Magic Faraway Tree

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Magic Faraway Tree, The-Blyton, Enid. I. Dick Comes to Stay. Once upon a time there were three children, Jo, Bessie and Fanny. They lived with their mother and father in a little cottage deep in the country. The girls had to help their mother in the house, and Jo helped his father in the garden. Now, one day their mother had a letter. She didn't very often have letters, so the children wondered what it was about. "Listen!" she said. "This is something quite exciting for you. Your cousin Dick is coming to stay with us!" "Ooh!" said all the children, pleased. Dick was about the same age as Jo. He was a merry boy, rather naughty, and it would be such fun to have him. "He can sleep with me in my little bedroom!" said Jo. "Oh, Mother, what fun! When is he coming?" "To-morrow," said Mother. "You girls can put up a little bed for him in Jo's room, and, Jo, you must make room for Dick's things in your cupboard. He is going to stay quite a long time, because his mother is ill and can't look after him." The three children flew upstairs to get Jo's room ready for Dick as well.

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enid blyton

Transcript of Magic Faraway Tree

Page 1: 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

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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 ! "

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"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

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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 ! "

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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 .

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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 . "

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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 . "

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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 . "

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"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 .

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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 .

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"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 .

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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 .

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" 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

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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 .

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"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 ! "

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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!

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"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 ! "

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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.

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" 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

Page 20: Magic Faraway Tree

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

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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 .

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"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 .

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"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

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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 . "

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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 ! "

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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

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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 ?"

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"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 .

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"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 ! "

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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

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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 ! "

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" 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 ! "

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"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 ! "

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"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 !"

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"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 .

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"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

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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 .

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"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 . "

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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 !"

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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 .

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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 .

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"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 .

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" 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

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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 . "

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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 .

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"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? "

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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 . "

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"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 , "

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" 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

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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 ! "

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"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

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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 !

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" 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 .

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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 .

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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 ! "

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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 . "

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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

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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 .

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"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 . "

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"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. "

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" 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? "

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"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 ! "

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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

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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 . "

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"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

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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 .

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"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 . "

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" 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 .

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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 ! "

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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 .

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"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 ! "

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"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 ! "

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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

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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 .

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"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 . "

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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 .

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"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 .

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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 ! "

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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 .

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"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 . "

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"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 . "

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"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 .

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" 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 ! "

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"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 . "

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"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 .

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"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

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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 ! "

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"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 . "

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" 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 .

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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 ?"

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"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

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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 .

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"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 .

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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

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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 ! "

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"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

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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 .

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"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 ."

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"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 .

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"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 .

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"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!"

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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 . "

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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 . "

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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 .

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"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

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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 .

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" 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 .

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"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 ! "

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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?"

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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 .

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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 .

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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

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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

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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 . "

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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 .

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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

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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 .

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"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

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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 .

Page 120: Magic Faraway Tree

"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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