Tree on h i s c ush i on . He cam e to t he bo t tom . He sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r t he r e , and l anded on the so f t g r een m oss . H e s a t t he r e fo r a m omen t , ou t o f b r ea t h .

"Tha t ' s t he l ove l i e s t s l i de I ' v e e ve r had ! " he t hough t t o h i ms e l f . "O -o -oh -wou l dn ' t I l i ke t o do tha t aga i n ! "

He had ju s t go t up f rom the mos s w hen the t r ap -doo r a t t he bo t tom o f t he t r ee opened once aga in , a nd Fa nny sho t ou t on a ye l low cus h ion . The n cam e Bes s i e , g igg l ing , f o r s he a l ways t hough t i t w as a huge joke t o s l i de down i n s i de t he t r ee l i ke t ha t .

"Wha t do we do wi th t he c ush i ons? " a s ked Di ck . "D oes Moon-F ac e wa n t t hem back?"

"Ye s , he does , " sa i d F anny , p i ck i ng them up . "The r ed s qu i r r e l a l wa ys co l l ec t s t hem and s ends t he m back t o h im . "

As s he s poke , a r ed s qu i r r e l , d r e s s ed in a j e r s ey , popped ou t o f a ho l e i n t he t r unk .

"He re a r e t he cus h ions , " s a id F anny , and t he s qu i r r e l t ook the m. H e looked up i n to t he t r ee , a nd a rope ca me s w ing ing dow n .

"Moon-F ac e a l ways l e t s i t dow n fo r h i s cus h ions , " s a id Bes s i e . D ic k wa tche d the s qu i r r e l t i e t he t h r ee cus h ions t o t he rope end . T hen he gave th r ee gen t l e t ugs a t t he rope , and a t once t he

rope w as pu l l e d up , and the c ush i ons w en t sw ing i ng up the t r e e t o M oon-F ace .

" I w i sh J o w as wi th u s , " sa id D ick , a s t he y a l l we n t home . "D o you suppos e A un t P o l l y wi l l be wor r i ed abou t h im?"

"Wel l , w e ' l l have to t e l l M o the r , " s a i d Fa nny . "She i s su r e t o a s k w he re he i s . "

Mot he r d id a sk , o f c ou r se , a nd the g i r l s t o ld he r wha t had happe ned .

" I f i nd a l l t h i s ve ry d i f f i c u l t t o be l i e ve , " s a id M othe r , a s t on i s hed . " I t h i nk Jo i s j u s t spe nd ing the n igh t w i t h Moon-F ac e fo r a t r e a t . We l l , he ce r t a in l y mus t come back t o -mor row , fo r t he r e i s w ork fo r h im to do . "

Nobody s a i d any more . The g i r l s a nd Di ck f e l t ve ry t i r ed , and a f t e r s ome ho t coc oa and po ta toes cooked i n t he i r j a c ke t s f o r suppe r , t hey a l l w en t t o bed Bes s i e w onde red how J o wa s ge t t i ng on a t M oon-F ace ' s .

He wa s ge t t i ng on a l l r i gh t , t hough he wa s ve ry t i r ed o f be ing ups ide down . I t d idn ' t ma t t e r how ha rd he t r i e d t o ge t t he r i gh t wa y up , he a l ways sw ung bac k tops y - tu rvy aga i n . The po l i ce man had pu t a ve ry s t rong s pe l l on h im!

"You ha d be t t e r t r y t o s l eep in m y bed , " s a id M oon-F ace . " I ' l l s l e ep on my so fa . "

" I suppos e I ' l l h ave to s t a nd on my hea d a l l n i gh t , " s a id poo r J o . A nd tha t ' s j u s t w ha t he d id have to do . I t w as mos t uncom fo r t ab l e .

Onc e he l o s t h i s ba l anc e w hen he w as a s l eep , a nd t i ppe d o f f t he bed . H e a lm os t f e l l down t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , bu t M oon-F ace , w ho w as awa ke ,

r eac hed ou t a ha nd and caugh t h i s l eg j u s t i n t i me .

"Gra c ious ! " s a id M oon-F ace . "D on ' t go do ing t h ings l i ke t h i s i n t he midd l e o f t he n igh t , J o . I t ' s mos t ups e t t i ng . "

"Wel l , how can I he l p i t ? " sa id J o .

" I ' l l t i e you r f ee t t o a na i l on m y wa l l , " s a id M oon-F ace . "Then you ca n ' t t opp le ove r w hen you a r e a s l eep . "

S o he d id t ha t , and J o d idn ' t f a l l dow n any more . When morn i ng cam e he wa s m os t a s ton i s hed t o f i nd h im se l f ups i de -dow n , fo r a t f i r s t he d idn ' t r eme mber w ha t ha d happened .

" I ' l l j u s t pe ep up th rough t he ho l e i n t he c loud and s ee i f by any chanc e the L and o f S pe l l s i s t he r e ye t , " sa id M oon-Fa ce . " I f i t i s , we ' l l go up and se e w ha t w e ca n do fo r you . "

S o o f f he we n t up the l i t t l e l adde r a nd popped h i s head ou t o f t he ho l e i n t he c loud to s ee i f t he L and o f Tops y -Turvy w as s t i l l t he r e , o r i f i t h ad gone .

The re wa s no t h ing the r e a t a l l - on l y j u s t t he b i g wh i t e c loud , mov i ng abou t l i ke a t h i ck mi s t . Moon-F ace s l i pped dow n the l adde r a ga in .

"Tops y -Turvy has gone , bu t t he nex t l and ha sn ' t com e ye t , " he s a id . "We ' l l have b r e ak fa s t and t hen I ' l l l ook a ga in . H a l lo -he r e ' s S i lky . S t ay a nd have b r eak fa s t , S i l ky da r l i ng . "

" I c am e up to s ee how J o wa s , " s a i d S i lky . "Y es , I ' d l ove t o have b r eak fa s t . I t ' s f unny to w a t ch J o ea t i ng ups i de dow n . Ha sn ' t t he Land o f S pe l l s com e ye t ? "

"No t ye t , " s a i d Moon-F ac e , pu t t i ng a ke t t l e on

h i s s t ove t o bo i l . "The re ' s no th i ng the r e a t a l l . Bu t T opsy -T urvy i s gone , t hank goodne ss ! "

They a l l ha d b r eak fa s t . M oon-F ace c ooked s ome po r r i dge . "Wha t do you wa n t on you r po r r idge ?" he a s ked J o . "Tre ac l e - suga r - c r eam ?"

Jo c ou ldn ' t s ee any t r eac l e , s uga r o r c r ea m on the t ab l e . "T rea c l e , " he sa id , "p l e a s e , Moon-F ac e . " M oon-Fa ce hande d h im a sm a l l j ug t ha t se emed to be qu i t e e mp ty .

"Trea c l e ! " he sa id t o t he j ug i n a f i rm vo i ce . A nd t r e ac l e came pou r ing ou t a s soon a s J o t i pped up the j ug . S i lky w an te d c r eam -and c r e am ca me ou t whe n Moon-F ac e s a id "Crea m!" t o t he j ug . I t was g r ea t f un .

Moon-F ac e w en t aga in t o s ee i f t he L and o f S pe l l s ha d come . T h i s t im e he cam e back e xc i t ed .

" I t ' s t he r e ! " he s a i d . "Come on ! I ' d be t t e r t a ke s ome mone y wi th me , I t h ink , i n ca s e w e have to buy the spe l l w e w an t . "

He took a b i g pu r se down f rom a she l f , and t hen he and S i l ky he lpe d Jo t o wa lk ups ide dow n up the b r anch tha t l e d t h rough the ho l e i n t he c l oud to t he l i t t l e l adde r . U p he w en t w i t h g r ea t d i f f i cu l ty , ho ld i ng on t i gh t ly t o t he rungs o f t he l adde r w i t h h i s hands . A t l a s t he was up in t he La nd o f S pe l l s .

Th i s l a nd wa s l i ke a b i g marke t -p l a ce . I n i t we re a l l k inds o f cu r ious l i t t l e shops and s t a l l s . A l l k i nds o f pe op le s o ld s pe l l s . I n s ome o f t he s hops sa t t a l l w iza rds , f am ous fo r m ag ic . I n som e o f t hem we re g r een -e yed w i t c hes , mak i ng spe l l s a s f a s t a s t he y cou ld . O u t s ide , i n t he m arke t p l ace , s a t a l l k inds o f f a i ry fo l k a t t he i r s t a l l s -p ix i e s , gnom es , gob l in s , e l ve s - a l l c ry ing the i r wa re s a t t he t ops o f t he i r h igh vo ic e s .

"S pe l l t o make a c rooked nos e s t r a igh t ! " c r i ed one p i x i e , r a t t l i ng a ye l low box in w h ich w ere mag ic p i l l s .

"S pe l l t o g row b l ue da f fod i l s ! " c r i ed a gnome , s how ing a bo t t l e o f b l ue j u i c e .

"S pe l l t o make ca t s s i ng ! " c r i ed ano t he r gnome . J o cou l d ha rd ly be l i eve h i s e a r s . H ow que e r ! Who w ou ld w an t t o make c a t s s i ng?

"Now , w e mus t j u s t s e e i f w e ca n poss ib l y f i nd a s pe l l t o ma ke you s t and up s t r a igh t aga i n , " sa i d Moon-F ac e , and he w en t i n to a l i t t l e l ow shop i n wh i ch s a t a s t r ange gob l i n .

The gob l in had b l ue , po in t ed ea r s , and h i s eye s s pa rk l ed a s i f t he y had f i r ew orks i n t he m.

" I wa n t a s pe l l , " s a id M oon-F ace .

"Wha t fo r ? " a s ked the gob l in . " I ' v e a s pe l l f o r eve ry t h ing unde r t he s un in my s hop ! Ve ry powe r fu l s pe l l s t oo , som e o f t hem . Wou ld you l i ke a s pe l l t o s end you t r a ve l l i ng s t r a igh t o f f t o t he moon?"

"Oh , no , t hank you , " s a id M oon-F ace a t once . " I know I l ook l i ke t he ma n in t he moon , w i th m y b ig round f ac e -bu t I ' m no th i ng a t a l l t o do wi th t he moon r ea l l y . "

"Wel l , w ou ld you l i ke a s pe l l t o ma ke you a s t a l l a s a g i an t ? " s a i d t he gob l in , p i ck ing up a box and open ing i t . H e s howe d Moon-F ac e a l a rge b lue p i l l i n s i de . "N ow, t ake t ha t p i l l , and you ' l l shoo t up a s h i gh a s a house ! You ' l l f e e l f i ne . I t on l y cos t s one p i ec e o f go ld . "

"No , t hank you , " s a id M oon-F ace . " I f I g r e w a s b i g a s t ha t I ' d neve r ge t down t he ho l e i n t he c loud bac k to t he Fa rawa y Tree . And i f I d id , I ' d neve r be ab l e t o ge t i n a t t he doo r o f my t r e e -hous e . I don ' t wa n t s i l l y spe l l s l i ke t ha t . "

"S i l l y ! " c r i ed t he gob l i n , i n a r age . "You c a l l my marve l lous s pe l l s s i l l y ! Ano t he r w ord f rom you , s t up id o l d Round-Fa ce , and I ' l l u se a s pe l l t ha t w i l l t u rn you in to a b ig bounc i ng ba l l ! "

S i lky pu l l ed M oon-F ace ou t o f t he s hop qu ick l y . S he wa s qu i t e w h i t e . "Moon-F ac e , you know you shou l dn ' t make t he s e peop le c ro s s , " s he wh i spe red . "Why , you m ay f ind you r s e l f no t h ing bu t a bounc ing ba l l , o r a b l ac k bee t l e , o r s ome t h ing , i f you a r e rude to t hem. F o r goodnes s ' s ake , l e t me a sk fo r t he spe l l w e w an t . Look -he re ' s a b igge r s hop -w i th a n i ce -look ing w i t ch i n s ide . "

They a l l w en t i n . The w i t ch w as kn i t t i ng s tock i ngs f rom the g r ee n sm oke tha t c am e f rom he r f i r e . I t w as marve l lous t o w a t ch he r . J o wi she d he wa sn ' t ups ide -down s o t ha t he mi gh t s ee he r p rope r ly .

"Good m orn ing , " s a id t he w i t c h . "Do you w an t a spe l l ? "

"Ye s , p l ea s e , " s a id S i l ky in he r m os t po l i t e vo i c e . "We w an t t o make ou r f r i end J o com e the r i gh t w ay up aga in . "

"Tha t ' s e a s y , " s a id t he w i t c h , he r g r een e yes l ook ing in a k ind ly w ay a t poo r Jo . " I ' v e on l y go t t o rub a Wa lk i ng -Spe l l on t o t he s o l e s o f h i s f ee t and he w i l l be a l l r i gh t . The W alk i ng -Spe l l w i l l make h i s f ee t wan t t o wa lk -and he wi l l have to

s t and up the r i gh t w ay t o wa l k on them -so he wi l l be cu red . Come he re , boy ! "

Jo w a l ked ove r t o t he w i t c h on h i s hands . She took dow n a j a r f r om a s he l f and opene d i t . I t was fu l l o f pu rp l e o i n tme n t . The wi t ch rubbed s ome on to t he s o l e s o f J o ' s s hoes .

"R imm iny-Romm iny-Ree t , S t and on you r ow n tw o f ee t ! R imm iny-Rommi ny-Ro , The r i gh t w ay up you mus t go ! "

And , o f c ou r se , you can gues s wha t happene d ! Jo s w ung r igh t ove r , s t ood on h i s tw o f ee t aga in , a nd the r e he wa s , a s up r i gh t a s M oon-Fa ce and S i lky . Wa sn ' t he g l ad !

5 -S aucepa n Make s a Mudd l e .

Jo , S i lky and M oon-F ace w ere s o ve ry p l ea s ed tha t J o wa s t he r i gh t way up aga i n .

" I t f e e l s f unny , " sa id J o . " I f ee l qu i t e g i ddy the r i gh t w ay up a f t e r s t and ing ups ide -down fo r s o l ong . T hank you , w i t ch . H ow much i s t he spe l l ? "

"One p i ec e o f go ld , " s a id t he w i t c h . Moon-F ace pu t h i s hand i n to h i s l a rge pu r se . He b rough t ou t a p i ece o f go ld . The wi t ch t h r e w i t i n t o t he f i r e , and a t onc e b r igh t go lden s moke c ame ou t . S he took up he r kn i t t i ng -need l e s and bega n to kn i t t he

ye l l ow s moke in to t he s tock ings s he w as mak i ng .

" I wa n ted a ye l low pa t t e rn , " s he s a id , p l ea s ed . "Y our p i ec e o f go ld c ame ju s t a t t he r i gh t mom en t . "

"Go l ly , t h i s i s a ve ry ma g ic l a nd , i s n ' t i t ? " sa i d Jo , a s t he t h r e e o f t hem wa lked ou t o f t he quee r shop . "F anc y kn i t t i ng s tock i ngs ou t o f sm oke ! Don ' t l e t ' s go home ye t , Moon-F ac e . I w an t t o s ee a f ew more t h ings . "

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , w ho w an ted t o exp lo re a b i t , t oo . "Come on . I s a y , l ook a t t he gnom e who i s s e l l i ng a spe l l t o make c a t s s i ng ! S omebody has b rough t h i s c a t t o h im- I w onde r i f t he s pe l l w i l l r e a l l y work ! "

The s e rva n t o f a w i t c h had b rough t a long a b ig b l ack c a t . H e hande d the gnome t wo s i l ve r p i e ce s o f money . T he gnome t ook the c a t on h i s knee . He opened i t s mou th and l ooked dow n i t . T hen he t ook a s i l ve r w h i s t l e

and b l e w a t une s o f t l y dow n the ca t ' s p ink th roa t . The ca t s w a l l owe d once o r tw ice and then j umped o f f t he gnome ' s knee .

"Wi l l i t s i ng now? " a s ked the w i t ch ' s s e rvan t . " I da r en ' t go bac k to my mis t r e s s un l e s s i t does . "

" I t w i l l s i ng whe neve r you pu l l i t s t a i l , " s a i d t he gnom e , t u rn i ng to ano the r cus tomer .

The w i t ch ' s s e rvan t we n t o f f w i th t he ca t f o l l ow ing be h ind . J o t ook ho ld o f Moon-F ac e ' s a rm and w h i s pe red t o h im:

" I 'm go ing to pu l l t he ca t ' s t a i l . I do S O w an t t o hea r i f i t r e a l l y wi l l s i ng ! "

Moon-F ac e and S i l ky wa n ted to a s w e l l . The y g igg l ed t o se e J o runn ing so f t l y a f t e r t he b ig b l ac k ca t . He t ook ho ld o f i t s t a i l . He gave i t a gen t l e pu l l .

And t hen , oh , w ha t a pecu l i a r t h i ng ! The ca t s t opped , l i f t e d up i t s head , and s ang in a ve ry deep m an ' s vo i c e :

"Oh , onc e my w h i s ke r s g r ew so l ong I had to ha ve a s have ! T he ba rbe r sa id : ' I t ' s no t t he w ay fo r w h i s ke r s t o be have , I f you ' r e no t c a r e fu l , m y dea r c a t , The y ' l l g row in to a bea rd , A nd then a b i l l y -goa t you ' l l be , Or som e th i ng ve ry w e i rd ! '

"Oh , onc e my t a i l becam e s o sho r t I t hadn ' t go t a wa g , The g roce r sa id . . . "

Bu t w ha t t he g roce r s a i d abou t t he ca t ' s s ho r t t a i l nobody eve r knew . The se rvan t o f t he w i t ch t u rned round in s u rp r i s e w hen he he a rd t he ca t s i ng ing , f o r he kne w t ha t he ha dn ' t pu l l e d t he ca t ' s t a i l . H e s aw J o and the o the r s g r inn i ng aw ay nea r by , a nd he w as ve ry ang ry .

"How da re you u se up the ca r ' s s i ng ing ! " he c r i ed . "Y ou w a i t t i l l I t e l l t he wi t ch . S he ' l l be a f t e r you . And you w on ' t s i ng i f s he ca t che s you ! "

"Qu i ck ! Run! " s a id M oon-F ace . " I f he does f e t ch t he w i t c h we ' l l ge t i n to t r oub le . "

S o they r an a wa y f a s t , and w ere s oon ou t o f

s i gh t o f t he ca t and the s e rva n t . They s ank dow n unde r a t r ee , l augh ing .

"Oh , de a r ! Tha t c a t d id s ing a funny s ong ! " s a id J o , w ip ing h i s eye s . "A nd wha t a l ove ly dee p vo ice i t had . D o you s uppose i t s w h i s ke r s r ea l l y d id g row ve ry l ong?"

Jus t t hen the t h r ee he a rd a l oud no i s e comi ng a long : "C lank i ly - c l a nk , r a t t l e , ba ng , c r a s h ! "

"The S auc epan M an!" t he y a l l c r i ed . "H e ' s come up he re , t oo ! "

And s u re e nough , i t w as o ld S auce pan , g r inn i ng a l l ove r h i s f unny f ace . He had s o many ke t t l e s a nd sa ucepans on tha t day tha t no th i ng cou ld be se en o f h im excep t h i s f ace a nd h i s f ee t .

"Ha l lo , ha l l o ! " he sa i d . " I gues se d you we re up he re . Be en hav ing fun? "

"Ye s , " s a i d Jo . " I ' m a l l r i gh t aga i n - look ! I t ' s so n i ce t o w a l k t he p rope r wa y up aga i n . And oh , S auce pan , w e 've j u s t hea rd a ca t s i ng ! "

S aucepa n ac tua l ly he a rd wha t J oe s a id bu t he cou ldn ' t be l i eve t ha t he had hea rd r i gh t , s o he pu t h i s hand be h ind h i s e a r and sa id , "Wha t d id you sa y? I t hough t you sa id you 'd he a rd a ca t s i ng -bu t I he a rd w rong , I know."

"No , you he a rd r i gh t , " sa id M oon-Fa ce . "We d id hea r a ca t s i ng ! "

"Le t ' s go and exp l o re a b i t more , " sa i d Jo . S o up t hey go t and o f f t hey we n t .

A w i t ch w as se l l i ng a spe l l t o make o rd ina ry b rooms t i cks f l y t h rough t he a i r . T he fou r w a tche d in am azem en t a s t hey sa w he r rubb ing a p i nk o in tm en t on t o a b roomha nd le be l ong ing to a n e l f .

"Now ge t on i t , s ay ' Whiz z aw ay! ' and you can f l y home , " s a i d t he w i t ch . The e l f go t a s t r i de t he b rooms t i c k , a s mi l e on he r p r e t t y f ace .

"Whiz z aw ay! " s he s a id . A nd o f f w h izze d the b room s t i ck up in t o t he a i r , w i th t he e l f c l i ng i ng t i gh t ly t o i t !

" I ' d l i ke t o buy tha t spe l l , " s a id J o . " I w onde r how much i t i s . "

The w i t ch hea rd h i m. "Thre e s i l ve r p i ece s , " s he s a id . J o hadn ' t e ven go t one . Bu t M oon-F ace had . He took the m ou t o f h i s l a rge pu r s e and ga ve them to t he wi t ch .

"Where ' s you r b rooms t i c k?" s he s a id .

"We ha ven ' t go t one w i t h u s , " s a i d Jo . "Bu t can ' t you g ive u s t he o in tm en t i n s t ea d , p l ea s e? "

"Wel l , I ' l l g i ve you ju s t a l i t t l e , " s a i d t he w i t c h . She took a t i ny p ink j a r and pu t a dab o f t he p i nk o in tm en t i n to i t . Jo t ook i t a nd pu t i t i n to h i s pocke t . Now ma ybe h i s mo the r ' s b rooms t i ck w ou ld l ea rn t o f l y !

At t he ne x t s t a l l a gob l i n wa s s e l l i ng a spe l l t o m ake t h ings b ig . The spe l l wa s i n b ig t i n s , a nd looked l i ke pa i n t .

" Ju s t t h ink w ha t a u se fu l s pe l l t h i s i s ! " ye l l ed t he gob l in t o t he pa s s e r s -by . "Ha ve you v i s i t o r s c oming t o t e a a nd on ly a s ma l l c a ke t o o f f e r t hem? A da b o f t h i s s pe l l and the c ake s w e l l s t o t w i ce i t s s i z e ! H ave you a su i t you have g row n ou t o f A dab o f t h i s spe l l and i t w i l l g row t o t he r i gh t s i ze ! M arve l lous , wonde r fu l , am az ing a nd a s ton i s h ing ! Buy , buy , buy , wh i l s t you ' ve go t t he chanc e ! "

S aucepa n hea rd a l l t ha t t he gob l in s a id , f o r he wa s s hou t i ng a t t he t op o f h i s vo i ce . He began to l ook in a l l h i s ke t t l e s and s auc epans .

"Wha t do you wa n t?" a s ked J o .

"My m oney , " s a id t he S aucepa n Ma n . " I a lw ays keep i t i n one o f m y ke t t l e s o r s aucepa ns -bu t I neve r r em embe r wh i ch . I s i mp ly m us t buy tha t spe l l . T h ink how use fu l i t wou l d be t o m e . S ome t i mes w hen I go round se l l i ng my goods a cus tom er wi l l s ay t o me , ' O h , you haven ' t a b i g enough ke t t l e ! ' Bu t now I s ha l l be ab l e t o make my ke t t l e s j u s t a s b i g a s I l i ke ! And w e c an dab the Pop B i sc u i t s w i th t he s pe l l , t oo , and ma ke the m tw ice a s b ig . "

He found h i s money a t l a s t a nd pa id i t t o t he gob l i n , who hande d h im a t i n o f t he s pe l l . S aucepa n wa s ve ry p l ea s ed . H e l onged to t r y ' i t on som e th i ng . He took the b rush and da bbed a da i sy ne a rby w i th t he s pe l l . The da i s y a t once g r ew to tw ic e i t s s i z e . Then S auce pan dabbed a bumble bee and t ha t g r e w e no rmous . I t buzze d a round M oon-Fa ce and he wa ved i t aw ay .

"S aucepa n , don ' t do a ny more be es , " he begged . " I expe c t t he i r s t i ngs a r e tw ice a s b ig , t oo . L ook- l e t ' s go t o t ha t s we e t - s hop ove r t he r e and buy som e s we e t s . I t w ou ld be fun t o make them tw ice a s b i g ! "

They hu r r i ed t o t he s hop -bu t on the w ay a d r ead fu l t h ing happe ned ! S aucepa n f e l l ove r one o f h i s ke t t l e s and ups e t t he t i n i n w h ich he ca r r i ed t he s pe l l . I t s p l a shed up - a nd d rops o f i t f e l l on t o M oon-F ace , S i lky , J o and the o ld S aucepa n Ma n , t oo ! A nd in a t r i c e t hey a l l s ho t up to t w i ce

t he i r s i z e ! S i l ky g r ew to t h r ee t im es he r s i ze be caus e more d rops f e l l on he r .

They s t a r ed a t one ano the r . How s ma l l t he L and o f S pe l l s s udden l y se eme d! How l i t t l e t he w i t ches and gob l i n s l ooked , how t i ny t he s hops we re !

"S aucepa n ! You r ea l l y a r e ca r e l e s s ! " c r i ed M oon-F ace , vexed . "Look w ha t you 've done to u s . N ow w ha t a r e w e to do?"

S i lky c l u t che d ho ld o f M oon-Fa ce ' s a rm. "M oon-Fa ce ! " s he s a id . "O h , Moon-F ac e do you . s uppose we a r e t oo b i g t o go dow n the ho l e t h rough the c loud?"

Moon-F ac e t u rne d pa l e . "W e 'd be t t e r go and

se e , " h e s a id . "Com e on , eve rybody . "

F r igh t ene d and s i l e n t , a l l f ou r o f t hem hu r r i ed

to w he re t he ho l e l ed dow n to t he Fa raw ay Tree .

How l i t t l e i t s e emed t o t he fou r b i g peop le now!

Moon-F ac e t r i ed t o ge t down . H e s t uc k . He

cou ldn ' t s l i p down a t a l l .

" I t ' s no u s e , " he sa i d . "We ' r e t oo b i g t o go

down . W ha te ve r i n t he wor l d sha l l w e do?"

6 . Wha t Can They D o N ow?

Jo , M oon-F ace , S i lky and S auc epan s a t dow n by the ho l e and t hough t ha rd . S i lky be gan to c ry .

The S auc epan M an looke d mos t uncom fo r t ab l e . He wa s ve ry fond o f S i lky . "S i lky , p l ea s e do fo rg ive me fo r be i ng so c a r e l e s s , " he s a i d i n a s ma l l vo i ce . " I d idn ' t mea n to do th i s . D on ' t c ry . Y ou make me f e e l d r ea d fu l . "

" I t ' s a l l r i gh t , " s obbed S i lky , bo r row ing M oon-F ace ' s hanky . " I know you d idn ' t me an to . Bu t I c an ' t he l p f ee l i ng d r ead fu l ly s ad whe n I t h ink I w on ' t eve r be ab l e t o se e my dea r l i t t l e r oom in t he F a raw ay Tre e any more . "

The S auc epan M an bega n to c ry , t oo . T ea r s d r ippe d wi th a s p l a s h i n t o h i s sa ucepans and ke t t l e s . He pu t h i s a rm round S i l ky , and tw o o r t h r e e ke t t l e - s pou t s s tuck i n to he r .

"Don ' t ! " s he s a i d . "You ' r e s t i c k ing in t o me . M oon-F ace - J o -ca n ' t you t h ink o f som e th i ng

to do? Ca n we poss ib l y squee ze dow n i f w e ho ld ou r b r e a th s and m ake ou r se lves a s s ma l l a s we can?"

"Qu i t e i mpos s i b l e , " s a i d Moon-F ace g loomi ly . "L i s t en - the r e ' s s omebody comi ng up the l adde r . "

They he a rd vo i ce s - a nd soon a head popped up ou t o f t he ho l e i n t he c loud . I t w as Di ck ' s ! H e s t a r e d in t he ve ry g r ea t e s t s u rp r i s e a t t he fou r eno rm ous peop le s i t t i ng by the ho l e .

He c l i mbed up and s tood be s i de t he m, l ook i ng ve ry , ve ry s ma l l . The n up cam e Bes s i e and F anny . T he i r eye s ne a r ly f e l l ou t o f t he i r he ads when they s aw how b ig J o and h i s f r i ends w e re .

"Wha t ' s happene d?" c r i e d Di ck . "We be gan to be wor r i ed beca use you d idn ' t com e home , J o - s o we c l i mbed up t o see whe re you w ere . Bu t w hy a r e you s o EN O RMO U S? "

Jo t o ld t he m. S i lky s obbed i n to -M oon-Fa ce ' s ha nky . Bes s i e pu t he r a rm round he r . I t w as funny to f e e l S i l ky so ve ry b i g . Bes s i e ' s a rm on ly w en t ha l f r ound S i l ky ' s w a i s t !

"And now , you s ee , w e ca n ' t ge t bac k down t he ho l e , " sa i d Jo .

" I know w ha t you can do ! " s a id D ic k sudde n ly ,

"Wha t ?" c r i e d eve ryone hope fu l ly .

"Why , rub the ho l e w i t h t he s pe l l , and i t w i l l ge t b igge r , o f c ou r se ! " sa id Di ck . "The n you ' l l be ab l e t o ge t dow n i t . "

"Why eve r d idn ' t we th ink o f t ha t be fo re ! " c r i e d Jo , j ump ing up . "S aucepa n , whe re ' s t ha t t i n wi th t he s pe l l i n? "

He p i cke d up the t i n -bu t , a l a s ! i t w as qu i t e , qu i t e emp t y . Eve ry s ing l e d rop had bee n sp i l t w hen S auce pan had f a l l en ove r .

"Wel l , neve r m ind ! " s a id M oon-F ace , chee r i ng up . "We ca n go and buy som e more f rom tha t gob l i n . Come on ! "

They a l l s e t o f f , D i ck , Bes s i e and F anny l ook ing ve ry s ma l l i nde ed by the o the r s . The y we n t up to t he gob l in w ho had s o ld t hem t he s pe l l .

"Ma y we have ano t he r t i n o f t ha t spe l l you s o ld u s j u s t now ?" a s ked Moon-F ac e , ho ld i ng ou t t he emp ty t i n .

" I ' v e no t t he t i n i e s t d rop l e f t , " s a id t he gob l in . "A nd I c an ' t m ake any more t i l l t he fu l l moon c omes . I t c a n on ly be m ade in t he moon l igh t . "

Eve ryone looked s o mi se r a b l e t ha t t he gob l in f e l t s o r ry fo r t he m. "Why do you look s o unhappy?" he sa i d . "Wha t ha s happened? "

Jo t o ld h im eve ry t h ing . The gob l in l i s t ened w i t h g r ea t i n t e r e s t . Then he sm i l e d . "Wel l , my dea r boy , " he s a id , " i f you can ' t ge t a spe l l t o make the ho l e b i g , why don ' t you buy a spe l l t o m ake you r s e l ves s ma l l ? My b ro t he r , t he g r e en gob l i n ove r t he r e , s e l l s t ha t k ind o f s pe l l . On l y be ca r e fu l no t t o pu t t oo m uch on you r s e lve s , o r you m ay go sm a l l e r t ha n you mean t o ! "

They w en t ove r t o t he g r een gob l in . H e w as ye l l i ng a t t he t op o f h i s vo i ce .

"Buy my w onde r fu l a nd mos t am az ing s pe l l ! I t w i l l ma ke any th i ng a s sm a l l a s you l i ke ! Have you an enem y? D ab h im wi th t h i s a nd see h im sh r i nk to t he s i ze o f a m ouse ! Ha ve you too b i g a nose ? D ab i t w i th t h i s and ma ke i t t he r i gh t s i ze ! O h , w onde r fu l , a s ton i sh i ng , ama z ing . . . . "

Eve ryone hu r r i ed up . M oon-F ace t ook som e mone y ou t o f h i s pu r s e . " I ' l l h ave t he s pe l l , p l ea s e , " he s a i d . The g r e en gob l in ga ve h im a t i n . The spe l l i n i t l ooked r a t he r l i ke pa in t , j u s t a s t he o t he r had done .

"Now go s low , " sa id t he gob l in . "Y ou don ' t w an t t o ge t t oo s ma l l . T ry a l i t t l e a t a t im e . "

Moon-F ac e dabbed a l i t t l e on S i lky . S he w en t a b i t s ma l l e r a t once . H e dabbed a ga in . S he w en t s ma l l e r s t i l l .

" I s s he t he r i gh t s i ze ye t ? " a s ked M oon-F ace . E ve ryone s t a r e d a t S i l ky .

"No t qu i t e , " sa id Bes s i e . "Bu t s he i s a lmos t , M oon-F ace . S o be c a r e fu l w i th you r nex t dab . "

Moon-F ac e w as ve ry ca r e fu l . A t t he ne x t dab o f t he s pe l l S i l ky w en t t o exac t ly he r r i gh t s i ze . She wa s s o p l ea se d .

"Now you , J o , " sa id M oon-Fa ce . S o he dabbe d Jo a nd go t J o back to h i s r i gh t s i z e aga i n , t oo . The n he t r i ed dabb ing t he S auce pan Ma n , and s oon

go t h im r igh t . H i s ke t t l e s a nd sauc epans w en t r i gh t , t oo . I t w as funny to wa tch t hem.

"Now I ' l l do you , M oon-F ace , " sa i d Jo .

"No , t hanks , I ' l l do mys e l f , " sa i d Moon-F ac e . H e dabbed t he s pe l l on t o h ims e l f and s h rank s ma l l e r . H e dabbed a ga in a nd wen t sm a l l e r s t i l l . The n he s topped da bb ing and pu t t he b ru s h down .

"You ' r e no t qu i t e you r o rd ina ry s i ze ye t , " s a id J o .

" I know," s a i d Moon-F ac e . "Bu t I a l wa ys t hough t I w as a b i t on t he s ho r t s i de . N ow I ' m j u s t abou t r i gh t . I a lw ays w an te d to be a b i t t a l l e r . I shan ' t dab mys e l f any more . "

Eve ryone l aughed . I t wa s funny t o se e M oon-Fa ce a b i t t a l l e r t han u s ua l . As t he y s t ood the r e and l aughe d , a cu r ious co l d wi nd began t o b low . Moon-F ac e l ooke d a l l r ound a nd then be gan to s hou t .

"Qu i ck , qu i c k ! The L and o f S pe l l s i s on t he move ! H ur ry be fo re w e ge t l e f t beh ind ! "

Eve ryone go t a s hock . G ood g rac i ous ! I t wou l d neve r do to be l e f t beh ind , j u s t a s eve ryone had go t s ma l l e nough to go dow n the ho l e i n t he c louds .

They s e t o f f t o t he ho l e . The wi nd b l ew more and more s t rong l y , and sudde n ly t he sun w en t ou t . I t w as a lm os t a s i f s omebody had b l own i t ou t , Jo t hough t . A t once da rknes s f e l l on t he La nd o f Spe l l s .

"Take ho ld o f hands , t ake ho ld o f hands ! " c r i ed Jo . "W e s ha l l l o s e one ano the r i f w e don ' t ! "

They a l l t ook ho ld o f one ano t he r ' s ha nds and c a l l ed ou t t he i r nam es to make su re eve ryone w as t he r e . They s tum b led on t h rough the da rkne ss .

"He re ' s t he ho l e ! " c r i ed J o , a t l a s t , and dow n he w en t . H e f e l t t he l adde r and c l imbe d down t ha t , t oo . T he o the r s f o l l ow ed one by one , pus h ing c lo s e be h ind in t he da rk , l ong i ng to ge t down t o t he F a raw ay T ree t hey knew so w e l l . H ow l ove ly i t w ou ld be t o s i t i n M oon-F ace ' s r oom and f ee l sa f e !

Bu t dow n a t t he bo t t om o f t he l adde r t he r e w as no F a raw ay Tre e . I n s t ead , t o J o ' s a s ton i shm en t , t he r e w as a na r row pas sa ge , l i t by a s wi ng ing g r ee n l an t e rn .

" I sa y , " he s a id t o t he o the r s , "W ha t ' s t h i s ? Whe re ' s t he Fa raw ay Tree ?"

"We ' ve com e dow n the w rong ho le , " g roa ned M oon-Fa ce . "O h , goodnes s , wha t bad l uck ! "

"Wel l , w he re a r e we ?" a s ked D ick i n wonde r .

" I don ' t know," s a i d Moon-F ac e . "We ' d be t t e r f o l l ow t h i s pa s sa ge and s ee whe re i t l e ads t o . I t ' s no U se c l i mb ing bac k and t r y i ng to f i nd t he r i gh t ho l e . W e 'd ne ve r f i nd i t i n t he da rk -and a nywa y , I 'm p re t t y s u r e t he Land o f S pe l l s ha s move d on by now."

Eve ryone f e l t ve ry g loomy . J o l e d t he w ay dow n the pa ss age . I t tw i s t ed and tu rne d , we n t up and dow n s t eps , and w as l i gh t ed he r e a nd the r e by t he g r een l an t e rn s s wi ng ing f rom t he roo f .

At l a s t t hey cam e to a b ig ye l low doo r . On i t w as a b lue knoc ke r , a b lue be l l , a b lue l e t t e r -box and a b lue no t i ce t ha t s a id :

"Mi s t e r Change -Abou t . Knock onc e , r i ng t wi ce , and r a t t l e t he l e t t e r -box . "

Jo knoc ked once , ve ry l oud ly . T hen he r ang t wi ce , a nd eve ryone he a rd t he be l l go ing "R- r - r - r - r - r - r i ng ! R - r - r - r - r - r - r i ng ! " Then he r a t t l ed t he l e t t e r -box .

The doo r d i dn ' t open . I t com ple t e ly d i sa ppea red . I t wa s m os t pecu l i a r . One minu t e i t wa s t he r e - and t he nex t i t had gone , and the r e wa s no t h ing in f ron t o f t hem. T hey cou l d see r i gh t i n to a b i g unde rg round room.

At t he e nd o f i t , by a roa r ing f i r e , a r ound f a t pe r son w as s i t t i ng . "Tha t mus t be M is t e r Change -A bou t ! " w h i s pe red D ic k . "Dare we go in?"

7 -Mr . Cha nge -A bou t and t he Encha n te r .

Eve ryone s t a r ed a t Mr . Cha nge -A bou t . A t l e a s t , a s he w as t he on ly pe r son in t he room, t he y though t t ha t w as who i t mus t be . He go t up and ca me tow ards t hem .

He wa s a f a t , com fo r t ab l e - look i ng pe r son w i t h a b road s mi l e on h i s f ac e . "De a r me , wha t a l o t o f v i s i t o r s ! " he s a i d . "Do s i t down . "

The re wa s now here t o s i t exc ep t t he f l oo r . Th i s w as ma de o f s t one and looked r a the r co l d . S o nobody sa t down .

S ome th i ng happene d to M r . Change -A bou t w hen nobody obeyed h i m. H e g r ew t a l l and t h in . H i s b road sm i l e d i s appea re d and a f row n cam e a l l ove r h i s f ace . He l ooked a m os t unp lea s an t pe r s on .

"S IT D OWN !" he roa r ed . A nd eve rybody s a t dow n in a hu r ry !

Mr . Cha nge -A bou t l ooke d a t t he Sa ucepan M an , w ho had s a t down w i t h a t r em endous c l a t t e r .

"Ha ve you a n i ce l i t t l e ke t t l e t ha t w ou ld bo i l enough w a t e r f o r tw o cups o f t e a ?" he a s ked .

The S auc epan M an d idn ' t he a r . S o Jo s hou ted i n h i s e a r , a nd he beam ed , go t up , and und i d a l i t t l e ke t t l e f rom the m any tha t hung abou t h i m .

" Jus t t he t h i ng ! " he s a id , hand i ng i t t o Mr . Cha nge -A bou t . "T ry i t and se e ! "

Mr . Cha nge -A bou t change d aga i n , and beca me a ha ppy - look ing l i t t l e c r ea tu r e w i th da nc ing e yes a nd a s we e t s mi l e . H e took t he ke t t l e .

"Thank you , " he sa id . "S o k ind o f you . J u s t wha t I w an ted . H ow much i s i t ? "

"No t h ing a t a l l , " s a id t he S auc epan M an . " J us t a p r e s en t t o you ! "

"Wel l , a l l ow me to ha nd round som e choco l a t e t o you a l l i n r e t u rn fo r suc h a n i c e p r e s en t , " s a i d Mr . Change -Abou t , and f e t ched an e no rmous box o f choco l a t e s f rom a cupboa rd . E ve rybody wa s p l ea s ed .

Di ck looke d ca r e fu l ly i n t o t he box w hen h i s t u rn came . Hi s ha nd s t r e t che d ou t f o r t he ve ry b igge s t choco la t e o f a l l . M r . Change -A bou t a t once change d aga in a nd f l ew in t o a r age .

He becam e th i n and me an - look ing , h i s nos e s ho t ou t l ong , and h i s e yes g r ew sm a l l .

"Bad boy , g r ee dy boy ! " he shou t ed . "Y ou sha n ' t any o f you have m y choco l a t e s now ! Hor r i d , g r eedy c h i ld r en ! "

And a t once a l l t he choc o la t e s c hanged to l i t t l e ha rd s t ones . Bess i e had he r s i n he r m ou th , and s he s pa t i t ou t a t once . T he o the r s l ooked mos t d i s gus t ed . The o ld S aucepa n Ma n gave a ye l l o f d i sm ay .

" I ' ve sw a l low ed mine -and now I suppos e I ' v e go t a s t one i n s ide m e . O h , you nas ty M r . Change -A bou t ! I ' l l s how you wha t I t h i nk o f you r choco l a t e s ! "

And t o eve ryone ' s su rp r i se Sa ucepan ru s hed a t M r . Change -A bou t , knocked h i s box o f c hoco la t e s a l l ove r t he room , and began t o pumme l h im ha rd .

B i f f , s mac k , b i f f , s mack ! G oodnes s , how t he o ld S auc epan M an fough t M r . Change -A bou t . A nd M r . Change -A bou t fough t ba ck -bu t w ha t was t he good o f t ha t ? S aucepa n wa s s o hung abou t wi th pans o f a l l k inds t ha t nobody cou ld pos s ib ly h i t h im anyw here w i thou t g r az i ng the i r knuck le s and hu r t i ng t hems e l ves ve ry much i ndeed !

C lang , c l a t t e r , c l ang , c l a t t e r , c l a sh ! T he ke t t l e s and s auce pans made a n eno rmous no i s e , a nd eve ryone be gan to l a ugh , f o r r ea l l y S aucepa n looked too funny fo r w ords , da nc ing a bou t on the f l oo r , h i t t i ng and s l a pp ing a t Mr . Cha nge -A bou t .

Mr . Cha nge -A bou t s udden ly go t ve ry b ig and f i e r ce - l ook ing , bu t o l d S aucepa n d idn ' t s e em t o mind a t a l l . He ju s t w en t on h i t t i ng ou t a t h im , and s hou ted : "The b i gge r you a r e , t he more t he r e i s t o h i t ! "

S o then M r . Change -A bou t go t ve ry s ma l l i ndee d , a s sm a l l a s a mous e , and r an s quea l ing ac ros s t he f l oo r i n f r i gh t . Qu i ck a s l i gh t n ing , S auce pan p i cke d h im up , poppe d h im i n to a ke t t l e , and pu t t he l i d on h i m!

"Oh , S auc epan ! Wha teve r wi l l you do nex t ? " s a id J o , w ip ing t ea r s o f l augh t e r f rom h i s e yes . " I ' v e ne ve r se en s uch a funny f igh t i n my l i f e . Be ca r e fu l M r . Change -A bou t does n ' t s queeze ou t o f t he s pou t . "

" I ' l l s t u f f i t w i th pape r , " sa i d S aucepa n , t e a r i ng som e f rom t he box o f choco l a t e s . "N ow he ' s s a f e . We l l -w ha t do we do ne x t? "

"We ' d be t t e r ge t ou t o f he r e , " s a i d Jo , s t a nd ing up . H e tu rned t owa rds t he doo rwa y -bu t w ha t w as t h i s ! T he re w as no doo rwa y-and no doo r ! On l y a wa l l o f r oc k tha t r an a l l r ound the unde rg round room now .

"Goodne ss ! H ow do w e ge t ou t ? " s a i d Jo , puz z l ed . "T h i s i s a ve ry m ag ic k ind o f p l a ce . "

"The re ' s no w indow , o f cou r se , becaus e w e a r e unde rg round , " s a id D ic k . "Wha t i n t he wi de wor l d a r e w e go i ng to do?"

"Wha t abou t t he ch im ney?" a s ked F anny , r unn i ng to t he f i r e . " I t l ooks p r e t t y b ig . We cou ld pu t t he f i r e ou t and c l imb up , pe rhaps . "

"Wel l , t ha t l ooks abou t ou r on l y chanc e o f ge t t i ng ou t o f he r e , " s a id J o . He looked round fo r s ome wa t e r t o pu t ou t t he f i r e . H e s aw a t a p j u t t i ng ou t f rom t he w a l l and w en t t o i t . H e pu t a pa i l unde rnea t h and tu rned on

t he t ap . The wa t e r w as b r igh t g r e en , and s oon f i l l ed t he pa i l . J o t h r e w i t on t he f i r e . I t m ade a t e r r i f i c s i zz l i ng no i s e a nd wen t ou t a t once , pu f f i ng c louds o f g r ee n sm oke in to t he room.

Jo s t e pped on to t he dead f i r e and l ooked up the c h imne y . "The re ' s an i r on l adde r go ing r i gh t up ! " he ca l l ed i n exc i t eme n t . "Come on ! We s ha l l ge t d i r t y , bu t we can ' t he l p t ha t . Hur ry , be fo re any th i ng e l s e quee r happens ! "

Up t he l a dde r he w en t . I t wa s ho t f rom the hea t o f t he f i r e , bu t g r ew co lde r t he h i ghe r he w en t .

"Wha t an eno rmous ly l ong ch im ney! " ca l l ed ba ck J o . " I s eve ryone comi ng?"

"Ye s ! Y es ! " ca l l ed s ix vo i ce s be low h im . Jo c l im bed s t ead i ly upw ards . A t l a s t t he l a dde r cam e to an e nd . Joe c l am bered ove r t he t op o f i t and found h ims e l f i n a m os t pecu l i a r p l a ce .

"Th i s l ooks l i ke s ome k i nd o f ce l l a r , " he s a i d t o t he o t he r s , a s t hey sc r amb l ed up bes ide h i m . "Look a t a l l t hos e s acks p i l ed up ! Wha t do you suppos e i s i n t hem ?"

"Le t ' s l ook , " s a i d Di ck , who w as a l wa ys cu r i ous a bou t eve ry th ing . H e und id a s ac k -and , goodnes s g r a c ious me! -ou t pou red a g r e a t s t r ea m o f b r igh t go l den p i e ces o f money ! E ve ryone l ooked a t i t i n a s t on i s hmen t .

"S omebody V ERY r i ch m us t l i ve he r e , " s a id J o a t l a s t . " I neve r i n my l i f e sa w s o muc h go ld . I c an ' t be l i e ve t ha t a l l t he s acks a r e fu l l o f i t ! "

He und id ano t he r s ack -and ou t pou red go ld aga in . J u s t a s eve ryone w as runn ing the i r f i nge r s t h rough i t , m a rve l l i ng a t t he g l eam a nd sh i ne o f s o much go l d , t he r e came the s ound o f qu i ck foo t s t eps ove rhead .

A doo r a bove the m opened , a nd a g l ea m o f s un l igh t shone on to a f l i gh t o f s t one s t eps l e ad ing up f rom t he ce l l a r t o t he doo r . A t a l l m an in a po i n t ed ha t l ooked dow n .

"Go l ly ! I t ' s an encha n te r ! " w h i s pe red M oon-F ace i n a f r i gh t . "We m us t s t i l l b e i n t he La nd o f Spe l l s . O h , dea r ! "

"Robbe r s ! Th ie ves ! Burg l a r s ! " shou t ed the enchan t e r i n a l oud vo ice . "S e rvan t s , com e he re ! Ca p tu re t he se robbe r s ! They a r e a f t e r my go ld ! S ee - t hey ha ve undone tw o s acks a l r eady ! "

"We don ' t w an t you r go l d ! " c r i e d Di ck , "We on l y j u s t w an te d to know wha t w as i n a l l t he s e s ac ks ! "

" I don ' t be l i eve you ! " c r i ed t he enchan t e r , a s abou t a dozen s ma l l im ps cam e runn ing pas t h i m dow n the s t e ps i n to t he ce l l a r . "Cap t u re t hem , se rvan t s , and t i e t he m up ! "

The l i t t l e i mps pu l l e d eve ryone up t he ce l l a r s t e ps i n to a b ig , s un l i t r oom. I t s c e i l i ng w as s o h igh tha t nobody cou ld s ee i t . "N ow t i e t hem up , " comm anded t he encha n te r .

Moon-F ac e s udden ly s na t c hed a ke t t l e f rom S auce pan and s napped t he s t r i ng tha t t i ed i t t o h im . He wen t t ow ards t he e nchan te r f ea r l e s s ly .

"Wai t ! " he c r i ed , muc h to t he a s t on i s hmen t o f a l l t he o t he r s . "W ai t be fo re you do th i s f oo l i sh t h ing ! I am an encha n te r , t oo - and in t h i s ke t t l e I have Mr . Cha nge -A bou t ! Y es -he i s a p r i s one r t he r e ! A nd l e t me t e l l you th i s , t ha t i f you da re t o t i e me up , I ' l l pu t you in t o t he ke t t l e , t oo , w i th M r . Change -A bou t ! "

F rom the ke t t l e c am e a s ma l l , s quea l ing vo i c e : "S e t me f r ee , Enchan t e r , s e t me f r ee ! O h , do se t me f r ee ! "

The e nchan te r t u rned qu i t e pa l e . H e knew i t was M r . Change -A bou t ' s vo i ce .

"Er - e r - t h i s i s mos t pec u l i a r , " he sa id . "H ow d i d you cap tu re Mr . Cha nge -Abou t ? H e i s a ve ry pow er fu l pe r s on , and a g r ea t f r i e nd o f mine . "

"Oh , I ' m no t go ing to t e l l you wha t mag i c I u s ed , " s a id M oon-F ace bo l d ly . "Now -a r e you go ing to l e t u s go - o r s ha l l I pu t you in to t h i s ke t t l e , t oo?"

" I ' l l l e t you go , " s a id t he encha n te r , and he wa ved them a l l t ow ards a doo r a t t he end o f t he room, "Y ou may l eave a t once . "

Eve ryone ru she d to t he doo r g l ad ly . T hey a l l r an t h rough i t , expe c t i ng to come ou t i n t o t he s uns h ine .

Bu t , a l a s f o r t hem ! The enc han te r ha d p l aye d them a t r i c k ! They found them se lves go ing up m any hund reds o f s t a i r s , up and up and up - a nd whe n they c ame t o t he t op the r e was no th i ng bu t a r ound room wi th one s ma l l w i ndow! A benc h s t ood a t one e nd and a t ab l e a t t he o the r .

The e nchan te r ' s vo i c e f l oa t ed up to t hem.

"Ho! ho ! I ' v e go t you n i ce l y ! Now I ' m go ing t o ge t m y f r i end , Wi za rd Wi l y , and he ' l l s oon t e l l m e how to dea l w i th robbe r s l i ke you ! "

"We a r e i n a t r ap ! " g roaned J o . "M oon-F ace , you w ere ve ry c l e ve r and ve ry b r ave . Bu t hones t ly , w e a r e w or se o f f t han eve r . I s i mp ly don ' t s ee any w ay ou t o f t h i s a t a l l ! "

8 . How Can T hey Es cape ?

Moon-F ac e l ooke d a l l r ound t he room a t t he t op o f t he t owe r . "Wel l , w e ' r e i n a n i ce f i x now," he s a i d g loomi ly . " I t ' s no u se go ing dow n the s t a i r s aga i n -we sha l l f i nd t he doo r a t t he bo t tom l ocked . A nd wha t ' s t he good o f a w indow tha t i s ha l f a m i l e f rom the g round ! "

Jo l ooked ou t o f t he w indow . "Gra c ious ! " he s a id , " t he t ow er i s aw fu l l y t a l l ! I c a n ha rd ly s ee t he bo t t om o f i t . Ha l lo - t he r e ' s t he encha n te r go ing o f f i n h i s c a r r i age . I s uppos e he i s go i ng to f e t ch h i s f r i end , de a r Wiz a rd Wi l y . "

" I don ' t l i ke t he s ound o f Wiz a rd Wi ly , " s a id S i l ky . " Jo -D ick -M oon-F ace -p l ea se , p l ea s e t h ink o f s ome w ay to e sc ape ! "

Bu t t he r e j u s t s im p ly WA S N' T any w ay . N o one w an t ed to j um p ou t o f t he wi ndow.

They a l l s a t down . " I ' m d rea d fu l ly hung ry , " s a i d Bess i e . "Ha s a nyone go t any th i ng to ea t ? "

" I may ha ve go t s ome P op B i scu i t s , " sa id

Moon-F ac e , f ee l i ng in h i s poc ke t s . Bu t he hadn ' t . "Fe e l i n you r pocke t s , Jo a nd Di ck . "

Bo th boys f e l t , hop ing to f i nd a b i t o f t o f f ee o r ha l f a b i sc u i t . D ick b rough t ou t a co l l ec t i on o f s t r i ng , b i t s o f pa pe r , a penc i l a nd a f ew marb l e s . Jo t ook ou t muc h the s ame k ind o f t h i ngs -bu t w i th h i s r ubb i s h cam e a p ink j a r , ve ry s ma l l and he avy .

"Wha t ' s i n t ha t j a r ? " a s ked Bes s i e , w ho hadn ' t s een i t be fo re . " I s n ' t i t p r e t t y?"

"Le t me s ee -w ha t can i t be?" w onde re d Jo , a s he uns c r e wed t he l i d . "Oh- I know. W e s aw a wi t ch s e l l i ng w h iz z - aw ay o in t men t f o r b rooms t i cks i n t he Land o f S pe l l s - and I t hough t i t w ou ld be such fun t o rub som e on mo t he r ' s b rooms t i c k and s ee i t f l y t h rough t he a i r . So w e bough t som e . S me l l i t - i t ' s de l i c ious . "

Eve ryone sm e l t i t . M oon-F ace s udden l y go t t r e mendous ly exc i t e d . " I s ay - " he bega n . " I s ay -oh , I s ay ! "

"Wel l , s ay t hen ! " s a i d Jo . "W ha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? '

"Oh , I S A Y !" sa i d Moon-F ac e , s t am mer ing a l l t he more . "L i s t en ! I f on l y we cou ld ge t a b rooms t i ck -w e cou l d rub th i s p ink o i n tmen t on i t - a nd f l y aw ay on i t ! "

"Moon-F ac e , t ha t ' s a ve ry good idea - i f on ly w e had a b rooms t i ck -bu t we haven ' t ! " s a id J o . "Look a t t h i s r oom -a t a b l e and a bench -no s ign o f a b rooms t i c k a t a l l ! "

"Wel l , I ' l l r un dow n the s t a i r s and s ee i f I c an pos s i b ly ge t a b rooms t i c k , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , ge t t i ng a l l e xc i t ed . " I s a w s ome s t and ing i n a co rne r o f t ha t r oom w e w ere i n . I ' l l do my bes t , a nyway!"

"Good o l d Moon-F ac e ! " s a id eve ryone , a s t hey w a t ched t he round - f ace d l i t t l e f e l l ow s cu r ry dow n the hund re ds o f s t e ps . " I f on l y he ge t s a b rooms t i c k ! "

Moon-F ac e hu r r i e d down and dow n . I t d i d se em s uch a ve ry l ong w ay . A t l a s t he came to t he bo t tom o f t he s t a i r s . A n eno rm ous w ooden doo r w as a t t he bo t tom, f a s t shu t . Moon-F ac e t r i e d t o open i t , bu t he cou ldn ' t . S o he banged on t he doo r l oud l y .

A s u rp r i s ed vo i ce ca l l e d ou t : "H ie , t he r e ! W ha t a r e you bang ing on t he doo r fo r ? Wha t do you w an t?"

"A b room s t i ck ! " s a i d Moon-F ac e l oud ly .

"A b room s t i ck ! " s a i d t he vo i ce , more a s ton i s hed tha n eve r . "Wha teve r fo r ? "

"To s we ep up s ome c rum bs! " s a i d Moon-F ac e , qu i t e un t ru th fu l ly .

"A dus t -pa n and b rus h wi l l do fo r t ha t ! " c r i ed t he vo i ce , a nd the doo r opened a c r ack . A dus t -pan and b rus h s ho t i n w i t h a c l a t t e r and ca me to r e s t by M oon-Fa ce ' s f e e t . T hen the doo r s hu t w i t h a bang a nd was bo l t ed a t t he o the r s i de .

"A dus t -pa n and b rus h ! " sa id M oon-Fa ce i n d i sgus t . "N ow , who c an r i de aw ay on thos e?" H e ba nged on the doo r a ga in .

"Now w ha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " ye l l ed t he vo i ce ang r i l y .

"Thes e w on ' t do , " s a id M oon-F ace . " I w an t a BROO M S TICK !"

"Wel l , go on w an t i ng , " sa i d t he vo i ce . "Y ou w on ' t ge t one . I s uppos e you th ink you ' l l f l y aw ay on one i f I g ive i t t o you . I ' m no t qu i t e so s i l l y a s t ha t . Wha t do you suppos e my m as t e r w ou ld s ay t o me w hen he c ame ba ck i f I ' d g iven you one o f h i s b rooms t i cks t o e sc ape on?"

Moon-F ac e g roaned . H e kne w i t w as no good a sk i ng aga i n . He p i cked up the dus t -pa n and b rus h and c l i mbed t he s t a i r s s l ow ly , s udden ly f e e l i ng ve ry t i r ed .

Eve ryone wa s w a i t i ng fo r h im . "Di d you ge t i t , M oon-Fa ce?" t hey c r i ed . Bu t w hen the y sa w M oon-F ace ' s g loomy f a ce and t he dus t -pan and b rus h in h i s hand , t hey w ere ve ry s ad .

They a l l s a t down t o t h ink . J o" l ooked up . " I s uppos e i t wou l dn ' t be any good rubb ing the wh i zz - aw ay o i n tme n t on to a ny th ing e l se ?" he a s ked . "Wou ld i t ma ke any th i ng bu t b rooms t i cks f l y aw ay?"

" I shou l dn ' t t h ink s o , " s a id M oon-F ace . "Bu t we cou ld t r y . Wha t i s t he r e t o t r y on , t hough? We haven ' t a s t i ck o f any s o r t . "

"No -bu t t he r e ' s a t a b l e ove r t he r e , a nd th i s bench , " s a i d Jo , ge t t i ng exc i t ed . "Cou l dn ' t w e t r y on thos e? We cou ld e a s i l y s i t on t hem a nd f ly o f f , i f on ly t he ma g ic w ou ld w ork . "

"Bu t i t won ' t , " s a i d S i lky . " I ' m s u re o f t ha t . I t ' s on l y fo r b rooms t i c ks . Bu t t r y i t , Jo . "

Jo t ook o f f t he l i d o f t he j a r aga in . H e dabbed a f i nge r i n to t he p ink o in tm en t a nd rubbed s ome a l l ove r t he t op o f t he woode n bench , w h ich wa s ve ry , l i ke a f o rm a t sc hoo l . "N ow fo r t he t ab l e , " s a id J o . H e tu rned i t ups i de dow n , t h ink i ng tha t i t w ou ld be more com fo r t ab l e t o s i t on t ha t wa y . They c ou ld ho ld t he l eg s a s t he y wen t !

He rubbed the o in tm en t a l l ove r t he unde r s ide o f t he t a b l e . A s he wa s do ing th i s e ve ryone hea rd t he s ound o f ho r s e s ' hoo f s c l i p - c lopp i ng ou t s ide . S i l ky r an t o t he w indow .

" I t ' s t he encha n te r c ome bac k aga in - a nd he ' s go t t he Wi za rd Wi ly w i th h im!" s he c r i ed . "O h , do be qu i c k , Jo ! T hey w i l l be up he re i n a mi nu te . "

"Moon-F ac e , S i lky a nd Sa ucepan , you s i t on t he be nch , " sa id J o . "You g i r l s and D ic k and I w i l l s i t on t he t ab l e . Hur ry now !"

Eve ryone sc r amb le d to t a ke t he i r s e a t s . S i l ky w as t r e mb l i ng wi th exc i t em en t . S he cou l d hea r t he foo t s t eps o f t he enchan t e r and t he wi za rd comi ng up the s t e ps .

"Now , ho ld t i gh t , i n ca s e w e r ea l l y do go o f f ! " s a i d Joe . "Re ady , eve ryone ? Then W HIZ Z-A WA Y H O ME !"

And , goodne ss g r ac ious , t he benc h and the t ab l e began to m ove ! Y es , t hey r ea l l y d id ! T hey moved s low ly a t f i r s t , f o r t hey w ere no t u s ed t o wh i zz i ng aw ay-bu t a s t he ch i l d r en s quea l e d and s queaked i n su rp r i se and de l i gh t , t he t ab l e ro se up s udden l y s t o t he w indow and t r i ed t o ge t ou t !

I t s t uck . I t cou ldn ' t ge t t h rough . "O h , t ab l e , do you r be s t ! " c r i ed J o . "The encha n te r i s nea r ly he r e ! "

The t ab l e t i pped i t s e l f up a l i t t l e - and then i t cou l d j u s t ma nage to s quee ze t h rough the open ing . T he ch i l d r en ea ch c lung t i gh t l y t o a l eg ,

a f r a i d o f be ing t i pped o f f . The n a t l a s t t he t ab l e wa s t h rough the w indow , and , s a i l i ng aw ay ups ide dow n , i t s f ou r l eg s i n t he a i r , c a r ry ing the exc i t ed ch i ld r en s a f e ly , i t wh i zzed o f f ove r t he La nd o f Spe l l s !

Jo l ooked bac k to s ee i f t he w ooden bench w as com ing , t oo . I t had had to wa i t un t i l t he t a b l e w as t h rough the wi ndow. J u s t a s i t was abou t t o j e rk upwa rds t o t he w indow , t he enchan t e r and the Wiz a rd Wi l y had com e ru sh i ng in to t he room. W ha t w ou ld have happened i f t he o l d Sa ucepan Ma n hadn ' t s udden ly t h row n & ke t t l e a t t hem, goodne ss know s!

I t w as t he ke t t l e w i th M r . Change -A bou t i n ! The l i d cam e o f f . M r . Change -A bou t j umped ou t and tu rned h i ms e l f a lmos t i n to a g i a n t ! The encha n te r f e l l ove r h i m , and M r . Change -A bou t , no t se e ing w ho i t was a t a l l , b egan t o pummel h im ha rd wi th h i s b ig f i s t s , c ry ing : ' I ' l l t e ach you t o pu t me in to a ke t t l e ! "

Wi l y h i t ou t a t M r . Change -A bou t , no t knowi ng in t he l e a s t who he w as , o r whe re he had s udden l y sp rung f rom . And t he r e w as a pe r f e c t l y marve l lous f i gh t go ing on , j u s t a s t he woode n bench f l ew ou t o f t he wi ndow. T he enc han te r s aw i t go ing and t r i ed t o ge t ho ld o f i t - bu t j u s t a t t ha t mome n t M r . Change -A bou t gave h im s uch a ha rd punch on the nose t ha t he f e l l ove r , s mac k , aga in !

"Go i t , Change -Abou t ! " ye l l ed Moon-F ac e . "H i t h i m ha rd ! "

And ou t o f t he w indow s a i l ed t he be nch , w i th M oon-F ace , S i lky and S aucepa n c l i ng i ng t i gh t ly t o i t . F a r aw ay i n t he d i s t ance w as t he ups ide -down t ab l e .

The t ab l e wh i zzed s t e ad i ly onw ards , ove r h i l l s and w oods , and once ove r t he s ea . "We ' ve come a ve ry l ong way f rom home s inc e w e 've been in t he

Land o f S pe l l s , " sa id J o . " I hope the t ab l e knows i t s w ay t o ou r home . I don ' t wa n t t o l and in any m ore s t r ange l ands j u s t a t p r e s en t ! "

The t ab l e knew i t s wa y a l l r i gh t . J o gave a shou t a s i t f l ew ove r a b ig da rk wood . "T he Enc han ted W ood!" he c r i ed . "We ' r e nea r ly home !"

The t ab l e f l ew down t o t he ga rden o f t he c h i ld r e n ' s co t t age . T he i r m o the r wa s t he r e , hang i ng ou t s ome c lo the s . S he l ooked round in t he g r ea t e s t a s ton i s hme n t w hen s he sa w t hem a r r ive i n s uch a pecu l i a r w ay .

"Wel l , r e a l l y ! " s he s a id . "W ha teve r nex t ! D o you u s ua l ly f l y a round the coun t ry i n an ups ide -dow n t ab l e?"

"Oh , m o the r ! W e 've had s uch an adve n tu re ! " s a id J o , s c r am b l ing o f f . H e looked up i n t he a i r t o s ee i f t he be nch wa s fo l l ow ing -bu t t he r e w as no s i gn o f i t .

"Where ' s t he be nch?" s a id D ic k . "Oh- I s uppos e i t w i l l go t o t he F a raw ay , a s t ha t i s whe re t he o t he r s l i ve . Grac ious - I f ee l a l l t r emb l y . Jo - I a m N OT go ing in t o any more l ands a t t he t op o f t he F a raw ay Tre e aga i n . I t ' s j u s t a b i t t oo exc i t i ng ! "

"R igh t , " s a i d Jo . " I f e e l t he sa me . N o more adven tu re s fo r m e! "

9 -The L and o f D reams .

The c h i ld r e n had had enough o f a dven tu re s fo r s ome t ime . The i r m o the r se t t he m to w ork in t he ga rden , a nd they d i d t he i r be s t f o r he r . N obody sugge s t ed go ing t o t he E nchan te d Wood a t a l l .

" I hope o ld M oon-F ace , S i lky and t he S aucepa n Man go t back t o t he t r ee sa f e ly , " s a i d Jo one da y .

Moon-F ac e w as wonde r i ng the s am e th i ng abou t t he ch i l d r en . H e and S i lky t a l ked abou t i t .

"We ha ven ' t s e en the c h i ld r e n fo r ages , " he s a id . "L e t ' s s l i p down t he t r e e , S i lky , and m ake s u re t hey go t bac k a l l r i gh t , s ha l l we ? A f t e r a l l , i t wou l d be d r ea d fu l i f t hey hadn ' t go t ba ck , and the i r mo t he r w as w or ry ing a bou t t hem ."

S o one a f t e rnoon , j u s t a f t e r l unch , S i l ky and M oon-Fa ce w a lke d up to t he doo r o f t he c o t t a ge . Bes s i e opened i t and s quea l ed w i th de l igh t .

"Moon-F ac e ! S o you go t bac k sa f e ly a f t e r a l l ! Come i n ! Come i n , S i lky da r l i ng . Sa ucepan , you ' l l have t o t ake o f f a ke t t l e o r tw o i f you w an t t o ge t i n a t t he doo r . "

The c h i ld r e n ' s pa r en t s w e re ou t . The c h i ld r e n and the i r f r i ends s a t and t a l ked abou t t he i r l a s t adve n tu re .

"Wha t l and i s a t t he t op o f t he t r ee now ?" a s ked D ick c u r ious ly .

"Don ' t know ," s a id M oon-F ace . "L ike t o come and se e?" 64

"No , t hanks , " sa id J o a t once . "We ' r e no t go i ng up the r e any more . "

"Wel l , com e back a nd have t e a w i th u s , " s a id M oon-F ace . "S i l ky ' s go t som e P op B i s cu i t s - a nd I ' v e m ade s ome Goog l e Buns . I don ' t o f t en ma ke them -and I t e l l you t hey ' r e a t r ea t ! "

"Goog l e Buns ! " sa id Bes s i e i n a s t on i s hmen t . "Wha te ve r a r e t hey?"

"You c ome a nd see , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , g r inn i ng . "They ' r e be t t e r t han P op B i s cu i t s - a r en ' t t hey , S i l ky?"

"Muc h , " s a id S i lky .

"Wel l -F anny and I have f i n i s hed ou r w ork , " s a id Bes s i e . "W ha t abou t you boys? "

"We ' ve go t a bou t ha l f an hou r ' s more work t o do , t ha t ' s a l l , " s a id J o . " I f eve ryone he lp s , i t w i l l on ly t ake a bou t t en m inu te s . W e cou ld l e ave a no t e fo r Mot he r . I w ou ld r a t he r l i ke t o t r y t hose Goog l e Buns ! "

Wel l , eve ryone we n t i n t o t he ga rde n to d ig up t he ca r ro t s a nd pu t t he m in to p i l e s . I t d i dn ' t t ake m ore t ha n t en m inu te s bec aus e t hey a l l w orked s o ha rd . The y pu t aw ay the i r t oo l s , w as hed t he i r hands , l e f t a no t e fo r Mot he r and t hen s e t o f f f o r t he Encha n ted Wood .

The S auc epan M an s ang one o f h i s r i d i cu lous s ongs on t he w ay :

"Tw o t a i l s f o r a k i t t en , T wo c l ouds fo r t he s ky , Tw o p igeons fo r Chr i s tma s T o make a p lum p i e ! "

Eve ryone l aughed . J o , Bes s i e a nd Fa nny had hea rd t he S aucepa n Ma n ' s s i l l y s ongs be fo re , bu t D i ck hadn ' t .

"Go on , " s a i d Di ck . "Th i s i s t he s i l l i e s t s ong I ' v e eve r hea rd . "

The S auc epan M an c l a s hed tw o ke t t l e s t oge the r a s he s ang :

"Tw o ro se s fo r Be ss i e , Tw o spank i ngs fo r J o , Tw o r ibbons fo r F anny , Wi t h a ho -de r ry -ho ! "

" I t ' s a n ea s y song t o make up a s you go a long , " s a id Be ss i e , g igg l i ng . "Eve ry l i ne bu t t he l a s t ha s t o beg i n wi th t he word ' Tw o ' . J u s t t h i nk o f any nons ens e you l i ke , and the song s im p ly ma kes i t s e l f . "

S ing ing s i l l y s ongs , t hey a l l r e ache d the F a ra way T ree . S auc epan ye l l ed up i t : "Hi e , Wa tz i s -nam e! Le t dow n a rope , t he r e ' s a good f e l l ow ! I t ' s t oo ho t t o w a l k up to -day . "

The rope came down . T hey a l l w en t up one by one , pu l l e d h igh by the s t r ong a rms o f M is t e r W a tz i sna me .

F anny wa s un l ucky . S he go t s p l a shed by D am e Was ha l o t ' s w a t e r on the wa y up . "Ne x t t i me I go up on t he rope I s ha l l t ake a n umbre l l a w i t h me , " she sa id c ro s s ly .

"Come on , " s a i d Moon-F ac e . "Come a nd ea t a Goog l e Bun and s ee w ha t you th ink o f i t . "

S oon they w ere a l l s i t t i ng on t he b road b r anc hes

ou t s ide M oon-F ace ' s house , e a t i ng P op B i s cu i t s and G oog le Buns . T he buns w ere mos t pecu l i a r . T hey eac h had a ve ry l a rge c u r r an t i n t he midd l e , and t h i s wa s f i l l ed w i t h she rbe t . S o w hen you go t t o t he cu r r a n t and b i t i t t he s he rbe t f r o t hed ou t a nd f i l l ed you r mou t h wi th f i ne bubb l e s t ha t t a s t e d de l i c ious . The c h i ld r en go t a r ea l s u rp r i s e whe n they b i t t he i r cu r r an t s , a nd Moon-F ace a lm os t f e l l o f f t he b r anc h wi th l a ugh ing .

"Come a nd se e som e new cus h ions I ' v e go t , " he s a i d t o t he c h i ld r e n whe n they ha d ea t e n a s many b i scu i t s and buns a s t hey cou l d mana ge . J o , Bess i e and F anny w en t i n to M oon-Fa ce ' s f unny round hous e .

Moon-F ac e l ooke d round fo r Di ck . Bu t he w as n ' t t he r e . "Where ' s D i ck?" he s a id .

"He ' s gone up t he l adde r t o peep a nd se e w ha t l a nd i s a t t he t op , " s a id S i lky . " I t o ld h im no t t o . Bu t he ' s r a t he r a naugh t y boy , I t h ink . "

"Gra c ious ! " s a id J o , r unn ing ou t o f t he hous e . "D ick ! Com e back , you s i l l y ! "

Eve ryone began to s hou t , "D ic k ! DICK !"

But no ans w er cam e dow n the l adde r . The b ig w h i t e c loud s w i r l ed a bove s i l en t ly , and nobody c ou ld im ag ine w hy D ick d i dn ' t come ba ck .

" I ' l l go and s ee w ha t he ' s do i ng , " sa i d Moon-F ac e . S o up he w en t . A nd he d idn ' t com e back e i t he r ! Then the o ld S auce pan Ma n we n t cau t ious ly up , s t ep by s t ep . H e d i sappe a red t h rough the ho l e - and he d i dn ' t c ome ba ck ! , "Wha t eve r ha s happe ned to t he m?" s a i d Jo i n t he g r ave s t a s ton i s hmen t . "Look he re , g i r l s -ge t

a rope ou t o f Moon-F ac e ' s hous e and t i e you r s e lve s a nd S i lky to m e . Then I ' l l go up the l adde r - a nd i f anyone t r i e s t o pu l l me in to t he l a nd above , t hey w on ' t be ab l e t o , be caus e you th r e e can pu l l me back . S ee? "

"R igh t , " s a i d Bes s i e , and s he kno t t ed t he rope round he r w a i s t a nd F anny ' s , and t hen round S i lky ' s , t oo . J o t i ed t he o the r end to h i ms e l f . Then up t he l a dde r he w en t .

And be fo re t he g i r l s qu i t e knew wha t had happe ned , J o wa s l i f t ed i n to t he l and a bove - and the y we re a l l d r agged up , t oo , t he i r f ee t s c r a mb l i ng som ehow up the l adde r and t h rough the ho l e i n t he c loud !

The re t hey a l l s t ood in a f i e l d o f r ed popp ie s , w i th a t a l l ma n nea rby , ho ld ing a sa ck ove r h i s s hou lde r !

" I s t ha t t he l o t ? " he a s ked . "G ood! We l l , he r e ' s s ome th i ng to ma ke you s l eep ! "

He pu t h i s hand i n h i s sa ck and s ca t t e r ed a hand fu l o f t he f i ne s t s and ove r t he s u rp r i s ed g roup . I n a t r i c e t hey w ere rubb i ng the i r eyes and yaw n ing .

"Th i s i s t he Land o f D ream s , " s a i d Moon-F ac e s l eep i ly . "A nd tha t ' s t he S andman . G oodnes s , how s l e epy I am!"

"Don ' t go t o s l eep ! D on ' t go t o s l ee p ! " c r i ed S i lky , t ak i ng Moon-F ac e ' s a rm a nd sha k ing h im . " I f we do , w e ' l l wa ke up and f i nd t ha t t h i s l and has moved a wa y f rom the F a ra wa y Tree . Com e bac k down t he ho l e , M oon-F ace , a nd don ' t be s i l l y . " 68

" I 'm so - s l e epy , " s a id M oon-F ace , a nd l ay dow n among t he r ed popp i e s . I n a t r i c e he w as s no r ing loud l y , f a s t a s l ee p .

"Ge t h im to t he ho l e ! " c r i ed S i lky . Bu t Jo , D ic k and the Sa ucepan M an we re a l l yaw n ing and rubb i ng the i r eyes , t oo s l ee py to do a t h ing . Then Bes s i e and F anny s l i d down qu i e t l y i n to t he popp ie s and f e l l a s l e ep , t oo . A t l a s t on l y S i lky w as l e f t . No t much o f t he s l eepy s and had gone in to he r eyes , s o she was w ide r a wa ke than t he r e s t .

S he s t a r ed a t eve ryone in d i s ma y . "Oh dea r , " she sa id , " I ' l l n eve r ge t you down t he ho l e by mys e l f . I ' l l h a ve to ge t he lp . I m us t go and f e t ch Wat z i s name and the Angry P ix i e and D ame Was ha lo t , t oo ! "

S he r an o f f t o t he ho l e , s l i pped dow n the l adde r t h rough the c l oud and s l i d on to t he b road b r anch be low . "Wat z i s name !" she ca l l ed . "D ame W as ha lo t ! Angry P i x i e ! "

Af t e r a m inu te o r tw o Jo w oke up . H e rubbed h i s e yes a nd sa t up . N o t f a r o f f he s aw som e th i ng tha t p l ea s ed h i m ve ry muc h indee d . I t w as a n i ce c r eam man w i t h h i s c a r t . T he ma n wa s r i ng ing h i s be l l l oud ly .

"Hi e , M oon-Fa ce ! Wa ke up ! " c r i ed Jo . "T he re ' s an i c e - c r eam man . H ave you any mone y?"

Eve ryone woke up . Moon-F ace f e l t i n h i s pu r s e and the n s t a r ed i n t he g r ea t e s t s u rp r i s e . I t w as fu l l o f m arb l e s !

"Now w ho pu t ma rb l e s t he r e?" he w onde red .

The i ce - c r e am m an rode up . "M arb le s w i l l do

to pay fo r m y i ce - c r eam ," he s a id . S o M oon-Fa ce pa i d h im s ix m arb l e s .

The m an gave t hem e ach a pa cke t a nd rode o f f , r i ng i ng h i s be l l . Moon-F ace und i d h i s packe t , expec t ing to f i nd a de l i c i ous i c e - c r e am the r e -bu t i n s ide t he r e w as a b ig w h i s t l e ! I t w as mos t a s ton i sh i ng .

Eve ryone e l s e had a wh i s t l e , t oo . "How ex t r a o rd ina ry ! " s a i d Di ck . "Th i s i s t he k i nd o f t h ing t ha t ha ppens i n d r eam s! "

"Wel l - a f t e r a l l - t h i s i s D ream land ! " s a id Be ss i e . " I wonde r i f t he s e wh i s t l e s b low !"

S he b l ew he r s . I t w as ve ry l oud i ndeed . T he o the r s b l e w t he i r s , t oo . A nd a t onc e s ix po l i ceme n appea re d nea r by , r unn ing fo r a l l t hey w ere w or th . They ru s hed up t o t he ch i ld r en .

"Wha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " t hey c r i e d . "You a r e b low ing po l i ce w h i s t l e s ! Wha t ha s happened? Do you w an t he lp?"

"No , " s a i d Di ck w i th a g igg l e .

"Then you m us t come to t he s w imm ing-ba t h , " sa id t he po l i ce man , a nd to eve ryone ' s eno rmous a s ton i shm en t t hey we re a l l l ed o f f .

"Why the sw im ming ba th?" s a id F anny . "L i s t en , po l i cem an -w e haven ' t go t ba th i ng cos tume s . "

"Oh , you na ugh ty s to ry - t e l l e r ! " sa i d t he po l i ce man nea re s t t o he r .

And t o Bes s i e ' s t r emendous s u rp r i s e s he found tha t she had on a b l ue and wh i t e ba th ing c os t ume-and a l l t he o the r s had ba th ing s u i t s , t oo . I t w as mos t ex t r ao rd ina ry .

They c ame t o t he s w imm ing ba t h -bu t t he r e 70

wa s no w a t e r i n i t a t a l l . "G e t i n and s w im," s a id t he po l i cem an .

"The re ' s no w a te r , " s a i d Di ck . "D on ' t be s i l l y . " A nd the n , ve ry s udden ly , a l l t he po l i cem en bega n to c ry - and i n a t r i c e t he sw im ming ba th w as fu l l o f t he i r t e a r s !

"Th i s s o r t o f t h i ng make s m e f ee l f unny , " sa id J o . " I don ' t wan t t o s wi m in t e a r s . Q u ic k , eve ryone -pus h the po l i ce men i n to t he ba th ! "

And i n ha l f a se cond a l l t he po l i cem en w ere k i ck ing f ee b ly i n t he ba th o f t e a r s . A s t he ch i ld r en w a t ched the y changed i n to b lue f i s hes and s wam aw ay , n i c k ing the i r t a i l s .

" I f ee l a s i f I 'm in a d r e am," s a id D ic k .

"S o do I , " sa i d Jo . " I w i s h I cou l d ge t ou t o f i t . O h , l ook - t he r e ' s a n ae rop l ane com ing dow n . Pe rhaps we cou ld ge t i n to i t and f l y aw ay! "

The a e rop lane , wh i ch w as sm a l l a nd g r een , l anded nea r by . The re w as nobody in i t a t a l l . T he ch i l d r en r an t o i t a nd go t i n . J o pus hed down t he hand le marked U P .

"Of f w e go ! " he sa id . A nd o f f t hey w en t !

10 .

A F ew M ore A dven tu re s

Eve ryone wa s ve ry p l ea s ed t o be i n t he ae rop l ane , bec ause t hey t hough t t hey c ou ld f l y a way f rom the L and o f D reams . A f t e r a se cond o r tw o Bes s i e l e aned ove r t he s ide o f t he ae rop l ane t o s ee how h i gh they w ere f rom the g round . She gave a l oud c ry .

"Wha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " a s ked J o .

" Jo ! T h i s i s n ' t an ae rop l ane a f t e r a l l ! " s a id Be ss i e i n a s ton i s hme n t . " I t ' s a bus . I t ha s n ' t go t w ings any more . O n ly w hee l s . And w e ' r e s i t t i ng on s ea t s a t t he t op o f t he bus . We l l ! I d id t h i nk i t w as an ae rop lane ! "

"Gra c ious ! A ren ' t we f l y ing , t hen?" s a id J o ,

"No - j u s t r unn ing dow n a road , " s a i d Fa nny .

Eve ryone wa s s i l en t . The y we re s o d i s appo in t e d . Then a cu r ious no i s e w as hea rd . S p l i shy - s p l a sh ! S p la sh ! S p la sh !

The c h i ld r e n looked ove r t he s ide o f t he bus - a nd they a l l gave a s hou t o f ama zeme n t .

" Jo ! L ook! The bus i s r unn ing on w a t e r ! Bu t i t i s n ' t a bus any more . Oh , l ook - i t ' s go t a sa i l ! "

In t he g r e a t e s t a s t on i s hmen t eve ryone l ooked upw ards - and the r e 3 b i l l owi ng in t he wi nd , wa s a g r ea t w h i t e s a i l . And J o w as now s t ee r ing wi th a t i l l e r i n s t e ad o f wi th a ha nd le o r a w hee l . I t w as a l l mos t mudd l ing .

"Th i s i s c e r t a i n ly t he L and o f D ream s , no doub t abou t t ha t , " g roane d Jo , wonde r ing w ha te ve r t he

sh i p wou l d t u rn i n t o . "The a wfu l pa r t i s -w e ' r e aw ake -a nd ye t w e have to have t he s e d r eam - l ike t h ings happen i ng ! "

An e no rmous wa ve s p l a s hed ove r e ve ryone . F anny gave a sc r eam . The s h ip rocked t o and f ro , t o and f ro , a nd eve ryone c lung t i gh t ly t o one ano t he r .

"Le t ' s l a nd som ewhe re , f o r goodnes s ' s ake ! " c r i ed D ick . "G oodnes s knows wha t t h i s s h ip w i l l t u rn i n to nex t - a rock ing -ho r s e , I s hou ld t h ink , by the wa y i t ' s r ock ing i t s e l f t o a nd f ro . "

And do you know , no s oone r had D ic k sa i d t ha t t han i t d id t u rn i n to a r ock ing -ho r s e . J o found h im se l f ho ld i ng on to i t s m ane , and a l l t he o the r s c lung t oge the r beh ind h im . The w a t e r d i s appea red .

The roc k ing -ho r s e s eeme d to be rock i ng down a l ong road .

"Le t ' s ge t o f f , " shou t ed Jo . " I don ' t l i ke t he w ay th i s t h i ng keeps chang i ng . S l ip o f f , M oon-Fa ce , and he lp t he o the r s dow n . "

I t w as n ' t l ong be fo re t hey w ere a l l s t and i ng in t he road , f ee l i ng r a t he r quee r . T he rock ing -ho r s e w en t on rock ing by i t s e l f dow n the roa d . As the

ch i l d r en w a tche d i t , i t cha nged in to a l a rge b rown bea r t ha t sc ampere d on i t s b ig pa ws .

"Ha ! " sa id J o . "We go t o f f j u s t i n t i me! W e l l -wha t a r e w e go i ng to do now? "

A m an ca me dow n the roa d ca r ry ing a g r een -cove red t r a y on h i s head . H e r ang a be l l . "M uf f in s ! F ine m uf f in s ! " he shou t ed . "M uf f in s fo r sa l e ! "

"Oooh! I f e e l e xac t l y a s i f I cou l d ea t a muf f in , " s a i d Bess i e . "Hi e , muf f in -m an! We ' l l have s ix m uf f in s . "

The m uf f in -ma n s t opped . H e took dow n h i s t r ay f rom h i s head and uncove re d i t . U nde rnea th w ere no t m uf f in s , bu t s ma l l k i t t en s !

The m uf f in -ma n se emed t o t h ink t hey w ere muf f i n s . H e ha nded one to eac h o f t he s u rp r i s ed ch i ld r en , and one to M oon-Fa ce and S auc epan . T hen he cove red up h i s t r ay a ga in and w en t down t he road r i ng ing h i s be l l .

"Wel l , does he s uppose we can ea t k i t t en s ?" s a id Be ss i e . " I s ay -a r en ' t t hey da r l i ngs? Wha t a r e w e go ing t o do wi th t hem ?"

"They s ee m to be g row ing , " s a i d Jo i n su rp r i se . And s o t he y were . I n a minu t e o r tw o the k i t t en s we re t oo hea vy to ca r ry - t hey w ere b ig c a t s !

They s t i l l w en t on g rowi ng , and s oon they w ere a s b i g a s t i ge r s . The y gambo l l ed p l ay fu l l y round the ch i ld r en , w ho w ere r ea l l y r a the r a f r a id o f t hem .

"Now l i s t en , " s a id J o t o t he eno rmous k i t t en s , "Y ou be long t o t he m uf f in -man . Y ou go a f t e r h im and ge t on t o h i s t r ay w he re you be long . L i s t en -you can s t i l l h e a r h i s be l l ! Go a long now !"

To eve ryone ' s s u rp r i s e and de l igh t t he g r ea t an i ma l s gam bo l l e d down t he road a f t e r t he m uf f in -ma n .

"He wi l l ge t a s u rp r i s e , " s a id D ic k wi th a g i gg l e . " I s ay -don ' t l e t ' s buy any th i ng f rom anyone e l s e . I t ' s a b i t t oo s u rp r i s ing . "

"Wha t we r ea l l y ough t t o do i s t o t r y and f i nd the ho l e t ha t l e a ds f rom th i s l and t o t he F a ra way T ree , " s a i d Jo s e r ious ly . "S u re l y you don ' t wa n t t o s t ay i n t h i s pecu l i a r l a nd fo r eve r ! G rac i ous , w e ne ve r know w ha t i s happen i ng f rom one m inu te t o ano the r ! "

" I f ee l t e r r i b ly s l eepy a ga in , " s a id M oon-F ace , yaw n ing . " I do w i s h I cou ld go t o bed . "

Now , a s he s a i d t ha t , t he r e c ame a c l i pp i t t y - c lopp i t t y no i s e be h ind the m. They a l l t u rned -and to t he i r g r e a t am aze men t s aw a b i g wh i t e bed fo l low ing t hem, t i pp i t t i ng a long on fou r f a t l eg s .

"Go l ly ! " s a id D ic k , s t opp ing in s u rp r i s e . "L ook a t t ha t bed ! W here d id i t come f rom?"

The be d s t opped ju s t by t hem. M oon-F ace ya wned .

" I ' d l i ke t o cudd le dow n in you a nd go to s l ee p , " he sa id t o t he bed . T he bed c r e aked a s i f i t w as p l ea s ed .

Moon-F ac e c l imbed on t o i t . I t wa s s o f t a nd cos y . Moon-F ace pu t h i s hea d on the p i l l ow and s hu t h i s e yes . H e be gan to s no re ve ry ge n t ly .

Th i s ma de eve ryone e l s e f ee l d r ea d fu l ly t i r ed and s l e epy , t oo . O ne by one they c l im bed in t o t he b ig be d and l a y down , s nugg led t oge the r . The bed c r ea ked in a ve ry p l ea s ed w ay . T hen i t wen t on i t s w ay aga in , c l i pp i t t y -c lopp i ng on i t s f ou r f a t l eg s , t ak i ng the s ix s l e epe r s wi th i t .

Now w ha t ha d happened t o S i lky? W el l , she ha d found Da me Wa sha lo t , Mi s t e r Wa tz i s nam e and t he Angry P i x i e , and ha d to ld t hem how the o t he r s had f a l l en a s l e ep in t he Land o f D rea ms .

"Gra c ious ! The y ' l l neve r ge t aw ay f rom t he r e ! " s a id W a tz i s name anx ious ly . "W e mus t r e s cue them . Come a l ong . "

Da me W asha lo t pu t a w as h - tub o f w a te r on he r head . The Angry P ix i e p i cke d up a ke t t l e o f w a t e r . Wa t z i s nam e d idn ' t t a ke any th i ng . They a l l we n t up to t he l a dde r a t t he t op o f t he t r ee .

"The L and o f D reams i s s t i l l h e r e , " sa id S i lky w hen he r he ad peepe d ove r t he t op . " I c an ' t s ee t ha t ho r r i d Sa ndman anyw here . I t ' s a good c hance t o s l i p up and r e sc ue the o t he r s now. Com e on ! "

Up t hey a l l w en t . T hey s t a r ed round t he f i e l d o f popp ie s , bu t t hey cou l d se e none o f t he o the r s a t a l l .

"We m us t hun t f o r t he m," s a id S i l ky . "Oh , m y goodness , l ook a t t ha t g r ea t b rown be a r r u s h ing a l ong ! I wonde r i f he know s a ny th ing a bou t t he o the r s . " S he ca l l ed ou t t o h im , bu t he d i dn ' t s t op . He made a no i s e l i ke a hen and ru s hed on .

The fou r o f t hem w ande re d on and on - and s udden ly t hey s aw som e th i ng mos t pec u l i a r coming t owa rds t hem-s ome th ing w ide a nd wh i t e .

"Wha t i n t he wor l d can i t be?" s a id S i lky in w onde r . "G oodnes s m e- i t ' s a BED !"

And s o i t wa s - t he ve ry bed i n wh i ch the fou r ch i l d r en and M oon-Fa ce and S aucepa n were a s l eep !

"Oh , l ook , l ook , l ook ! " s quea l ed S i l ky . "They ' r e a l l he r e ! W ake up , s i l l i e s ! Wake up ! "

Bu t t he y wou l dn ' t wa ke . They j u s t s i ghed a l i t t l e and t u rned ove r . N o th i ng tha t S i lky and t he o the r s cou l d do wou l d wa ke the m. A nd , i n t he m idd le o f a l l t h i s , t he r e cam e foo t s t e ps beh i nd them .

S i lky t u rned and gave a sque a l . "O h , i t ' s t he S andm an! D on ' t l e t h im t h row h i s sa nd in to you r e yes o r you wi l l go t o s l eep , t oo ! Q u ic k , qu i ck , do som e th i ng ! "

The S andm an w as a l r ea dy d ipp ing h i s ha nd in to h i s b i g sac k to t h row s and in to t he i r e yes . Bu t , qu i ck a s l i gh tn i ng , Da me Wa sha lo t p i cked up he r wa sh - t ub and th r e w t he who l e o f t he wa te r ove r t he s ack ! I t w e t t ed t he sa nd so t ha t t he S andman c ou ldn ' t t h row i t p rope r ly . T hen the A ngry P ix i e emp t i ed h i s ke t t l e ove r t he Sa ndman h i ms e l f , and he began to c hoke and sp l u t t e r .

Wa t z i s name s t a r ed . H e s udden ly t ook ou t h i s pocke t -kn i f e a nd s l i t a ho l e a t t he ve ry bo t tom o f t he sa ck . The sand w as d ry t he r e . Wa t z i s nam e took a hand fu l o f i t and t h r ew i t s t r a i gh t i n t o t he c hok ing S andma n ' s eyes .

"Now you go to s l e ep fo r a b i t ! " s hou ted Wa tz i snam e . A nd , o f cou r s e , t ha t ' s j u s t w ha t t he b ig S andm an d id ! H e s ank dow n unde r a bus h and s hu t h i s eyes . H i s s l eepy s and ac t ed on h im a s much a s on anyone e l s e !

"Now w e ' ve go t a c hance ! " s a i d S i lky , p l e a s ed . "H e lp me to w ake eve ryone ! "

Bu t , you know , t hey j u s t wou l d no t w ake ! I t was d r ea d fu l .

"Wel l , w e can ' t pos s ib ly ge t t he be d down t he ho l e , " sa i d S i lky i n de spa i r . Then a b r igh t i dea ca me t o he r . S he f e l t i n J o ' s pocke t s . S he t u rned ou t t he l i t t l e p i nk j a r o f Whi zz -A w ay o in t men t . "T he re m ay be j u s t a l i t t l e l e f t ! " she sa id .

And s o t he r e w as - t he ve ry t i n i e s t dab ! " I hope i t ' s enough! " s a i d S i lky . "Ge t on the bed , D ame W as ha lo t a nd you o the r s . I ' m go ing t o t r y a l i t t l e mag i c . Ready? "

S he rubbed the dab o f o in t men t on t o t he he ad o f t he be d . "Whiz z -Aw ay Hom e , bed ! " s he s a id .

And , good g ra c ious me , t ha t b i g wh i t e be d wh i zzed a wa y! I t w h izze d aw ay so f a s t t ha t S i lky nea r ly f e l l o f f . I t r u s hed th rough t he a i r , g iv ing a l l t he b i rd s a mos t t e r r i b l e s ca r e .

Af t e r a l ong t im e i t c ame to t he end o f t he L and o f D reams . A b ig w h i t e c loud s t r e t ched ou t a t t he edge . T he bed f l ew th rough i t , down and dow n . Then i t f l e w i n ano the r d i r ec t i on .

" I t ' s go i ng back t o t he F a raw ay T ree , I ' m s u re , " s a id S i l ky . And s o i t wa s ! I t a r r i ved the r e and t r i ed t o ge t t h rough t he b r anche s . I t s t uck on one and s l i d s idew ays . Eve ryone began t o s l i de o f f .

"Wake up , wake up ! " sque a l ed S i lky , bang ing t he ch i ld r en and M oon-F ace and S auce pan . They w oke up i n a hu r ry , f o r t hey w ere no longe r i n Dre aml and . They f e l t t hems e l ves f a l l i ng and caugh t ho ld o f b r anc hes and tw igs .

"Where a r e w e?" c r i ed D ick . "W ha t ha s happe ned?"

"Oh , goodne ss , t oo m any th i ngs t o t e l l you a l l a t onc e , " s a id S i l ky . " I s eve ryone sa f e ? The n fo r goodness ' s a ke come in to m y house and s i t dow n fo r a b i t . I r e a l l y f ee l qu i t e ou t o f b r ea t h ! "

I I . Up t he T re e A ga in .

Eve ryone c row ded in to S i lky ' s r oom i n s i de t he t r ee . "H ow d id w e ge t back to t he t r ee ?" a s ked D ick i n amaz emen t .

S i lky t o ld h im . "We found you a l l a s l ee p on tha t b ig bed , and w e rubbe d on i t s ome o f t he W hizz -A w ay o in t men t , t he ve ry l a s t b i t l e f t . And i t wh i zze d awa y he re . O h , and w e w e t t ed t he S andm an ' s s and s o t ha t he cou ldn ' t t h row s and i n to ou r eyes and m ake u s go to s l ee p . "

"Wat z i s name wa s c l eve r , t oo . He s l i t t he bo t t om o f t he s ac k wi th h i s kn i f e , f ound a hand fu l o f d ry s and the r e and t h r ew i t a t t he S andm an h ims e l f ! " sa id t he Angry P ix i e . "A nd he we n t r i gh t o f f t o s l ee p and cou ldn ' t i n t e r f e r e wi th u s any more ! "

" I t w as a l l D i ck ' s f au l t , " s a id J o . "We s a i d we wou l dn ' t go t o any more l ands - and he wen t up the r e and go t c a ugh t by the Sa ndman . S o o f cou r s e we had to go a f t e r h im . "

"S o r ry , " sa i d Di ck . "A nywa y , eve ry th i ng ' s a l l r i gh t now. I w on ' t do i t aga i n . "

"We ' d be t t e r go home , " sa id Bes s i e . " I t m us t be ge t t i ng l a t e . G oodnes s knows w hen w e ' l l com e aga in , S i lky . G ood-bye , eve ryone . Come and se e u s i f we don ' t come t o se e you . "

They a l l s l i d down t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p a t t op spe ed . Then t hey w a lke d home , t a lk i ng abou t t he i r l a t e s t a dven tu re .

" I t w as so que e r be ing a wa ke and hav i ng d r eam s , " s a id F anny . "D o you r eme mber t he muf f in s t ha t t u rne d in to k i t t e n s?"

" I wi sh a r ea l l y n i ce l and w ou ld c ome to t he t op o f t he t r e e , " sa id J o . "L ike t he L and o f Take -Wha t -You-Wa n t . Tha t w as fun . I wonde r i f i t w i l l eve r c ome aga in . "

F o r abou t a w ee k the ch i ld r en d i d no t even go i n to t he Encha n ted Wood . F o r one th ing t hey w ere ve ry bus y he l p ing the i r pa r en t s , a nd fo r ano the r t h ing t hey f e l t t ha t t hey d i dn ' t wa n t any m ore adven t u re s fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e .

And t hen a no t e cam e f rom S i l ky and M oon-Fa ce . Th i s i s w ha t i t s a i d :

"DE AR BE S SIE , FA N NY , J O A N D D ICK ,

"We know tha t you don ' t wa n t any m ore adven t u re s j u s t ye t , bu t you mi gh t l i ke t o know tha t t he r e i s a mos t exc i t i ng l and a t t he t op o f t he F a raw ay Tree j u s t now . I t i s t he Land o f D o-As -Y ou-P lea s e , e ven n i ce r t han t he Land o f T ake -Wha t -Y ou-Wan t . We a r e go ing the r e t on igh t . I f you wa n t t o come , come j u s t be fo re m idn igh t and you can go w i t h u s . W e w i l l wa i t f o r you t i l l t he n .

"Love f rom " S IL KY A ND M OO N -F ACE ."

The c h i ld r e n r ead the no t e one a f t e r a no the r . The i r eye s bega n to s h ine . "S ha l l w e go? " sa id F anny . "Be t t e r no t , " s a i d Jo . "S ome th ing s i l l y i s s u r e

to happe n t o u s . I t a l ways does . "

"Oh , J o ! D o l e t ' s go ! " s a id Bes s i e . "Y ou know how e xc i t i ng the E nchan t ed Wood i s a t n igh t , t oo , w i th a l l t he f a i ry fo lk a bou t - and t he F a raw ay Tre e l i t w i th l a n t e rn s and t h ings . Come on , J o - sa y we ' l l go . "

" I r ea l l y t h i nk we 'd be t t e r no t , " sa id J o . "Di ck migh t do som e th i ng s i l l y aga i n , "

" I wou l d no t ! " s a id D ic k in a t emper . " I t ' s no t f a i r o f you to s ay tha t . "

"Don ' t qua r r e l , " s a id Be ss i e . "Wel l , l i s t e n - i f you don ' t w an t t o go , Jo , F anny and I w i l l go wi th D ick . H e ca n look a f t e r u s . "

"P ooh! Di ck wa n t s l ook ing a f t e r h i ms e l f , " s a id J o .

Di ck gave Jo a punc h on the s hou lde r and Jo s l a pped back .

"Oh , don ' t ! " s a i d Bes s i e . "You ' r e no t i n t he Land o f D o-As -Y ou-P lea s e now!"

Tha t made eve ryone l augh . "S o r ry , Jo , " s a i d Di ck . "Be a s po r t . L e t ' s a l l go t o -n igh t . Or a t any r a t e , l e t ' s go up t he t r ee and hea r w ha t S i lky and Moon-F ac e can t e l l u s a bou t t h i s ne w l and . I f i t s ounds a t a l l da nge rous we won ' t go . S ee ?"

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id J o , who r e a l l y d id w an t t o go j u s t a s bad ly a s t he o the r s , bu t f e l t t ha t he ough t no t t o kee p l ea d ing the g i r l s i n to da nge r . "A l l r i gh t . We ' l l go up and t a l k t o S i lky a nd Moon-F ac e . Bu t m ind - i f I dec ide no t t o go wi th t he m, t he r e ' s t o be no g rumbl i ng . "

"We p rom is e , J o , " sa i d Bes s i e . A nd so i t w as se t t l e d . They w ou ld go t o t he E nchan t ed Wood tha t n igh t and c l i mb the Fa raw ay Tree t o s ee t he i r f r i ends .

I t w as exc i t i ng t o s l i p ou t o f bed a t ha l f -pa s t e l e ven and d r e s s . I t w as ve ry da rk bec ause t he r e was no moon .

"We s ha l l have t o t ake a t o r ch , " s a i d Jo . "A re you g i r l s r eady? N ow don ' t make a no i s e , o r you ' l l w ake Mot he r . "

They a l l c r ep t dow n s t a i r s and ou t i n to t he da rk , s i l e n t ga rde n . An ow l hoo ted ne a rby , and s ome t h ing r an dow n the ga rden pa t h . Bes s i e nea r l y sque a l e d .

"S h ! I t ' s on ly a mous e o r s ome t h ing , " s a id J o . " I ' l l s wi t ch on m y to r ch now. K ee p c lo s e t oge the r a nd we s ha l l a l l s ee w he re w e ' r e go ing . "

In a bunch t hey w en t dow n the ba ck ga rden a nd ou t i n t o t he l i t t l e l a ne t he r e . The E nchan te d Wood loom ed up b ig and da rk . The t r ee s spoke to one ano t he r s o f t l y . "Wi sha , w i sha , w i sha , " t hey s a id . "W is ha , w i s ha , w i sha ! "

The c h i ld r e n jumped ove r t he d i t ch and w a l ked th rough t he w ood , down the pa th s t hey knew s o we l l . T he w ood wa s fu l l o f f a i ry fo l k go ing abou t

t he i r bus i nes s . T hey took no no t i ce o f t he ch i ld r en . J o soon s w i t c hed o f f h i s t o r ch . L an te rn s s hone eve rywhe re and gave enough l i gh t t o s ee by .

They s oon ca me to t he g r ea t da rk t r unk o f t he F a raw ay T ree . A rope sw ung dow n th rough the b r anches .

"Oh , good ! " s a i d Di ck . " I s Moon-F ac e go ing to pu l l u s up?"

"No , " s a i d Jo . "W e ' l l have to c l imb up -bu t

we can u s e t he rope to he lp u s . I t ' s a l wa ys i n t he t r ee a t n igh t t o he lp t he many fo l k go ing up and dow n . "

And i ndeed t he r e w e re a g r ea t m any peop l e u s i ng the F a ra wa y Tree t ha t n igh t . S t r ange p ix i e s , gob l in s and gnom es s w arme d up and dow n i t , and b rown i e s c l i mbed up , cha t t e r ing ha rd .

"Where a r e t he y go ing?" a s ked D ic k in s u rp r i s e .

"Oh , up t o t he L and o f D o-As -Y ou-P l ea s e , I expe c t , " s a id J o . "A nd som e o f t hem a r e v i s i t i ng t he i r f r i e nds i n t he t r ee . Look - t he r e ' s t he A ngry P ix i e ! H e ' s go t a pa r t y on to -n igh t ! "

The A ngry P ix i e had abou t e igh t l i t t l e f r i ends squa shed i n to h i s t r e e -room, and l ooked a s p l ea se d a s cou ld be . "Com e and j o in u s ! " he ca l l ed t o Jo .

"We c an ' t , " s a id J o . "Thanks a l l t he s am e . We ' r e go i ng up to M oon-F ace ' s . "

Eve ryone dodged D ame W as ha lo t ' s wa sh i ng wa te r , l a ughed a t o ld Wa t z i s name s i t t i ng sno r i ng a s u sua l i n h i s cha i r , and a t l a s t c ame to Moon-F ac e ' s hous e .

And t he r e w as nobody the r e ! The re was a no t e s tuck on t he doo r .

"We w a i t ed t i l l m idn igh t and you d idn ' t c ome . I f you do com e and w e ' r e no t he r e , you ' l l f i nd u s i n t he Land o f D o-A s-Y ou-P lea se .

"Love f rom

"S ILK Y A N D M O ON -F ACE ." "P .S . -D O c ome . J u s t t h i nk o f t he t h ings you wa n t t o do -you c an do them a l l i n t he Land o f D o-A s-Y ou-P lea s e ! "

"Go l ly ! " s a id D ic k , l ong ing l y , "wha t I ' d l i ke t o do be t t e r t han a ny th ing e l s e i s t o r i de s ix t imes on a rounda bou t w i thou t s t opp ing ! "

"And I ' d l i ke t o e a t s i x i c e - c r ea ms wi thou t s topp i ng ! " sa id Bes s i e .

"And I ' d l i ke t o r i de an e l ephan t , " sa i d F anny .

"And / shou l d l i ke t o d r ive a mo t o r - ca r a l l by mys e l f , " sa i d Jo .

" Jo ! L e t ' s go up the l adde r ! " begge d Fa nny .

"Oh , do , do l e t ' s ! Why can ' t w e go and v i s i t a r e a l l y n i ce l and w hen one come s? I t ' s j u s t t oo mea n o f you to s ay w e can ' t . "

"Wel l , " s a id J o . "Wel l - I s uppose we 'd be t t e r ! Com e on ! "

Wi t h sh r i eks and s quea l s o f de l igh t t he g i r l s and D ic k p r e s se d up the l i t t l e l adde r , t h rough the c loud , A l an t e rn hung a t t he t op o f t he ho l e t o g ive t hem l igh t -bu t , l o a nd beho ld ! a s s oon a s t hey ha d go t i n t o t he l a nd above the c loud i t wa s day t ime ! How ex t r ao rd ina ry !

The c h i ld r e n s t ood and gaze d round i t . I t s ee med a ve ry exc i t i ng l and , r a the r l i ke a huge am use men t pa rk . The re we re roundabou t s go ing round and round in t ime to mus i c . The re w e re sw ings and s ee - s aw s . The re w as a r a i l wa y t r a i n pu f f ing a long bus i l y , and the r e w e re s ma l l a e rop l anes f l y i ng eve ryw here , w i t h b rown i e s , p ix i e s a nd gob l in s hav ing a f i ne t ime in t hem .

"Goodne ss ! D oes n ' t i t l ook exc i t i ng?" s a i d Bess i e . " I wonde r whe re Moon-F ace a nd S i lky a r e . "

"The re t hey a r e -ove r t he r e -on tha t r ound -abou t ! " c r i ed J o . "Look-S i l ky i s r i d ing a t i ge r t ha t i s go ing up and dow n a l l t he t ime -and Moon-F ac e i s on a g i r a f f e ! Le t ' s ge t on , t oo ! "

Of f t hey a l l r an . A s soon a s M oon-F ace a nd S i lky s aw the ch i ld r en , t hey sc r eam ed wi th j oy a nd wa ved the i r hands . The rounda bou t s topped and t he ch i l d r en go t on . Be ss i e c hose a w h i t e r a bb i t . F anny rode on a l i on and f e l t ve ry g r and . J o w en t on a be a r and D ick c hose a ho r s e .

"S o g l ad you ca me!" c r i ed S i lky . "W e w a i t ed and w a i t ed fo r you . O h-we ' r e o f f ! Ho l d t i gh t ! "

The rounda bou t w en t r ound and round a nd round . The c h i ld r en s hou te d fo r j oy , bec aus e i t w en t so f a s t . "Le t ' s have s ix r i de s wi thou t ge t t i ng o f f ! " c r i e d Jo . S o the y d id - and dea r me , w e ren ' t t hey g iddy w hen t hey d id a t l a s t ge t o f f . The y ro l l ed a bou t l i ke s a i l o r s !

" I f ee l l i ke s i t t i ng down w i t h s i x i c e - c r eams , " s a id Be ss i e . A t once an i ce -c r ea m man rode up and handed t hem ou t t h i r t y - s i x i c e - c r eam s . I t d id l ook

a l o t . When J o had d iv i ded the m a l l ou t equa l ly t he r e w e re s ix e ach . A nd how de l i c ious t hey w ere ! E ve rybody ma naged s ix qu i t e ea s i l y .

"And now , w ha t a bou t me d r iv ing t ha t r a i lw ay eng i ne ! " c r i e d Jo , j ump ing up . " I ' v e a lw ays wa n ted t o do tha t . Wou ld you a l l l i ke t o be my pas se nge r s ? We l l , com e on , t hen ! "

And o f f t hey a l l r a ce d to w he re t he r a i l wa y t r a i n was s topp ing a t a l i t t l e s t a t i on . "Hi ! h i e ! " ye l l ed J o t o t he d r ive r . " I wa n t t o d r i ve you r t r a i n ! "

"Come a long up , t he n , " sa i d t he d r i ve r , j um p ing dow n . "The eng i ne i s j u s t r eady t o go ! "

12 .

The L and o f D o-As -Y ou-P l ea s e .

Jo j umped up i n to t he cab o f t he eng ine . A b r i gh t f i r e w as bu rn ing t he r e . He looked a t a i l t he s h in i ng hand le s and w hee l s .

"S ha l l I know w h ich i s w h ic h?" he a s ked t he d r ive r .

"Oh , ye s , " s a i d t he d r i ve r . "Tha t ' s t he s t a r t i ng w hee l - and t ha t ' s t o make the w h i s t l e go -and t ha t ' s t o go s l ow-a nd tha t ' s t o go f a s t . Y ou ca n ' t m ake a mi s t a ke . D on ' t f o rge t t o s top a t t he s t a t i ons , w i l l you? A nd oh - look ou t f o r t he l eve l - c ro ss ing ga t e s , i n c a se t hey a r e shu t . I t w ou ld be a p i t y t o bump in t o t hem and b r eak t hem."

Jo f e l t t r eme ndous l y exc i t ed . D ick l ooked up long ing l y . " Jo ! Cou l d I come too?" he begged . "D o l e t me . J u s t t o w a t ch you . "

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id J o . So D ic k hopped up on to t he eng ine . The g i r l s , Moon-F ace a nd S i lky go t i n to a ca r r i age j u s t beh ind . T he gua rd r a n up the p l a t fo rm w av ing a g r een f l a g and b low ing h i s w h i s t l e .

"The s igna l ' s dow n!" ye l l ed D ick . "G o on , J o ! S t a r t he r up ! "

Jo t wi s t ed t he s t a r t i ng whee l . The eng ine be gan to c hu f f - chu f f - chu f f and moved ou t o f t he s t a t i on . T he g i r l s gave a s quea l o f de l igh t .

" Jo ' s r ea l l y d r iv i ng the t r a in ! " c r i ed Bes s i e . "O h i s n ' t he c l e ve r ! H e ' s wa n ted t o d r ive an e ng ine a l l h i s l i f e ! "

The e ng ine bega n to go ve ry f a s t - t oo f a s t . J o pu l l e d t he "G o S low " hand le , and i t we n t more s l owl y . He w as s o i n t e r e s t ed i n w ha t he w as do ing tha t he d idn ' t no t i ce he wa s c oming t o a s t a t i on . He sho t r i gh t t h rough i t !

" Jo ! " c r i ed D ic k , "you 've gone by a s t a t i on . Gra c ious , t he pa ss enge r s wa i t i ng the r e d id l ook c ro s s - and oh , l ook , a l o t o f t hem i n ou r t r a in wa n ted t o ge t ou t t he r e ! "

S u re enough qu i t e a num ber o f ang ry peop l e w e re l ook i ng ou t o f t he ca r r i age w indow s , ye l l i ng t o J o t o s top .

Jo w en t r ed . H e pu l l ed t he "S top" ha nd le . T he eng ine s t opped . The n Jo pu l l e d t he "G o Backw ards " hand l e and the t r a i n moved s low ly bac kwa rds t o t he s t a t i on . I t s t opped t he r e and J o and D ick ha d the p l ea s u re o f s ee i ng the pa ss enge r s ge t ou t and i n . The gua rd c ame ru sh i ng up .

"You pa ss ed t he s t a t i on , you pas se d the s t a t i on ! " he c r i ed . "D on ' t you da re t o pa s s my s t a t i on aga i n wi thou t s topp i ng ! "

"Al l r i gh t , a l l r i gh t , " s a i d Jo . "N ow then -o f f w e go aga in ! " A nd o f f t hey we n t .

"Ke ep a l ook -ou t f o r s t a t i ons , s i gna l s , t unne l s a nd l eve l c ro s s i ngs , D ic k , " sa id J o . So D ic k s t uck h i s head ou t and w a tc hed .

"Leve l c ro s s ing ! " he c r i ed . "The ga t e s a r e shu t ! S l ow dow n , J o , s l ow down!"

Bu t un luc k i ly J o pu l l ed t he "Go F as t " hand l e i n s t e ad o f t he "G o S low " and the t r a in s ho t qu i ck ly t o t he c l o se d ga t e s o f t he l eve l - c ro s s i ng . Ju s t a s t he eng ine had nea r l y r eache d them a

l i t t l e man ru s hed ou t o f t he ca b in nea r by a nd f l ung the ga t e s open j u s t i n t im e!

"You ba d d r ive r ! " he shou t ed a s t he t r a in roa r e d pas t . "Y ou migh t have b roken my ga t e s ! "

"Tha t wa s a na r row s quea k , " sa id J o . "Wha t ' s t h i s com ing now , Di ck?"

"A t unne l , " s a i d Di ck . "Whis t l e a s you go th rough i n ca s e anyone i s wa lk ing i n i t . "

S o Jo m ade the eng ine w h i s t l e l oud l y . I t r e a l l y w as fun . I t r a c ed th rough the da rk t unne l and cam e ou t nea r a s t a t i on .

"S top ! S t a t i on , J o ! " c r i ed D ic k . And J o s topped . T hen on we n t t he t r a i n aga i n , wh i s t l i ng l oud ly , r u s h ing pas t s i gna l s t ha t w e re down .

Then s ome th ing ha ppened . The "Go S low " and t he "S top" hand l e s -w ou ldn ' t work ! T he t r a in

r ace d on and on pas t s t a t i ons , b ig and s ma l l , t h rough t unne l s , pa s t s i gna l s t ha t we re up , and beha ved ju s t a s i f i t h ad gone mad .

" I sa y ! " sa id D ick i n a l a rm , "wha t ' s gone w rong , J o?"

Jo d i dn ' t know. F o r mi l e s and m i l e s t he t r a i n t o r e on , a nd a l l t he pa s se nge r s becam e a l a rmed . A nd the n , a s t he t r a in d r ew nea r a s t a t i on , i t g ave a l oud s igh , r an s low ly and t hen s topped a l l by i t s e l f .

And i t w as t he ve ry sam e s t a t i on i t had s t a r t e d f rom! The d r ive r o f t he t r a i n wa s t he r e , w a i t i ng .

"S o you ' r e ba ck aga i n , " he s a id . "M y , you 've been qu i ck . "

"Wel l , t he eng ine d i dn ' t behave i t s e l f ve ry we l l , " s a id J o , s t epp i ng down thank fu l ly . " I t j u s t r an aw ay the l a s t pa r t o f t he j ou rney . I t w ou ldn ' t s t op anyw here ! "

"Oh , I da r e s ay i t wan t ed to ge t back t o me , " s a i d t he d r i ve r , c l i mb ing i n to t he e ng ine -ca b . " I t ' s a monkey s ome t ime s . Com e a long a nd d r ive i t aga i n wi th me . "

"No , t hank you , " s a id J o . " I t h i nk I ' v e ha d enough . I t w as fun , t hough . "

The g i r l s , Moon-F ac e and S i l ky , go t ou t o f t he i r c a r r i ages . The y had been r a the r f r i gh t e ned the l a s t pa r t o f t he j ou rne y , bu t t he y though t J o w as ve ry c l e ve r t o d r i ve t he t r a in by h i ms e l f .

They a l l l e f t t he s t a t i on . "Now w ha t s ha l l w e do?" s a id M oon-F ace .

" I wa n t t o r i de on an e l ephan t , " sa id F anny a t onc e .

"The re a r en ' t any , " s a i d Bess i e . Bu t no s oone r had s he s poken tha n the ch i l d r en s aw s i x b ig g r ey e l ephan t s w a lk i ng so l emn l y up to t he m, s wa y ing a l i t t l e f r om s ide t o s ide .

"Oh , l ook , l ook ! " ye l l ed F anny , ne a r ly ma d wi th exc i t em en t . "T he re a r e my e l ephan t s . S ix o f t hem! We can a l l have a r i de ! "

Eac h e l epha n t had a rope l adde r up i t s l e f t s i de . The ch i l d r en , M oon-Fa ce and S i lky c l im bed up and s a t on a comfo r t ab l e s ea t on the e l epha n t ' s backs . The n the b ig c r ea t u r e s s e t o f f , sw ay i ng th rough the c rowds .

I t w as s i mp ly l ove ly . F anny d i d en joy he r s e l f . She ca l l ed t o t he o the r s . "Was n ' t t h i s a good i dea o f m ine , eve rybody? A ren ' t we h igh up? A nd i s n ' t i t f un? "

" I t i s f un , " s a id M oon-F ace , who had ne ve r even s ee n a r t e l ephan t be fo re , and w ou ld ce r t a in l y neve r ha ve though t o f r i d ing on one i f he had . "O h , goodnes s -m y rope l a dde r ha s s l i pped o f f m y e l epha n t ! N ow I s ha l l neve r be ab l e t o ge t down! I ' l l h ave t o r i de on th i s e l epha n t a l l my l i f e l ong ! "

Eve rybody l aughed -bu t Moon-F ace wa s r e a l l y a l a rm ed . When t he ch i ld r en had had e nough o f r i d ing t hey a l l c l i mbed dow n the i r r ope l a dde r s -bu t poo r Moon-F ac e s a t up h i gh , t e a r s pou r ing dow n h i s f a t cheeks .

" I t e l l you I c a n ' t ge t dow n , " he kep t say i ng . " I 'm up he re fo r good ! "

The e l ephan t s t ood pa t i en t l y fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e . T hen i t go t t i r ed o f hea r i ng Moon-F ac e c ry . I t

sw ung i t s e no rmous t r unk round , w ound i t ge n t ly round M oon-F ace ' s wa i s t , and l i f t e d h im dow n to t he g round . Moon-F ac e w as so s u rp r i s ed tha t he cou l dn ' t spea k a w ord .

At l a s t he found h i s t ongue . "Wha t d id t he e l ephan t l i f t m e dow n wi th?" he a s ked . "H i s nos e ! "

"No , h i s t r unk , " sa id J o , l augh i ng . "Di dn ' t you know t ha t e l ephan t s had t r unks , Moon-F ac e?"

"No , " s a i d Moon-F ac e , puzz l ed . " I ' m g l ad he d idn ' t pack m e in h i s t r unk and t a ke me a wa y fo r l uggage ! "

The c h i ld r e n roa r ed w i th l augh te r . They w a tc hed the b i g e l e phan t s wa lk ing o f f .

"Wha t sha l l w e do now ?" s a id J o . "D ick , w ha t do you w an t t o do?"

"Wel l , I know I can ' t do i t - bu t w ou ldn ' t I j u s t l ove t o have a padd l e i n t he se a ! " s a id D ick .

"Oooh- t ha t w ou ld be n i ce ! " s a i d Fa nny , who l oved padd l ing too . "Bu t t he r e i s n ' t any se a he r e . "

Jus t a s s he s a i d t ha t s he no t i ce d a s i gn -pos t nea r by . I t po in t e d awa y f rom them and s a id , i n b ig l e t t e r s , "TO TH E S EA ."

"Goodne ss ! " s a id F anny . "L ook a t t ha t ! Come on , eve ryone ! "

Off t hey a l l w en t , r unn i ng the w ay tha t t he s i gnpos t po in t ed . A nd , a f t e r go ing round tw o co rne r s , t he r e , - s u r e enough , w as t he b l ue , b lue se a , l y ing b r igh t a nd ca l m in t he wa rm s unsh i ne ! S h in ing go l den s ands s t r e t che d to t he l i t t l e w aves .

"Oh , goody , goody! " c r i ed D ic k , t ak ing o f f h i s 92

shoe s a nd soc ks a t once . "Com e on , qu i ck l y? '

S oon eve ryone w as padd l i ng in t he wa rm s ea . M oon-F ace a nd S i lky had neve r pa dd led be fo re , bu t t he y loved i t j u s t a s muc h a s t he ch i ld r en d i d . D i ck padd l ed ou t s o f a r t ha t he go t h i s sho r t s s oak i ng we t .

"Oh , D ic k ! You a r e w e t ! " c r i ed Bes s i e . "Come back ! "

"Th i s i s t he Land o f D o-A s-Y ou-P lea se , i sn ' t i t ? " s hou te d Di ck , danc i ng abou t i n t he w a t e r and ge t t i ng w e t t e r t ha n eve r . "We l l , I s ha l l ge t a s w e t a s I l i ke , t hen ! "

"Le t ' s d ig a n EN ORM O US cas t l e ! " c r i ed M oon-Fa ce . "The n we can a l l s i t on t he t op o f i t w hen t he s ea com es up . "

"We c an ' t , " s a id S i lky , s udden l y l ook ing s ad .

"Why no t? Why no t? " c r i ed J o i n s u rp r i s e . " I s n ' t t h i s t he Land o f D o-A s-You-P l ea s e?"

"Ye s , " s a i d S i lky . "Bu t i t ' s t ime we w en t back t o t he F a raw ay T ree . Th i s l and w i l l s oon be on the move -and n i ce a s i t i s , we don ' t wa n t t o l i ve he r e fo r eve r . "

"Gra c ious , no , " s a id J o . "O ur mo the r a nd f a the r cou ldn ' t pos s i b ly do wi thou t u s ! D ick ! D ic k ! Come i n t o s ho re ! We ' r e go ing hom e!"

Di ck d idn ' t w an t t o be l e f t beh i nd . He wade d back a t once , h i s s ho r t s d r ipp ing w e t , and h i s j e r sey s p l a she d , t oo . The y a l l m ade t he i r w ay to t he ho l e t ha t l ed dow n th rough the c loud to t he F a raw ay Tre e .

"We d i d have a l ove ly t ime , " s i ghed Jo , l ook ing bac k long ing l y a t t he gay l and he wa s l e av ing

beh ind . " I t ' s one o f t he n i ce s t l ands t ha t ha s eve r bee n a t t he t op o f t he T ree . "

They a l l f e l t t i r ed a s t he y c row ded in to M oon-F ace ' s r oom. "D on ' t f a l l a s l ee p be fo re you ge t home , " s a id M oon-F ace . "Take c ush i ons , a l l o f you . "

They w en t down t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , yaw n ing . The y made t he i r w ay hom e and f e l l i n t o bed , t i r ed ou t bu t ha ppy . And i n t he m orn ing the i r mo t he r spoke in s u rp r i s e t o D ic k .

"Di ck , how i s i t t ha t you r s ho r t s and j e r se y a r e s o w e t t h i s m orn ing?"

" I padd le d too deep i n t he s ea , " sa i d Di ck -and he cou ldn ' t t h i nk why h i s Aun t P o l ly s a id he wa s a naugh ty l i t t l e s t o ry - t e l l e r !

13 -The L and o f Toys .

One a f t e rnoon S i lky cam e to s ee t he ch i ld r en a s t hey we re a l l w ork ing ha rd i n t he ga rden . S he l eane d ove r t he ga t e and c a l l ed t o t hem.

"Ha l lo ! I ' v e com e to t e l l you som e th i ng ! "

"Oh , ha l lo , S i l ky dea r ! " c r i ed eve ryone . "Come a long in . W e can ' t s t op work be caus e w e ' ve go t t o f i n i s h c l e a r ing t h i s pa t ch be fo re t e a . "

S i lky ca me i n . She sa t dow n on the ba r row . "The o ld S aucepa n Ma n wa n t s t o g ive a pa r t y , " she s a i d . "And he sa ys , w i l l you come ?"

" I s i t h i s b i r t hday?" a sked J o .

"Oh , no . H e doe sn ' t know w hen h i s b i r t hda y i s , " sa id S i lky . "H e s ays he has n ' t go t one . T h i s i s j u s t a pa r t y . You s ee , t he La nd o f Good i e s i s comi ng soon , a nd Sa ucepan t hough t i t wou l d be a f i ne i dea t o go the r e wi th a l a rge bas ke t and co l l ec t a s many good t h ings t o ea t a s he can f i nd , and the n g ive a pa r ty i n M oon-F ace ' s r oom, s o t ha t we can ea t a l l t he t h ings . "

"Tha t sounds f i ne ! " sa id D ick , w ho loved e a t i ng good th ings . "When s ha l l we come ?"

"To-mor row , " s a id S i l ky . "Abou t t h r ee o ' c l ock . Wi l l you be a l l r i gh t ? "

"Oh , ye s , " s a i d Bes s i e : "M othe r s ays w e 've been ve ry good t h i s we ek , s o she i s su r e t o l e t u s come t o t he S auc epan M an ' s pa r t y t o -mor row . We ' l l be t he r e ! When i s S auc epan go ing t o ge t t he good ie s t o ea t ? "

"To-mor row morn i ng , " sa id S i lky . "H e s ays t ha t t he L and o f G ood ie s w i l l be t he r e t hen . W e l l , good -bye . I w on ' t s t a y and t a lk t o -day , a s I s a i d I ' d

make som e P op B i s cu i t s and G oog le Buns fo r t he t e a t o -mor row a s w e l l . I m igh t make som e Tof f ee Shoc ks , t oo . "

S i lky w en t . T he ch i ld r en t a lked j oy fu l ly o f t he pa r t y nex t day .

"Hope the r e wi l l be t r eac l e pudd ing , " s a i d Di ck .

"Trea c l e pudd i ng ! At a t e a -pa r ty ! " s a i d Bes s i e .

"Wel l , w hy no t? " s a id D ic k . " I t ' s m os t de l i c ious . I hope the r e w i l l be p ink and ye l low j e l l y , t oo . "

Eve ryone f e l t exc i t ed w hen the ne x t a f t e rnoon cam e . M othe r s a id t hey migh t go , bu t s he w ou ldn ' t l e t t hem pu t on the i r be s t c lo thes .

"No t i f you a r e go ing to c l im b t r ee s , " s he s a id . "A nd D ick , p l e a s e don ' t ge t you r c lo the s w e t t h i s t im e . I f you do , you ' l l ha ve to s t ay i n bed a l l day wh i l s t I d ry t he m."

The c h i ld r e n r an t o t he Encha n ted Wood . T hey had t o c l im b up the t r ee i n t he o rd i na ry w ay , f o r t he r e wa s no rope tha t da y . Up t hey w en t , s hou t i ng a g r ee t ing to t he ow l i n h i s r oom , t o t he A ngry P ix i e , and to D am e Was ha l o t .

They r e ached M oon-F ace ' s house . He and S i lky w ere s e t t i ng ou t cups and sa uce r s and p l a t e s r eady fo r a l l t he good ie s t ha t S auce pan w as go i ng to b r ing bac k . S i lky hande d a bag round . "H ave a T o f f ee S hock? " she s a i d .

Now , a l l t he ch i l d r en exce p t D ick had ha d To f f ee S hocks be fo re , and , p rov id ing you kne w, w ha t t he t o f f ee d id i t w as a l l r i gh t . Bu t i f you d idn ' t , i t w as r a t he r a l a rming .

A T of f ee S hock ge t s b igge r and b i gge r and b i gge r a s you suc k i t , i n s t ead o f sm a l l e r and s ma l l e r - a nd whe n i t i s s o b ig t ha t t he r e i s ha rd l y room fo r i t i n you r mou th i t s udden ly e xp lodes - and goes t o no t h ing . J o , Bes s i e and F anny wa tche d Di ck a s he s ucked h i s To f f e e S hock , nudg ing one ano the r and g igg l ing .

Di ck took a b ig To f f e e S hock , f o r he w as r a the r a g r eedy boy . H e popped i t i n to h i s mou t h and s ucked ha rd . I t t a s t e d mos t de l i c ious . Bu t i t s eem ed to ge t b igge r a nd b igge r .

Di ck t r i ed t o t e l l t he o the r s t h i s , f o r i t s u rp r i s ed h i m ve ry m uch . Bu t t he To f f ee Shoc k wa s now s o b ig t ha t he cou l d ha rd ly t a lk .

"Oob l e , oob le , oob le ! " he s a i d .

"Wha t l anguage a r e you t a lk ing , D ic k? ' a ske d Moon-F ac e , w i th a g i gg l e .

Di ck looke d r ea l l y a l a rmed . H i s t o f f ee wa s now s o eno rmous tha t he cou l d ha rd ly f i nd room in h i s m ou th fo r i t . And t hen s udden ly i t exp lode d - and h i s mou th w as qu i t e em p ty .

"Ooooh! " s a i d Di ck , open i ng and shu t t i ng h i s m ou th l i ke a go l d f i s h . "Oooh!"

"Don ' t you l i ke you r s w ee t? " sa id S i lky , t r y ing no t t o g igg l e . "Wel l , sp i t i t ou t i f you l i ke , and ha ve ano the r . "

" I t ' s gone ! " sa id D ick . The n he s aw the o the r s l augh ing , a nd he gues se d tha t To f f ee Shoc ks w ere no t qu i t e t he u s ua l k i nd o f sw ee t s . He began to l augh , t oo . "Goodne ss , t ha t d id f r i gh t en me ! " he s a id . " I s ay , w ou ldn ' t I l i ke t o g ive t he m as t e r a t my o ld s choo l a To f f ee Shoc k ! "

Moon-F ac e l ooke d a t h i s c l ock . "O ld S aucepa n i s a l ong t ime , " he sa id . " I t ' s ha l f -pa s t t h r ee now , and he p rom is ed to be r e a l l y qu i ck . "

"Ha l lo -he re ' s s omebody c oming now ," s a id M oon-F ace , he a r ing foo t s t eps on the l adde r t ha t l e d up th rough the c loud . "P e rhaps i f s o ld S auc epan . Bu t I c a n ' t hea r h i s ke t t l e s c l ank ing ! "

Dow n the l adde r came a w ooden so l d i e r . H e s a l u t ed a s he w en t pa s t .

"Hi e , h i e ! " shou t ed M oon-Fa ce s udden ly . "W ai t a minu t e ! H ow i s i t t ha t you l i ve i n t he Land o f G ood ie s ?"

" I don ' t , " s a id t he wooden s o ld i e r , i n s u rp r i s e . " I l i ve i n t he La nd o f Toys . "

"Wha t ! I s t he Land o f T oys up t he r e now ?" c r i ed M oon-Fa ce , s t and i ng up in a s ton i shm en t .

"Of c ou r se ! " sa id t he s o ld i e r . "The Land o f G ood ie s does n ' t a r r i ve t i l l n ex t w ee k . "

"Goodne ss ! " g roane d Moon-F ace , a s t he s o ld i e r d i s appea red down t he t r ee . "Ol d Sa ucepan ha s m ade a m i s t ake . He ' s gone to t he Land o f T oys i n s t ea d o f t o t he Land o f G ood ie s . I expe c t he i s hun t ing eve rywhere fo r n i ce t h ings t o b r i ng down t o u s -he ' s suc h a dea r o l d s t up id t ha t he wou l dn ' t know i t w as n ' t t he r i gh t l and . "

"We ' d be t t e r go and t e l l h im , " s a id S i lky . "Y ou ch i ld r e n can s t ay he r e t i l l we come back , and t hen w e ' l l have a n i ce t e a o f P op B i scu i t s and G oog le Buns . H e l p you r se l f t o T o f f ee S hocks wh i l s t w e a r e gone . "

"We ' l l come t oo , " sa id Bes s i e , j um p ing up . "The Land o f T oys s ounds exc i t i ng . I w i s h w e 'd b rough t P e rone l , ou r do l l . S he w ou ld have loved to v i s i t t he La nd o f Toys . "

" I suppos e i t i s n ' t a t a l l a dange rous l and ! " ' s a id J o . " J u s t t oys come a l i ve?"

"Of c ou r se i t ' s no t d ange rous , " s a id S i l ky .

They a l l w en t up the l a dde r . The y were ve ry anx i ous t o see wha t t he Land o f Toys wa s l i ke . I t wa s exa c t l y a s t hey im ag ine d i t !

Do l l s ' hous es , t oy s w ee t s hops , t oy fo r t s , t oy r a i lw ay s t a t i ons s tood abou t eve ryw here , bu t much b i gge r t ha n p rope r t oys . Go l l iw ogs , t eddy be a r s , do l l s o f a l l k inds , s t u f f ed a n ima l s a nd c loc kwork t oys r an o r w a l ked abou t , t a lk i ng and l augh i ng .

" I sa y ! Th i s i s f un ! " s a id Be ss i e . "O h , l ook a t t hos e w ooden s o ld i e r s a l l wa lk ing i n a r ow !"

The c h i ld r e n s t a r ed round , bu t M oon-F ace pu l l ed t he i r a rms .

"Come on , " he sa id . "We ' ve go t t o f i nd ou t whe re t he o l d Sa ucepan M an has go t t o ! I c an ' t s e e h im anyw here . "

The s ix o f t hem w ande re d abou t t he Land o f T oys . C l ockw ork an im a l s r an eve ryw here . A b ig N oah ' s Ark s udden l y opened i t s l i d and l e t ou t sco re s o f woode n an im a l s w a lk ing i n tw os . N oah c ame be h ind , humm ing .

The S auc epan M an w as s i mp ly now here t o be s een . " I ' d be t t e r a s k som eone i f t hey ' ve s een h i m, " s a id M oon-F ace a t l a s t . S o he s toppe d a b ig go l l i wog a nd spoke to h im .

"Ha ve you s een a l i t t l e m an hung abou t w i t h ke t t l e s and s auce pans ?" he a s ked .

"Ye s , " s a i d t he go l l iw og a t onc e . "H e ' s bad . H e t r i ed t o s t ea l s ome sw ee t s ou t o f t he sw ee t s hop ove r t he r e . "

" I 'm su re Sa ucepan w ou ldn ' t s t e a l a t h ing ! " s a id J o ang r i l y .

"Wel l , he d i d , " sa i d t he go l l iw og . " I s aw h im. "

" I know w ha t happened , " s a i d Moon-F ac e , s udden ly . "O ld S auce pan though t t h i s wa s t he La nd o f Good i e s . H e d i dn ' t know i t w as t he La nd o f Toys . S o when he sa w t he s wee t s hop he t hough t he cou ld t ake a s m any a s he l i ked . Y ou can in t he La nd o f Good i e s , you know. A nd peop le mus t have t hough t he w as s t ea l i ng . "

"Oh , de a r , " s a id S i l ky , i n d i s ma y . "Go l l iw og , w ha t happe ned to t he S aucepa n Man? "

"The po l i ce man ca me up and t ook h im o f f t o p r i s on , " sa id t he go l l i wog . "The re ' s t he po l i ce man ove r t he r e . Y ou can a sk h i m a l l abou t i t . "

The go l l iw og w en t o f f . T he ch i l d r en , M oon-Fa ce and S i lky w en t ove r t o t he po l i ce man . H e to l d t hem i t w as qu i t e t r ue w ha t t he go l l iw og had s a id S aucepa n had t r i e d t o t a ke s wee t s ou t o f t he sw ee t shop , a nd he had bee n locke d up .

"Oh , w e m us t r e s cue h im !" c r i e d Jo a t once . "W here i s he? "

"You m us t c e r t a in l y no t r e s cue h i m, " s a id t he po l i c ema n c ro ss ly . " I s han ' t t e l l you w he re he i s ! "

And no m a t t e r how much t he ch i l d r en begged h i m, he w ou ld N O T t e l l t hem whe re he had pu t poo r Sa ucepan .

"Wel l , w e mus t j u s t go and look fo r h im ou r se lves , t ha t ' s a l l , " s a id J o . And t he s ix o f t he m w ande red o f f t h rough the L and o f Toys , s hou t ing loud ly a s t hey w en t .

"S aucepa n ! Dea r o ld S auce pan ! Where a r e you? '

14 -An E xc i t i ng Res cue .

The c h i ld r e n , Moon-F ace and S i lky w en t down t he c rooked s t r e e t s o f t he Land o f T oys , c a l l i ng t he o l d S aucepa n Man .

"Of c ou r se , Sa ucepan i s ve ry dea f , " s a id J o .

"He migh t no t hea r u s ca l l i ng h im, e ven i f he w e re l ocked up s ome whe re qu i t e nea r . "

They w en t on aga in , s hou t i ng and ca l l i ng . The toys hu r ry ing by s t a r ed a t t hem in a s ton i shm en t .

"Why do you kee p ca l l i ng ' Sa ucepan , S auc epan ' ? " a s ked a be au t i fu l l y d r e s se d do l l . "A re you s e l l i ng s auce pans , o r s ome th ing? "

"No , " s a i d Jo . "W e ' r e l ook ing fo r a f r i end . "

Jus t t hen S i lky he a rd s ome t h ing . S he c lu t ched J o ' s a rm . "S h ! " she s a i d . "L i s t e n ! Do l i s t en ! "

Eve ryone s t ood s t i l l and l i s t ened . The n , f l oa t i ng on the a i r c a me a w e l l -known vo i ce , s i ng i ng a s i l l y song :

"Tw o t r ee s i n a t e a po t , Tw o s poons i n a p i e , Tw o c locks up the ch im ney . Hi - t i dd l y -h i e ! "

" I t ' s S auc epan ! " c r i ed J o . "Nobody bu t Sa ucepan s ings t hos e s i l l y s ongs . Where i s he?"

They l ooked a l l r ound . The re wa s a t oy fo r t no t f a r o f f , bu t , o f cou r s e , much b i gge r t ha n a p rope r t oy fo r t . The s ong s eeme d to com e f rom t he r e .

"Tw o mic e on a l amp-pos t , Tw o hums in a bee . T wo s hoes on a r abb i t . H i -t i dd l y -hee ! "

Jo l aughed l oud ly . " I neve r kne w s uch a s t up id s ong in my l i f e , " he s a i d . " I c an ' t t h ink how

o ld S auce pan can m ake i t up . I t ' s c oming f rom tha t f o r t . Tha t ' s w he re he i s l ocke d up . "

Eve ryone looked a t t he r e d -pa in t ed fo r t . S o ld i e r s w a l ked up and dow n on i t . A d raw br idge wa s pu l l ed up s o t ha t no one cou l d go in o r ou t . Whe n a so l d i e r w an t ed to go ou t t he d r aw br idge wa s l e t dow n and the so l d i e r s t epped ove r i t . T hen i t w as pu l l ed up aga i n .

"Wel l , S aucepa n i s c e r t a in ly i n t he r e , " sa id M oon-Fa ce . "A nd , by the w ay , don ' t c a l l t o h i m , any o f you . We don ' t wan t t he gua rds t o know t ha t t he r e a r e a ny f r i ends o f h i s he r e - e l s e t hey m ay gues s we ' l l t r y and r e scue h im. "

"Oh , do l e t ' s t r y and l e t h im know w e ' r e he r e , " sa id Bes s i e . "H e w ou ld be so ve ry , ve ry g l a d . He m us t f ee l so w or r i e d and unhappy . "

" I know a wa y o f t e l l i ng h i m w e a r e he r e , w i thou t a nyone gues s ing w e a r e f r i ends o f h i s , " s a id J o s udden ly . "L i s t en . "

He s t ood and though t f o r a mom en t . The n he r a i sed h i s vo i ce a nd sang a l i t t l e song :

"Tw o boys i n t he h i gh - road , Tw o g i r l s i n t he s t r ee t , Tw o f r i e nds f e e l i ng so r ry . T we e t - t we e t - tw ee t - tw ee t - tw ee t ! "

Everyone roa r ed w i th l augh te r . " I t ' s ve ry c l eve r , Jo , " s a id D ic k . "Tw o boys -S auc epan w i l l know tha t ' s you and me - tw o g i r l s - t ha t ' s Bes s i e and F anny- tw o f r i ends , S i lky a nd Moon-F ac e ! S aucepa n wi l l know w e ' r e a l l he r e ! "

A f r i gh t fu l no i se cam e f rom the fo r t - a c l ang ing a nd a bang i ng , a c l a nk ing and c r a sh i ng . Eve ryone l i s t ene d .

"Tha t ' s o ld S auc epan danc ing round mad l y t o l e t u s know he hea rd and unde r s tood , " s a id J o . "N ow t he t h i ng i s -how a r e we go ing to r e scue h im? "

They w a l ked dow n the s t r ee t , t a lk ing , t r y ing to t h ink o f s ome good w ay to sa ve poo r S aucepa n . They c ame t o a c l o thes shop . I n i t w e re do l l s ' c l o thes o f a l l so r t s . I n t he w indow wa s a s e t o f sa i l o r ' s c lo the s , t oo . Jo s t a r ed a t t hem .

"Now , I w onde r , " he s a i d . " I j u s t w onde r i f t he y 've go t any s o ld i e r ' s c lo t hes . Moon-F ac e , l end m e you r b ig pu r s e i f i t ' s go t any mone y in . "

Moon-F ac e pu t h i s l a rge pu r s e i n t o Jo ' s hand . J o d i s appea re d in to t he shop . H e c ame ou t wi th t h r e e s e t s o f b r igh t r ed so l d i e r ' s un i fo rms , w i th b ig , b l a ck , f u r ry bea r s k in s fo r ha t s .

"Come on , " he sa id i n exc i t e men t . "Come s omew here t ha t w e s han ' t be se en . "

They a l l hu r r i ed dow n the s t r ee t and ca me t o a f i e l d whe re s ome t oy cows s t ood g r az i ng .

They c l im bed ove r t he ga t e and we n t beh i nd the hedge . "Di ck , s ee i f t h i s un i fo rm w i l l f i t you , " sa id J o . " I ' l l pu t t h i s one on . "

"Bu t J o - Jo -w ha t a r e you go i ng to do?" a s ked Be ss i e i n su rp r i se .

" I shou l d have t hough t you cou l d have gues s ed , " s a id J o , pu t t i ng on the un i fo rm qu i ck ly . "W e ' r e go ing to s ee i f w e can m arch in t o t he fo r t and ge t o ld S auce pan ou t ! I s hou ld t h ink they w i l l l e t dow n the d r a wbr i dge fo r u s i f w e a r e d r e ss ed l i ke s o ld i e r s . "

" I s t h i s t h i rd s u i t f o r me? " a s ked Moon-F ac e , exc i t ed l y .

"No , M oon-F ace , " sa id J o . " I d idn ' t t h ink you ' d l ook a b i t l i ke a s o ld i e r , even i f you we re d r e s se d l i ke one . You m us t s t ay ou t s ide and look a f t e r t he g i r l s . Th i s t h i rd su i t i s f o r o ld S auc epan . The so l d i e r s w ou ldn ' t l e t u s t ake h im ou t o f t he fo r t a l l hung round w i t h ke t t l e s and s auce pans ! They wou l d know i t w as t he p r i sone r and wou l d s t op h im. H e ' l l have to t ake o f f

h i s ke t t l e s and t h ings and d r e s s i n t h i s . The n , maybe w e c an r e s cue h i m qu i t e ea s i l y . "

" Jo , you a r e r ea l l y ve ry , ve ry c l eve r , " sa id S i lky .

Jo f e l t ve ry p l ea s ed . H e buc k led h i s be l t , and pu t on h i s b l ack be a r s k in . My w ord , he d i d l ook g r and ! S o d id D ic k .

"Now w e ' r e r eady , " s a i d Jo . "M oon-F ace , i f by any cha nce D ick a nd I a r e caugh t , you mus t t a ke t he g i r l s sa f e ly bac k to t he T ree . S ee ?"

" I se e , " s a id M oon-F ace . "G ood luc k , boys ! "

Eve ryone we n t ou t o f t he f i e l d and w a lked ba ck to t he fo r t . Whe n they go t nea r i t , D ick and J o bega n to ma rch ve ry w e l l , i ndeed . L e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t !

They c ame t o t he fo r t . "So l d i e r , l e t dow n the d r awbr i dge ! " ye l l ed J o , i n h i s l oudes t a nd mos t com mand ing vo i ce . T he s en t ine l pee r ed ove r t he wa l l o f t he fo r t . When he s aw tw o s uch s mar t so l d i e r s , he s a lu t ed a t onc e , and se t t o w ork to l e t dow n the d r awbr i dge . C ra s h ! I t f e l l f l a t t o t he g round , and D ick a nd Jo w a lke d ove r i t i n to t he fo r t .

C reak , c r eeee e -eak ! T he d r aw br idge w as d r aw n up aga i n . Jo a nd Di ck marc hed r i gh t i n to t he fo r t . S o ld i e r s s a l u t ed a t once .

" I w i sh t o t a l k t o t he p r i s one r he r e , " s a i d Jo .

"Ye s , c ap t a i n , " sa id a w ooden s o ld i e r , s a lu t i ng . He took a key f rom h i s be l t and gave i t t o J o . "F i r s t doo r on t he r i gh t , s i r , " he sa id . "Be ca r e fu l . He may be f i e r ce . "

"Thanks , my m an , " s a id J o , and ma rched t o t he f i r s t doo r on t he r i gh t . He un locke d i t a nd he and D ick w en t i n and s hu t t he doo r . Sa ucepan w as t he r e ! When he s aw the tw o so l d i e r s , he f e l l on h i s knees .

"S e t me f r ee , s e t m e f r ee ! " he begged . " I d i d no t me an to s t ea l t he sw ee t s . I t hough t t h i s wa s t he La nd o f Good i e s . "

"S aucepa n ! I t ' s u s ! " wh i spe red J o , t ak i ng o f f h i s he lme t s o t ha t Sa ucepan cou ld s ee h im p l a in ly . "W e ' ve come to s ave you . P u t on t h i s un i fo rm, qu i ck ! "

"Bu t w ha t a bou t my ke t t l e s a nd sa ucepans ?" s a i d Sa ucepan . " I c an ' t l e a ve t hem beh ind . "

"Don ' t be s i l l y . Y ou ' l l have to , " s a id J o . "Q u ick , D ick , he lp h im o f f w i th t hem ."

The t wo boys s t r i ppe d o f f eve ry pan a nd made S auc epan d r e s s up in t he r ed un i fo rm . He t r em b led s o much w i t h exc i t eme n t t ha t t he y had to do up eve ry bu t ton fo r h im .

"Now ma rch c l o se t o u s a nd don ' t s a y a word , " s a i d Jo , w hen S auc epan wa s r e ady . H i s ke t t l e s and s aucepa ns l ay i n a he ap on the f l oo r . H e f e l l ove r t he m as he s c r am b led ac ross t o J o and D ic k . Jo opene d the doo r . A l l t h r ee marche d ou t , kee p ing in s t ep . L e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t !

The o t he r s o ld i e r s i n t he fo r t l ooked up bu t s aw no th i ng bu t t h r e e o f t he i r comra des -o r so t hey though t . J o s hou ted t o t he s en t ine l :

"Le t down t he d r aw br idge ! "

"Ve ry good , c ap t a in ! " c r i ed t he sen t ine l , and l e t i t down w i t h a c r a s h . J o , D i ck and S auc epan ma rched ou t a t once . Le f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t .

Moon-F ac e and t he g i r l s cou l d ha rd ly be l i eve t ha t t he t h i rd s o ld i e r w as o ld S auce pan . H e d id l ook s o d i f f e r en t i n un i fo rm, w i t hou t h i s pans

hung a l l r ound h im. S i l ky f l ew to hug h i m.

And t hen the se n t ine l o f t he fo r t ye l l ed ou t i n a l oud vo ic e : " I be l i eve t ha t ' s t he p r i s one r ! I be l i eve he ' s e s caped ! H ie , h i e , a f t e r t he m!"

"Goodne ss ! Run! run ! " c r i ed J o , a t once . And t hey a l l r an . H ow t hey r an ! S o ld i e r s pou red ou t o f t he fo r t a f t e r t hem, go l l iw ogs and t e ddy bea r s j o ine d in t he chas e , and do l l s o f a l l k inds pa t t e r ed beh i nd on the i r s ma l l f ee t .

"To the ho l e i n t he c l oud ! " shou t ed J o . "Run , Bes s i e ; r un , F anny ! O h , I do hope w e ge t t he r e i n t im e! "

15 -A S hock fo r t he Toys .

How the ch i l d r en and the o the r s r an ! T hey knew qu i t e we l l t ha t i f t hey we re caugh t t hey w ou ld be pu t i n t o t he t oy fo r t - and the n the L and o f Toys wou l d move a wa y f rom the F a ra wa y Tree , a nd goodnes s kne w how long they m igh t ha ve to s t ay t he r e !

S o they r an a t t op s peed . F anny f e l l be h ind a l i t t l e , and J o ca ugh t he r hand to he lp he r . P an t ing and pu f f ing , t hey r ac ed down t he s t r ee t s o f t he

Land o f T oys , t r y ing to r e mem ber whe re t he ho l e l e d down t h rough the c loud t o t he F a ra way T ree .

Jo r e mem bered the wa y . He l ed t he m a l l t o t he ho l e - a nd the r e was t he l adde r , t hank goodnes s ! "Dow n you go ! " c r i ed t he boy to S i lky , Be ss i e

and F anny . "H ur ry ! Ge t i n t o Moon-F ac e ' s r oom qu i ck ly . "

Dow n the g i r l s w en t , a nd then D ick , M oon-F ace , Sa ucepan a nd Jo . J o on ly j u s t go t dow n in t ime , f o r a l a rge go l l i wog , w i t h ve ry l ong l egs , had a lm os t c augh t t hem up -a nd a s Jo w en t down he r e ached ou t and t r i ed t o ca t ch J o ' s co l l a r .

Jo j e rked h i ms e l f aw ay . H i s co l l a r t o r e - and the boy ha l f s l i d , ha l f c l i mbed dow n the l adde r t o sa f e ty . S oon he w as i n M oon-F ace ' s house wi th t he o the r s -bu t w ha t was t h i s? The t oys d i d no t s t ay up i n t he i r l and -they pou re d down t he l adde r a f t e r t he ch i ld r en a nd the i r f r i ends !

"They ' r e com ing in he r e ! " ye l l ed M oon-F ace . "O h , w hy d idn ' t w e shu t t he doo r?"

Bu t i t wa s t oo l a t e t hen t o shu t t he doo r . S o ld i e r s , go l l i wogs , bea r s and do l l s pou red i n to M oon-Fa ce ' s f unny round room -and M oon-Fa ce , qu i ck a s l i gh t n ing , gave them each a push t owards t he midd l e o f h i s r oom.

The ope n ing o f h i s s l i ppe ry - s l i p w as t he r e - a nd one by one a l l t he a s ton i s hed t oys f e l l i n to t he ho l e and found t hems e lve s s l i d ing w i ld l y down t he i n s ide o f t he t r ee !

As s oon a s Jo a nd the o t he r s s aw w ha t M oon-F ace w as do ing , t hey d id t he sa me .

"Dow n you go ! " s a id J o t o a f a t go l l iw og , g iv i ng h im a ha rd push -a nd down he we n t .

"A pus h fo r you ! " ye l l ed D ic k to a b ig b l ue t e ddy bea r - and dow n the s l i de we n t t he bea r .

S oon the ch i ld r en c ou ld do no more pus h ing , f o r t hey bega n to g igg l e . I t r e a l l y w as t oo funny to s ee t he t oys ru s h ing in , be ing pus hed , and go ing down t he s l i de , sque a l ing a nd k i ck i ng fo r a l l t hey w ere w or th . Bu t a f t e r a wh i l e no m ore t oys cam e , and M oon-F ace s hu t h i s doo r . H e f l ung h ims e l f on h i s cu rved be d , and l aughe d t i l l t he t e a r s r an dow n h i s chee ks a nd we t t e d h i s p i l l ow.

"Wha t wi l l t he t oys do?" a s ked J o a t l a s t .

"C l im b back up t he t r ee t o t he Land o f T oys , " s a id M oon-F ace , d ry ing h i s eyes . "We ' l l s e e t hem ou t o f my w indow . The y won ' t i n t e r f e r e wi th u s aga i n ! "

Af t e r abou t an hou r t he t oys be gan to c ome pas t M oon-F ace ' s w i ndow, s l owl y , a s i f t he y we re t i r e d . No t one o f t he m t r i ed t o open t he doo r and ge t i n to M oon-Fa ce ' s hous e .

"They ' r e a f r a id t ha t i f t hey don ' t ge t ba ck in t o t he i r l and a t once i t w i l l move a wa y! " sa i d S i lky . "L e t ' s s i t he r e and w a t ch the m a l l - and have a f ew Goog l e Buns and P op B i s cu i t s . "

" I 'm so ve ry so r ry t o have ca use d a l l t h i s t r oub le , " sa id t he Sa ucepan M an in a hum ble vo i ce . "A nd I d idn ' t b r ing a ny th ing ba ck fo r t e a e i t he r . You se e , I r e a l l y t hough t , whe n I go t i n t o t he L and o f Toys , t ha t i t w as t he Land o f G ood ie s , be caus e one o f t he f i r s t t h i ngs I s aw w as t ha t t oy s wee t shop . A nd in t he La nd o f Good i e s you can ju s t t ake any t h ing you l i ke wi thou t pa y ing - s o o f cou r s e I w en t r i gh t i n to t he s hop and began t o emp t y som e choc o la t e s ou t o f a box . Tha t ' s w hy they pu t me i n to p r i s on . I t w as d r ead fu l . Oh , I w as g l ad t o hea r J o s ing ing . I kne w a t once t ha t you w ou ld t r y t o r e sc ue me . "

Th i s w as a ve ry l ong spee ch fo r S aucepa n to ma ke . H e looked s o unhappy and s o r ry t ha t eve ryone fo rga ve h im a t once fo r mak i ng such a s i l l y mi s t a ke .

"Chee r up , S auc epan , " s a id M oon-F ace . "T he La nd o f Good i e s wi l l s oon come a long -and w e ' l l AL L go and v i s i t i t , no t j u s t you - and w e ' l l have the g r andes t f e a s t we have eve r had in ou r l i ve s . "

"Oh , bu t do you th ink w e ough t t o?" be gan Jo . "H ones t l y , we se em to ge t i n to a f i x eve ry s i ng l e t i me w e go up t he l adde r . "

" I ' l l ma ke qu i t e su r e t ha t t he L and o f Good i e s i s t he r e , " sa i d Moon-F ac e . "No t h ing w ha te ve r can go w rong i f w e v i s i t i t . Don ' t be a f r a id . I s ay , J o , you and D ick a nd Sa ucepan do l ook aw fu l ly g r and i n you r so l d i e r ' s un i fo rms . A re you a l wa ys go i ng to w ea r t he m?"

"Oh , g r a c ious - I f o rgo t w e have n ' t go t ou r p rope r c l o thes , " s a id J o . "Mot he r w i l l be c ro s s i f w e l ea ve them in t he Land o f T oys . W e l e f t t hem unde r a he dge nea r t he fo r t . "

"And I l e f t m y love l y ke t t l e s and s aucepa ns i n t he fo r t , " sa id S aucepa n in a mourn fu l vo i ce . " I f ee l f unny w i t hou t t he m. I don ' t l i ke be ing a so l d i e r . I wa n t t o be a S aucepa n Ma n . "

" I ' d l i ke you t o be ou r dea r o l d Sa ucepan M an , t oo , " sa id S i lky . " I t does n ' t s e em you , s ome how, d r e s s ed up l i ke t ha t . Bu t I don ' t s ee how w e a r e t o ge t a ny th ing ba ck . Ce r t a in ly none o f u s i s go i ng back in t o t he L and o f Toys aga i n ! "

Jus t t hen th r e e s a i l o r do l l s , l a s t o f a l l t he t oys , c am e c l imb i ng s l owl y up the t r ee . T hey we re no

c ry ing . T he i r s a i l o r c lo t hes we re t o rn and s oak i ng we t .

Moon-F ac e opened h i s doo r . "W ha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " he a s ked . "W ha t ' s happene d to you?"

"Aw fu l t h ings , " sa id t he f i r s t s a i l o r . "We w ere c l imb i ng up th i s t r e e w hen we cam e to a w indow , and w e a l l pee ped in . A nd a ve ry a ng ry p ix i e f l ew ou t a t u s a nd pushe d u s o f f t he b r anch . T he F a raw ay Tre e w as g row ing tho rns j u s t t he r e and t hey to r e ou r c lo the s t o b i t s . A nd then a w ho le l o t o f wa sh i ng wa te r ca me pou r i ng down t he t r ee on top o f u s and s oaked u s . S o we f ee l d r ead fu l . I f on l y we cou ld ge t som e new c l o thes ! "

"L i s t e n ! " c r i e d Jo s udden ly . "H ow wou l d you l i ke t o have ou r so l d i e r un i fo rms ? . T hey a r e qu i t e ne w a nd ve ry sm ar t . "

"Oooh!" s a i d a l l t he s a i l o r do l l s t oge the r . "W e 'd l ove t ha t . Wou ld you r ea l l y g ive u s t hose? We s ha l l ge t i n to s uch t r oub l e i f w e go bac k to t he Land o f T oys l i ke t h i s . "

"We ' l l g ive you the m on one c ond i t i on , sa i l o r do l l s , " s a i d Jo . "Y ou mus t f i nd ou r ow n th ings i n t he La nd o f Toys and th row them down t he l a dde r t o u s . We ' l l t e l l you whe re t he y a r e , "

"We c an ea s i l y do tha t , " p romis ed the sa i l o r s . S o Jo , D ic k and the S aucepa n s t r i pped o f f t he i r s mar t un i fo rms and gave them to t he sa i l o r do l l s w ho took o f f t he i r t o rn b l ue c l o thes and d r e s s ed them se lves i n t he r ed t r ous e r s , t un i c s and bea r s k in he lme t s . T hey looke d a s sm ar t a s cou l d be .

"Now you w i l l f i nd ou r c l o thes fo r u s , won ' t you?" s a i d Jo . "W e a r e t r u s t i ng you , you s ee . "

in

"We a r e ve ry t r u s t a b l e , " s a id t he do l l s , a nd r an up the l adde r a f t e r J o had to ld t hem e xac t l y whe re t o f i nd eve ry th i ng .

Jo , D ic k and S aucepa n sa t i n t he i r ve s t s and pa n t s and s h ive red a l i t t l e , f o r t he un i fo rms had been w arm . "We s ha l l l ook funny go ing hom e l i ke t h i s i f t hose sa i l o r s don ' t keep t he i r w ord ! " s a id D ick . "A s a ma t t e r o f f ac t , I ' d have l i ke d to keep t ha t un i fo rm. I l i ke i t much be t t e r t han my c lo t hes . "

"Look- s ome t h ing ' s c oming dow n the l adde r ! " c r i ed M oon-F ace , a nd they a l l r an ou t t o se e . "How qu ic k the s a i l o r do l l s have been o r s o ld i e r do l l s , I suppos e , w e ough t t o ca l l t he m now ."

Tw o se t s o f c lo t hes t umb l ed down t he l a dde r and the ch i l d r en caugh t t hem . Then c ame a c l a t t e r a nd a c l a ng ing a s ke t t l e s and s auc epans cam e down t oo . S aucepa n was de l igh t e d . He pu t on a pa i r o f r agged t rouse r s and a funny o ld c oa t t ha t c a me dow n w i th t he pans - and the n S i lky he l ped h im to s t r i ng h i s ke t t l e s and s aucepa ns round h i m a s u sua l .

"Now you look ou r de a r o ld S auc epan aga in , " s a id S i l ky . The boys d r e s se d , t oo . The n Jo l ooked a t M oon-F ace ' s c loc k .

"We m us t go , " he s a id . "Tha nks fo r t he P op B i s cu i t s a nd eve ry th i ng . Now , S aucepa n , don ' t ge t i n t o any more t r oub le fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e ! "

"S mi l e?" s a id S auc epan , go ing s udden l y dea f aga in . " I am sm i l i ng . Look! "

"Tha t ' s a g r i n , no t a s mi l e ! " s a id J o , a s he s aw

S aucepa n sm i l i ng f rom ea r t o ea r . "N ow don ' t ge t i n t o any more TRO UBL E!"

"Bubb le? Where ' s a bubb le? " sa id S aucepa n , l ook ing a l l r ound . " I d i dn ' t s e e anyone b l owi ng bubb le s . "

The c h i ld r e n g r inned . S auce pan w as a lw ays ve ry funny w hen he hea rd t h ings w rong .

"Come on , " s a i d Bes s i e . "Mot he r w i l l be c ro s s i f w e ' r e home t oo l a t e . Good-bye , Moon-F ac e . G ood-bye , S i lky . We ' l l s ee you aga in s oon . "

"Wel l , don ' t f o rge t t o come to t he Land o f G ood ie s w i th u s , " s a id S i l ky . "Tha t r ea l l y w i l l be fun . Ne a r ly a s m uch fun a s t he L and o f D o-As -Y ou-P lea s e . "

"We ' l l come , " p rom is ed Bes s i e . "D on ' t go wi thou t u s . Can I ha ve a r ed cus h ion , M oon-Fa ce? T hank you ! "

One by one the fou r ch i ld r e n s l i d s wi f t l y dow n the s l i ppe ry - s l i p t o t he bo t tom o f t he t r ee . T hey sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r , ga ve the r e d squ i r r e l t he c ush i ons a nd se t o f f home .

" I 'm look ing fo rw ard t o ou r nex t adve n tu re , " s a i d Di ck . " I t ma kes my mou th w a t e r w hen I t h i nk o f t he La nd o f Good i e s ! Hur r a h ! "

16 .

The L and o f G ood ie s .

The fou r c h i ld r e n were r a the r naugh ty t he nex t f e w days . D ick a nd Jo qua r r e l l ed , and t hey f e l l ove r w hen the y began t o wres t l e w i th one ano the r , and b roke a l i t t l e t ab l e .

Then Be ss i e sco rc hed a t ab l e - c lo th w hen s he w as i r on ing i t - and F anny to r e a n eno rmous ho l e i n he r b lue f rock w hen she we n t b l a ckbe r ry ing .

"Rea l ly , you a r e a l l ve ry naugh ty and c a r e l e s s l a t e l y , " sa id t he i r mo the r . " Jo , you w i l l me nd tha t t ab l e a s be s t you can . D ic k , you mus t he l p h im-and i f I s ee you qua r r e l l i ng l i ke t ha t aga i n I sha l l s end you bo t h t o bed a t once . F anny , w hy d idn ' t you pu t on you r o ld ove ra l l w hen you w en t b i ac kbe r ry ing , a s I t o l d you to? Y ou a r e a naugh ty l i t t l e g i r l . S i t dow n and mend t ha t t e a r p rope r l y . "

Bes s i e had t o was h the t ab l e - c lo t h ca r e fu l ly t o t r y and ge t t he s co rch marks ou t o f i t .

" I s a y , i t ' s a p i t y a l l t he s e t h i ngs ha ve happene d ju s t t h i s w eek , " g roa ned Jo t o Di ck , a s t he tw o boys d i d t he i r be s t t o me nd the t ab l e . " I ' m a f r a id t he L and o f G ood ie s w i l l come a nd go be fo re w e ge t t he r e ! I da r en ' t a s k Mot he r o r F a the r i f w e can go o f f t o t he F a ra way T ree . W e 've been s o naugh ty t ha t t hey a r e s u r e t o sa y no . "

"Moon-F ac e and t he o the r s w i l l be w onde r ing w hy w e don ' t go , " sa id Bes s i e , a l mos t i n t e a r s .

They w ere . The La nd o f Good i e s had come , and a m os t de l i c ious sm e l l kep t c oming dow n the l adde r . M oon-F ace wa i t ed a nd wa i t ed fo r t he ch i l d r en to c ome , and t hey d idn ' t .

Then he hea rd t ha t t he Land o f G ood ie s w as go ing to m ove aw ay the nex t a f t e rnoon , and he w onde red w ha t t o do .

"We s a i d we ' d w a i t f o r t he ch i ld r en -bu t we don ' t wan t t o mi ss go ing ou r se lves , " he s a id t o S i lky . "We had be t t e r s end a no t e t o t hem. P e rhaps som e th i ng has happened t o s t op them comi ng . "

S o they w ro te a no t e , and w en t down t o a s k t he ow l t o t ake i t . Bu t he wa s a s l ee p . So t hey w en t t o t he w oodpecke r , w ho had a ho l e i n t he t r e e fo r h ims e l f , and he s a id he wou l d t ake i t .

He f l ew o f f w i th i t i n h i s be ak . He soon found t he co t t age a nd r apped a t t he w indow w i th h i s be ak .

"A l ove ly w oodpec ke r ! " c r i e d Jo , l ook ing up . "S ee t he r ed on h i s hea d? He ' s go t a no t e fo r u s ! "

He opened t he wi ndow. M othe r wa s t he r e , i r on i ng in t he sa me room as t he ch i l d r en , and s he l ooke d mos t a s ton i she d to s ee s uch an unexpe c t e d v i s i t o r .

Jo t ook the no t e . The b i rd s t ayed on t he w indow -s i l l , w a i t i ng fo r an ans we r . Jo r e ad i t a nd then s how ed i t t o t he o t he r s . They a l l l ooked r a the r sa d . I t w as d r ead fu l t o know t ha t t he l ove ly Land o f G ood ie s ha d come and w as so s oon go ing - a nd they cou l dn ' t v i s i t i t .

"Te l l M oon-Fa ce w e ' ve been na ugh ty and c an ' t come , " sa i d Jo .

The b i rd sp r e ad i t s w ings , bu t M o the r l ooked up

and s poke . "Wai t a m inu te ! " she sa i d t o t he b i rd . The n she t u rned to J o . "Read m e the no t e , " s he s a id . J o r ead i t ou t l oud :

"DE AR J O , BES S IE , F AN N Y A N D D ICK ,

"The L and o f G ood ie s i s he r e a nd goes t omor row . We ha ve w a i t e d and wa i t e d fo r you to com e . I f you don ' t come to -mor row w e sha l l ha ve to go by ou r se lves . Can ' t you com e? "L ove f rom "S ILK Y , SA U CEP AN A ND MO O N-F A CE."

"The L and o f G ood ie s ! " s a id M othe r i n ama zeme n t . "Wel l , I neve r d id hea r o f s uch funny happe n ings ! I suppos e t he r e a r e l o t s o f n i c e t h ings t o ea t t he r e , a nd tha t ' s w hy you a l l w an t t o go . We l l -you ce r t a i n ly have be en bad ch i ld r en -bu t you 've done you r be s t t o pu t t h ings r i gh t . You m ay go to -mor row morn ing ! "

"Mot he r ! O h , Mot he r , t ha nk you ! " c r i ed t he ch i ld r en . "Tha nk you , Aun t P o l ly ! " s a id D ic k , hugg ing he r . "O h , how love l y ! "

"Te l l M oon-Fa ce w e ' l l c ome a s s oon a s we can to -m or row m orn ing , " s a id Jo t o t he l i s t en i ng woodpe cke r . H e nodded h i s r ed - s p l a she d head and f l ew o f f . The c h i ld r e n t a lke d toge t he r , exc i t ed .

" I sha n ' t have any b r e ak fa s t , " s a id Be ss i e . " I t ' s no t m uch good go ing t o t he L and o f G ood ie s un l e s s we ' r e hung ry ! "

"Tha t ' s a good i dea , " s a id D ic k . " I t h ink I w on ' t have a ny suppe r t o -n igh t e i t he r ! "

S o when t he t i me c ame fo r t he fou r ch i ld r en to

se t o f f t o t he Enc han ted W ood , t hey w ere a l l t e r r i b l y hung ry ! They r an t o t he F a ra wa y Tree a nd c l i mbed up i t i n exc i t e men t .

" I hope the r e a r e t r eac l e t a r t s , " sa id J o .

" I wa n t choc o la t e b l anc mange , " s a i d Bes s i e .

" I s i mp ly c an ' t beg in t o sa y the t h ings I ' d l i ke , " s a id g r e edy D ick .

"Wel l , don ' t , " s a id J o . "S ave you r b r ea th and hu r ry . Y ou ' r e be ing l e f t beh ind ! "

They go t t o M oon-Fa ce ' s , a nd shou t ed loud l y t o h im . He came runn ing ou t o f h i s t r ee -house i n de l i gh t .

"Oh , good , good , good ! " he c r i e d . "You a r e n i ce and ea r l y . S i lky , t he y ' r e he r e ! G o dow n and ca l l o ld S auc epan . H e ' s w i t h Mi s t e r Wa t z i s nam e .

I 'm su re Sa ucepan w ou ld l i ke t o come t oo . "

I t w as n ' t l ong be fo re s eve n exc i t ed peop l e w e re c l imb i ng up the l adde r t o t he L and o f G ood ie s . H ow t hey longed t o se e w ha t i t wa s l i ke !

Wel l , i t wa s m uch be t t e r t ha n anyone im ag ine d ! I t w as a sm a l l p l ace , s e t w i th l i t t l e c rooke d houses and s hops - and eve ry s ing l e hous e and s hop w as made o f t h ings t o e a t ! The f i r s t hous e t ha t t he c h i ld r e n sa w w as r ea l l y mos t ex t r ao rd ina ry .

"Look a t t ha t house ! " c r i ed J o . " I t s w a l l s a r e made o f suga r - and the ch im neys a r e choc o la t e - and the wi ndow-s i l l s a r e peppe rmin t c r eam !"

"And l ook a t t ha t s hop ! " c r i ed Di ck . " I t ' s go t w a i l s m ade o f b row n choco l a t e , a nd the doo r i s m ade o f ma rz ipa n . And I ' m s u re t he wi ndow-s i l l s a r e g inge rb rea d ! "

The L and o f G ood ie s w as r e a l l y a ve ry ex t r ao rd ina ry p l ace . Eve ry t h ing in i t s ee med t o be ea t ab l e . A nd the n the c h i ld r en c augh t s igh t o f t he t r ee s and bus hes and ca l l ed ou t i n t he g r ea t e s t a s ton i s hmen t :

"Look! Tha t t r e e i s g row ing cu r r an t buns ! "

"And t ha t one has go t buds t ha t a r e open i ng ou t i n t o b i s cu i t s ! I t ' s a B i s cu i t T ree ! "

"And l ook a t t h i s l i t t l e t r ee he r e - i t ' s g row ing b ig , f l a t , w h i t e f l ow er s l i ke p l a t e s - and the m idd le o f t he f l owe r s i s f u l l o f j e l l y . Le t ' s t a s t e i t . "

They t a s t ed i t - and i t wa s j e l l y ! I t w as r ea l l y mos t pec u l i a r . T he re w as ano the r sm a l l bush t ha t g r ew c l u s t e r s o f a cu r ious - look i ng f ru i t , l i ke f l a t be r r i e s o f a l l co l ou r s - a nd , w i l l you be l i e ve i t , w hen t he ch i ld r en p i c ked the f ru i t i t wa s bo i l ed s w ee t s , a l l nea t ly g row ing toge the r l i ke a bunc h o f g r apes .

"Oooh , l ove ly ! " s a i d Jo , w ho l i ked bo i l ed sw ee t s ve ry much . " I s ay , l ook a t t ha t ye l l ow f ence ove r t he r e - su r e ly i t i s n ' t made o f ba r l ey - s uga r ! "

I t w as . The c h i ld r en b roke o f f b ig s t i c k s f rom the f enc e , and s ucked t he ba r l e y - suga r . I t w as t he n i c e s t t hey ha d eve r t a s t ed .

The s hops we re fu l l o f t h ings t o ea t . Y ou shou l d j u s t have see n them ! Jo f e l t a s i f he w ou ld l i ke a s aus age ro l l and he we n t i n t o a sa usa ge - ro l l shop . T he ro l l s w e re t umb l ing one by one ou t o f a ma ch ine . T he hand l e wa s be ing tu rne d by a mos t pec u l i a r man . H e w as qu i t e f l a t a nd b rown , and had w ha t l ooked l i ke b l a ck cu r r an t s f o r e yes .

"Do you know . I t h i nk he i s a g i nge rb read m an! " w h i s pe red J o t o t he o the r s . "H e ' s j u s t l i ke t he g inge rb read peop l e t ha t M o the r ma kes fo r u s . "

The c h i ld r e n chose a s aus age ro l l e ach a nd we n t ou t , m unch ing . T hey wa nde red i n to t he ne x t s hop . I t had l ove ly b i g i c ed c akes , s e t ou t i n rows . S ome w ere ye l low , s ome w ere p i nk , and s ome w h i t e .

"Your na me , p l ea s e?" a sked t he funny l i t t l e w oman t he r e , l ook i ng a t Bes s i e , w ho had a s ked fo r a c ake .

"Bes s i e , " s a id t he l i t t l e g i r l i n su rp r i se . And t he r e i n t he mi dd le o f t he cake he r name appea re d in p ink s uga r l e t t e r s ! O f cou r s e , a l l t he o the r s wa n ted c akes , t oo , t he n , j u s t t o s ee t he i r na mes come !

"We s ha l l neve r be ab l e t o ea t a l l t he s e , " s a id M oon-F ace , l ook ing a t t he se ven cake s t ha t ha d

sudde n ly appe a red . Bu t , you know , t he y t a s t ed s o de l i c i ous t ha t , i t w asn ' t ve ry l ong be fo re t hey a l l w en t !

In to s hop a f t e r shop w en t t he ch i ld r en a nd the o the r s , t a s t i ng e ve ry th ing they c ou ld s ee . The y had tom a to s oup , poache d eggs , g inge r buns , choco l a t e f i nge r s , i c e - c r eam s , a nd goodness know s w ha t e l s e .

"Wel l , I j u s t s im p ly CA N' T ea t any t h ing more , " sa i d S i lky a t l a s t . " I ' v e been r e a l l y g r e edy . I am su re I s ha l l be i l l i f I e a t a ny th ing e l s e . "

"Oh , S i lky ! " s a id D ick . "D on ' t s t op . I c an go on fo r qu i t e a l ong t i me ye t . "

"Di ck , you ' r e g r eedy , r e a l l y g r eedy , " s a id J o . "Y ou ough t t o s top . "

"Wel l , I ' m no t go i ng to , " s a id D ick . T he o the r s l ooked a t h i m .

"You ' r e ge t t i ng ve ry f a t , " s a i d Jo s udden l y . "You w on ' t be ab l e t o ge t down t he ho l e ! You be ca r e fu l , D i ck . Y ou a r e no t t o go in to a ny more shops . "

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id D ick , l ook ing s u lky . Bu t a l t hough he d i d no t go in t o t he shops , do you know wha t he d i d? H e b roke o f f s ome o f a g inge rb rea d wi ndow-s i l l - and t hen he t ook a knocke r f rom a doo r . I t w as made o f ba r l e y - suga r , and Di ck s ucked i t i n de l igh t . T he o the r s ha d no t s een h im do the s e t h ings -bu t t he man w hose knocke r D ick ha d pu l l e d o f f d id s ee h im!

He opened h i s doo r and c ame runn ing ou t . "H ie , h i e ! " he c r i ed ang r i l y . "Br ing bac k my knocke r a t once ! You bad , na ugh ty boy ! "

Di ck G e t s Eve ryone In to T roub l e

When J o and t he o the r s hea rd t he ang ry vo i ce beh i nd them , t hey t u rned in su rp r i se . Nobody bu t Di ck knew w ha t t he ang ry l i t t l e man w as t a lk ing abou t .

"Knoc ke r?" s a id J o , i n a s t on i s hmen t . "Wha t knoc ke r? We haven ' t go t you r knocke r . "

"Tha t bad boy i s e a t i ng my knoc ke r ! " c r i ed t he m an , and he po i n t ed t o Di ck . " I had a beau t i fu l one , m ade o f go lde n ba r l e y - suga r - a nd now t ha t boy has ea t en i t ne a r ly a l l up ! "

They a l l s t a r ed a t D ic k . He wen t ve ry r ed . W ha t w as l e f t o f t he knocke r wa s i n h i s mou th .

"Di d you r ea l l y t a ke h i s ba r l e y - suga r knocke r?" s a i d Jo i n amaz emen t . "Wha t eve r w e re you t h ink ing o f , D ic k?"

"Wel l , I j u s t ne ve r t hough t , " s a i d Di ck , s wa l low ing t he r e s t o f t he knocke r i n a hu r ry . " I s aw i t t he r e on t he doo r - and i t l ooke d so n i ce . I ' m ve ry so r ry . "

"Tha t ' s a l l ve ry w e l l , " sa id t he ang ry man . "Bu t be ing s o r ry w on ' t b r ing back m y knocke r . Y ou ' r e a bad boy . Y ou come and s i t i n my hous e t i l l t he o the r s a r e r eady to go . I w on ' t have you go i ng abou t i n ou r l and e a t i ng knocke r s and ch i mneys and w indow -s i l l s ! "

"You ' d be t t e r go , D ick , " s a i d Jo . "W e ' l l c a l l f o r you w hen w e ' r e r eady t o go home . W e s han ' t be l ong now . A nywa y , you 've e a t en qu i t e e nough . "

S o poo r Di ck had to go i n to t he house wi th t he c ro ss l i t t l e ma n , who m ade h im s i t on a s too l a nd keep s t i l l . The o the r s w ande red o f f a ga in .

"We m us t n ' t be he r e m uch longe r , " s a i d Moon-F ac e . " I t ' s a lmos t t ime fo r t h i s l a nd to move on . Look! S t r aw be r r i e s a nd c r eam ."

The c h i ld r e n s t a r ed a t t he s t r aw be r r i e s and c r ea m. The y had neve r s een suc h a s t r ange s igh t be fo re . T he s t r aw be r r i e s g r e w by t he hund red on s t r aw be r ry p l a n t s -bu t e ac h s t r aw be r ry had i t s ow n b ig dob o f c r eam g rowi ng on i t , r e ady to be ea t e n .

"They a r e even s uga re d ! " sa i d Jo , p i ck ing one . "Look-my s t r a wbe r ry i s powde red w i th w h i t e s uga r - and , oh , t he c r eam i s de l i c ious ! "

They e n joyed t he s t r aw be r r i e s and c r eam , and then J o had a good idea .

" I sa y ! Wha t abou t t a k ing s ome o f t he s e l ove l y good ie s back w i t h u s? " he sa id . "Wa tz i s nam e w ou ld l ove a p lum p i e - and t he A ngry P i x i e w ou ld l i ke som e o f t hos e j e l l y - f low er s - a nd Da me Wa sha lo t w ou ld l i ke a t r eac l e pudd ing . "

"And M othe r wou l d l i ke l o t s o f t h i ngs , t oo , " sa id Bes s i e j oy fu l ly .

S o they a l l bega n co l l e c t i ng pudd ings and p i e s and c akes . I t w as fun . The t r ea c l e pudd i ng had s o much t r eac l e t ha t i t d r ipped a l l dow n Moon-F ac e ' s l eg .

"You ' l l have t o have a ba th , M oon-Fa ce , " s a id S i l ky . "You ' r e t e r r i b ly s t i cky . "

They ne a r ly fo rgo t t o ca l l f o r poo r D ick ! A s they pas s ed the house whos e knocke r he had

ea t en , he bange d loud ly on t he w indow , and they a l l s t oppe d .

"Gra c ious ! We ne a r ly fo rgo t abou t D ick ! " s a i d Bes s i e . "D ick , D ick , c ome on ! We ' r e go ing ! "

Di ck ca me runn ing ou t o f t he hous e . T he l i t t l e man c a l l ed a f t e r h im: "Now , don ' t you ea t anybody ' s knoc ke r aga i n ! "

"Goodne ss ! Why ha ve you go t a l l t hos e t h ings ?" a s ked D ick i n su rp r i se , l ook ing a t t he pudd ings and p i e s and c akes . "Are t hey fo r ou r s uppe r?"

"Di ck ! H ow c an you th i nk o f suppe r a f t e r e a t i ng s uch a l o t ! " c r i ed J o . "Why , F m s u re I cou l dn ' t e a t e ven a choc o la t e be fo re t o -mor row morn ing . No- t hes e t h i ngs a r e fo r Wa t z i s name and D ame W as ha lo t and Mot he r . Come on . M oon-F ace says t h i s l and w i l l soon be on the m ove . "

They a l l w en t t o t he ho l e t ha t l e d down t h rough the c l oud . I t d idn ' t t ake l ong to c l im b down t he l a dde r and on to t he b ig b r a nch ou t s ide M oon-F ace ' s house .

Di ck ca me l a s t - and he s udden ly m i s se d h i s f oo t ing a nd f e l l r i gh t dow n the l adde r on the t op o f t he o the r s be low . And he knocked the pudd ings , p i e s and ca kes r i gh t ou t o f t he i r ha nds ! D ow n we n t a l l t he good i e s , bumping f rom b ranc h to b r anch . T he ch i ld r en and t he o the r s s t a r ed a f t e r t hem in d i s may .

Then t he r e ca me a ve ry ang ry ye l l f r om be low . "Who ' s t h row n a . t r e ac l e pudd ing a t me? Wai t t i l l I ge t t hem . I ' v e t r eac l e a l l ove r m e . I t bu r s t on my hea d . Oh , oh , O H !"

Then t he r e ca me a n ang ry sque a l i ng f rom low er

down s t i l l . "P l um p i e ! P l um p i e i n my w as h tub ! S aus age ro l l s i n my wa sh t ub ! Pe ppe rmi n t s down m y neck ! O h , you r a s ca l s up t he r e - I ' m com ing up a f t e r you , so I a m!"

And f rom s t i l l l ow er dow n cam e the vo i ce o f t he Angry P i x i e - and t r u ly a ve ry ang ry p i x i e , i ndeed , he w as ! " J e l l y on m y nose ! Je l l y dow n my ne ck ! Je l l y i n my pocke t s ! Wha t ne x t ? Who ' s do ing a l l t h i s? Wa i t t i l l I com e up and t e l l t hem w ha t I t h ink ! "

The c h i ld r e n l i s t ene d , ha l f f r i gh t ened a nd ve ry muc h amus ed . The y began to g igg l e .

"P lum p i e i n D ame Was ha lo t ' s t ub ! " g i gg l ed

Jo .

" Je l l y on t he A ngry P i x i e ' s nose ! " s a i d Bes s i e .

" I sa y - I do be l i eve t he y r ea l l y a r e c oming up ! " s a i d Jo , i n a l a rm . "Look-i s n ' t t ha t Wa tz i s name ?"

They a l l pe e r ed dow n the t r ee . Y es - i t w as Wa t z i s nam e c l i mb ing up , l ook ing ve ry ang ry . The Sa ucepan M an l eaned ove r r a the r t oo f a r , and nea r l y f e l l . D i ck ju s t c a ugh t h im in t i me-bu t one o f h i s ke t t l e s cam e loos e and f e l l dow n . I t bounced f rom b ranch t o b r anch and l anded on poo r o l d Wa t z i s name ' s b ig he ad !

He gave a t r eme ndous ye l l . "Wha t ! I s i t you , S auc epan , t h row ing a l l t he s e t h ings dow n the t r ee . Wha t you w an t i s a spank i ng . And you ' l l ge t i t ? A nd anybody e l se up the r e p l ay ing t r i ck s w i l l ge t a f i ne f a t spank i ng , t oo ! "

"A s pank i ng ! " sa id D ame W as ha lo t ' s vo i ce .

"A S P A NK IN G!" roa r ed the A ngry P ix i e no t f a r be h ind .

"Go l ly ! " s a id J o i n a l a rm . " I t l ooks a s i f t he Land o f S pank i ngs i s a bou t t o a r r i ve up he re . I vo t e we go . You ' d be t t e r s hu t you r doo r , M oon-Fa ce , and you and S i lky a nd Sa ucepan ha d be t t e r l i e down on t he s o f a and t he bed and p r e t end to be a s l eep . T hen maybe thos e ang ry peop l e w i l l t h ink i t ' s som ebody up in t he La nd o f Good i e s t ha t ha s be en th row ing a l l t hos e t h ings dow n . "

"Di ck ough t t o s t ay up the r e and ge t t he s pank ings , " s a id M oon-F ace g loomi ly . "F i r s t he goe s a nd ea t s s omebody ' s doo r -knocke r and ge t s i n to t r oub le . Then he f a l l s on top o f u s a l l and s ends a l l t he good i e s down t he t r ee . "

" I 'm go ing dow n the s l i ppe ry - s l i p w i t h t he ch i ld r en , " s a i d S i lky , w ho wa s ve ry muc h a f r a id o f M is t e r Wa t z i s name whe n he wa s i n a t e mper . " I c a n c l i mb up to m y house and lock m yse l f i n be fo re a l l t hos e ang ry pe op le come down a ga in . S auce pan , w hy don ' t you c ome , t oo? '

S aucepa n though t he w ou ld . S o t he ch i l d r en and S i l ky and S aucepa n a l l s l i d dow n the s l i ppe ry - s l i p . J u s t i n t ime , t oo - fo r M is t e r Wa tz i snam e ca me shou t ing up to M oon-F ace ' s doo r a s Jo , w ho w as l a s t , s l i d down .

Moon-F ac e had s hu t h i s doo r . H e w as l y ing on h i s be d , p r e t end i ng to be a s l ee p . Wa tz i s name ba nged ha rd on t he doo r . Moon-F ac e d idn ' t an s w er . Wa t z i s name peeped i n a t t he w indow .

"Moon-F ac e ! Wake up ! Wake up , I s ay ! "

"Wha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " s a id M oon-F ace , i n a s l ee py vo ice , s i t t i ng up and rubb ing h i s eye s .

Da me W asha lo t a nd the A ngry P ix i e came up ,

too . The P i x i e ha d j e l l y a l l ove r h im , and Wat z i s nam e had t r e ac l e pudd ing down h i m. The y we re a l l ve ry ang ry .

They ope ned M oon-Fa ce ' s doo r a nd wen t i n . "Who w as i t t ha t t h r ew a l l t hos e t h i ngs dow n on u s ?" a s ked Wa tz i snam e . "Whe re ' s S auce pan? D id he t h row tha t ke t t l e ? I ' m go i ng to s pank h im . "

"Wha t eve r a r e you t a l k ing abou t? " sa id M oon-Fa ce , p r e t end ing no t t o know. "H ow s t i cky you a r e , Wa t z i s nam e!"

"And s o a r e you ! " ye l l ed Wat z i s name , sudde n ly , s ee ing t r eac l e s h in ing a l l down M oon-F ace ' s l eg s . " I t w as you w ho th r ew tha t pudd ing dow n on me! My w ord , I ' l l s pank you ha rd ! "

Then a l l t h r ee o f t he m w en t f o r poo r M oon-F ace , w ho go t a bou t s ix ha rd s l aps . He ro l l e d ove r t o t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , and s l i d dow n i t i n a f r i gh t .

He sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r j u s t i n t i me to s ee S i lky and S auc epan s ay ing good -bye to t he ch i ld r en . The y we re mos t am aze d when M oon-F ace sho t ou t be s ide t hem .

" I ' ve been s panked ! " w ep t Moon-F ace . "They a l l s panked m e beca use I wa s s t i cky , s o t hey t hough t I ' d t h rown a l l t he good ie s a t t hem . And now I 'm a f r a i d t o go back be caus e t he y wi l l be wa i t i ng fo r m e . "

"P oor Moon-F ace , " sa id J o . "And i t w as a l l D ic k ' s f au l t . L i s t en . S i lky ca n c l i mb bac k to he r hous e ; bu t you and S aucepa n had be t t e r com e back w i t h u s a nd s t ay t he n igh t . D ick a nd I w i l l s l e ep dow ns t a i r s on the s o f a , a nd you can ha ve ou r beds . Mo t he r w on ' t m ind . "

"Al l r i gh t , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , w ip i ng h i s eyes . "Tha t wi l l be fun . Oh , w ha t a p i t y we wa s t ed a l l t hos e l ove ly good ie s ! I r e a l l y do t h ink D ick i s a c lum sy boy ! "

They a l l w en t home toge the r , a nd poo r Di ck d idn ' t s ay a w ord . Bu t how he d id w i s h he cou l d make up fo r a l l he had done !

18 .

A S u rp r i s i ng Vi s i t o r

The c h i ld r e n ' s mo the r wa s r a the r a s ton i she d to s ee M oon-F ace a nd S aucepa n a r r iv ing a t t he co t t age w i th t he ch i ld r en .

"Mot he r , ma y they s t ay t he n igh t ? " a s ked J o . "They ' ve bee n so good t o u s i n l o t s o f w ays - and t hey don ' t wa n t t o go ba ck to t he t r ee t o -n igh t beca use s ome body i s wa i t i ng the r e t o spa nk them ."

"De a r me ! " sa i d Mot he r , eve n more s u rp r i s ed . "We l l , ye s , t he y can s t ay . You a nd Di ck mus t s l e ep downs ta i r s on the s o f a . I f t hey l i ke t o he l p i n t he ga rden fo r a day o r tw o , t hey c an s t ay l onge r . "

"Oooh!" s a i d Moon-F ac e , p l ea se d . "Tha t wou l d be f i ne ! I ' m s u re Wa t z i s name wi l l ha ve fo rgo t t en abou t s pank i ng u s i f we can s t ay a way a f ew days . Thank you ve ry m uch . We wi l l he l p a l l we can . "

"Wou ld you l i ke one o f my ve ry s pec i a l ke t t l e s? " a s ked S aucepa n g r a t e fu l ly . "O r a f i ne b ig s auce pan fo r cook ing s oup bones ?"

"Thank you , " s a i d Mot he r , s mi l i ng , f o r t he o l d S aucepa n Man w as r ea l l y a f unny s i gh t , hung abou t a s u sua l w i th a l l h i s pans . " I cou l d do wi th a s t r ong l i t t l e ke t t l e . Bu t l e t m e pay you , "

"Cer t a in ly no t , madam ," sa id S auce pan , hea r i ng qu i t e we l l f o r a c hange . " I sha l l be on ly t oo p l ea s ed to p r e se n t you w i th any t h ing you l i ke i n t he w ay o f ke t t l e s o r s aucepa ns . "

He gave M othe r a f i ne l i t t l e ke t t l e and a good s t rong s auce pan . S he w as ve ry p l e a s ed . Moon-F ac e l ooke d on , wonde r i ng wha t he c ou ld g ive he r , t oo . H e pu t h i s ha nd in h i s pocke t and f e l t a round a b i t . The n he b rough t ou t a ba g and o f f e r ed i t t o t he ch i ld r en ' s m o the r .

"Ha ve a b i t o f t o f f ee ?" he a s ked . M o the r t ook a p i ece . T he ch i l d r en s t a r e d a t he r , knowi ng tha t i t w as a p i e ce o f S hock Tof f e e ! P oo r Mot he r !

The t o f f ee g r ew b igge r and b igge r and b igge r i n he r mou t h a s she s ucke d i t , a nd she l ooked m ore and more su rp r i se d . A t l a s t , w hen s he f e l t t ha t i t wa s j u s t a s b ig a s he r w ho le m ou th , i t exp lode d in to no t h ing a t a l l - a nd the ch i l d r en s quea l e d wi th l a ugh te r .

"Mot he r , t ha t w as a To f f ee Shoc k ! " sa id J o , g igg l i ng . "Wou ld you l i ke t o t r y a P op B i s cu i t - o r a G oog le Bun?"

"No , t hank you , " s a id M othe r a t once . "The T o f f ee S hock t a s t ed de l i c ious -bu t i t d id g ive me a shock ! "

I t w as fun hav ing M oon-F ace a nd Sa ucepan s t a y ing w i th t hem i n t he i r co t t age fo r a f e w da ys . T he ch i l d r en s imp l y loved i t . M oon-Fa ce w as ve ry ,

ve ry good in t he ga rden , f o r he dug and c l ea r ed a way rubb i sh t wi ce a s f a s t a s anyone e l se . The o l d Sa ucepan M an w as n ' t so good be caus e he s udden l y we n t dea f aga in a nd d idn ' t unde r s t and w ha t wa s s a id t o h im . S o he d i d r a the r quee r t h i ngs .

When M othe r sa i d : "S auce pan , f e t c h .me s ome ca r ro t s , w i l l you?" he t hough t s he ha d a s ked fo r spa r rows , and he spen t t he w ho le morn ing t r y ing t o ca t ch t hem by th row ing s a l t on t he i r t a i l s .

Then he we n t i n t o t he k i t chen l ook ing ve ry s o l em n . " I c an ' t b r i ng you any spa r rows , " he s a i d .

Mot he r s t a r e d a t h im . " I don ' t wa n t s pa r row s , " s he s a id .

"Bu t you a s ked m e fo r s ome , " s a id S auc epan , i n s u rp r i s e .

" Indeed I d i dn ' t , " s a i d Mot he r . "Wha t do you s uppose I w an t spa r rows fo r ? To ma ke po r r idge wi th?"

When S auc epan and M oon-F ace ha d been a t t he c h i ld r e n ' s co t t age fo r t wo o r t h r ee days , S i lky cam e in a g r ea t s t a t e o f e xc i t e men t .

S he knocked a t t he doo r a nd Jo ope ned i t . "Oh , J o ! H ave you s t i l l go t Moon-F ac e and S auce pan he re? " she a s ked . "Wel l , t e l l t hem the y mus t come back to t he t r e e a t onc e . "

"Gra c ious ! Wha t ' s happe ned?" s a id J o . Eve ryone c row ded to t he doo r t o hea r w ha t S i lky had t o say .

"Wel l , you know the O ld Wom an Who L ives i n a S hoe , don ' t you? " sa id S i lky . "H er l a nd has j u s t com e to t he t op o f t he t r ee , a nd the O ld W oman cam e dow n the l a dde r t h rough t he c loud t o se e D ame W as ha lo t , who i s an o ld f r i e nd o f he r s . And w hen s he s aw tha t Moon-F ac e ' s hous e w as emp ty , she sa id s he w as go i ng to l i ve t he r e ! S he s a id s he w as t i r e d o f l ook ing a f t e r a pack o f na ugh ty ch i ld r en . "

"Oh , m y!" sa id M oon-Fa ce , l ook ing ve ry b lue . " I don ' t l i ke t ha t O ld Woma n . She g ives he r ch i ld r en b ro t h wi thou t a ny b r ead , and s he w h ips t hem and s ends t hem t o bed w hen the y a r e j u s t t he ve ry l i t t l e s t b i t bad . Cou ldn ' t you t e l l he r t ha t t ha t hous e i n t he t r ee i s mi ne , and I ' m com ing back t o i t ? "

" I d id t e l l he r t ha t , s i l l y , " s a id S i lky . "Bu t do you s uppos e she t ook any no t i c e o f me a t a l l ? N o t a b i t ! S he j u s t s a i d i n a ho r r i d k ind o f vo i c e : 130

'L i t t l e g i r l s shou l d be s een and no t hea rd . ' And s he w en t i n to you r hous e , Moon-F ac e , and bega n to s hake a l l t he rugs . "

' "W e l l ! " sa i d Moon-F ac e , beg i nn ing to be i n a t e mper . "We l l ! T o th ink o f som ebody s hak ing m y rugs ! I hope she f a l l s dow n the s l i ppe ry - s l i p . "

"S he won ' t , " s a i d S i lky . "S he pee red down i t and s a i d : ' Ho ! A coa l -ho l e , I suppos e ! H ow s t up id ! I s ha l l have a boa rd made a nd na i l t ha t up . ' "

"Wel l , I neve r ! " c r i ed M oon-F ace , h i s b i g round f ace ge t t i ng r edde r a nd r edde r . "N a i l i ng up m y love ly s l i ppe ry - s l i p ! J u s t w a i t t i l l I t e l l he r a f ew th ings ! I ' m go ing t h i s ve ry mi nu te ! "

" I ' l l com e w i th you , " s a id S auc epan . "A re you com ing , t oo , c h i ld r e n?"

"Mot he r , S auce pan and M oon-Fa ce have go t t o go ba ck home , " c a l l ed J o . "Ma y we go wi th t he m fo r a l i t t l e w h i l e ? We s han ' t be l ong . "

"Ve ry we l l , " s a i d Mot he r . Moon-F ac e and S auce pan w en t t o say good -bye to he r a nd thank he r f o r ha v ing the m. The n they and t he fou r ch i ld r en and S i lky s ped o f f t o t he Enc han ted W ood .

" I ' l l t e l l t ha t O ld Wom an a f e w t h ings ! " c r i ed M oon-F ace . " I ' l l t e a ch he r t o s hake m y rugs ! D oes s he suppos e s he i s go i ng to l i ve i n m y dea r l i t t l e r ound house ? Where does she t h ink I ' m go ing t o l i ve ? In he r S hoe , I suppos e ! "

The c h i ld r e n cou ldn ' t he l p f ee l i ng r a the r exc i t ed a s t he y r an t o t he T ree . They c l im bed up i t qu i ck ly a nd a t l a s t c am e to M oon-F ace ' s doo r . I t w as shu t . Moon-F ac e banged on i t s o l oud ly t ha t t he doo r s hook .

The doo r f l ew open and a c ro ss - f ace d o ld w oman g l a r ed ou t .

"Do you w an t t o b r ea k my doo r dow n?" she c r i e d ,

" 'T i s n ' t you r doo r ! " shou t ed M oon-Fa ce . " I t ' s m ine . "

"Wel l , I ' v e t ake n th i s hous e now ," sa i d t he O ld W oman . " I ' m t i r ed o f a l l t hos e naugh t y ch i l d r en , and I don ' t w an t t o l i ve i n a s hoe any m ore . I 'm go ing to l i ve by m yse l f and have a good t i me . D ame Was ha lo t i s an o ld f r i end o f m ine a nd she a nd I w i l l ha ve lo t s o f cha t s abou t o l d t im es . " She s l amm ed the doo r i n t he f a ce s o f eve ryone .

Moon-F ac e pee re d in a t t he w indow . H e g roaned . "S he ' s na i l e d up the S l ippe ry -S l ip , " he s a id . "S he ' s pu t my be d ac ros s t he boa rd s he ' s na i l e d t he r e . Wha te ve r am I t o do?"

" I ' l l s ee i f I c an do s ome t h ing , " s a id t he o ld S auce pan M an unexpec t ed ly . "You ' r e a good f r i end o f mi ne , M oon-Fa ce , and I ' d l i ke t o do s ome th ing fo r you . "

S aucepa n began to c l a s h h i s pans t oge t he r and m ake a f e a r fu l no i s e . H e shou t ed a t t he t op o f h i s vo i ce : "Come ou t , you naugh ty O ld Wom an! Come ou t and l e t M oon-Fa ce have h i s house ! Y our ch i ld r en a r e hung ry ! "

Now he w as ma k ing s uch a t r e mendous no i s e t ha t he d i dn ' t no t i ce o ld Da me W asha lo t c o rn ing up the t r ee l ook ing a s b l a ck a s t hunde r . S he g l a r e d a t t he l i t t l e compa ny ou t s ide M oon-F ace ' s house . S he w as s ho r t -s i gh t ed a nd she d idn ' t s e e w ho they w ere . S he t hough t t ha t t he y were se ven o f t he Ol d Woman ' s ch i l d r en who ha d come down f rom the La nd above a nd were mak i ng them se l ves a nu i s ance .

" I ' l l t e ach you to s hou t a nd sc r eam l ike t ha t ! " s a i d Dam e Wa sha l o t i n a f i e r c e vo i ce - and be fo re a nyone qu i t e knew wha t w as happen ing t hey w ere a l l t ake n up one by one in D am e Was ha l o t ' s s t r ong a rm s a nd f l ung r i gh t up th rough the ho l e i n t he c l oud in to t he La nd o f t he O ld Wom an Who L ived in a S hoe !

And t he r e t hey w ere , i n a new and s t r ange l and aga i n , ou t o f b r ea th and mos t a s ton i she d . How the y s t a r ed round in s u rp r i s e !

19 .

The L and o f t he Ol d Woman .

The c h i ld r e n and the o t he r s we re mos t s u rp r i s ed a t be ing t h rown up t he l adde r , t h rough the ho l e i n t he c l oud and in t o such a funny l and .

I t w as qu i t e sm a l l , no t much l a rge r t han a b ig ga rden . I t ha d a h igh w a l l a l l r ound to p r eve n t t he c h i ld r e n f rom f a l l i ng o f f t he edge o f t he Land . I n t he ve ry midd l e w as a mos t pec u l i a r t h ing .

" I t ' s t he S hoe ! " s a id J o . "G o l ly ! I neve r ima g ined s uch a b i g one , d id you?"

Eve ryone s t a r ed a t t he S hoe . I t wa s a s b ig a s a n o rd ina ry hous e , and ha d been m ade ve ry c l eve r l y i ndee d in to a co t t a ge . Wi ndows w ere l e t i n t o t he s i de , and a doo r had been c u t ou t . A roo f had bee n pu t on , and ch i mneys sm oked f rom i t . A ro se

t r ee c l i mbed abou t i t , a nd honeys uck le c ove red one s ide .

"S o tha t ' s t he S hoe w he re t hose naugh ty c h i ld r en l i ve? " sa id Bes s i e , qu i t e exc i t ed . " I neve r t hough t i t w ou ld be qu i t e l i ke t ha t . H owe ve r d id t he Ol d Woma n ge t s uch a b i g one?"

"Wel l , i t once be l onged to a g i an t , you know ," s a id S i l ky . "The O ld Woma n d id h im a good tu rn , and a ske d h im fo r a n o ld boo t . S he had s o many c h i ld r e n tha t s he c ou ldn ' t ge t a n o rd ina ry hous e . S o the g i an t ga ve he r one o f h i s b i gges t boo t s , and s he go t he r b ro the r t o make i t i n t o a house . "

"Look a t a l l t hos e ch i l d r en ! " s a id M oon-F ace . "T hey ' r e no t ve ry w e l l behave d ! "

Abou t tw en ty boys and g i r l s we re p l ay i ng round the hous e . T hey shou t ed and s c r eam ed , and t hey fough t and punc hed one ano t he r .

" I don ' t wonde r t he O ld Wom an w ou ldn ' t a l l ow them b re ad w i th t he i r soup , a nd wh i pped the m and s en t t hem t o bed , " s a id S i l ky . "They des e rve d i t ! "

The c h i ld r e n sudden l y sa w J o and t he o the r s and r a n up to t he m. They pu l l e d Bes s i e ' s ha i r . They t ugged a t S auc epan ' s ke t t l e s . They m ade fun o f Moon-F ac e ' s r ound f ac e . The y dug Jo i n t he mi dd le a nd pu l l e d Di ck ' s e a r s . They w ere ve ry naugh ty a nd unk ind .

"Now ju s t you s top a l l t h i s , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , l ook i ng f i e r c e . " I f you don ' t , I ' l l f e t ch t he O ld W oman . "

"S he i s n ' t he r e , s he i s n ' t he r e ! " shou t ed the na ugh ty ch i ld r en , danc ing round in de l igh t . "S he

sa ys s he ' s go ing to go r i gh t aw ay and l eave u s , and w e ' r e g l a d , g l ad , GL AD ! N ow w e s ha l l have b r e ad w i th ou r s oup - and w e ' l l go t o t he l a rde r and open t i n s o f p ineapp l e and bo t t l e s o f che r r i e s ' . We ' l l s l e ep ou t o f doo r s i f we l i ke , and w e ' l l go t o t he w a rd robe and t ake ou t t he O ld Woma n ' s be s t c l o thes t o d r e ss up in ! "

"Wha t eve r w ou ld s he s ay to t ha t ? " s a i d Bes s i e i n ho r ro r , t h ink ing w ha t he r ow n mo the r wou l d sa y i f s he we n t t o he r cupboa rd and d r e ss ed up i n he r S undav f rocks !

"Oh , s he w ou ld be S IM P LY F URIO U S!" c r i ed t he ch i l d r en . "Bu t s he ' s gone , s o she won ' t know . O h , we ' l l have a g r a nd t im e now !"

One o f t he c h i ld r en i n t he S hoe c a l l ed t o t he o the r s . "H ie ! I ' v e opene d a t i n o f p i neapp l e ! Come a nd t a s t e i t ! I t ' s l ove l y ! "

Wi t h sc r eams o f j oy t he ch i ld r en ru s hed to t he S hoe . J o l ooked a t t he o the r s . " I ' v e j u s t go t an i dea , " he s a id . "Wha t abou t t e l l i ng t he Ol d Woma n abou t t he ch i l d r en d r e s s ing up in he r be s t c lo t hes ? S he migh t r u sh back he re t hen t o ge t he r p r ec ious c l o thes , and w e cou l d s l i p dow n the l adde r , go t o M oon-Fa ce ' s hous e a nd bo l t t he doo r on the i n s i de . "

"Tha t ' s a r ea l l y good i dea , " s a id S i lky . " J o , you go down and t e l l he r . "

Jo w as r a t he r ne rvous abou t i t . N obody r ea l l y w an ted t o go and s ee t he f i e r c e o ld l ady aga i n . A t l a s t D ick s a i d he w ou ld . H e bad ly w an t ed to make up fo r a l l t he s i l l y t h ings he ha d done a f ew days be fo re .

" I ' l l go , " he s a i d . And dow n the l adde r he wen t . He banged ha rd a t M oon-F ace ' s doo r . The O ld Wom an opened i t .

"Ol d Woma n , do you wa n t you r be s t c l o thes ?" bega n Di ck . "Beca use i f . . . "

"My be s t c lo t hes ! I ' d f o rgo t t en a l l abou t t hem!" c r i ed t he O ld Woma n . "Thos e ch i ld r en w i l l be me ss ing a bou t w i th t hem. Boy , go t o my wa rd robe , ge t ou t a l l my c l o thes and b r i ng them dow n he re . You s ha l l have a sw ee t i f you do . "

"Wel l , I t h i nk . . . " began D ick . Bu t t he O ld W oman w ou ldn ' t l i s t en t o h im . S he pus hed h i m aw ay and c r i ed , "G o now ! Don ' t s t op t o a rgue w i th me . G o a t once ! "

Di ck r an up t he l adde r . He wa i t ed t he r e a minu t e o r tw o , h i s head s t i ck ing ou t i n t o t he L and above . H e s aw the naugh ty ch i ld r en c oming ou t o f t he S hoe d r e s se d up in t he Ol d Woman ' s c lo t hes , s quea l ing w i t h l augh t e r , and how funny t hey looke d d r e s sed up i n l ong s k i r t s and s haw ls and bonne t s ! D i ck g r inne d to h im se l f and s l i ppe d down t he l a dde r aga i n . He banged a t t he doo r .

"Wel l , have you b rough t my c l o thes ?" a s ked t he O ld Wom an , open ing t he doo r . "You na ugh ty boy , you have n ' t . "

"P lea s e , O ld W oman , I cou l dn ' t b r ing the m," s a id D ick i n h i s mos t po l i t e vo i ce . "You s ee , you r c h i ld r e n have go t t hem a l l ou t o f you r wa rd robe and they ' r e danc ing abou t , we a r ing the m-and t hey 've opened you r t i n s o f p inea pp le - and t hey ' r e go ing t o pu l l t he i r beds ou t o f doo r s and s l e ep the r e - and . . . "

"Oh! O h! The bad , naugh t y c r ea t u r e s ! " c r i ed t he O ld Wom an .

S he ga the red up he r b l a ck s k i r t s and c l imbe d the l adde r a t t op s peed . S he appea red in t he Land a bove and s aw a t once he r naugh t y ch i ld r e n danc i ng abou t i n he r be s t S unday c l o thes . S he b roke a s t i ck f rom a nea rby t r ee and r an a f t e r t he s u rp r i s ed c h i ld r e n .

"S o you though t you cou l d do wha t you l i ked , d id you? " she c r i ed . "Y ou though t I w ou ld ne ve r com e back? Wel l , he r e I am , and I ' l l s oon s how you how t o be s o r ry ! "

S he wa s s o ang ry t ha t s he ru s hed round l i ke a w h i r l wi nd . The ch i ld r en d r agged o f f t he c lo t hes i n f r i gh t , and r an aw ay l i ke ha r e s . T he O ld Wom an r an a f t e r t hem , so a ng ry tha t she d idn ' t no t i c e t ha t J o and the o t he r s we re no t he r ow n ch i ld r en . T hey go t w h i r l e d i n t o t he S hoe w i th t he o the r s . The re t hey a l l w e re , a bou t tw en ty - f i ve o r s ix o f t he m.

The re wa s a b i g sa ucepan s im mer i ng on the k i t chen f i r e . I t s me l t o f b ro t h . "Ge t t he soup -p l a t e s , " o rde re d the O ld Wom an . "N o b read fo r any o f you to -n igh t ! Ma ry ! Joa n ! B i l l ! s e rve ou t t he p l a t e s and then c ome t o me one by one fo r you r s uppe r ! "

Jo a nd the o t he r s had p l a t e s g iven t o t hem t oo .

They d i dn ' t da r e t o s ay a ny th ing . T hey w en t up fo r b ro th i n t he i r t u rn . The Ol d Woma n l ad l ed i t ou t o f t he b i g sa ucepan . S he s t a r ed a t t he O ld S aucepa n Man w hen he came up .

"You ba d boy ! " she s a id . "Y ou 've p l ayed a

game wi th my ke t t l e s a nd sa ucepans , I s ee ! Wa i t t i l l you 've f i n i s hed you r b ro th and I ' l l g ive you a good w h ipp i ng . "

P oo r o ld S aucepa n t r em b led s o much t ha t h i s pa ns c l a s hed toge the r a s l oud ly a s a t hunde r s to rm ! He ru s hed ba ck to h i s p l ace a t once , s p i l l i ng h i s soup a s he we n t .

" I wa n t s ome b re ad , " wa i l e d a l i t t l e boy . Bu t he d i dn ' t ge t any . E ve ryone a t e t he i r b ro th , w h ich w as r ea l l y ve ry good .

"And now you w i l l a l l go t o bed -bu t f i r s t you know wha t happens t o naugh ty c h i ld r e n , " sa i d t he O ld W oman , and s he t ook up he r s t i c k . A l l t he ch i l d r en began t o howl and c ry :

"We ' r e s o r ry we we re naugh ty , O ld W oman! W e d idn ' t me an to d r e s s up in you r c lo t hes ! "

"Oh , ye s , you d i d , " sa id t he Ol d Woman . S he be ckoned to D ic k . "Come he re , you ba d boy ! "

Di ck go t up . H e w h i s pe red t o t he o t he r s . "Look , I ' l l l e t he r s pank m e , and wh i l s t s he ' s do i ng i t you c r eep ou t a nd run to t he l adde r . H ur ry ! I ' l l j o in you a s soon a s I c an . "

Di ck w en t bo l d ly up to t he O ld Woma n .

"Ho l d ou t you r hands ! " s he s a id .

S pank , spa nk ! Poo r D ic k , he d idn ' t l i ke i t a t a l l . H e bega n to how l a s l oud ly a s he cou ld s o t ha t t he o t he r s cou ld c r e ep aw ay w i thou t be ing hea rd . O ne by one t hey s l i ppe d ou t o f t he doo r and ru she d to t he ho l e , l ook ing fo r t he l a dde r t ha t l ed dow n to t he F a raw ay Tre e .

" I sa y ! I be l i eve t h i s L and i s j u s t a bou t t o m ove ! " s a id M oon-F ace , l ook ing round . A 138

pecu l i a r w ind had j u s t go t up and w as b low ing round t hem. V e ry o f t e n whe n the s t r a nge Lands a t t he t op o f t he t r e e began t o move a wa y , t h i s quee r w ind b l ew .

"Wel l , qu i c k , l e t ' s ge t dow n the l adde r ! " c r i ed S i l ky . "We don ' t w an t t o l i ve i n t he Land o f t he Ol d Woma n! I shou l d j u s t ha t e t ha t ! "

They a l l s c r am b led dow n the l adde r , g l ad t o be on the b road b r a nch a t t he bo t tom . When t hey w ere s a f e l y t he r e Be ss i e began to c ry .

"P oo r Di ck wi l l be l e f t beh ind , " s he s obbed .

Eve ryone looked ve ry s ad . T he La nd above the c loud bega n to ma ke a s t r ange no i se .

" I t ' s m ov ing on , " s a id M oon-F ace . "W e ' l l neve r se e D ick aga in . "

Bu t j u s t a t t ha t mom en t s omeone cam e s l i pp ing a nd s l i d ing dow n the l adde r -bump! bump! BU M P! A nd , hey p r e s t o , t he r e w as good o ld D ic k , i n

suc h a hu r ry t o ge t dow n be fo re t he Land m oved r igh t a wa y tha t he had mi s s ed h i s f oo t i ng and s l i d dow n the l adde r f rom top to bo t tom!

"Di ck ! D ick ! W e ' r e so g l ad t o s ee you ! " c r i ed eve ryone . "Wha t happene d?"

"Wel l , t he Ol d Woman s panke d me , a s you s aw , " g r inned D ick . "A nd the n whe n I we n t t o t ake my p l ace she s aw you w ere a l l gone a nd se n t me a f t e r you . I t o r e ou t - and s he cam e , t oo . Bu t I go t t o t he l adde r f i r s t , and now the L and has moved on , s o w e ' r e s a f e ! "

Moon-F ac e w en t i n to h i s hous e , and the y hea rd h im bang ing a bou t l oud l y . They w en t t o s ee w ha t he wa s do i ng .

"He ' s t a k ing up the boa rd t ha t na i l ed up the s l i ppe ry - s l i p , " g i gg l ed J o . "Good o l d Moon-F ac e ! I ' m g l ad he ' s go t h i s hous e bac k aga i n fo r h ims e l f . Come on -w e ' d be t t e r go home . We p romi se d Mot he r w e w ou ldn ' t be l ong . I t ' s a good th ing w e ca n u se t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p ! "

And dow n i t t hey w en t , t he i r " ha i r s t r ea ming ou t a s t hey f l e w dow n on the i r cu s h ions . Wha t e xc i t i ng t i mes t hey do ha ve , t o be su r e !

20 .

The L and o f M ag ic M ed i c ine s .

F o r a f ew days t he ch i ld r en ha d no t im e even t o t h ink o f go i ng to t he i r f r i ends i n t he F a raw ay Tre e . The i r mo t he r wa s i n bed i l l , and t he doc to r cam e eac h day .

" Jus t l e t he r l i e i n bed and ke ep he r w a rm, ' he s a id t o t he t wo g i r l s . "Gi ve he r w ha t s he l i ke s t o ea t , and don ' t l e t he r w or ry abou t any th ing . "

The c h i ld r e n were upse t . The y loved the i r mo t he r , and i t w as s t r a nge to se e he r l y ing in bed .

"The re ' s a l l t ha t wa sh i ng tha t I had to do fo r M rs . J ones , " s he s a id . "N o , you g i r l s a r e no t t o t r y and do i t . I t ' s t oo m uch fo r you . "

Moon-F ac e and S i l ky came to v i s i t t he c h i ld r en one morn ing , a nd we re ve ry s o r ry t o hea r t ha t t he ch i ld r en ' s m o the r w as i l l .

"S he wor r i e s so a bou t t he was h ing , " s a i d Bes s i e . 140

"S he won ' t l e t u s tw o g i r l s do i t . I don ' t know wha t t o do abou t i t ! "

"Oh , w e c an mana ge tha t f o r you , " s a id S i l ky a t once . "Ol d Da me Was ha l o t w i l l do i t f o r no t h ing . I t ' s t he j oy o f he r l i f e t o w ash , w as h , wa sh ! I be l i e ve i f s he ' s go t no th ing d i r t y t o w as h , s he wa she s c l ean th ings . S he eve n wa shes t he l e a ves on t he F a raw ay T ree i f s he ' s go t no th ing e l s e t o w as h . I s t ha t t he ba s ke t ove r t he r e ? M oon-Fa ce and I w i l l t ake i t up t he t r ee now, a nd b r ing i t back w hen i t ' s f i n i she d . "

"Oh , t hank you , S i lky da r l i ng , " s a i d Bes s i e g r a t e fu l ly . "M othe r wi l l be s o p l ea se d when I t e l l he r . S he ' l l s t op w or ry ing abou t t ha t . "

S i lky and M oon-F ace we n t o f f w i th t he ba s ke t . T hey took i t t o D ame Was ha l o t , and how he r f ac e shone wi th j oy w hen s he s aw suc h a l o t o f wa sh i ng to be done !

"My , t h i s i s good o f you ! " she sa id , t a k ing ou t t he d i r t y t h ings and th row ing the m in t o he r eno rm ous w as h - tub o f s oapy w a te r . "Now th i s i s wha t I r e a l l y en j oy ! I ' l l h ave them a l l w as hed and i r oned by to -n i gh t . "

S i lky w as p l ea se d . She knew how bea u t i fu l l y D ame W as ha lo t was hed a nd i r oned . S he w en t up to M oon-Fa ce ' s hous e t o have d inne r wi th h im .

" I do so w i s h w e cou l d he lp m ake the ch i l d r en ' s mo t he r be t t e r , " s he s a id . "S he i s suc h a da r l i ng , i s n ' t she ? A nd the ch i ld r en l ove he r s o much . Moon-F ac e , c an ' t you pos s ib ly t h ink o f any t h ing?"

"Wel l , I don ' t s uppose T o f f ee S hocks w ou ld be

any good , do you?" s a i d Moon-F ace . " I ' v e go t s ome o f t hos e . "

"Of c ou r se no t , s i l l y , " sa id S i lky . " I t ' s med i c ine we wan t - p i l l s o r som e th i ng -bu t a s nobody i s i l l i n t he F a raw ay Tre e t he r e ' s no s hop to buy them f rom."

Tha t n igh t t hey w en t t o see i f D ame Was ha lo t had f i n i shed t he w as h ing . S he had . I t w as w as hed and mos t be au t i fu l l y i r oned , done up in t he ba s ke t , r e ady to be t aken aw ay .

" I ' ve had a f i ne t im e , " s a id t he o ld dam e , beam ing a t S i lky . "M y the w a t e r I ' v e pou red dow n the t r e e t o -da y . "

"Ye s , I ' v e hea rd t he A ngry P ix i e shou t ing l i ke any th i ng beca use he go t soa ked a t l e a s t f ou r t ime s , " s a i d Moon-F ace wi th a g r i n . "He ' s go t p lum s g rowi ng on the t r ee j u s t ou t s ide h i s hous e and he was p i c k ing the m fo r j am -and eac h t im e he w en t ou t t o p i c k t hem he go t s oaked w i t h you r wa te r . Y ou be ca r e fu l he doesn ' t c ome up and s hou t a t you . "

" I f he does I ' l l pu t h im i n to my nex t wa sh - t ub o f d i r t y w a t e r and em p ty h im dow n the t r ee wi th i t , " s a i d Da me W asha lo t .

"Oooh , I w i s h I cou l d se e you do tha t , " sa id S i lky , t y ing a rope to t he ba s ke t o f w as h ing , s o t ha t she migh t l e t i t dow n the t r ee t o t he bo t tom, "Wel l , D ame W as ha lo t , t hank you ve ry m uch . The pe r son w ho us ua l l y does t h i s w as h ing i s i l l i n be d and can ' t s eem to ge t be t t e r . I t ' s s uch a p i t y . I w i s h I cou l d make he r we l l . "

"Why , S i lky , t he La nd o f Ma g ic M ed ic ines i s comi ng to -mor row , " s a id t he o ld dam e . "Y ou cou ld ge t any me d ic i ne you l i ke d the r e , and you r f r i end wou l d soon be be t t e r . Why don ' t you v i s i t t he L and and ge t som e?"

"Tha t ' s an aw fu l l y good idea ! " sa id S i lky j oy fu l ly , l e t t i ng dow n the bas ke t b i t by b i t . M oon-F ace ha d gone to t he bo t tom o f t he t r ee t o c a t c h i t . " I ' l l t e l l M oon-Fa ce , and m aybe he and I cou ld go a nd ge t s ome m ed ic ine .

S he s l i pped dow n the t r ee a nd to ld M oon-F ace wha t t he o l d dame had sa id . Moon-F ac e pu t t he ba s ke t o f w as h ing on h i s s hou lde r and beam ed a t S i lky .

"Tha t ' s good new s fo r t he ch i ld r en , " he sa i d . "Come on , w e ' l l hu r ry and t e l l t he m."

The c h i ld r e n were de l i gh t ed t o have the wa sh i ng back s o qu i ck l y , a l l wa she d and i r oned . D ic k se t o f f w i th i t t o M rs . Jone s . Bes s i e r a n t o t e l l he r mo t he r t ha t s he needn ' t w or ry any more abou t i t .

S i l ky t o ld J o and F anny abou t t he La nd o f Mag i c M ed ic ines comi ng the nex t da y to t he t op o f t he F a ra wa y Tree . T hey l i s t ened i n su rp r i se .

"Wel l , I vo t e we go t he r e , " s a i d Jo a t once . " I ' d made up my mi nd we 'd none o f u s go wh i l s t M o the r w as i l l - bu t i f t he r e ' s a chanc e o f ge t t i ng som e th i ng to ma ke he r be t t e r , w e ' l l c e r t a in ly go ! O ne o f t he g i r l s mus t s t ay beh i nd wi th M othe r and t he r e s t o f u s w i l l go . "

S o i t w as a r r ange d tha t J o , D ick a nd Bes s i e shou l d mee t a t Moon-F ace ' s house ea r l y t he nex t morn ing . T hen the y wou l d go up to t he s t r a nge La nd and s ee w ha t t hey cou l d f i nd fo r t he i r mo t he r .

F anny wa s qu i t e w i l l i ng t o s t ay w i th he r m o the r , t hough she f e l t a l i t t l e b i t l e f t ou t . She sa id goodbye t o Jo , D ick a nd Bes s i e s oon a f t e r b r e ak fa s t t he ne x t day , and p rom is ed to w as h up the b r eak fa s t t h ings ca r e fu l ly , and to s i t w i t h he r mo t he r un t i l t he r e s t o f t hem cam e back .

They s e t o f f and a r r ive d ou t s ide M oon-F ace ' s house a t t he t op o f t he t r ee ve ry s oon a f t e rwards . M oon-F ace a nd S i lky w ere w a i t i ng fo r t he m. " I s o ld S aucepa n coming? " a s ked J o .

"Hi e , S auce pan , do you wa n t t o c ome?" s hou te d Moon-F ac e , l e a n ing dow n the t r ee . 144

S aucepa n was w i th W a tz i s name . F o r a w onde r he hea rd w ha t M oon-F ace sa id and s hou te d back :

"Ye s , I ' l l come . Bu t whe re t o? "

"Up t he l a dde r ! " ye l l ed M oon-Fa ce . "H ur ry ! "

S o Sa ucepan c ame w i t h t hem and in a l i t t l e w h i l e t he y a l l s t ood i n t he Land o f M ag i c M ed ic i nes . I t w as j u s t a s pecu l i a r a s eve ry l and t ha t c a me to t he t op o f t he Fa raw ay Tree !

I t d idn ' t s ee m to be a l and a t a l l ! When t he ch i l d r en had c l im bed up the l adde r t o t he t op , t hey found t hems e l ves i n w ha t l ooke d l i ke a g r ea t b ig f ac t o ry -a p l ac e w he re a l l k inds o f p i l l s , med i c ines , banda ges and so on we re ma de . Gob l in s and gnome s , p i x i e s and f a i r i e s w e re a s bus y a s cou ld be , s t i r r i ng g r ea t po t s ove r cu r ious g r ee n f i r e s , pou r ing me d ic i nes i n to sh i n ing bo t t l e s , and c oun t ing ou t p i l l s t o pu t i n t o co lou red p i l l - boxe s .

In one co rne r a gob l in w as s t i r r i ng a pu rp l e mix t u r e i n a ye l low bas in . Bes s i e l ooke d a t i t .

" I t ' s a k ind o f o in t men t , " she s a i d t o t he o the r s . " I w onde r wha t i t ' s f o r . "

" I t ' s t o make c rooked l e gs s t r a igh t , " s a id t he gob l i n , s t i r r i ng ha rd . "Do you wa n t s ome? "

"Wel l , I don ' t know anyone w i th c rooked l egs , " s a id Be ss i e . "Thank you a l l t he s am e . I f I d id I ' d l ove t o have s ome , be caus e i t wou l d be s imp l y marve l lous t o m ake s omebody ' s c rooked l e gs be t t e r . "

A p i x i e ne a r by w as pou r i ng som e s pa rk l i ng g r een me d ic i ne i n t o bo t t l e s sha ped l i ke bubb le s , The ch i l d r en and the o the r s w a tche d . I t ma de a funny s i ng ing no i s e a s i t w en t i n .

"Wha t ' s t ha t f o r ? " a s ked J o .

"Whoeve r t akes t h i s w i l l a l wa ys have sh i n ing eye s , " s a id t he P ix i e . "S h in ing , s mi l i ng eye s a r e t he l ove l i e s t eyes i n t he w or ld . I s i t t h i s med i c ine you have com e fo r ?"

"Wel l , no , no t e xac t l y , " sa id J o . " I ' d l i ke t o ha ve s ome , t hough . "

"Oh , you r e yes a r e s mi l ey eye s , " s a id t he p ix i e , l ook i ng a t h i m . "Th i s i s f o r sa d peop le , whos e eye s ha ve becom e du l l . Come to m e w hen you a r e an o ld m an and you r eye s c anno t s ee ve ry we l l . I w i l l g ive you p l en ty t hen . "

"Oh , " s a i d Jo . "W el l , I shan ' t be he r e t he n ! I ' v e on ly j u s t com e on a s ho r t v i s i t ! "

Di ck ca l l ed t o t he o t he r s . " I s a y , l ook ! " he c r i ed . "H ere ' s s ome s i mp ly marve l lous p i l l s ! Wa tc h them be ing m ade ! "

Eve ryone wa tched . I t wa s m os t a s ton i s h ing t o see . F i r s t o f a l l t he p i l l s we re eno rm ous - a s l a rge a s foo tba l l s . A gob l in b l e w on t hem w i t h a pa i r o f be l l ows ou t o f w h ic h came g reen s moke , a nd they a t once w en t down t o t he s i z e o f a c r i cke t -ba l l . H e t hen s p l a s hed the m w i th w ha t l ooked l i ke moon l i gh t f rom a wa te r i ng -can . The y we n t a s sm a l l a s marb l e s .

Then he b l ew on them gen t l y - and the y wen t a s sm a l l a s g r een pea s , and eac h one jumpe d in to a p i l l - box wi th a p i ng -p ing -p ing t i l l t he box w as fu l l ,

"Wha t a r e t he y fo r ? " a s ked D ick .

"To ma ke s ho r t peop l e t a l l , " s a id t he gob l i n . "Som e peop le ha t e be ing sho r t . We l l , t he se p i l l s a r e made o f b i g t h ings - the sha dow o f a moun ta i n -the he igh t o f a t r ee - t he c r a s h o f a t hunde r s to rm- t h ings l i ke t ha t - a nd they have t he pow er o f mak i ng any th i ng o r anyone g row . "

"Cou ld I have som e?" a s ked D ic k eage r l y .

"Take a box fu l , " s a id t he gob l i n , D i ck took i t . H e r ead w ha t wa s w r i t t en on the l i d .

"GRO WIN G PIL LS . O NE TO BE TA K EN TH REE T IME S A D AY ."

Now D ick w as no t ve ry t a l l f o r h i s age a nd he had a l wa ys w an te d to be b ig . H e looke d long ing l y a t t he p i l l s . I f he t ook th r e e a t onc e , ma ybe he wou l d g row t a l l e r . Tha t w ou ld be f i ne !

He popped th r e e o f t he p i l l s i n t o h i s mou th . H e s ucked t hem. T hey t a s t ed so ho r r i d t ha t he s wa l low ed the m a l l i n a hu r ry !

And goodne ss , WH A T a s u rp r i s e w hen the o the r s t u rned t o spe ak to D ic k . He wa s t a l l e r t han t he i r f a the r ! H e w as a s t a l l a s t he c e i l i ng i n t he i r

co t t age ! H e tow ere d above the m, l ook i ng down on t hem i n a l a rm , fo r he hadn ' t expec t ed t o g row qu i t e s o much , o r qu i t e s o qu i c k ly !

"Di ck ! Y ou 've been t a k ing thos e G row ing P i l l s ! " c r i ed J o . " Ju s t t he s o r t o f s t up id t h i ng you wou l d do ! You ' r e e no rmous ! How in t he wor l d do you th ink you ' l l eve r ge t down t he ho l e i n t he c loud?"

"Oh , do s ome th ing t o he lp m e! " begged D ic k , who r e a l l y w as f r i gh t ened t o be s o eno rmous . Eve ryone e l s e l ooked s o sm a l l . " J o , M oon-F ace -w ha t can I do? I ' m s t i l l g row ing ! I ' l l bu r s t ou t o f t he roo f i n a minu t e ! "

The gob l in s and p ix i e s a round sudde n ly no t i ced how f a s t D ick w as g rowi ng . They be gan to s hou t and s quea l .

"He ' l l b r eak t h rough the roo f ! H e ' l l b r ing i t down on t op o f u s ! Q u ick , s t op h im g row ing ! "

21 . S ome P ecu l i a r A dven t u re s .

Di ck w as eno rmous ly t a l l . H e ha d to bend dow n s o t ha t h i s he ad w ou ldn ' t t ouch t he roo f . The l i t t l e pe op le i n t he m ed ic i ne f ac t o ry ru she d abou t , ye l l i ng and s hou t i ng .

"F e t ch a l adde r ! C l imb up i t and g i ve h im som e G o-Aw ay P i l l s ! Qu i ck , qu i ck ! "

S omebody go t a l adde r and l ea ned i t up aga in s t poo r D ic k .

A p i x i e r a n up i t on l i gh t f e e t . H e ca r r i ed a box o f p i l l s . H e s hou ted t o Di ck :

"Ope n you r mou th ! "

Di ck opene d h i s mou th . T he p ix i e mea n t t o t h row one p i l l i n s i de , bu t i n h i s exc i t em en t he t h r ew the w ho le box . D ic k sw a l low ed i t !

And a t once he began t o g row s ma l l aga in ! D own he we n t and dow n and down . H e go t t o h i s ow n s i ze and g r i nned w i th de l igh t . Bu t he d i dn ' t s t op the r e . He wen t sm a l l e r and s ma l l e r a nd sm a l l e r - and a t l a s t he c ou ldn ' t be se en ! I t w as a t e r r i b l e shoc k to eve ryone .

"He ' s gone ! " s a id Be ss i e i n ho r ro r . "H e ' s s o sm a l l t ha t he can ' t be see n ! Di ck ! D ick ! W here a r e you?"

A t i ny s queak a nsw ered he r f rom unde r a b i g cha i r . Bes s i e ben t dow n and looked t he r e . S he cou l dn ' t s e e a t h i ng .

"L i s t e n , D i ck , " s he s a id . " I ' v e go t a p i l l box he re . Come runn ing ove r t o me a nd pu t you r s e l f i n i t . T hen we sha l l a t l e a s t know w here you a r e , eve n i f w e ca n ' t s ee you . And m aybe w e ca n ge t you r i gh t i f on ly w e ' ve go t you sa f e ly s ome where . "

A t i ny s queak i ng sound c ame f rom the p i l l box a f t e r a m inu te , so Be ss i e knew tha t D i ck had done a s he had been t o ld and go t i n to t he box . Bu t s he cou ldn ' t s ee a nyone the r e a t a l l . S he pu t on the l i d , a f r a i d t ha t D i ck mi gh t f a l l ou t .

S he s t ood up and s t a r e d round a t t he wonde r ing l i t t l e f o lk t he r e . "Wha t can w e do fo r s omeone gone too s ma l l ? " s he a ske d . "Have n ' t you any med i c ine fo r t ha t ? "

" I t w i l l have t o be ve ry s pec i a l l y made , " s a i d a P ix i e . "We ca n ' t g i ve h im the G row -Fa s t Mi x tu re be caus e he ' s r e a l l y t oo s ma l l f o r t ha t . We ' l l have to p r epa re a s pec i a l l i t t l e ba t h o f powe r fu l me d ic ine , and ge t h im t o go in to i t . The n maybe he wi l l g row bac k to h i s ow n s i ze . Bu t he shou l dn ' t have m edd led w i t h ou r mag i c me d ic ine . I t ' s da nge rous . "

"Di ck ' s s o s i l l y , " sa id J o . "He a lw ays se ems to ge t h ims e l f and o the r peop le i n to t r oub le ! I do hope you c an ma ke h im r i gh t aga in . I w ou ldn ' t wa n t h im to l i ve i n a p i l l box a l l h i s l i f e . "

"We ' l l do ou r be s t t o ge t h im r i gh t , " s a id t he

l i t t l e f o lk , and t hey began t o shou t he r e and t he r e , c a l l i ng fo r t he m os t pecu l i a r t h ings t o make the ba th fo r D ick .

"The w h i s k o f a m ouse ' s t a i l ! " c r i ed one .

"The s nee ze o f a f rog ! " c r i ed ano t he r .

"The b r e a th o f t he sum mer w ind ! " c r i ed a t h i rd . A nd a s t he c h i ld r en wa tche d sm a l l gob l in s cam e runn ing w i t h l i t t l e boxe s a nd t i n s .

"Wha t quee r t h i ngs t he i r m ed ic ines a r e m ade o f ! " s a id J o . "We l l , l e t ' s l e a ve t hem to i t , sha l l w e? I ' d l i ke t o w ande r round th i s b ig f ac to ry a b i t more . Com e on , S aucepa n . "

S aucepa n was ve ry de a f beca use t he r e w as s uch a no i s e go i ng on a l l t he t im e . F i r e s w e re s i zz l i ng unde r b ig po t s . M ed ic i nes we re be ing pou re d in to bo t t l e s w i t h gu rg l e s and s p l a s hes . P ans we re be ing s t i r r ed w i th a c l a t t e r . Sa ucepan c ou ldn ' t hea r a word t ha t w as sa id - and i t w as be caus e o f t ha t t ha t he made h i s g r ea t mi s t ake .

He s t opped by a gob l in w ho was pou r ing a beau t i fu l b l ue l i qu i d i n to a l i t t l e j a r . I t shone so b r i gh t ly t ha t i t c augh t Sa ucepan ' s eye a t once .

"Tha t ' s l ove ly" he s a id t o t he gob l in . "Wha t ' s i t f o r ? "

"To ma ke a nos e g row , " sa id t he gob l in .

"To ma ke a ro s e g row !" sa id S auce pan in de l igh t . "O h , I ' d l i ke som e o f t ha t . I f I had tha t I cou ld m ake ro s e s g row on the F a raw ay T ree a l l r ound Mi s t e r Wa tz i s nam e ' s b r anc h . He wou l d l i ke t ha t ! "

" I sa id t o m ake a N O S E g row !" sa i d t he gob l in .

" I hea rd you t he f i r s t t ime , " s a i d Sa ucepan . 150

" I t w ou ld be l ove ly t o be ab l e t o g row ro se s . D o I have t o d r ink i t ? "

"Ye s - i f you wa n t you r nos e t o g row , " s a id t he gob l in , l ook ing a t S aucepa n ' s nose .

S aucepa n kep t on hea r ing h im wrong . H e f e l t qu i t e ce r t a in t ha t t he beau t i fu l m ed ic i ne w as t o ma ke ro se s g row . H e though t t ha t i f he d r ank i t he w ou ld be a b l e t o m ake ro s e s g row anywhe re ! Tha t w ou ld be marve l lous . S o he t ook a j a r o f t he med i c ine a nd d r ank i t a l l up be fo re t he gob l in c ou ld s top h im .

"Now I ' l l m ake t he ro se s g row ou t o f m y ke t t l e s and pans ! " s a id S auc epan , p l ea se d . "Grow , ro s e s , g row !"

Bu t t he y d idn ' t g row , o f cou r s e . I t w as h i s poo r o ld nos e t ha t g r ew : I t sudde n ly s ho t ou t , l ong and p ink , a nd Sa ucepan s t a r ed a t i t i n s u rp r i s e .

The o t he r s l ooked a t h im i n ama zeme n t .

"S aucepa n ! Wha t ha s ha ppened to you r nos e? " c r i ed J o . " I t ' s a s b ig a s an e l e phan t5s t r unk ! "

"He wou l d d r ink i t ! " sa id t he gob l in i n d i s may , s howi ng the c h i ld r e n the emp t y j a r . " I t o ld h im i t w as t o m ake a nos e g row -bu t he ke p t on s ay ing i t wa s t o g row ro s e s , no t nos es . H e ' s qu i t e ma d . "

"No , he ' s j u s t de a f , " sa id J o . "Oh , poo r o l d Sa ucepan ! H e ' l l have to t i e h i s nose round h i s wa i s t s oon . I t ' s dow n to h i s f ee t a l r eady ! "

" I c an c u re i t , " s a i d t he gob l in w i th a g r in . " I ' v e go t a d i sa ppea r ing med i c ine . I ' l l j u s t r ub h i s nos e w i th i t t i l l i t d i s appe a r s ba ck to t he r i gh t

s i ze . I t h ink you ough t t o wa tch h im a b i t , i f he goe s abou t hea r i ng th ings a l l wrong goodne ss

knows w ha t m ay happen t o h im!"

S aucepa n was c ry i ng t ea r s t ha t r o l l ed dow n h i s f unny long nos e . The gob l in t ook a box o f b lue o in tm en t and be gan to rub t he end o f S auce pan ' s nose wi th i t . I t d i s appe a red a s s oon a s t he o in t men t t ouche d i t . T he gob l in worke d ha rd , r ubb ing g r a dua l ly a l l up t he l ong nos e un t i l t he r e w as no th ing l e f t bu t Sa ucepan ' s own po i n t ed nos e . T hen he s topped rubb i ng .

"Chee r up ! " he sa i d . " I t ' s gone , and on ly you r ow n nos e i s l e f t . My , you d id l ook que e r ! I ' v e neve r s een a nyone d r ink a who l e bo t t l e o f t ha t nos e med i c ine be fo re ! "

A s hou t c a rne f rom beh ind the wa tch i ng ch i ld r e n . "Where ' s t ha t t i ny boy in t he p i l l box? We ' ve go t t he ba t h r eady fo r h i m now ."

Eve ryone ru she d to w he re t he r e w as a t i ny ba th f i l l ed w i t h s t eami ng ye l l ow w a t e r t ha t sm e l t o f che r r i e s . Be ss i e t ook the p i l l box f rom he r pocke t and opened i t .

A s quea k ing cam e f rom t he box a t once . D ick w as s t i l l t he r e , t oo s ma l l t o be s een ! Bu t , t hank goodnes s , h i s vo i ce hadn ' t qu i t e d i s appea re d , o r t he o the r s w ou ld neve r have know n i f he w as t he r e o r no t !

"Ge t i n t o t h i s ba t h , D i ck , " s a id Bes s i e . "Y ou w i l l soon be a l l r i gh t aga in t hen . "

The re came the t i n i e s t sp l a sh i n t he ye l low w a te r . I t change d a t once t o p ink . A sque ak ing c ame f rom the ba th and bubb le s ro s e t o t he s u r f ace . Then s udden l y t he ch i ld r en c ou ld s ee D ick ! A t f i r s t i t w as a b i t m i s t y and c loudy , t hen g r adua l ly t he mi s t t h i cke ned and took t he s hape o f a ve ry , ve ry s ma l l boy .

"He ' s com ing back , he ' s comi ng back ! " c r i ed J o . "Look , he ' s ge t t i ng b igge r ! "

As D ick g r e w b i gge r , t he ba th g r ew , t oo . I t wa s m os t a s t on i s h ing to wa tch . S oon the ba th w as a s b ig a s an o rd i na ry ba th , a nd the r e s tood D ic k in i t , h i s own s i z e aga i n , h i s c lo t hes soa ked wi th t he p ink w a te r . He g r inned a t t he m th rough t he s t eam .

" Jus t t he s ame o ld chee r fu l D ick ! " s a id Be ss i e g l ad l y . "Oh , D ick , you gave u s s uch a f r i gh t ! "

"S tep ou t o f t he ba t h , qu i ck ! " c r i ed t he p ix i e nea rby . "Y ou ' r e r eady to be d r i ed ! "

Di ck jum ped ou t o f t he ba th - j u s t i n t i me , t oo , f o r i t s udden l y fo lded i t s e l f up , g r ew a pa i r o f w i ngs , and d i sa ppea red ou t o f a b ig w indow nea r by !

"Dry h i m!" c r i ed t he p ix i e , a nd th r ew s ome s t r ange tow e l s t o t he ch i l d r en and M oon-Fa ce . T hey se eme d to be a l i ve a nd were ve ry w arm. T hey rubbed the ms e lves a l l ove r D ic k , squee z ing h i s c lo thes a s t he y rubbed , un t i l i n a f e w m inu te s he w as pe r f e c t l y d ry . Bu t h i s c lo t hes we re r a the r a cu r ious p ink c o lou r .

"Tha t can ' t be he lped , " s a id t he p ix i e . "Tha t a lw ays happe ns . "

"Wel l , I s uppose I l ook a b i t f unny , bu t I don ' t m i nd , " sa id D ick . "G o l l y , t ha t wa s a quee r adve n tu re . "

"A b i t t oo que e r f o r me ! " sa i d Jo . "N ow se e you don ' t ge t i n to any m ore t r oub le , D i ck , o r

I ' l l n eve r b r ing you in t o any s t r ange l and aga i n . I neve r knew anyone l i ke you fo r do ing th i ngs you s hou ldn ' t . N ow , l ook he re eve ryone - I vo t e w e t ry and ge t som e med i c ine fo r Mot he r , and the n we ' l l go . F anny i s w a i t i ng pa t i en t l y fo r u s t o1 go back , and I r e a l l y t h ink w e ' d be t t e r go be fo re D ic k o r S aucepa n do any th ing funny a ga in , "

"Wha t med i c ine do you w an t ?" a s ked a gob l in k ind l y . "Wha t i s w rong w i th you r mo the r?"

"Wel l , w e r ea l l y don ' t know ," sa id D ick . "S he ju s t l i e s i n be d and looks wh i t e a nd we ak , and s he w or r i e s d r ead fu l ly abou t eve ry th i ng . "

"Oh , w e l l , I s hou ld j u s t t ake a bo t t l e o f Ge t -Wel l M ed ic ine , " s a id t he Gob l in . "Tha t w i l l be j u s t t he t h i ng . "

" I t s ounds f i ne , " s a id J o . The gob l in pou red a bubb l ing ye l low l i qu id i n t o a b ig bo t t l e and gave i t t o J o . H e pu t i t c a r e fu l ly i n to h i s pocke t .

"Thank you , " he sa id . "N ow, com e a l ong eve ryone . W e ' r e go ing . "

"Oh , J o - the r e ' s a m ed ic ine he r e fo r mak i ng t ee t h pea r l y , " sa id S aucepa n , pu l l i ng a t J o ' s a rm. " J us t l e t m e t a ke s ome . "

"S aucepa n , t ha t ' s f o r mak i ng ha i r CU RLY !" s a id J o . "You ' ve he a rd wrong aga i n . Don ' t t r y i t . D o you w an t cu r l s g row ing dow n to you r f e e t ? N ow t ake my a rm and don ' t l e t go t i l l w e ' r e sa f e ly bac k in t he T ree . I f I don ' t

l ook a f t e r you , you ' d have a nos e l i ke an e l ephan t ' s , cu r l y ha i r dow n to you r t oe s , and goodne ss know s w ha t e l s e ! "

They w ere no t ve ry f a r f r om the ho l e i n t he c loud , a nd they w ere s oon c l i mb ing dow n the

l adde r , l e av i ng beh ind t hem t he S t r ange L and o f M ag ic Med i c ine s . J o w as ve ry ca r e fu l o f t he bo t t l e i n h i s poc ke t .

"Now w e ' l l go s t r a igh t hom e , " he s a id . " I ' m s im p ly LO N GIN G to g ive de a r o ld M othe r a dose o f t h i s mag i c me d ic i ne . I t w i l l be s o l ove l y t o s ee he r l ook ing w e l l aga in and ru s h ing round the house a s she a lw ays d id ! "

22 .

Wat z i s name Ha s S ome Que e r Ne ws .

F anny wa s de l igh t ed to s ee J o , Bes s i e and D ic k back . "M othe r doe sn ' t s e em qu i t e s o w e l l , " s he s a i d . "She sa ys s he has s uch a bad he adache . D i d you ge t s ome med i c ine fo r he r , Jo? "

"Ye s , I d i d , " sa id J o , show ing F anny t he b ig bo t t l e . " I t ' s a G e t -Wel l med i c ine . Le t ' s g ive M othe r som e now. I t sm e l l s o f p l ums , so i t s hou ld be r a the r n i ce . "

They w en t i n to M othe r ' s bed room a nd Jo t ook a g l a s s and pou red ou t tw o t ea spoonfu l s o f t he s t r ange m ed ic ine .

"Wel l , I hope i t ' s a l l r i gh t , Jo de a r , " s a id M othe r , ho l d ing ou t he r hand fo r i t . " I m us t sa y i t s me l l s mos t de l i c i ous - l i ke p l um t a r t s cook ing i n t he oven ! "

I t t a s t ed s imp l y love l y , t oo , M o the r s a id . S he l ay back on he r p i l l ows and sm i l e d a t t he ch i l d r en . "Y es , I do be l i eve I f ee l be t t e r a l r eady ! " s he

sa id . "M y head i sn ' t a c h ing s o b ad ly . "

Wel l , t ha t med i c ine wa s s im p ly marve l lous . By the t im e the e ven ing c ame Mot he r w as s i t t i ng up kn i t t i ng . By the nex t morn i ng she wa s e a t i ng a huge b r eak fa s t and l augh i ng and jok i ng wi th eve ryone . Fa the r w as ve ry p l e a s ed .

"We ' l l soon have he r up now !" he s a id . A nd he w as r i gh t ! By t he t i me the bo t t l e o f G e t -W el l M ed i c ine was on ly ha l f - f i n i she d , Mo t he r w as up a nd abou t a ga in , s i ng i ng mer r i l y a s she wa shed a nd i r oned . I t wa s l ove ly t o hea r he r .

"We ' l l pu t t he r e s t o f t he bo t t l e o f mag ic med i c ine a wa y , " she sa i d . " I don ' t need i t any more -bu t i t wou l d be ve ry u s e fu l i f anyone e l s e i s i l l . "

A w ho le we ek w en t by and t he ch i ld r en hea rd no th ing o f t he i r f r i ends i n t he F a ra wa y Tree . T hey w ere ve ry bus y he l p ing the i r pa r en t s , a nd they wonde red s ome t imes w ha t l and w as a t t he t op o f t he T ree now .

" I f i t w as a ve ry n i ce L and S i lky a nd Moon-F ac e wou l d be s u r e t o l e t u s know," s a i d Jo . "S o I don ' t expe c t i t ' s any t h ing exc i t i ng . "

One even i ng , when t he ch i ld r en w ere i n bed , t he y hea rd a l i t t l e r a t t l i ng sound a ga in s t t he i r w indow s . They s a t up a t once .

" I t ' s S i l ky and M oon-Fa ce ! " w h i s pe red J o .

"They ' ve com e to s ay t he r e ' s a l ove l y Land a t t he t op o f t he T ree , " s a id Di ck , exc i t ed . T he boys we n t i n t o t he g i r l s ' r oom t o se e i f t hey w ere aw ake . T hey we re l ook i ng ou t o f t he wi ndow.

" I t i s n ' t S i l ky o r M oon-F ace , " wh i spe red Bes s i e . " I t h i nk i t ' s o ld Wa t z i s name !"

"Gra c ious ! Wha t eve r ha s he c ome fo r ! " c r i ed J o .

"S h ! " sa i d F anny . "You ' l l wa ke M othe r . Whoe ve r i t i s doesn ' t s ee m to wa n t t o c ome any ne a re r . L e t ' s c r eep dow n and s ee i f i t i s Wa tz i sna me . "

S o they pu t on t he i r d r e s s ing -gow ns and c r ep t downs ta i r s . They w en t i n to t he ga rden and w h i s pe red l oud ly : "W ho ' s t he r e ? Wha t i s i t ? "

" I t ' s m e , Wa t z i s nam e , " s a id a vo i ce , and M is t e r Wa t z i s name came nea re r t o t he m. H e looke d t e r r i b l y wor r i ed .

"Wha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " a s ked J o .

"Ha ve you s een S i l ky , Moon-F ace o r Sa ucepan l a t e ly?" a s ked W atz i sna me .

"No t s i nce w e a l l w en t t o t he L and o f M ag ic M ed i c ines , " s a id J o . "Why? Are n ' t t hey i n t he F a raw ay T ree?"

"They ' ve d i sappe a red , " s a id W a tz i s name . " I ha ven ' t s e en the m fo r days . They w en t - and neve r e ven s a id good -bye t o me! "

"Oh , W a tz i s name! Bu t wha t cou l d have happe ned to t he m?" a sked Be ss i e . "They m us t have gone up i n to s ome L and , t ha t moved a wa y f rom the t op o f t he T ree - and t ha t ' s why you ha ven ' t s e en them ."

"No , t ha t ' s no t i t , " s a id Wa t z i s nam e . "The s am e Land ha s be en the r e eve r s i nce t he Land o f M ed i c ine s m oved aw ay . I t ' s t he La nd o f Tem per s . I 'm qu i t e su r e t ha t Moon-F ace and the o the r s wou l dn ' t v i s i t i t , b ec ause i t ' s we l l know n tha t eve ryone the r e i s a lw ays i n a ba d t empe r . No- t hey ' ve gone -van i she d -d i s appea re d . And I D O so m i s s dea r o ld S auce pan . I t ma kes me ve ry , ve ry s ad . "

"Oh , W a tz i s name , t h i s i s ve ry w or ry ing , " s a id Bes s i e , f e e l i ng upse t . "Wha t eve r ca n we do?"

" I suppos e you w ou ldn ' t c ome bac k to t he Fa rawa y Tree wi th me , w ou ld you , and he l p me t o l ook fo r t hem ?" a s ked Wa tz i sna me . " I f ee l s o l one l y t he r e . And , you know , s omebody e l se ha s t aken M oon-F ace ' s hous e and S i lky ' s hous e , t oo . They ha ve come f rom the Land o f Te mper s , and I ' m s o f r i gh t e ned o f t he m tha t I j u s t s imp l y don ' t da r e t o go nea r t he m."

"Good g ra c ious ! Th i s i s ve ry bad new s , " s a i d Jo . "S ome body e l s e i n Moon-F ac e ' s n i ce l i t t l e hous e -and s omeone in S i lky ' s house , t oo ! M os t ex t r a o rd ina ry ! I ' m s u rp r i s ed you d idn ' t he a r any th i ng , Wa t z i s name . You know, I ' m s u re M oon-F ace w ou ld ha ve ma de an aw fu l f u s s and bo the r i f anyone ha d tu rned h im ou t o f h i s hous e . A re you s u re you d idn ' t hea r any th i ng?"

"No t a t h i ng , " sa id Wa t z i s nam e , g loom i ly . "Y ou know how I s no re , don ' t you? I expe c t I w as f a s t a s l ee p a s u sua l , and I s hou ldn ' t eve n have hea rd i f t he y had ca l l ed t o me fo r he lp . "

"Wel l , l i s t en , Wa t z i s nam e , we can ' t pos s i b ly com e to -n i gh t , " s a id J o . "Mot he r l i ke s u s t o ge t t he b r eak fa s t , and s i nce s he has bee n i l l we make he r have he r b r eak fa s t i n bed . Bu t w e w i l l com e ju s t a s s oon a s eve r w e can a f t e r b r ea k fa s t . Wi l l t ha t do?"

"Oh , ye s , " s a i d Wa tz i s name , g r a t e fu l ly . "Tha t ' s m arve l l ous . I s han ' t go back t o t he T ree t o -n i gh t . I t ' s t oo l one ly w i thou t t he o the r s . M ay I s l e ep in t ha t s hed ove r t he r e?"

"You c an s l eep on t he s o f a dow ns t a i r s , " s a id J o . "Come i n wi th u s . I ' l l g e t you a rug . The n we can a l l s t a r t o f f t oge the r t o -mor row morn i ng . "

S o tha t n i gh t o ld W a tz i s name s l e p t on the so f a . H e s no red r a the r , and Mot he r w oke up once a nd wonde red w ha t i n t he w ide w or ld t he no i s e w as . Bu t s he t hough t i t m us t be t he ca t , a nd soon w en t o f f t o s l eep a ga in .

Ne x t morn i ng the c h i ld r en a ske d i f t he y migh t go o f f w i th Wa t z i s nam e . They e xp la i ned wha t had ha ppened .

"Wel l , I don ' t know tha t I l i ke you go i ng o f f i f s ome t h ing ho r r id ha s happene d , " sa i d Mot he r . " I don ' t w an t any t h ing to ha ppen to you . "

" I ' l l l ook a f t e r eve ryone , " s a id J o . "Y ou can

t ru s t me , Mot he r ; r e a l l y you c an . We ' l l be back s oon . "

S o Mot he r sa id t he y migh t go . They s e t o f f t o t he E nchan t ed Wood w i th Wa t z i s name , f ee l i ng r a the r exc i t ed . Wha teve r c ou ld have happened t o S i lky and t he o the r s?

They c l im bed up the F a ra wa y Tree . I t wa s g row ing pe aches t ha t day , and they w ere r ea l l y mos t de l i c i ous . D ick a t e f a r more t ha n the o t he r s , o f cou r s e , and nea r ly go t l e f t be h ind .

They c ame t o S i lky ' s hous e . I t wa s s hu t . F rom i n s i de cam e a s t a mp ing and a roa r i ng .

"Tha t ' s one o f t he peop le f rom the Land o f Bad T empe r s , " s a id Wa t z i s name in a w h i s pe r . "T hey ' r e a lw ays l o s ing the i r t e mper s , you know , whe neve r any t h ing goes w rong . I j u s t s imp l y DA REN ' T knock a t t he doo r and a s k w he re S i l ky i s . "

"Wel l , l e t ' s go on up to M oon-F ace ' s , " s a id J o , f ee l i ng tha t he d idn ' t r e a l l y w an t t o go knock ing a t t he doo r e i t he r .

S o up they w en t , a nd a t l a s t c am e to M oon-F ace ' s doo r . Tha t was s hu t , t oo , and f rom in s ide c ame a bang ing and s hou t i ng .

"Go l ly , t he y have go t bad t em per s , haven ' t t he y ! " sa id J o . " I 'm qu i t e ce r t a in I s han ' t go v i s i t i ng t he Land o f T emper s ! Le t ' s pee p in a t t he wi ndow a nd se e w ho ' s t he r e . "

S o they pee ped in , and s aw a round , f a t l i t t l e man , w i t h l a rge ea r s , a shoc k o f b l ac k ha i r , f i e r ce eye s , a nd a ve ry bad - t empe red look on h i s f ac e . He wa s l ook ing fo r s ome t h ing on the f l oo r .

"Where ' s i t gone ?" he s hou ted . "Y ou bad , w ic ked bu t t on ! Where d i d you ro l l t o? D on ' t you know t ha t I w an t t o pu t you on my c oa t a ga in? I ' l l s t amp you i n to a hund re d b i t s w hen I f i nd you ! "

Jo g i gg l ed . " I f he does t ha t i t w on ' t be muc h good t ry ing t o sew i t on h i s coa t ! " he s a id .

Ju s t t hen the b l ack -ha i r ed m an looked up a nd sa w t he fou r ch i l d r en pee r i ng in a t h im . H e go t up i n a r age , f l ew to t he doo r and f l ung i t open .

"How da re you p ry and peep ! " he ye l l ed , s t amp i ng f i r s t one foo t a t t hem and the n the o t he r . "How da re you look in t o my w indow !"

" I t i s n ' t you r w indow ," sa id J o . "Th i s hous e be longs t o a f r i end o f ou r s , c a l l ed M oon-F ace . Y ou ' d be t t e r ge t ou t o f i t be fo re he com es back , o r he wi l l be ve ry ang ry . "

"P ooh! you don ' t know w ha t you ' r e t a lk ing a bou t ! " c r i ed t he ba d - t em pered man . " I ' m S i r S t a mp-a -L o t , and t h i s i s my hous e . My c ous i n , Lady Y e l l -Around , ha s t aken t he house a b i t l ow er dow n . We ' ve come to l i ve i n t h i s t r ee . "

"Bu t don ' t you be l ong to t he Land o f Te mper s ?" a s ked J o . "A re you a l l owe d to l e ave you r ow n l and? "

"Mi nd you r own bus ine ss , " s a id S i r S t a mp-a -L o t . "M IND Y OU R O WN BUS IN ES S !"

"Wel l , i t i s my bus ines s t o f i nd ou t wha t you a r e do i ng in my f r i end ' s house , " sa id J o f i rml y . "Now , you ju s t t e l l me w ha t ha s ha ppened to Moon-F ac e -yes , and S i l ky and the o l d Sa ucepan M an , t oo . "

"Moon-F ac e s a id I cou l d have h i s hous e w h i l s t he we n t t o l i ve fo r a wh i l e i n t he Land o f T emper s , " s a id S i r S t amp-a -L o t , do ing a b i t m ore s t amp i ng . "And S i lky s a id t he sa me . T he o ld S auce pan M an we n t w i th t hem."

"Wel l , I j u s t don ' t be l i eve you , " sa id Wa t z i s nam e sudde n ly . "M oon-Fa ce t o ld m e tha t t he Land o f Te mper s had com e , and he sa i d no th ing i n t he wor l d wou l d make h im go t he r e . S o you a r e t e l l i ng f i b s . "

Tha t se n t S i r S t am p-a -Lo t i n to s uch a r a ge t ha t he nea r ly s t am ped the ba rk o f f t he t r ee b r anc h he s tood on ! "H ow da re you t a l k t o me l i ke t ha t ? " he c r i e d . " I ' l l pu l l you r ha i r s ou t ! I ' l l p i nch you r nos es ! I ' l l s c r a t c h you r ea r s ! "

"Wha t a n i ce , k ind , p l e a s an t pe r s on you a r e , " sa i d Jo . "W ha t a beau t i fu l na tu r e you have ! Wha t a s w ee t , c ha rmi ng f r i end you w ou ld ma ke ! "

Th i s ma de S i r S t am p-a -Lo t so a ng ry tha t he k i cke d ha rd a t J o , w ho dodged . S t am p-a -Lo t l o s t h i s ba l ance a nd f e l l . H e f e l l dow n th rough t he t r ee , ye l l i ng l oud l y .

"Qu i ck ! " s a id J o . "H e ' l l be ba ck in a m inu te ; bu t w e m igh t j u s t have t i me to pop in t o Moon-F ac e ' s hous e and s ee i f t he r e i s any me ss age f rom h im!"

They a l l c rowded i n to t he l i t t l e r ound house and hun ted ha rd . Whereve r cou ld t he i r t h r ee f r i e nds be ? I t w as t oo puzz l ing fo r w ords !

23 .

The L and o f Te mper s .

The fou r c h i ld r e n and Mi s t e r Wa tz i s nam e hun te d in eve ry c o rne r o f M oon-F ace ' s house , bu t t he r e wa s no m ess age anyw here f rom t he i r f r i ends .

" I sa y - tha t ' s o ld S t a mp-a -Lo t comi ng back , " s a id F anny . " I c an hea r h i m shou t ing . Le t ' s ge t ou t , qu i ck ! "

"We c an go down t he S l ippe ry - s l i p , " s a id J o . Bu t he was w rong ! The S l ippe ry - s l i p wa s s tu f f e d up wi th a l l k inds o f t h i ngs - cus h ions , boughs , c a rpe t s , l e ave s - a nd nobody cou ld pos s i b ly ge t down i t . The ch i l d r en we re a l l s t a r ing a t i t , puzz l e d , whe n S i r S t amp-a -Lo t ca me ba ck .

And , m y goodnes s m e , w ha t a r a ge he w as i n ! H e had bum ped h i s head a nd h i s back i n f a l l i ng dow n the t r e e , and he ha d a t r e mendous b ru i s e on h i s l e f t cheek . H e c ame i n be l l owi ng l i ke a bu l l !

"How da re you go in to m y house ! " he s t o rmed . "H ow da re you p ry i n to my bus i nes s ! I ' l l t h row you ou t ! I ' l l t h row you ou t ! "

He t r i e d t o ge t ho ld o f F anny , bu t J oe and D ic k s t opped h im . "We ' r e f i ve t o one , " s a i d Jo . "Y ou mi gh t a s w e l l ke ep you r t e mper , o r w e ma y do a b i t o f t h row ing ou t , t oo . We ' r e go ing be caus e w e ca n on ly ge t f i b s ou t o f you , and i t ' s qu i t e p l a i n t ha t ou r f r i ends a r e no t he r e . Bu t you ' l l f e e l ve ry s o r ry fo r you r se l f w hen w e do f i nd ou r f r i ends a nd we a l l come ba ck to t e l l you wha t w e th i nk ! "

S tamp-a -Lo t w as fu r ious . H e began t o t h row

th ings a f t e r t he ch i ld r e n and Wat z i s nam e a s soon a s t hey had gone ou t o f t he hous e . C ra sh ! T ha t w as t he c lock . C la t t e r ! Tha t was a p i c tu r e . Bang ! Tha t wa s a cha i r !

"Oh , de a r ! P oo r Moon-F ac e w on ' t f i nd a s ing l e t h ing i n h i s house when he ge t s home , " sa id J o , dodg ing a s oup p l a t e t ha t c am e f ly i ng pas t h i s head . "Now , w ha t s ha l l w e do nex t? Pe rhaps we had be t t e r go dow n to S i lky ' s house and s ee i f w e c an f i nd ou t any th ing f rom Lady Y e l l -A round o r wha teve r he r name i s . "

Nobody r e a l l y wa n ted to s ee Lady Y e l l -Around-bu t t hey s aw he r be fo re t hey e xpec t e d to . A s t hey c l imbed dow n to w he re Da me Wa sha lo t l i ved , t hey he a rd a f i e r ce qua r r e l go ing on .

"You e mp t i ed you r d i r t y wa te r dow n on me j u s t a s I wa s go i ng shopp i ng ! " ye l l ed an ang ry vo i ce . "Y ou d id , you d i d , you d id ! "

Then c ame D am e Was ha l o t ' s vo i ce . " I d id , I d i d , I d id , d id I ? We l l , I 'm g l ad ! I f pe op le ca n ' t l ook ou t f o r m y wa sh i ng wa t e r , i t ' s t he i r ow n f au l t ! "

"Look how we t I am ; l ook a t me! " c ame the o the r vo i ce .

" I don ' t wa n t t o l ook a t you , you ' r e a m os t unp lea s an t pe r s on , " sa id D ame Was ha l o t . "N ow, l ook ou t - he r e c omes s ome more wa te r ! "

The re wa s a s ound o f s p l a s h ing - a nd then s quea l s a nd sc r eams a s La dy Ye l l -A round go t t he w ho le l o t on t op o f he r . T he ch i ld r en bega n to g igg l e . They c l im bed dow n to w he re D ame Was ha lo t wa s s t and i ng by he r em p ty tub , g r inn i ng a s she l ooked dow n the t r ee . L ady Y e l l -A round w as hu r r i ed l y c l i mb ing dow n , d r ipp i ng we t , he r s hopp ing bas ke t s t i l l i n he r hand .

"Da me W asha lo t -ha ve you hea rd a ny th ing a bou t S i lky a nd the o the r s? " a s ked Bes s i e .

"No t a t h i ng , " sa id t he o ld dame , "Al l I know i s t ha t t ha t bad - t em pered c r ea tu r e w ho ca l l s he r s e l f La dy Ye l l -A round has t ake n S i lky ' s hous e a nd sa ys t ha t S i l ky sa id s he mi gh t have i t , b ec ause she , S i lky , w an te d to go and l i ve fo r a w h i l e i n t he Land o f T emper s - a t h ing I don ' t be l i eve a t a l l , f o r a s we e te r - t empe red pe r s on than l i t t l e S i l ky you cou ld ne ve r f i nd ! "

" I t ' s a wfu l ly funny , " s a id J o , f r ow n ing . "S i lky , M oon-F ace a nd Sa ucepan d i s appea red and the se tw o awfu l peop le t ake t he i r p l ace s . The re ' s on l y one th ing t o do . We ' d be t t e r j u s t pop up i n to t he Land o f T emper s t o s ee i f by any cha nce the y have gone t he r e . "

"Wel l , t ha t ' s dange rous , " s a i d Dam e Wa sha l o t . "O nce you l o se you r t em per up the r e you have t o l i ve t he r e fo r a lw ays . And you m igh t ea s i l y l o s e you r t e mper w i t h t he c ro s s l o t o f pe op le w ho l i ve t he r e . I c an ' t t h i nk how i t i s t ha t t he se tw o have bee n ab l e t o l e a ve . "

" I t does s ound dange rous , " s a id J o . "Bu t I t h i nk we cou ld a l l kee p ou r t em per s , you know, i f we knew w e ha d to . A nywa y , I s i mp ly don ' t know wha t e l se t o do . P e rhaps i t w ou ld be bes t i f I j u s t we n t by mys e l f - t hen the o the r s w ou ldn ' t have t o r i s k ge t t i ng i n t o dange r . "

But t he o the r s w ou ldn ' t hea r o f J o go ing by h i ms e l f . "W e sha re i n t h i s , " sa id D ick . " I f you c an go to t he Land o f T emper s and ke ep you r t em per , we can , t oo . We nee d on ly go up and a s k i f S i l ky and the o the r s a r e t he r e . I f t hey ' r e no t , we c an a t once com e aw ay . "

"Wel l , t he n , we ' d be t t e r go now ," s a id J o .

S o up the T re e t he y wen t , and the n up the l adde r t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c loud - a nd in to t he Land o f T empe r s .

We l l , i t wa s a funny L and ! The re w as s uch a l o t o f s hou t i ng and qua r r e l l i ng go i ng on - suc h a sm as h ing o f w indow s by pe op le t h rowi ng s t ones i n a r a ge - suc h a s t am p ing and ye l l i ng !

"Goodne ss ! I vo t e we don ' t s t a y he r e l ong ! " sa i d Jo , dodg i ng to mi ss a s t one t ha t s omeone ha d th row n . "Look! Le t ' s a s k t ha t ma n ove r t he r e i f he ha s se en S i lky o r t he o the r s . "

S o he a s ked h im . Bu t he g l a r ed a t t hem and ans we red rude ly .

"Don ' t c ome bo t he r ing me wi th you r s i l l y ques t i ons ! Can ' t you s ee I ' m i n a hu r ry?"

He pushe d Jo rough l y , and the l i t t l e boy a t once f e l t a ng ry . He was j u s t abou t t o push t he ma n rough ly t oo w hen F anny w h i s pe red t o h im:

" Jo ! D on ' t l o s e you r t emper ! S m i l e , qu i ck ly , s mi l e ! "

S o Jo m ade h im se l f s mi l e , f o r he knew tha t no one ca n r ea l l y l o s e h i s t em per w hen he i s s mi l i ng . The man g l a r ed a t h im a nd we n t aw ay .

"Wel l , I c an s ee t ha t i t w ou ld be j o l l y d i f f i cu l t t o l i ve he r e wi thou t ge t t i ng ang ry a lmos t eve ry minu t e o f t he day , " sa id J o . "Hi e , t he r e -do you know a ny th ing a bou t ou r f r i e nds , S i l ky , Moon-F ac e and S auce pan?"

The boy he wa s ca l l i ng t o s topped a nd pu t ou t h i s t ongue a t J o . "Y ah! " he sa id . "D o you suppos e I ' m he re t o ans w er you r ques t i ons , f unny - f ac e?"

"No , I don ' t , " s a i d Jo . "Bu t I t hough t pe rhaps you m igh t be po l i t e enough to he l p me . "

The boy m ade a l o t o f r ude f a ce s a t a l l o f t hem and t hen pu l l ed F anny ' s ha i r ve ry sha rp ly be fo re he r an o f f .

D i ck and J o f e l t ang ry , bec aus e t hey s aw the t e a r s com e in t o Fa nny ' s eyes . They be gan to run a f t e r t he boy , shou t ing .

"Di ck ! J o ! Come ba ck ! " c r i e d Watz i s name . "You a r e l o s ing you r t e mper s aga i n . "

"S o we a r e , " s a id t he boys , a nd they s toppe d and made them se l ves l ook p l ea sa n t .

Wa t z i s name we n t t o m ee t t hem, a nd a s he we n t tw o naugh t y l i t t l e boys r an by . One pu t ou t h i s f oo t , and poo r o ld W a tz i sna me t r i pped ove r i t , b ang , on h i s nose . The boys s tood and l aughed t i l l t hey c r i ed .

Wat z i s name go t up , h i s f ac e one b ig f row n . " I ' l l t e ach you t o t r i p m e up ! " he c r i ed . " I ' l l . . . "

"S mi l e , Wa t z i s name , sm i l e ! " c r i ed Be ss i e . "Don ' t l ook l i ke t ha t . Y ou ' r e l o s ing you r t e mper . S mi l e ! "

And W atz i s name ha d to s mi l e , bu t i t w as ve ry , ve ry d i f f i cu l t . The tw o bad boys r a n o f f . The c h i ld r en w en t wa lk ing on , t e l l i ng t hem se lves t ha t t hey MU S T r em embe r , wha teve r ha ppened , no t t o l o s e t he i r t e mper s .

They m e t a ve ry g r and - look i ng f e l l ow, w ea r i ng a go ld c ha in abou t h i s shou l de r s . They t hough t he m us t be one o f t he head me n o f t he L and o f Tem per s , and nobody l i ked to s peak t o h im . Bu t sudde n ly F anny ca l l ed t o h im .

"Do you know w here S i r S t a mp-a -L o t and L ady Ye l l -A round a r e ?" she sa id . The haugh ty - l ook ing man s toppe d in s u rp r i s e .

"No , I don ' t , " he sa id . "They ha ve d i s appea red , and I am ve ry ang ry a bou t i t . D o you know whe re t he y a r e?"

"Ye s , I do , " s a i d Fa nny bo ld ly .

"Where a r e t he y , t hen?" a ske d the g r and m an .

" I ' l l t e l l you t he ans we r t o you r ques t i on i f you ' l l an s w er one o f m ine , " sa id F anny .

"Ve ry we l l , " s a i d t he ma n .

"Ha ve ou r f r i e nds , S i l ky , Moon-F ac e and S auce pan come to l i ve he r e fo r a wh i l e? " a s ked F anny .

"Ce r t a in ly no t , " sa id t he m an . " I ' v e neve r he a rd o f t hem . No one i s a l l owe d to l i ve he r e un l e s s t hey f i r s t l o se t he i r t empe r s and t hen ge t

pe rmi ss ion f rom me t o t ake a house . And now - te l l m e whe re S t am p-a -Lo t and Y e l l -Around a r e . "

"They ha ve e s cape d f rom you r Land a nd a r e l i v ing i n t he F a raw ay T ree , " sa id F anny .

"Bu t t he y a r e no t a l l ow ed t o do tha t ! " c r i ed t he hea d man . "H ow da re t hey? I d idn ' t even know w e w ere nea r t he F a raw ay T ree . Wa i t t i l l I c a t ch t hem ! I ' l l s hake the m t i l l t he i r t e e th r a t t l e . I ' l l s co ld t hem t i l l t hey s h ive r l i ke j e l l i e s . "

"Wel l , t ha t w ou ld be ve ry n i ce , " s a id F anny . "G ood-bye . W e ' r e go ing . "

The o t he r s j o ine d he r a s she r an t ow ards t he ho l e i n t he c loud . "H ow b rave and c l eve r you a r e , Fa nny ! " sa id J o . " I shou l d neve r have though t o f a l l t ha t ! I 'm qu i t e , qu i t e s u r e t ha t S i l ky and the o the r s a r en ' t up he r e . "

" I wa s a wfu l ly a f r a i d o f t ha t head m an , " sa id F anny . " I j u s t c ou ldn ' t s peak a w ord more t o h im . H ur ry up - l e t ' s ge t back t o t he T re e . S i lky i sn ' t he r e . I c an ' t i mag ine whe re t hey a l l a r e . The re ' s s ome t h ing ve ry , ve ry m ys t e r ious abou t i t . "

They a l l c l im bed down t he l a dde r t o t he T ree , t hank fu l t o l e a ve beh i nd the ho r r id La nd o f Tem per s . They w en t dow n to S i l ky ' s hous e and pee ped in a t t he w indow . La dy Ye l l -A round w asn ' t t he r e .

" I vo t e w e go i n and have a l ook round , " s a id J o . Bu t t he doo r wa s l ocked and the key had bee n t aken . Bo t he r !

"Wel l , I ' m s u re I don ' t know W HA T t o do , " sa id J o . "Bu t w e s i mp ly m us t do S OM Et h ing ! "

24 .

A M os t Exc i t i ng T im e .

As the ch i l d r en s tood g loom i ly ou t s i de S i lky ' s hous e , a vo i ce c a l l ed t o t hem f rom f a r t he r dow n .

" I s t ha t you , W a tz i sna me? Any new s o f ou r mi s s ing f r i e nds? "

"Tha t ' s t he Angry P ix i e , " s a id J o . "Le t ' s go dow n and t a l k t o h im . "

The A ngry P ix i e wa s l ook ing ve ry m i s e r ab l e .

" I c an ' t unde r s t a nd a l l t h i s mys t e ry , " he sa id . " I s aw S i lky and t he o the r s a f ew days ago -and t hen the y sudden l y d i s appea r l i ke s moke wi thou t a c ry o r a ye l l . I t ' s f unny . "

"We ' ve j u s t be en up in t he Land o f T empe r s , " s a i d Fa nny . "Bu t t hey ' r e no t t he r e . "

" I t hough t o f go i ng up the r e t o s ee , " s a id t he A ngry P i x i e , "bu t I wa s s o a f r a i d I ' d l o se m y t em per and have to s t ay t he r e a l wa ys . Y ou know wha t a t em per I ' v e go t . "

"Ye s , " s a i d Jo . "Y ou ce r t a in l y mus tn ' t d r eam o f go ing up the r e . Y ou 'd neve r c ome bac k . "

They s a t t he r e , l ook ing a t one ano t he r and the n they a l l p r i c ked up the i r e a r s . The y cou ld hea r a ve ry pec u l i a r no i s e .

Boom, boom, boom ! Knoc k , knock , knock ! Boom , boom, boom!

"Wha t eve r ' s t ha t ? " sa i d F anny , l ook ing a l l r ound . "A nd w he re i s i t comi ng f rom?"

" I can ' t i mag ine , " sa id t he Angry P ix i e . " I keep on he a r ing i t . I hea rd i t ye s t e rda y and l a s t

n igh t a nd th i s morn i ng . I t j u s t goe s on a nd on . "

Eve ryone l i s t e ned . The no i se s t opped and the n we n t on aga i n . Boom, boom, boom! K nock , knoc k , knock !

"Where does i t com e f rom? " sa i d Bes s i e .

"F rom the i n s i de o f t he t r ee , " s a i d Wa t z i s name , l i s t e n ing ha rd . " I ' m s u re o f t ha t ! "

"Do you s uppos e -do you pos s i b ly s uppose - tha t i t m igh t be S i lky and the o the r s - s omew here i n s i de t he t r ee? " sa id F anny s udden ly .

Boom, boom, boom ! Knoc k , knock , knock !

The re i t w as aga i n !

" I be l i eve F anny ' s r i gh t . I t h i nk S i lky , M oon-F ace a nd Sa ucepan a r e p r i s one r s i n s ide t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p . S t amp-a -Lo t m us t have pus hed the m down t he r e , a nd then s tu f f ed up t he ho l e wi th a l l t hos e t h i ngs , " s a i d Wa t z i s name .

"Bu t t he y wou l d have s ho t ou t o f t he t r a p -doo r a t t he bo t t om," s a id D ick .

"We ' l l go down and ope n i t a nd se e i f any t h ing has been pu t t he r e t o s tu f f t ha t up , t oo , " s a id J o . "Come on , eve ryone . "

S o they a l l w en t dow n to t he t r ee t o w he re t he t r ap -doo r w as a t t he bo t tom . Jo ope ned i t . He looked in s ide and the n gave a s hou t .

"Th i s end i s a l l s t u f f e d up , t oo ! Thes e t wo ho r r i d peop le f rom the L and o f Tem per s have go t S i lky and the o the r s i n t he r e , I ' m s u re . Look- t he r e ' s a l l k inds o f t h ings s tu f f ed i n he r e . T he poo r t h ings ca n ' t ge t up o r dow n . They ' r e t r apped ! "

"Wel l , l e t ' s pu l l eve ry t h ing ou t a nd se t t hem f r ee ! " s a id D ic k , and he t ugged a t a g r ea t ba l l o f

mos s . Bu t i t w ou ldn ' t m ove !

Eve ryone had a t u rn a t t ugg i ng and pu l l i ng -bu t i t w as no u se a t a l l . N o t a t h ing w ou ld m ove .

"They ' ve s tu f f ed e ve ry th i ng in and t hen pu t a s pe l l on i t t o ma ke i t s t a y whe re i t i s , " sa id Wa t z i s nam e a t l a s t . " I t ' s no good . We ' l l ne ve r be ab l e t o move a t h ing . L ook- the r e ' s Lady Y e l l -A round coming ba ck f rom he r shopp i ng . We ' l l j u s t s ee i f w e c an ' t make he r do som e th i ng abou t t h i s ! "

Bu t t ha t w as n ' t any good e i t he r . La dy Ye l l -A round p re t e nded tha t she d idn ' t know any th i ng abou t t he s t opped -up ho le .

"Wha t ' s t he good o f s hou t i ng a t m e and a s k ing m e s ome t h ing I don ' t know any th i ng abou t? " she s a i d . "You go a nd a s k o ld S t am p-a -Lo t . H e ' l l t e l l you wha t you w an t t o know."

"No , he won ' t , " s a i d Jo . "H e ' s j u s t a s b ig a f i bbe r a s you a r e . "

Anyw ay , no one wa n ted to s ee S t amp-a -Lo t aga in . H e w as such a bad -t em pered pe r s on . The y a l l c l i mbed bac k to t he Angry P ix i e ' s hous e , s a t down , a nd looked g l oomi l y a t e a ch o the r .

"Can ' t ge t i n a t t he t op o f t he S l ippe ry - s l i p , and ca n ' t ge t i n a t t he bo t tom ," sa id J o . "How in t he w or ld can w e r e sc ue poo r S i lky and t he o the r s ? I t ' s s imp l y d r ead fu l . "

"They ' l l be s t a rv ing ! " s a i d Fa nny , beg inn i ng to c ry . "O h , J o , do t h ink o f som e th i ng ! "

But nobody cou l d t h ink o f a ny th ing a t a l l . I t w as on ly w hen the woodpe cke r f l ew by t o go to h i s ho l e i n t he t r ee t ha t a ny idea c ame - and then J o j um ped up w i th h i s e yes s h in i ng .

" I know! I know !" he c r i ed . "L e t ' s a sk t he w oodpecke r t o he lp u s . "

"Bu t how cou ld a b i rd he l p?" sa id D ick .

"Wel l , a w oodpecke r pecks ho l e s i n w ood to m ake h i s ne s t , " s a i d Jo . " I ' v e se en the m peck i ng ha rd w i th t he i r s t r ong bea ks . T hey ma ke a k ind o f d rummi ng no i s e , and c an peck ou t qu i t e a b ig ho l e i n no t i me . I f w e a s ked h im, I ' m s u re t he w oodpecke r c ou ld peck a ho l e a t t he ba ck o f t h i s r oom , r i gh t i n to t he S l ippe ry - s l i p - and the n we c ou ld pu l l S i l ky , M oon-F ace a nd S aucepa n th rough the ho l e . "

"Oh , t ha t r e a l l y does s ound a m arve l lous i dea ! " s a i d Fa nny , beami ng . "Le t ' s c a l l h im now."

S o they w en t ou t s i de on to a b ig b r anch o f t he F a raw ay Tre e and ca l l e d t o t he w oodpec ke r .

"Woodpec ke r ! Come he r e a mi nu te ! "

The w oodpec ke r s t a r ed round i n su rp r i se . He w as c l ean ing h i s w ing f ea t he r s by runn ing eac h one ca r e fu l ly t h rough h i s beak . H e w as a l ove l y b i rd w i th h i s b r i gh t , r ed - s p l a she d head . H e s p read h i s w ings and f l e w down .

"Wha t ' s t he m a t t e r ? " he a ske d .

Jo t o ld h im . The b i rd l i s t e ned w i th h i s hea d on one s ide and h i s b r i gh t eyes s h in ing .

"Do you t h ink you cou l d poss ib l y he lp u s t o r e scue S i lky and t he o the r s by peck i ng a ho l e a t t he back o f t he Angry P ix i e ' s hous e?" s a i d Jo , w hen he ca me to t he end o f h i s s t o ry . "Y ou have s uch a s t r ong beak . "

"Ye s , I know I have , " sa i d t he w oodpec ke r . "The on l y t h ing i s I ge ne ra l l y on ly pec k ro t t e n wood- t ha t ' s e a s y t o peck a wa y , you know. I t j u s t f a l l s t o p i ec e s . Bu t good , g row ing w ood l i ke t he t r unk o f t he F a raw ay Tre e -w e l l , t ha t ' s d i f f e r en t . Tha t ' s ve ry ha rd , i ndee d . I t w ou ld t a ke me a ges t o peck a l a rge ho l e t h rough tha t . "

"Oh , de a r ! " s ighed J o . " I 'm so d i sa ppo in t e d . We da re n ' t l e t S i l ky and the o the r s s t ay i n t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p t oo long in ca se t hey s t a rve . The re ' s no th ing t o ea t down t he r e , you know . Wha t eve r a r e we to do?"

Everybody t hough t ha rd . I t wa s t he woodpe cke r w ho had an i dea f i r s t .

" I know!" he sa id . " I cou l d f e t ch m y cous in s who l i ve i n t he Enc han te d Wood in a no the r t r ee - and m aybe i f t he r e w e re t h r ee o r f ou r o f u s a l l peck i ng ha rd t oge t he r w e cou l d make a good ho le

qu i t e qu i ck l y . I know I c ou ldn ' t make one by mys e l f w i t hou t t a k ing tw o o r t h r ee days -bu t a l o t o f u s w ork ing t oge the r migh t do i t e a s i l y . "

"Oh , good ! " c r i ed e ve ryone . "G o and ge t you r cous i n s , t he r e ' s a dea r . Hur ry ! "

The w oodpec ke r f l ew o f f . Eve ryone w a i t e d impa t i e n t ly . T hey hea rd t he no i s e f rom t he i n s ide o f t he T re e aga i n . Boom, boom, boom ! Knoc k , knock , knock !

"P oor t h ings ! " s a id Bes s i e , t e a r s i n he r e yes . " I t mus t be s o d r ea d fu l i n s ide t he r e i n t he da rk , w i t h no th ing t o ea t o r d r ink . "

Af t e r abou t t en m inu te s t he woodpe cke r ca rne back , a nd wi th h im he b rough t f i ve o the r s ! The y were a l l woodpe cke r s , w i th b r igh t , r ed - s p l a s hed heads , s t r ong - look i ng b i rd s wi th pow er fu l bea ks .

"Oh , s p l e nd id ! " c r i ed J o , and he t ook t hem a l l i n to t he A ngry P ix i e ' s l i t t l e house . "Pe ck aw ay a t t he ba ck , he r e . "

The s ix b i rd s s tood i n a r ow and began t o peck a s c l o se t o one ano t he r a s t hey c ou ld . P eck , pec k , peck ! T hey pecke d so ha rd a nd so ve ry f a s t t ha t t hey m ade a c u r ious d rummi ng no i s e t ha t e choe d th rough the l i t t l e hous e . R - r - r - r - r - r - r - r - r - r ! R - r - r - r - r - r - r ! R - r - r - r - r - r - r - r !

They pe cked ha rd fo r a bou t an hou r and t hen s topped fo r a r e s t . Jo p r e ss ed c lo s e t o se e how t hey w ere ge t t i ng on . T o h i s j oy he s aw tha t a s ma l l ho l e had bee n pecked r i gh t t h rough i n to t he S l ippe ry - s l i p . He a ske d the A ngry P ix i e fo r a t o r ch a nd shone i t t h rough t he ho l e . Ye s - t he r e w as no doub t abou t i t , t he woodpe cke r s had go t

r igh t t h rough the t r ee t r unk ju s t t he r e .

"Now you ' ve on ly go t t o ma ke the ho l e b igge r ! " c r i ed J o j oy fu l ly . "P eck aw ay , w oodpecke r s , pec k awa y! You a r e do ing m arve l l ous l y ! "

25 .

Eve ry t h ing Come s R i gh t .

Af t e r a good r e s t t he s ix w oodpecke r s s e t t o work a ga in a t t he ho l e t he y had ma de . R - r - r - r - r - r - r ! w en t t he i r s t r ong bea ks , d rum ming aw ay a t t he wood . E ve ryone w a t ched to s ee t he ho l e ge t t i ng b igge r and b igge r . T hen a vo i ce f l oa t ed up , s i ng ing a m ourn fu l s ong :

"Tw o ke t t l e s f o r S i lky , T wo s auc epans fo r me , T wo d i she s fo r M oon-F ace , We ' r e s ad a s can be ! "

"Tha t ' s t he o ld S aucepa n Ma n!" sa i d Jo i n de l i gh t . "D id you hea r h i s s i l l y song? Tha t ' s t o t e l l u s t he y a r e a l l t he r e . M ove a s ide a b i t , w oodpecke r s , and l e t me ca l l t o t he m."

The w oodpec ke r s m ade room fo r Jo by t he ho l e . H e s tuc k h i s head th rough i t a nd ye l l ed l oud l y : "S i lky ! M oon-F ace ! S auc epan ! We ' r e go ing to r e s cue you . We ' l l pu l l you t h rough a ho l e w e ' ve ma de a t t he bac k o f t he A ngry P ix i e ' s r oom."

The re wa s a s quea l o f de l igh t f r om S i lky , a

shou t f rom M oon-F ace , a nd a c l a t t e r o f pans f rom S aucepa n .

"We ' r e com ing , w e ' r e comi ng ! " ye l l ed M oon-Fa ce . "We 've go t a r ope t o come up by . We s han ' t be l ong . I s t he ho l e b i g enough to s queez e t h rough?"

"No t ye t , " s hou te d back J o . "Bu t t he woodpe cke r s a r e j u s t go ing to s e t t o work a ga in , a nd they ' l l s oon have made i t b igge r . "

"R- r - r - r - r - r - r ! R - r - r - r - r - r - r ! " we n t t he woodpe cke r s ' s t r ong be aks , a nd the ho l e g r e w l a rge r and l a rge r . A t l a s t i t r e a l l y wa s b i g enough fo r anyone t o ge t t h rough . Jo l e aned t h rough i t , h i s t o r ch s h in ing i n to t he S l ippe ry - s l i p . He sa w a l i gh t g l eam ing a l i t t l e w ay dow n , and no t i ced a rope sha k ing nea r by , a s i f som eone w as ho ld ing on t o i t .

"They ' r e com ing up , " he s a i d t o t he o the r s . "They ' ve go t a l i gh t o f som e so r t , t oo . O h! I t ' s a c and le . I c an s ee M oon-F ace now. H e ' s t he f i r s t . A nd he ' s he lp ing S i l ky up . The o l d Sa ucepan M an i s beh i nd . They ' l l soon be he r e ! A ngry P ix i e , pu t on a ke t t l e t o bo i l som e w a te r . I e xpec t t hey w ou ld l i ke som e ho t c ocoa o r s ome t h ing . A nd have you go t a ny th ing t o ea t ? " ' " I ' v e go t P op B i s cu i t s a nd Goog l e Buns , " s a i d t he A ngry P ix i e , l ook ing in to a t i n . "T hey ' l l l i ke t hos e . "

Moon-F ac e a t l a s t hau l ed h im se l f r i gh t up to t he ho l e . H i s r ound f ace l ooked w h i t e and r a t he r w or r i ed -bu t he gave J oe a g r in a s u sua l . "H e lp S i lky t h rough f i r s t , " he s a id .

Jo a nd Di ck pu l l ed S i lky t h rough the ho l e . S he looked pa l e , t oo , bu t how g l ad s he w as t o s ee a l l he r f r i ends ! S he f l ung he r a rms round Bes s i e and F anny , and the y a l l c r i ed t e a r s o f j oy dow n one ano t he r . The n Moon-F ace sque ezed t h rough the ho l e , and l a s t o f a l l t he o l d Sa ucepan M an , t hough he had t o t ake o f f a f ew pans be fo re he c ou ld ge t t h rough !

"We ne ve r , neve r t hough t w e 'd be r e s cued ! " s a id M oon-F ace . "We ' d qu i t e g iven up hope . We kep t knock ing a nd bang ing , hop ing s ome one w ou ld hea r u s . "

"Ye s , w e d i d hea r you , " s a id J o . "Tha t ' s w ha t m ade u s t h i nk you migh t be t r appe d in t he S l ippe ry - s l i p . Bu t M oon-Fa ce , how d id you ge t t he r e? Wha t happene d?"

"Wai t a m inu te - l e t t hem ha ve som e th i ng to ea t and d r ink f i r s t , " s a id Wa t z i s name . "They m us t be t e r r i b ly hung ry , no t ha v ing had a ny th ing t o ea t and d r ink fo r s o l ong . "

"Oh , w e ha d p l en t y , " sa i d Moon-F ac e . "We d i dn ' t s t a rve . Bu t I ' l l t e l l you a l l abou t i t . "

Eve ryone se t t l ed down t o hea r h i s s t o ry .

"You s ee , one morn i ng th i s w eek S i lky , S auc epan and I w e re s i t t i ng up in my hous e t a lk ing , " be gan Moon-F ac e , " and s udden ly w e s aw tw o peop l e f rom the Land o f T emper s l ook i ng in a t u s . "

"Ye s -S i r S t amp-a -L o t and L ady Y e l l -A round! " s a id J o . " ' We know them !"

"Wel l , t he y looked ve ry f i e r ce l y a t u s , " s a id M oon-F ace , " a nd they t o ld u s t ha t t hey w an t ed to l e ave t he Land o f T empe r s bec aus e t he he ad -ma n was ve ry ang ry w i t h t hem abou t s ome t h ing . I t h i nk they ha d b roken h i s wi ndows in a t em per . We l l , t he y had e s cape d , and they m ean t t o l i ve i n t he F a ra wa y Tree . T hey had found ou t by acc i den t t ha t t he i r La nd wa s ove r i t , you se e . "

"And t hey w an te d you r house ! " c r i ed D ic k .

"Ye s , " s a i d Moon-F ac e . "They ha d been dow n the t r ee and s ee n tha t S i lky ' s hous e w as em p ty , beca use S i lky w as up he re w i th m e , and had t ake n tha t f o r t hems e l ves . A t l e a s t Y e l l -A round mea n t t o have i t f o r he r s e l f . A nd S tam p-a -Lo t mean t t o have mine . "

"And t hey s a id t hey had s topped up t he t r a pdoo r a t t he bo t tom ," sa id S i lky , " and t hey me an t t o push u s dow n the S l i ppe ry - s l i p , and t hen s top

up the ho l e i n M oon-F ace ' s r oom, s o t ha t we wou l d be p r i s one r s i n t he s l i de ! "

"Wel l , you can gue ss how f r igh t e ned w e we re ! " s a id M oon-F ace . "O ld S aucepa n hea rd i t a l l becaus e S t a mp-a -L o t s hou ted s o l oud ly . A nd the c l e ve r o ld t h ing began t o s t u f f h i s ke t t l e s and s auce pans w i t h food f rom my l a rde r , and s ome c and le s , t oo , and ma t ches - and a rope . I cou ldn ' t t h ink w ha t he w as do ing ! "

"S o , o f cou r se , whe n we were pushe d in to t he S l ippe ry - s l i p w e had p l e n ty o f f ood ! " sa id S i lky , pu t t i ng he r a rm round S auc epan and hugg i ng h im. "Al l bec aus e S aucepa n was s o c l e ve r . "

"He mana ged to t i e t he rope on to s ome t h ing s o t ha t we had tha t t o c l imb up and dow n on i f w e w an ted t o , " sa id M oon-Fa ce , " and w e found a

l i t t l e so r t o f cubby -ho le ha l f -w ay dow n whe re w e cou ld s i t and ea t and d r ink . We l i gh t ed a ca nd le , and t hen S i lky t hough t o f knock i ng and bang ing s ome whe re nea r t o t he A ngry P ix i e ' s house j u s t i n c a s e you migh t be t he r e and hea rd i t "

"Oh , w e w ere so w or r i ed a bou t you , " s a id J o . "We j u s t s i mp ly d i dn ' t know WH AT to do ! I ' m s o g l ad w e though t o f t he w oodpec ke r s . S o you ' r e r ea l l y no t ve ry hung ry o r t h i r s ty a f t e r a l l ? "

"No , no t ve ry , " s a id M oon-F ace . "Bu t som e o f t he cake w e b rough t go t r a the r s t a l e . W oodpecke r s , w ou ld you l i ke i t ? "

I t w as a t r e a t f o r t he woodpe cke r s and the y pecked up t he s t a l e cake eage r ly be fo re t hey f l e w o f f . T hey had bee n ve ry p l ea se d to he lp .

"And now w ha t a r e w e go ing to do a bou t t u rn i ng S t amp-a -Lo t a nd Ye l l -Around ou t o f ou r house s? " sa id S i lky . "W e can ' t a l l l i ve w i th t he A ngry P ix i e . H i s hous e i s t oo s ma l l . "

Ju s t a s s he s a i d t ha t t he r e c ame t he s ound o f shou t ing and ye l l i ng s ome wa y up the t r ee . Eve ryone l i s t ened .

"Tha t ' s Y e l l -Around , I ' m s u re , " s a id S i l ky . "Le t ' s go and s ee w ha t ' s happen i ng . "

Wel l , qu i t e a l o t wa s ha ppen ing ! A bou t e i gh t peop l e f rom t he Land o f Tem per s , w i th t he headma n l ead i ng them , had com e down t he t r e e t o cap t u r e S t am p-a -Lo t a nd Ye l l -A round! The head -ma n had r eme mbere d wha t F anny had s a i d , and had com e to f i nd the tw o e s ca ped peop le . They

had ea s i l y found S t am p-a -Lo t , f o r he wa s a s l eep in M oon-F ace ' s house , wh i ch w as no t f a r be l ow t he l a dde r l e a d ing up to t he La nd o f Tempe r s .

Bu t Y e l l -Around ha d no t been s o ea s i l y cap t u r ed . S he had s een t he hea d -man c l im b ing dow n the t r ee and ha d t r i ed t o e s cape . S he ha d f a l l en , and had hung by one foo t f rom a b r anc h , ye l l i ng and s quea l ing , bec ause she wa s s o a f r a id o f f a l l i ng . A nd the he ad -man p i cked he r up by he r f oo t and d r agged he r up the T re e l i ke t ha t , bumping he r a s he w en t .

Eve ryone wa tched i n s i l enc e . Ye l l -A round w as sque a l ing l oud ly i n a t e r r i b l e r a ge , bu t nobody took a ny no t i c e .

" I won ' t go ba ck to t he Land o f T empe r s ! " s he ye l l ed . " I w on ' t , I w on ' t ! "

Bu t s he had t o ! Up t he l adde r she wa s ca r r i ed , ups ide down , and S t amp-a -Lo t w as pus hed up , t oo .

"S e rves t hem r igh t , " s a i d Moon-F ace . "Tak i ng ou r house s f rom us and t r app i ng u s i n t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p l i ke t ha t . Le t ' s go up t o my hous e . "

They a l l w en t up . Moon-F ace wa s s ad t o see h i s house so un t idy and s o many o f h i s t h ings b roken . Eve ryone he lpe d h im t o pu t i t r i gh t . T hen they a l l l ooked a t t he s tu f f e d -up S l ippe ry - s l i p .

"The s pe l l pu t on i t w i l l be gone now tha t t hos e tw o ho r r id pe op le have gone , " s a id M oon-F ace . "W e can pu l l eve ry th ing ou t . "

S o i t w as n ' t l ong be fo re t he ho l e wa s f r e e o f a l l t he t h ings t ha t s t u f f ed i t up . A4oon-F ac e s hook ou t h i s cu s h ions and g r inne d a t t he ch i l d r en .

"Wel l , eve ry t h ing ' s a l l r i gh t aga i n , " he s a id .

" I 'm so ha ppy , I t ' s l ove ly t o ha ve good f r i e nds l i ke you . "

"We ' d be t t e r ge t home now ," s a id J o . "We ' ve bee n aw ay a l ong t ime . "

"We c an ' t s l i de dow n the S l ippe ry - s l i p becaus e i t ' s a l l s t u f f ed up a t t he bo t tom ," sa id F anny .

"Wel l , I ' l l s end a m es sa ge down t o t he r e d squ i r r e l t o c l ea r i t , " s a i d Moon-F ac e . H e w h i s t l ed t o a s pa r row s i t t i ng on a nea rby b r a nch .

"He y , l i t t l e b rown b i rd ! F l y down t o t he r e d squ i r r e l and t e l l h im t o open the t r ap -doo r a t t he bo t t om o f t he t r ee , and c l e a r t he s l i de t he r e , w i l l you? ' he a s ked . "Te l l h i m to do i t a t once . "

The s pa r row f l e w o f f . M oon-F ace ha nded round a t i n o f To f f ee -Shoc ks , and eve ryone took one . " J u s t t i me t o have one w h i l s t t he s qu i r r e l i s c l e a r ing ou t t he me ss , " he s a i d . "Hark ! I c an hea r t he La nd o f Tem per s mov ing o f f . "

S u re enough the r e cam e the no i s e o f t he L and mov i ng aw ay - the c u r ious c r ea k ing , g roan ing no i se t ha t t he s t r ange l ands a l ways ma de w hen they we n t .

"Wha t Land w i l l come nex t , I w onde r?" s a i d Jo .

" I know w ha t i t w i l l be , " s a i d Wa tz i s name . " I he a rd t he head -ma n o f t he Land o f T empe r s s ay tha t t he Land o f P re s en t s w as due to -m or row. "

"Oooooh! " s a i d Moon-F ac e , h i s eyes s h in ing . "W e mus t a l l go t o T HA T! The L and o f P re s en t s ! Tha t ' s a m arve l l ous l and ! We can a l l go and ge t a s many p re se n t s a s w e l i ke - j u s t a s i f i t was ou r b i r t hday ! Come to -mor row , wi l l you? We ' l l a l l go ! I c an ge t s ome new ca rpe t s a nd th ings . S t am p-a -Lo t s po i l t s o many o f m y be long i ngs . "

"We ' l l come!" s a i d Jo a s he s l i d down t he S l ippe ry - s l i p on a ye l low cus h ion . "We ' l l a l l come ! RAT HE R!"

26 .

The L and o f P re s en t s .

Ne x t day a l l t he fou r ch i l d r en w oke up f ee l i ng exc i t ed . I t wa s s o l ove ly whe n a r ea l l y n i c e La nd was a t t he t op o f t he F a raw ay T ree . T hey had been t o t he L and o f B i r thda ys be fo re , and the Land o f T ake -Wha t -Y ou-Wan t . The L and o f Good i e s had been n i ce , a nd the La nd o f Do-A s -You-P lea s e . T he Land o f P re s en t s s ounded j u s t a s exc i t i ng !

" I wonde r who g i ves t he p r e s en t s - a nd i f you can c hoose t hem ," sa i d F anny . 'T d l i ke a neck l ace o f b l ue bea ds . "

"And I ' d l i ke an eno rm ous box o f c hoco la t e s , " sa id D ick .

"You w ou ld ! " s a i d Jo . "A ny th i ng to ea t , and you ' r e happy ! I ' d l i ke a t oy ae rop l ane t ha t w ou ld f l y f rom my hands and com e bac k to t hem ."

" I sha l l b r i ng som e th i ng home fo r M othe r , " s a i d Bes s i e . "S he w an t s a new pu r se . When ca n we s t a r t , J o? I ' m a l l r e ady . "

They s e t o f f abou t e l even o ' c loc k , whe n they had done a l l t he i r work . They w ere ve ry exc i t ed .

I t w as so l ove ly t o t h ink t ha t S i l ky , Moon-F ac e and S auce pan we re s a f e aga i n and comi ng to en j oy the L and o f P re s en t s wi th t he m. P e rhaps Wa t z i s name , Sa ucepan a nd the A ngry P ix i e wou l d come , t oo .

Wel l , eve ryone in t he Fa raw ay Tree had hea rd t ha t t he Land o f P re s en t s wa s a t t he t op o f t he T ree t ha t day ; and , dea r me , w ha t a l o t o f pe op le we re s t ead i ly c l imb i ng up tha t morn ing ! B row n ie s f rom the w ood be low , p ix i e s a nd e lves , eve n r abb i t s f r om the i r ho l e s . The A ngry P ix i e ' s hous e wa s e mp ty . H e had gone a l r e ady . The ow l ha d gone , t oo , f o r he w as no t a s l ee p in h i s l i t t l e house a s u sua l . D ame W as ha lo t w as gone , a nd no wa t e r cam e pou r ing dow n the T ree a s t he ch i l d r en c l imbed up .

"Wha t a c row d the r e ' l l b e ! " s a id J o happ i ly . " I hope w e a r e n ' t t oo l a t e . I hope the r e w i l l be som e p re s en t s l e f t f o r u s ! "

"Oh , goodne ss ! Le t ' s hu r ry ! " s a id D ic k in a l a rm. H e d idn ' t w an t t o l o s e t he b i g box o f choco l a t e s he w an t ed !

Moon-F ac e , S i lky a nd Sa ucepan w ere wa i t i ng m os t impa t i e n t ly fo r t hem. "Hur ry , hu r ry ! " c r i ed S i l ky . "The L and o f P re s en t s goes i n an hou r ! I t neve r s t a ys l ong ! Qu i ck ! Qu i ck ! "

Up t he l a dde r t hey a l l w en t , t a l k ing and l a ugh ing in e xc i t emen t . And , m y goodnes s m e , w ha t a w onde r fu l Land i t w as !

The re we re Chr i s tma s t r ee s hung w i th p r e s en t s o f a l l k i nds ! T he re w e re b r an - tubs fu l l o f exc i t i ng pa r c e l s . Y ou had to d i p i n you r hand fo r t hos e . 184

The re we re t ab l e s sp r e ad wi th t he l ove l i e s t t h ings . And , oh , t he cha t t e r i ng and g igg l ing tha t w en t on a s peop l e chos e t he i r p r e s en t s and w en t o f f w i th t hem !

Di ck ma rched up to a Chr i s tma s T ree bec aus e he s aw hang ing on i t a mos t wonde r fu l box o f choc o la t e s . A gob l i n wa s i n cha rge o f t he T re e , and he sm i l e d a t D ic k .

" I wa n t t ha t box o f choco l a t e s , " s a i d Di ck .

"Who i s i t f o r ? " a s ked the gob l in , ge t t i ng ou t s ome s c i s s o r s t o cu t dow n the box .

"F o r mys e l f , " s a id D ic k .

The gob l in pu t a wa y h i s sc i s s o r s and s hook h i s head g r ave ly . "Th i s i s t he Land o f P re s en t s , " he sa i d , "No t t he L and o f Ta ke -Wha t -You-W an t . Y ou

can on l y ge t t h ings he r e t o g i ve t o o t he r peop le . I 'm so r ry . T h i s i s n ' t a se l f i s h l a nd a t a l l . "

Di ck looke d ve ry g loom y . He m oved aw ay . H ow s t up id ! H e cou ldn ' t ge t any th i ng fo r h ims e l f , t hen -and he had s o much w an te d the c hoco la t e s !

He sa w a l ove ly b l ue nec k lace hang ing on ano t he r t r e e , and he t hough t o f F anny . S he had bad l y wa n ted a ne ck lac e o f b lue beads t o go w i th he r be s t b lue f roc k . He wen t up to t he gob l in i n cha rge o f t he t r e e .

"Ma y I have t ha t b lue neck l ace t o g ive t o Fa nny?" he a s ked .

"Where i s she? " sa id t he gob l in , ge t t i ng ou t h i s sc i s so r s . "Ca l l he r . "

"F anny , F anny , come he re ! " c r i ed D ick . " I ' v e go t s ome th ing fo r you ! "

F anny cam e runn ing up . T he gob l in ha nded

Di ck the b lue nec k lac e and he ga ve i t t o F anny .

"P u t i t r ound my neck fo r m e and do up t he c l a sp , " s he s a id . "O h , D ick , t hank you ! I t ' s l ove ly ! N ow-w ha t p r e se n t w ou ld you l i ke me t o ge t f o r you r

"Oh , F anny - I ' d l i ke t ha t b ig box o f choc o la t e s , " sa i d Di ck , bea ming a l l ove r h i s f ac e . "Wou ld you l i ke t o ge t i t f o r me? "

F anny a t onc e a s ked the gob l in t he r e fo r i t and gave i t t o Di ck . He und id t he box a nd o f f e r ed i t t o F anny . "H ave a choco la t e?" he sa id .

We l l , a s s oon a s t he ch i ld r en knew how to s e t a bou t ge t t i ng t he p r e s en t s , t hey ha d a mos t w onde r fu l t ime . A l l exc ep t dea r o ld S aucepa n , who w ou ld keep on ge t t i ng t he w rong p re s en t s f o r eve ryone , becaus e he kep t hea r ing th ings a l l w rong .

"Wha t wou l d you l i ke fo r a p r e s en t ? " he a s ked Bes s i e .

"Oh , S auc epan , I ' d so l i ke a f rock ! " s a id Bes s i e .

We l l , S aucepa n though t s he s a i d " c lock" , a nd o f f he w en t t o f i nd the b igges t one i n t he Land . H e ma naged to ge t one a t l a s t a nd pu t i t on h i s back . I t wa s a g r a nd fa the r c lock a nd so l a rge t ha t i t qu i t e ben t h i m in t wo wi th i t s w e i gh t . Eve ryone s t a r ed i n su rp r i se a s o ld S aucepa n came up wi th i t .

"He re you a r e , Be ss i e dea r -he re ' s you r c loc k , " sa id S aucepa n , beam ing a t he r .

"S aucepa n , I s a i d F ROCK , no t a c lock , " s a i d Bess i e , t r y ing no t t o l a ugh . "A F RO CK !"

P oor Sa ucepan . H e s im p ly d idn ' t know wha t

to do w i th t he c l ock a f t e r t ha t , and in t he end he l e f t i t i n a f i e ld , s t r i k ing a l l by i t s e l f ve ry s o l emn l y .

Then he a s ked Da me W asha lo t w ha t she wou l d l i ke fo r a p r e s en t .

"Wel l , I need a new i ron , " s a id t he o ld dam e .

" I ' l l g e t you one , " s a id S auce pan . Bu t , you know , he had he a rd qu i t e wrong . H e t hough t D ame Was ha lo t sa id " l i on" , t hough i f he ha d s t opped to t h ink one mome n t he w ou ld have known t ha t s he d i dn ' t w an t a l i on -o r a t i ge r o r an e l ephan t , e i t he r !

I t w as d i f f i c u l t t o f i nd a l i on i n t he Land o f P re s en t s . Bu t a s t he ru l e t he r e wa s t ha t w ha t eve r anyone wan t ed the y mus t have , t he gob l i n s m anaged t o p roduce one som ehow.

He go t a c o l l a r a nd a l e ad fo r i t a nd took i t back t o Dam e Wa sha l o t and the o t he r s . They a l l s t a r e d a t h i m in am aze men t .

"Wha t ha s Sa ucepan go t a l i on fo r ? " sa id J o .

"Da me W asha lo t , he r e i s t he l i on you w an te d , " sa id S aucepa n , beami ng ; and he pu t t he l e ad in D am e Was ha l o t ' s hand . S he d roppe d i t a t once a nd backe d awa y .

"S aucepa n ! Don ' t p l a y t h i s k ind o f j oke on me . You know I 'm sc a r ed o f l i ons . "

"Then w hy d id you a sk m e to ge t you a l i on?" a s ked S auce pan , a s ton i s hed .

" I sa id an IRO N , no t a L ION ," s a id D ame Was ha lo t qu i t e sna pp i ly .

"Wel l , t he n , wou l dn ' t you l i ke t o pu t i t i n to you r w as h - tub a nd was h i t c l e an?" s a id S auc epan .

Bu t no th i ng wou l d make Da me Wa sha lo t t ake

t he l i on , s o i n t he end S aucepa n had to t ake i t i n to t he f i e ld w he re t he c loc k wa s , and l e t i t l oos e .

"P e rhaps i t w i l l e a t t he g r a ss and be happy , " sa id S auce pan .

"Oh , S auc epan - l i ons don ' t e a t g r a s s , " s a id J o wi th a l augh . "N ow t e l l me -wha t do you w an t f o r a p r e se n t ? "

"S ome more ke t t l e s and s auce pans , " s a i d t he o l d Sa ucepan M an a t once .

S o Jo w en t t o a b r an - t ub and s a id w ha t he wa n ted . H e pu t i n h i s hand and d r ew ou t f ou r l a rge , knobb ly pa r c e l s - tw o s h in ing ke t t l e s a nd tw o f ine sa ucepans . The Sa ucepan M an w as ve ry p l ea s ed inde ed . He pu t one o f t he new sa ucepans on fo r a ha t .

We l l , i t wa s fun i n t he La nd o f P re se n t s . Eve ryone w en t r ound ge t t i ng som e th i ng fo r t he o t he r s . D i ck go t a t oy sw ee t s hop fo r Bess i e . She wa s de l i gh t ed . S he go t a f i ne a e rop la ne fo r Jo t ha t f l ew f rom h i s hand and c l e ve r ly ca me ba ck to i t e ac h t im e i t f l ew . Jo go t a new ha t f o r Wa t z i s name wi th a ye l low f ea t he r i n i t . Wa t z i s nam e go t a pa i r o f s i l ve r shoe s fo r S i l ky , and s he pu t t hem on a t once .

"Are we a l l owed t o t ake any th i ng home fo r ou r mo t he r and f a the r ?" J o a s ked M oon-Fa ce .

"Of c ou r se , so l ong a s you say i t i s f o r t he m and no one e l s e , " s a id M oon-F ace . S o J o we n t t o w he re a Chr i s tma s T ree w as hung wi th p ipe s a nd tobac co and go t a g r and new p ipe a nd a t i n o f t obacc o fo r h i s f a the r . And Bes s i e go t a l a rge ne w pu r s e fo r he r m o the r .

S udden ly J o l ooked a t h i s w a tch . " I t ' s a l mos t tw e l ve o ' c lock , " he s a i d . "The L and o f P re s en t s w i l l be mov ing o f f i n a mi nu te . W e 'd be t t e r go . Anyw ay , w e r e a l l y c an ' t c a r ry a ny th ing m ore ! G o l ly , w ha t a l ove l y l o t o f t h ings w e ' ve a l l go t ! "

S o they l e f t t he l ove l y Land o f P re s en t s and w en t down t he l adde r t o t he F a raw ay Tre e . They s a i d good -bye to M oon-F ace a nd the o t he r s , a nd sa t c a r e fu l ly dow n on cus h ions , t he i r p r e s en t s on the i r knees s o t ha t t hey wou l dn ' t b r eak . A nd one by one t hey s ho t o f f dow n the S l i ppe ry - s l i p and ou t o f t he f ron t doo r .

They he a rd a cu r i ous roa r a s t hey l a nded on the mos s ou t s i de t he t r ee . J o l ooked up i n to t he b r anches .

"Do you know , I be l i eve t ha t f unny o l d l i on fo l l ow ed us down t he l a dde r ! " he s a id . "W ha teve r wi l l D am e Was ha l o t do w i th h i m i f he w on ' t l e ave he r ! I gues s s he w i l l w as h h im eve ry day in he r was h - tub ! "

"Wel l , he ' l l w i s h he ha dn ' t l e f t t he La nd o f P re se n t s t hen ! " s a id Be ss i e wi th a g i gg l e . "Com e on - l e t ' s go home to M othe r . Wha t a l ove ly adven t u re ! I hope i t won ' t be t he l a s t . "

I t w on ' t , b ecaus e t he F a raw ay Tre e i s s t i l l t he r e . Bu t w e mus t l e ave t hem now t o have t he i r adve n tu re s by the ms e lves , f o r t he r e i s no t i me to t e l l you any more . The re t hey a l l go t h rough t he Encha n ted W ood , ca r ry ing the i r l ove l y p r e s en t s -wha t a l ucky lo t o f ch i ld r e n they a r e , t o be s u r e !

TH E EN D .

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