The Wishing-Chair Again Part 4

ac.h.i.n.ky? You are most impolite. Stand up during the rest of the cla.s.s instead of sitting.a c.h.i.n.ky stooda"but he stood with his back to Mister Grim.

Mister Grim glared. aBad pixie! You are being impolite again. Stand round the other way!a c.h.i.n.ky immediately stood on his hands and waved his feet in the air. All the brownies laughed and clapped.

Mister Grim looked as black as thunder. aCome here!a he cried, and c.h.i.n.ky began to walk towards him on his hands. He really looked very funny indeed. Winks laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks.

But Mister Grim didn't try to cane him that time. He told him to go and stand in the cornera"the right way up.

So c.h.i.n.ky stood in the corner the right way up, turning every now and then to grin at the others. Mister Grim began firing questions at the cla.s.s. aHands up those who know why brownies have long beards. Hands up those who know the magic word for 'disappear.' Hands up those who know why green smoke always comes out of chimneys of witches' houses. Hands up . . .a He didn't even wait for anyone to answer, so the brownies just shot up their hands at each question and then put them down again and waited for the next. Peter and Mollie thought it was the silliest cla.s.s they had ever attended!

aAnd nowa"can anyone ask me a question I can't answer?a said Mister Grim. aAha! It would take a clever brownie to do that! Be carefula"because if I can answer it, you'll have to come up and be punished. Now, who will ask me a question I can't answer?a The brownies had all been caught by this trick before, so n.o.body put up his hand.

Mister Grim pounced on poor Winks. aYou, brownie! Can't you think of a question?a aYes, sir,a said Winks at once. aI'd like to know why gooseberries wear whiskers. Do they belong to the brownie family?a Everybody roared at this ridiculous question. Except Mister Grim. He looked as grim as his name. He rapped with his stick on the desk.

aCome up here, Winks. I will not have you upsetting the cla.s.s like this with your silly remarks.a aBut, sira"can you answer the question? I really do want to know the answer,a said Winks, looking very hurt.

aCOME UP HERE!a boomed Mister Grim, and Winks went up, grinning round at the others. He got three strokes of the wand, but it didn't hurt him at all, of course, as he had still got the spell in his hands that prevented the stick from hurting him.

aI've got a question! I've got a question!a suddenly called out c.h.i.n.ky, seeing a chance to get his wand.

aWhat is it?a said Mister Grim, frowning. aI warn you, if it's a stupid question, I shall give you the stick.a aMister Grim, why do horses wear hooves instead of feet? a cried c.h.i.n.ky.

aCome up here,a said Mister Grim sternly. aThat's another silly question.a aBut I want to know,a wailed c.h.i.n.ky, pretending to cry.

The brownies began to laugh again. Mister Grim lost his temper.

aCome up here! a he roared, and c.h.i.n.ky went. aHold out your hand,a said Mister Grim. c.h.i.n.ky held it out. Mister Grim brought down the wand as hard as he coulda"but, dear me, he missed c.h.i.n.ky's hand altogether. The wand simply slipped to one side and didn't touch c.h.i.n.ky's hand at all. c.h.i.n.ky laughed.

aBad shot, Mister Grim!a Mister Grim tried againa"and againa"and againa"but each time the wand slid away from c.h.i.n.ky's outstretched hand and hit the desk instead. It was very puzzling indeed for Mister Grim.

The brownies were all laughing again. So were Peter and Mollie. Mister Grim's face was so comical to watch as he tried to hit c.h.i.n.ky's hand and couldn't.

aI shall break this stick in two!a he cried suddenly in a rage.

That gave c.h.i.n.ky a shock. aNo,a he shouted. aNo, you mustn't do that! You mustn't!a aWhy not?a said Mister Grim, and he put both hands on the wand as if to break it.

Peter, Mollie and c.h.i.n.ky watched in despair, waiting for the crack.

But the wand wasn't going to let itself be broken! It slid out of Mister Grim's big hands and shot over to c.h.i.n.ky, who caught it as it came.

aHa!a shouted c.h.i.n.ky in delight. aI've got it againa"my lovely Wanda"I've got it!a aWhat! Is it a wand?a cried Mister Grim in astonishment. aI didn't know that. Give it back to me!a He s.n.a.t.c.hed at it, but c.h.i.n.ky was skipping down the room, waving it.

aI'll give you all a half-holiday! Yes, I will! See my wand waving to give you all a half-holiday! Go into the garden and play, all of you!a The brownies didn't wait. They rushed out of the room at top speed, shouting and laughing. Soon only Peter, Molly and c.h.i.n.ky were left with Mister Grim. Winks was peeping round the door.

aHow DARE you treat me like this!a shouted Mister Grim, marching towards c.h.i.n.ky. aI'lla"a aGo back, go back!a chanted c.h.i.n.ky, and waved his wand at Mister Grim, whose feet at once took him six steps backwards, much to his surprise. aYou see, I've got magic in my wand,a cried the pixie. aAha! I may have powerful magic, Mister Grim, so be careful!a aCome on, c.h.i.n.ky,a whispered Peter. aLet's go and find the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair and fly off.a aBut I want my doll Rosebud before we go,a said Mollie. aAnd have you forgotten your engine and all the other toys, Peter? We must take those with us. Mister Grim, give us our toys!a aCertainly not,a said Mister Grim, and he shook a large key at them. aSee this key? It's the key of the store-room, which I've locked. You can't get your toys and you never shall!a aWe'll see about that,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aWe'll just see about that, Mister Grim!a

Home, Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair, Home!.

MISTER GRIM stared angrily at c.h.i.n.ky, who was still waving his wand to keep the teacher from coming any nearer to him.

aYou can't get your toys, so make up your mind about that,a he said. aAnd stop waving that ridiculous wand. Its magic will soon run out.a c.h.i.n.ky himself was a bit afraid that it would. It was a very new wand and hadn't very powerful magic in it yet. aI think we'd better go before the wand's magic wears out,a he said in a low voice to Peter and Mollie. aWe don't want to get into Mister Grim's power again, do we?a aOh no, we don't,a said Mollie at once. aLet's go and find the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair and fly off. Quick!a She darted out of the door and Peter and c.h.i.n.ky followed. Mister Grim, seeing them running, followed, too. But just outside the door he ran into a crowd of brownies that popped up from nowhere quite suddenly, and over he went! When he got up the children and c.h.i.n.ky were nowhere to be seen.

He began to run down the garden again, but once more he tripped over a ma.s.s of brownies. They weren't a bit afraid of him now because c.h.i.n.ky had taken his sticka"the wand!

c.h.i.n.ky and the others raced to find the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair. Where was the bush they had hidden it in? Ah, there it was! They ran to the busha"but, oh dear, the chair wasn't there!

aOne of the brownies must have found it and taken it,a said c.h.i.n.ky. Just then Winks ran up and pulled at his arm.

aI found your Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair and hid it in the shed,a he said. aI was afraid Mister Grim might see it if he walked round the garden. Come alonga"I'll show you where it is.a He took the three to an old broken-down shed. The roof had fallen in at one end. There were no windows to the shed, so it was very dark inside. c.h.i.n.ky groped his way ina"and immediately fell over the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair.

He felt the legs anxiously to see if the chair still had its wings. Yesa"thank goodnessa"it had!

The wings waved gently as they felt c.h.i.n.ky's anxious hands. The chair creaked softly. c.h.i.n.ky knew it was glad to have him again.

aWis.h.i.+ng-Chair, we must go quickly,a said c.h.i.n.ky, and he climbed on to the seat. aCome on, Peter and Molliea"quickly, before Mister Grim comes!a aWhat about Winks? Aren't we going to take him, too?a said Mollie.

aOha"would you really?a said Winks, in delight. aYou really are very kind. I hate this school. I've been trying to escape for ages.a He was just about to squeeze in the chair with the others when somebody appeared at the doorway. It was Mister Grim!

aSo here you are!a he said, peering in. aAll complete with a Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair, too! I might have guessed that that was how you came. Well, I'm going to lock this door, so you won't be able to fly outa"and there are no windows at all!a Winks leapt off the chair and ran to him. He tried to take the key from Mister Grim's hand, and the two struggled at the door.

aFly out where the roof has fallen in, fly out there!a suddenly shouted Winks. aThe chair can just squeeze through it!a And the chair rose up into the air and flew to where the roof had fallen in! It got stuck half-way through, but Peter broke away a bit more roof and the chair suddenly shot through and out into the open air.

aOh, poor Winksa"we've left him there,a cried Mollie, almost in tears. aWe can't leave him! We must go back!a aGo on, Chair, fly off with them! a shouted Winks from below in the shed. aDon't mind me! Escape while you can.a The chair flew out of hearing. c.h.i.n.ky and Peter were very silent. Mollie wiped her eyes with her hanky. aI think you two should have taken the chair down and tried to help Winks,a she said. aIt was wrong of you to leave him.a aWe'll go back for him,a said c.h.i.n.ky, taking Mollie's hand. aBut, dear Mollie, you see we had you to think of, and both Peter and I know we have to look after you, because you're a girl. We had to think of youa"didn't we, Peter?a aOf course,a said Peter. aYou're my sister, Mollie, and you know that brothers must always look after their sisters. I couldn't possibly risk taking you down into danger again just then, when I knew Mister Grim was so angry. We'll go back for Winks, don't worry.a aAnd what about our toys, too?a said Mollie, with a sniff. aI think it's very nice of you both to want to take care of me like thisa"but I do feel so sorry for Winks, and it's dreadful to have to leave Rosebud behind, too.a aAnd my engine,a said Peter, gloomily, aand the skittles and soldiers.a aWe'll get them all back,a said c.h.i.n.ky, comfortingly. aYou wait and see.a The chair took them back to the playroom, flapping its wings strongly. They really were beautiful big wings. Mollie was glad they were, because now that she and Peter had grown heavier she felt that the chair really did need to be stronger.

They arrived at the playroom and flew in at the door. The chair gave a creaking sort of sigh and set itself down in its place. Its wings at once vanished.

aThere! Its wings have gone already,a said Mollie, ready to cry again. aSo now we can't go and rescue Winks today.a aWella"that's a pity,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aWe shall just have to wait till its wings grow again. Anyway, it will give us time to make a plan for getting back our toys, too. That will be difficult, you know, because if the store-room is locked and Mister Grim keeps the key on his key-ring, and carries it about with him, I don't see at present how we can rescue the toys.a Mother's voice was heard calling down the garden. aChildren! It's past tea-timea"and you didn't come in to dinner either. Where are you?a aOh, deara"now we shall have to go,a said Mollie. aAnd we haven't planned anything. c.h.i.n.ky, come and tell us AT ONCE if the chair grows its wings againa" and do, do try to think of a good plan.a aCome and see me again tonight if you can,a called c.h.i.n.ky. aI may have a visitor here who will help us.a Mother called again, rather impatiently. The children fled. Fortunately, Mother seemed to think they had had a picnic lunch down in the playroom, and as she had been very busy with her visitors, and was tired, she didn't ask any difficult questions.

aI was sorry to send you out of the room this morning,a she said. aEspecially as I expect you were not really naughty, but just nervous, and so dropped the biscuits and the coffee. Never minda"I expect you were glad not to have to stay with my visitors!a aWe were rather,a said Mollie, honestly, aand I expect you were glad we kept out of your way today, Mother, really.a aNow have your tea,a said Mother. aThe visitors had theirs and went, and I thought you'd probably like to finish up all the sandwiches and cakes. They're very nice.a They were! The children had a good time eating up the bits and pieces that were left. They wished that c.h.i.n.ky was with them. He had had to go without his dinner at Mister Grim's school, so he must be very, very hungry. Perhaps he would go out to tea with one of his pixie friends in the garden, and have a very good meal.

aNow, Daddy and I are going out tonight,a said Mother, when they had finished. aPut yourselves to bed at the right time, half an hour after your supper, and don't lie awake waiting for us, because we shall be very late.a aRight, Mother,a said Peter, at once making up his mind to go down to the playroom after his supper, just before they went to bed. c.h.i.n.ky's visitor might be there, and it would be fun to see him. c.h.i.n.ky's visitors were always interesting, and sometimes very exciting.

Mother put on her lovely evening frock, and then she and Daddy said goodbye and went. The children did some jobs that Mother had asked them to do, and then found that it was supper-time. Jane brought them in bananas cut into small slices, scattered with sugar, and covered with creamy milk.

aOooh!a said Mollie. aThis is one of my favourite suppers.a aWell, you can have a second helping if you want it,a said Jane. aThere's plenty.a So they each had second helpings, and then, feeling rather full of banana, they slipped down to the playroom. c.h.i.n.ky wasn't there. There was a note left on the table, though.

aGone to have supper with Tickles. Felt very hungry after having no dinner. Be back later. Can you come and meet my visitor at half-past nine if you're not asleep? VERY IMPORTANT.

Love from c.h.i.n.ky.a aWe'll have to come,a said Mollie. aI know, Petera"let's go to bed now, before our bed-timea"then we can slip out for half an hour and meet c.h.i.n.ky's visitor without feeling guilty. We simply must meet him if it's important.a So, much to Jane's surprise, they put themselves to bed half an hour earlier than usual, and called good night to her and to each other.

aWhat good children they are!a said Jane to herself. aNo trouble at all! Always off to that playroom of theirs, never in anyone's way, happy as the day is long!a She didn't know there was a pixie and a Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair in that playroom. Why, anyone would be happy as the day is long with those two things in their playroom!

Both children went to sleepa"but Peter awoke at half-past nine because he had set the alarm-clock for that time and put it under his pillow. When the alarm went off, m.u.f.fled by the pillow, he awoke at once. He slipped on his dressing-gown and went to wake Mollie.

aCome on!a he whispered. aIt's half-past nine. Buck up!a Mollie put on her dressing-gown, too, and the two of them slipped out of the garden door and down to the playroom. They peeped in at the door. Yesa"c.h.i.n.ky's visitor was therea"but, dear me, what a very, very surprising one!

Mister Blacky's Strange Army.

c.h.i.n.kY saw the children peeping in. He got up from the sofa and called them. aHallo! I'm so glad you've come. Come along in. I've got an old friend here, and I want you to meet him.a The old friend stood upa"and what do you think he was? He was a tall golliwog, so old that his black hair had turned grey! His face was still black, though, and his eyes were bright and s.h.i.+ning. He was not as tall as they were, but a bit taller than c.h.i.n.ky.

aThis is Mister Blacky, the ruler of Golliwog Village,a said c.h.i.n.ky. The golliwog bowed politely, and shook hands with his black paw. The children looked at him, thrilled. How strange to see a golliwog so old that his black hair had turned grey! Everyone sat down, the children and c.h.i.n.ky on the sofa and the golliwog in the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair.

aI hope you don't mind my sitting in your Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair,a he said, politely, to the children. aBut it is really such a treat and a privilege. I have never even seen one before.a aNot at all. We're very pleased,a said Peter. aI only wish it would grow its wings, then it could take you for a short ride. It feels funny at first, but it's lovely when you get used to it.a aI've been telling Mister Blacky about your toys that Mister Grim has got, and won't give you back,a said c.h.i.n.ky. aHe is most upset about it.a aI think Mister Grim should be forced to give them up to you,a said Mister Blacky earnestly. aYour doll, Rosebud, must be very unhappy to be away from you so long. I propose that I raise a little army from Toyland and march on the school.a Peter and Mollie gazed at him in wonder and astonishment. It all sounded like a dream to thema"but a very exciting and interesting dream. An army from Toyland! Good graciousa"whoever heard of such a thing?

aMister Blacky has very great influence in Toyland,a explained c.h.i.n.ky. aAs I told you, he is head of Golliwog Village and very much respected and admired. In fact, he has now ruled over it for nearly a hundred years.a aAre you really a hundred years old?a asked Mollie, amazed.

aOne hundred and fifty-three, to be exact,a said Mister Blacky, with a polite little bow. aI became head when I was fifty-four.a aIs it difficult to be head of Golliwog Village?a asked Peter.

aWell, noa"not really, so long as you are very firm with the young golliwogs,a said Mister Blacky. aThey are rather wild, you know.a This was news to the children. They looked round at their own golliwog. Was he young and wild? He sat up on the shelf, looking rather thrilled. Did he know that the head of Golliwog Village was there tonight?

aNow, what I suggest is this,a said Mister Blacky.

aI will send to the wooden soldiers, the clockwork animals and the sailor dolls a"and also my golliwogs, of course, and tell them to meet me at a certain place. They will make a very fine army.a aAnd you'll march on the school, I suppose?a said c.h.i.n.ky. aAnd when you have defeated Mister Grim you will rescue Rosebud, the doll, and the other toys?a aExactly,a said Mister Blacky.

aCan we come, too?a said Peter, excited. aI'd simply love to see all this.a aIf only the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair would grow its wings when your army is on the march, we could hover above the battle and watch,a said Mollie.

aBut it never does grow its wings exactly when we want it to.a aI'll send you word when we mean to march,a said the Golliwog. aIt will probably be tomorrow evening. Well, I must go now. Thank you for a very pleasant evening, Mister c.h.i.n.ky.a It seemed very funny to hear c.h.i.n.ky being called aMister.a The children thought they had never seen anyone quite so well-mannered as this old grey-haired golliwog. He shook hands with all three of them and went out of the door.

aIsn't he nice?a said c.h.i.n.ky. aHe's a very old friend of my Great-Aunt Quick-Fingers, you know, and I've often met him at her house. I thought I'd tell him about Rosebud and the other toys, and how Mister Grim wouldn't give them back. I guessed he would help.a The playroom clock struck ten. aWe must get back,a said Mollie, with a sigh. aWe only meant to come for half an hour. It's been lovely, c.h.i.n.ky. I do think we're lucky, having you for a friend, and meeting all your friends and having such an interesting time.a They went back to bed, hoping that the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair would grow its wings the next night if the golliwog gathered together his curious little army.

They couldn't go down to the playroom till after tea, because Mother took them to see their Granny. They raced down as soon as they could and were met by a very excited c.h.i.n.ky.

aI'm so glad you've come. The Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair has grown little buds of wings alreadya"they'll sprout properly in a minute! And the golliwog has sent to say that his army is on the march!a aOha"what a bit of luck!a cried the children, and ran to the chair. Just as they got to it the k.n.o.b-like buds on its legs burst opena"and out spread the lovely green and yellow wings again! They began to flap at once and made quite a wind.

aCome ona said Peter, sitting in the chair. aLet's go! And, c.h.i.n.ky, don't let's forget to take Winks away from that horrid school, if we can. He can live with you here in the playroom if he hasn't got a home to go to.a Mollie got in and c.h.i.n.ky sat on the back of the chair. Out of the door they flew at top speed. The gardener, who was working late that evening, felt a wind just by his head and looked up. But the chair was gone.

aSome big bird flew near me,a he said to himself, puzzled.

The Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair was told to go to Mister Grim's. aBut don't go down into the grounds,a commanded c.h.i.n.ky. aJust hover about somewhere so that we can see what's going on, and can dart down if we need to.a It wasn't really very long before the chair was hovering over the front gate of Mister Grim's school. Not far off were all the brownies, marching up and down in the big school yard, doing drill with Mister Grim.

aLeft, right, left, right,a they heard him say. Then he shouted. aHey, you, Winks, you're out of step. No supper for you!a aHorrid Mister Grim,a said Mollie. Then the marching brownies suddenly caught sight of the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair hovering in the air, and they set up a great shout.

aLook! They've come back! Hurrah for c.h.i.n.ky and Peter and Mollie!a Mister Grim stared up, too. He looked really furious, and, to the children's dismay, he bent down and picked up a big stone. It came whizzing through the air at them, but the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair did a little leap to one side and the stone pa.s.sed harmlessly by.

Then c.h.i.n.ky gave the others a nudge. aHere comes the army! DO look!a The children lookeda"and, dear me, up the lane marched the strangest little army the children had ever imagined. First came the grey-haired golliwog, swinging a little sword. Then came a row of wooden soldiers, beating drums. Then another row blowing trumpets. After them came a whole collection of clockwork animals.

aThere's a jumping kangaroo!a cried c.h.i.n.ky in glee. aAnd a dancing bear!a aAnd a running doga"and a walking elephant!a said Mollie in delight.

aAnd looka"a pig that turns head-over-heels, and a duck that waddles!a shouted Peter, almost falling out of the chair in his excitement. aAnd behind them all are the sailor dolls. Don't they look smart!a The strange army came to the gate. The clockwork kangaroo jumped right over it to the other side. He undid the gate and opened it for the army to walk through. In it came, boom-didd-boom, tan-ran-tara clickity clock, jerkity-jerk, led by the grey-haired golliwog.

The brownies saw the toys before Mister Grim did and shouted in joy. They ran to meet them. aWho are you? Where have you come from?a they called. aCan we play with you? We never have any toys here!a aWe've come for Mister Grim,

We don't like Mister Grim,

We've come to capture him,

We've come for Mister Grim!a

chanted all the toys.

Mister Grim stared at them as if he couldn't believe his eyes. aAfter him!a shouted the golliwog, and after him they went! He turned to runa"but the jumping kangaroo got between his legs and tripped him up, and there he was, b.u.mping his nose on the ground, yelling for mercy!

The toys swarmed all over him in delight. aWe've come for Mister Grim, we've come for Mister Grim!a they chanted again and again.

aDon't pull my hair! Don't cut off my beautiful beard,a begged Mister Grim. The golliwog seemed just about to saw the long beard off with his sword! The children and c.h.i.n.ky saw it all from their seat up in the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair and were just as excited as the toys and the brownies.

aI'll leave you your beard on one condition,a said the golliwog, solemnly. aGo and get the toys you have imprisoned here and bring them out to us.a Mister Grim got up, looking very frightened. Aha" he knew what it was to feel frightened now. He had often frightened his little brownie pupilsa"now he had a taste of his own medicine! He went indoors, holding his beard as if he was afraid it might drop off.

He came out with all the toys. Mollie gave a scream of delight when she saw Rosebud.

aHe's even got the teapot that grew wings, too,a said Peter, pleased. The chair flew down to Mister Grim, and the children took all their toys from him. Mollie cuddled Rosebud happily.

aThank you,a she said to the grey-haired golliwog. aYou and your army have done very, very well. Do please bring any of them to see us whenever you can.a The brownies crowded round the chair. aTake us back with you, take us back.a aWe've only room for one of you, and that's Winks,a said c.h.i.n.ky, firmly. aCome on, Winks.a Up got Winks, grinning all over his little brownie face. The Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair rose up in the air. aGoodbye, goodbye!a shouted c.h.i.n.ky and the others. aLet us know if Mister Grim behaves too badly to you and we'll send the army once again! Goodbye!a Off they went, with all the toys and brownies waving madly. Mister Grim didn't wave. He looked very down in the mouth indeeda"but n.o.body was sorry for him, not even Mollie!

Off to the Land of Goodies!.

THE summer days went on and on. The Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair seemed to have had enough of adventures for a time, and stayed quietly in its corner, without sprouting so much as one wing.

One day c.h.i.n.ky came tapping at the children's window. They came to it at once.

aHas the Wis.h.i.+ng-Chair grown its wings again?a asked Peter, in excitement. c.h.i.n.ky shook his head.

aNo. I haven't come to tell you that. I've just come to show you this.a He pushed a piece of paper into their hands. This is what it said: aDEAR COUSIN c.h.i.n.kY.