Magic Faraway Tree

Magic Faraway Tree, The-Blyton,  Enid. 

I .D ick Comes t o S t ay .Once upon a t ime t he r e we re t h r ee ch i l d r en , Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny . They l i ved w i th t he i r mo the r and f a the r i n a l i t t l e co t t age deep i n t he coun t ry . The g i r l s had t o he lp t he i r mo the r i n t he house , and Jo he lped h i s f a t he r i n t he ga rden .Now, one day t he i r mo the r had a l e t t e r . She d idn ' t ve ry o f t en have l e t t e r s , so t he ch i l d r en wonde red wha t i t was abou t ."L i s t en ! " she s a id . "Th i s i s some th ing qu i t e exc i t i ng fo r you . Your cous in D ick i s coming t o s t ay w i th u s ! ""Ooh!" s a id a l l t he ch i l d r en , p l ea sed . D ick was abou t t he s ame age a s Jo . He was a me r ry boy , r a t he r naugh ty , and i t wou ld be such fun t o have h im ."He can s l e ep w i th me i n my l i t t l e bed room!" s a id Jo . "Oh , Mothe r , wha t f un ! When i s he coming?""To-mor row, " s a id Mothe 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 , Jo , you mus t make room fo r D ick ' s t h ings i n you r cupboa rd . He i s go ing t o s t ay qu i t e a l ong t ime , because h i s mo the r i s i l l and can ' t l ook a f t e r h im . "The t h r ee ch i l d r en f l ew ups t a i r s t o ge t Jo ' s r oom r eady fo r D ick a s we l l ." I s ay ! Wha t w i l l D i ck s ay when we t e l l h im abou t t he Enchan t ed Wood and t he Fa raway T ree?" c r i ed Jo ."And wha t w i l l he s ay when we show h im ou r f r i ends t he r e -S i l ky , and o ld Moon-Face , and t he dea r o ld dea f Saucepan Man , and eve ryone ! " s a id Bes s i e ."He w i l l ge t a su rp r i s e ! " s a id Fanny .They go t eve ry th ing r eady fo r t he i r cous in . They pu t up a l i t t l e c amp-bed fo r h im , and found some b l anke t s . They pu t a cush ion fo r a p i l l ow . They made room in Jo ' s cupboa rd and ches t o f d r awer s fo r D ick ' s t h ings . Then 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 wood , whose t r e e s waved i n t he w ind , no t f a r f r om the bo t t om o f t he ga rden ."The Enchan t ed Wood!" s a id Bes s i e so f t l y . "Wha t ma rve l l ous adven tu re s we have had t he r e . Maybe D ick w i l l have some , t oo . "Dick a r r i ved t he nex t day . He came i n t he c a r r i e r ' s c a r t , w i t h a sma l l bag o f c l o the s . He j umped down and hugged t he ch i l d r en ' s mo the r ."Ha l l o , Aun t Po l l y ! " he s a id . " I t ' s good o f you t o have me . Ha l l o , Jo ! I s ay , a r en ' t Bes s i e and Fanny b ig now? I t ' s l ove ly t o be w i th you a l l aga in . "The ch i l d r en t ook h im up t o h i s r oom. The g i r l s unpacked h i s bag and pu t h i s t h ings nea t l y away i n t he cupboa rd and t he che s t . They showed h im the bed he was t o s l e ep on ." I expec t I sha l l f i nd i t r a t he r du l l he r e a f t e r l i v ing i n  London , " s a id "D ick , pu t t i ng h i s ha i rb rushes on t he l i t t l e d r e s s ing - t ab l e . " I t s e ems so qu i e t . I sha l l m i s s t he no i s e o f buse s and t r ams . ""You won ' t f i nd i t du l l ! " s a id Jo . "My word ,

Dick , we 've had more adven tu re s s i nce we 've been he re t han eve r we had when we l i ved i n a b ig t own . ""Wha t so r t o f adven tu re s? " a sked D ick i n su rp r i s e . " I t s e ems such a qu i e t p l a ce t ha t I shou ldn ' t have t hough t t he r e was even a sma l l adven tu re t o be found ! "The ch i l d r en t ook D ick t o t he w indow. "Look , D ick , " s a id Jo . "Do you s ee t ha t t h i ck , da rk wood ove r t he r e , back ing on t o t he l ane a t t he bo t t om o f ou r ga rden?""Yes , " s a id D ick . " I t s e ems qu i t e o rd ina ry t o me , excep t t ha t t he l e aves o f t he t r e e s s eem a da rke r g r een t han u sua l . ""We l l , l i s t en , D ick - tha t ' s t he Enchan t ed Wood!" s a id Bes s i e .D ick ' s eye s opened w ide . He s t a r ed a t t he wood , "You ' r e mak ing fun o f me ! " he s a id a t l a s t ."No , we ' r e no t , " s a id Fanny , "We mean wha t we s ay . I t s name i s t he Enchan t ed Wood-and i t i s enchan t ed . Ar id oh , D ick , i n t he midd l e o f i t i s t he mos t wonde r fu l t r e e i n t he wor ld ! ""Wha t so r t o f t r e e?" a sked D ick , f e e l i ng qu i t e exc i t ed ." I t ' s a s imp ly eno rmous t r e e , " s a id 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 lways some s t r ange l and . You can go t he r e by c l imb ing up t he t op b r anch o f t he Fa raway T ree , go ing 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 loud t ha t a lways l i e s on t he t op o f t he t r e e - and t he r e you a r e i n some pecu l i a r l and ! "" I don ' t t h i nk I be l i eve you , " s a id D ick . "You a r e mak ing i t a l l up . ""Dick ! We ' l l t ake you t he r e and show you wha t we mean , " s a id Bes s i e . " I t ' s a l l qu i t e t r ue . Oh , D ick , we 've had such exc i t i ng adven tu re s a t t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree . We 've been t o t he  Rock ing  Land , and t he  B i r t hday  Land . ""And t he  Land  o f  Take -Wha t -You-Wan t   and t he Land o f t he Snowman , " s a id Fanny . "You j u s t c an ' t t h i nk how exc i t i ng i t a l l i s . ""And , D ick , a l l k i nds o f quee r f o lk l i ve i n t he t r unk o f t he Fa raway T ree , " s a id Jo . "We 've l o t s o f good f r i ends t he r e . We ' l l t ake you t o t hem one day . The re ' s a dea r l i t t l e f a i ry c a l l ed S i l ky , becauseshe       ha s       such       a      mas s       o f       s i l ky       go ld       ha i r . ""And t he r e ' s Moon-Face , w i th a b ig round f ace l i ke t he moon! He ' s a da r l i ng ! " s a id Bes s i e ."And t he r e ' s f unny o ld Mis t e r Wa tz i sname , " s a id Fanny ."Wha t ' s h i s r e a l name?" a sked D ick i n su rp r i s e ."Nobody knows , no t even h imse l f , " s a id Jo . "So eve ryone ca l l s h im Mis t e r Wa tz i sname . Oh , and t he r e i s t he o ld  Saucepan  Man .  He ' s a lways hung a round w i th ke t t l e s and s aucepans and t h ings , and he ' s so dea f t ha t he a lways hea r s eve ry th ing wrong . "Dick ' s eye s began t o sh ine . "Take me t he r e , " he begged . "Qu ick , t ake me! I c an ' t wa i t t o s ee a l l t he se exc i t i ng peop l e . ""We can ' t go t i l l Mo the r s ays she doesn ' t need u s i n t he house , " s a id Bes s i e . "Bu t we w i l l t ake you -o f cou r se we w i l l . ""And , D ick , 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 down the i n s ide o f t he t r e e f rom the t op t o t he bo t t om," s a id Fanny . " I t be longs t o Moon-Face . He l ends peop l e cush ions t o s l i de down

on . "" I do wan t t o go down tha t s l i de , " s a id D ick , ge t t i ng t e r r i b ly impa t i en t . "Why do you t e l l me a l l t he se t h ings i f you can ' t t ake me t o s ee t hem now? I ' l l n eve r be ab l e t o s l e ep t o -n igh t ! Good g rac ious ! My head f ee l s i n a wh i r l a l r e ady t o t h ink o f t he Fa raway T ree and Moon-Face and S i l ky and t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p . ""Dick , we ' l l t ake you a s soon a s eve r we can , " p romi sed Jo . "The re ' s no hu r ry . The Fa rawayTree i s a lways t he r e . We neve r , neve r know wha t l and i s go ing t o be a t t he t op . We have t o be ve ry ca r e fu l some t imes because t he r e m igh t be a dange rous l and -one t ha t we cou ldn ' t ge t away f rom!"A vo i ce came f rom downs t a i r s . "Ch i l d r en ! Are you go ing t o s t ay up a l l t he day? I suppose you don ' t wan t any t e a? Wha t a p i t y -because I have made some scones fo r you and pu t ou t some s t r awbe r ry j am!"Four ch i l d r en r aced down the s t a i r s . Scones and s t r awbe r ry j am! Grac ious , t hey we ren ' t go ing t o m i s s t hose . Good o ld Mothe r - she was a lways t h ink ing o f some n i ce l i t t l e t r e a t f o r t hem." Jo , Fa the r wan t s you t o d ig up some po t a toe s fo r h im a f t e r t e a , " s a id Mothe r . "D ick can he lp you . And , Bes s i e and Fanny , I wan t you t o f i n i sh my i ron ing fo r me , because I have t o t ake some mended c lo the s t o Mrs . Ha r r i s , and she l i ve s such a l ong way away . "The ch i l d r en had been r a the r hop ing t o go ou t and t ake D ick t o t he Enchan t ed Wood . They l ooked d i s appo in t ed . Bu t t hey s a id no th ing , because t hey knew tha t i n a f ami ly eve ryone had t o he lp when t hey cou ld .Mothe r s aw the i r d i s appo in t ed f ace s and smi l ed . " I suppose you wan t t o t ake D ick t o s ee t hose pecu l i a r f r i ends o f you r s , " she s a id . "We l l now, l i s t en - i f you a r e good ch i l d r en t o -day , and do t he j obs you have t o do , I ' l l g i ve you a who le day ' s ho l i day t o -mor row! Then you may t ake you r d inne r and you r t e a and go t o v i s i t any f r i endsyou     l i ke .      How      wou ld       you       l i ke       t ha t ? ""Oh , Mothe r , t hank you ! " c r i ed t he ch i l d r en i n de l i gh t ,"A who le day ! " s a id Bes s i e . "Why , D ick , we can show you eve ry th ing ! ""And maybe l e t you peep i n to wha t eve r l and i s a t t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree , " wh i spe red Fanny . "Oh , wha t f un ! "So t hey d id t he i r work we l l a f t e r t e a and l ooked fo rwa rd t o t he nex t day . D ick dug ha rd , and Jo was p l ea sed w i th h im . I t was go ing t o be fun t o have a cous in w i th t hem, ab l e t o work and p l ay and en joy eve ry th ing , t oo !When t hey wen t t o bed t ha 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 migh t c a l l t o one ano the r ."S l eep we l l , D i ck ! " c a l l ed Bes s i e . " I hope i t ' s f i ne t o -mor row! Wha t fun we sha l l have ! ""Good n igh t , Bes s i e ! " c a l l ed back D ick . " I c an ' t t e l l you how I 'm l ong ing fo r t o -mor row. I know I shan ' t be ab l e t o s l e ep t o -n igh t ! "

But he d id - and so d id a l l t he o the r s . When Mothe r c ame up a t t en o ' c l ock she peeped i n a t t he ch i l d r en , and no t one was awake .Jo woke f i r s t nex t day . He s a t up and l ooked ou t o f t he w indow. The sun s t r e amed i n , wa rm and b r i gh t . Jo ' s hea r t j umped fo r j oy . He l e aned ove r t o D ick ' s bed and shook h im ."Wake up ! " he s a id . " I t ' s t o -mor row now-and we ' r e go ing t o t he Enchan t ed Wood!"2 .Of f t o t he Enchan t ed Wood .The ch i l d r en a t e t he i r b r eak fa s t qu i ck ly . Mo the r t o ld Bes s i e and Fanny t o cu t s andwiches fo r t hemse lve s and t o t ake a sma l l choco l a t e c ake f rom the l a rde r ."You can t ake a packe t o f b i s cu i t s , t oo , " she s a id , " and t he r e a r e app l e s i n t ha t d i sh ove r t he r e . I f you a r e hung ry when you come home to -n igh t I w i l l bake you some po t a toe s i n t he oven , and you can ea t t hem in t he i r sk in s w i th s a l t and bu t t e r . ""Oooh , Mothe r -we sha l l be hung ry ! " s a id Jo a t once . "Hur ry up w i th t hose s andwiches , Bes s i e and Fanny . We wan t t o s t a r t o f f a s soon a s pos s ib l e . ""Now don ' t be t oo l a t e home , o r I sha l l wor ry , " s a id Mothe r . "Look a f t e r you r cous in , Jo . ""Yes , I w i l l , " p romi sed Jo .A t l a s t eve ry th ing was r eady . Jo packed t he food i n to a l e a the r bag and s l ung i t ove r h i s shou lde r . Then t he fou r o f t hem se t o f f t o t he Enchan t ed 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 ch was be tween t he l ane and t he wood ."You 've go t t o j ump ove r t he d i t ch , D ick , " s a id Jo . They a l l j umped ove r . D ick s t ood s t i l l when he was i n t he wood ."Wha t a s t r ange no i s e t he l e aves o f t he t r e e s make , " he s a id . " I t ' s a s i f t hey we re t a l k ing t o one ano the r - t e l l i ng s ec r e t s . ""Wisha , w i sha , w i sha , w i sha , " wh i spe red t he t r e e s ."They a r e t a l k ing s ec r e t s , " s a id Bes s i e . "And do you know, D ick - i f t he t r e e s have any message fo r u s , we can hea r i t by p r e s s ing 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 ! Then we r ea l l y hea r wha t t hey s ay . ""Wisha -wi sha -wi sha -wi sha , " s a id t he t r e e s ."Come on , " s a id Jo impa t i en t l y . "Le t ' s go t o t he Fa raway T ree . "They a l l wen t on - and soon came t o t he quee r mag i c t r e e . D ick s t a r ed a t i t i n t he g r ea t e s t a s t on i shmen t ."Why , i t ' s s imp ly ENORMOUS!" he s a id . " I ' v e neve r s een such a b ig t r e e i n my l i f e . And you can ' t pos s ib ly s ee t he t op . Goodnes s g r ac ious ! Wha 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 i ke an oak . "" I t ' s a f unny t r e e , " s a id Bes s i e . " I t may g row aco rns and oak l e aves fo r a l i t t l e way - and t hen sudden ly you no t i c e t ha t i t ' s g rowing p lums . Then ano the r day i t may g row app l e s o r pea r s . You j u s t neve 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 ick . " In t he o rd ina ry way?"

"Wel l , we w i l l t o -day , " s a id Jo , "because we wan t t o show you ou r f r i ends who l i ve i n s ide t he t r e e . Bu t some t imes t he r e ' s a r ope t ha t i s l e t down the t r e e , and we can go up qu i ck ly w i th t he he lp o f t ha t . Or some t imes Moon-Face l e t s down a cush ion on t he end o f a r ope and t hen pu l l s u s up one by one . "He swung h imse l f up i n to t he t r e e , and t he o the r s f o l l owed . Af t e r a b i t D i ck gave a shou t . " I s ay ! I t ' s mos t ex t r ao rd ina ry ! Th i s t r e e i s g rowing nu t s now! Look! "Su re enough i t was . D ick p i cked some and c r acked t hem. They we re haze l nu t s , r i pe and swee t . Eve ryone had some and en joyed t hem.Now when t hey had a l l go t ve ry h igh up i ndeed , D ick was mos t su rp r i s ed t o s ee a l i t t l e w indow in t he t r unk o f t he Fa raway T ree ."Goodnes s -does somebody l i ve j u s t he r e?" he ca l l ed t o t he o the r s . "Look- the r e ' s a w indow he re . I 'm go ing t o peep i n . ""You 'd be t t e r no t ! " shou t ed Jo . "The Angry P ix i e l i ve s t he r e , and he ha t e s peop l e peep ing i n . "Bu t D ick f e l t so cu r i ous t ha t he j u s t had t o peep i n . The Angry P ix i e was a t home . He was f i l l i ng h i s ke t t l e w i th wa t e r , when he l ooked up and s aw Dick ' s su rp r i s ed f ace a t h i s w indow. No th ing made t he p ix i e so ang ry a s t o s ee peop l e l ook ing a t h im . He ru shed t o t he w indow a t once and f l ung i t open ."Peep ing aga in ! " he shou t ed . " I t ' s t oo bad ! A l l day and n igh t peop l e come peep ing . Take t ha t ! "He emp t i ed t he ke t t l e o f wa t e r a l l ove r poo r D ick . Then he s l ammed h i s w indow and d r ew the cu r t a i n s a c ro s s . Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny cou ldn ' t he lp l augh ing ." I t o ld you no t t o peep i n a t t he Angry P ix i e , " s a id Jo , w ip ing D ick w i th h i s hanky . "He ' s nea r l y a lways i n a bad t empe r . Oh , and by t he way , D ick , 18I mus t wa rn you abou t some th ing e l s e . The re ' s an o ld woman who l i ve s h igh up i n t he t r e e who i s a lways wash ing . She emp t i e s t he wa t e r down the t r e e , and i t comes s l i sh - s l o sh ing down . You ' l l have t o l ook ou t f o r t ha t o r you ' l l ge t we t . "D ick l ooked up t he t r e e a s i f he ha l f expec t ed t he wa t e r t o come t umb l ing down a t once ."Come on , " s a id Bes s i e . "We ' l l come t o whe re t he Owl l i ve s soon . He ' s a f r i end o f S i l ky ' s , and some t imes b r i ngs u s no t e s f rom he r . "The owl was f a s t a s l e ep . He u sua l l y on ly woke up a t n igh t - t ime . D ick pee red i n a t h i s w indow and s aw the b ig owl a s l e ep on a bed . He cou ldn ' t he lp l augh ing ." I am en joy ing a l l t h i s , " he s a id t o Fanny . " I t ' s qu i t e an adven tu re . "The ch i l d r en c l imbed h ighe r , and came t o a b road b r anch . "The re ' s a dea r l i t t l e ye l l ow doo r , w i th a knocke r and a be l l ! " c r i ed D ick i n su rp r i s e , s t a r i ng a t t he doo r s e t nea t l y i n t he t r unk o f t he t r e e . "Who l i ve s t he r e?""Our f r i end S i l ky , " s a id Jo . "R ing t he be l l and she ' l l open t he doo r . "D ick 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 i n s ide . Foo t s t eps pa t t e r ed t o t he doo r . I t opened , 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 a ce l i ke a go lden mi s t .

"Ha l lo , S i l ky ! " c r i ed Jo . "We 've come t o s ee you - and we 've b rough t ou r cous in , D ick , who ha s come t o l i ve w i th u s . He ' s hav ing a l ove ly t ime exp lo r i ng t he Fa raway T ree . ""How do you do , D ick?" s a id S i l ky , ho ld ing ou the r sma l l hand . D ick shook hands shy ly . He t hough t S i l ky was t he l ove l i e s t c r ea tu r e he had eve r s een ." I ' l l come wi th you i f you a r e go ing t o v i s i t Moon-Face , " s a id S i l ky . " I wan t t o bo r row bo rne j am f rom h im . I ' l l t ake some Pop B i scu i t s w i th me , and we ' l l have t hem in Moon-Face ' s house . ""Wha teve r a r e Pop B i scu i t s ? " a sked D ick , i n su rp r i s e ."Wa i t and s ee ! " s a id Jo w i th a g r i n .They a l l wen t up t he t r e e aga in . Soon t hey hea rd a funny no i s e . "Tha t ' s o ld Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname sno r ing , " s a id Jo . "Look- the r e he i s ! "Su re enough , t he r e he was , s i t t i ng i n a comfo r t ab l e cha i r , h i s hands fo lded ove r h i s b ig t ummy, and h i s mou th w ide open ."How I ' d l ove t o pop some th ing i n to h i s open mou th ! " s a id D ick a t once ."Yes , t ha t ' s wha t eve rybody f ee l s , " s a id Jo . "Moon-Face and S i l ky once popped some aco rns i n -d idn ' t you , S i l ky? And Wa tz i sname was ve ry ang ry . He t h r ew Moon-Face up t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud , and l anded h im in to t he s t r ange coun t ry t he r e . ""Where ' s t he o ld Saucepan Man?" a sked Bes s i e . "He i s u sua l l y w i th h i s f r i end , Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname . "" I expec t he ha s gone t o s ee Moon-Face , " s a id S i l ky . "Come on . We ' l l soon be t he r e . "As t hey wen t up t he t r e e , S i l ky sudden ly s t opped . "L i s t en , " she s a id . They a l l l i s t ened . They hea rd a cu r i ous no i s e - " s l i shy - s lo shy -s l i shy - s lo shy" -coming       nea r e r           and           n ea r e r ." I f s Dame Washa lo t ' s d i r t y wa t e r coming ! " ye l l ed Jo . "Ge t unde r a b r anch , eve ryone . "Dick wasn ' t a s qu i ck a s t he o the r s . They a l l h id unde r b ig boughs - bu t poo r o ld D ick wasn ' t qu i t e unde r h i s when t he wa t e r c ame pou r ing down the t r e e . I t t umb led on t o h i s head and wen t down h i s neck . D ick was ve ry ang ry . The o the r s we re so r ry , bu t t hey t hough t i t was ve ry funny , t oo ."Nex t t ime I c l imb t h i s t r e e I ' l l wea r a ba th ing -d re s s , " s a id D ick , t r y ing t o w ipe h imse l f d ry . "Rea l l y , I t h i nk somebody ough t t o s t op Dame Washa lo t pou r ing he r wa t e r away l i ke t ha t . How d i sgus t i ng ! ""Oh , you ' l l soon ge t u sed t o i t , and dodge t he wa t e r e a s i l y , " s a id Jo . On t hey a l l wen t up t he t r e e aga in , and a t l a s t c ame a lmos t t o t he t op . The 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 beh ind t he doo r c ame t he sound o f vo i ce s ."Tha t ' s Moon-Face and t he o ld Saucepan Man , " s a id Jo , and he banged on t he doo r . I t f l ew open and Moon-Face l ooked ou t . H i s b ig round f ace beamed wi th smi l e s when he s aw who h i s v i s i t o r s we re ."Ha l l o , ha l l o , ha l l o , " he s a id . "Come a long i n . The Saucepan Man i s he r e . "

Eve ryone wen t i n to Moon-Face ' s cu r i ous round room. The re was a l a rge ho l e i n t he midd l e o f i t , wh i ch was t he beg inn ing 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 down the i n s ide o f t he t r e e , r i gh t t o t he bo t t om. Moon-Face ' s f u rn i t u r e was a r r anged round t he i n s ide o ft he t r e e t r unk , and i t was 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 was cu rved , t he cha i r s we re cu rved , t he so f a and t he s t ove . I t was ve ry quee r .D ick s t a r ed a t i t a l l i n t he g r ea t e s t su rp r i s e . He r ea l l y f e l t a s i f he mus t be i n a d r eam. He s aw somebody ve ry quee r s i t t i ng on t he so f a .I t was t he o ld Saucepan Man . He r ea l l y was a ve ry cu r ious s i gh t . He was hung a l l r ound w i th s aucepans and ke t t l e s , and he wore a s aucepan fo r a ha t . You cou ld ha rd ly s ee any th ing o f h im excep t h i s f a ce , hands and f ee t , because he was so hung abou t w i th s aucepans and t h ings . He made a t r emendous c l a t t e r wheneve r he moved ."Who ' s t ha t ? " he s a id , l ook ing a t D ick ."Th i s i s D ick , " s a id Jo , and D ick wen t f o rwa rd t o shake hands .The Saucepan Man was ve ry dea f , t hough he d id some t imes hea r qu i t e we l l . Bu t he nea r l y a lways hea rd eve ry th ing wrong , and some t imes he was 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 i ck , bu t DICK!" shou t ed Moon-Face ."S t i ck?" s a id t he Saucepan Man , shak ing hands . "Good morn ing , S t i ck . I hope you a r e we l l . "D ick g igg l ed . Moon-Face go t r e ady t o shou t aga in , bu t S i l ky qu i ck ly handed h im he r bag o f Pop B i scu i t s . "Don ' t ge t c ro s s w i th h im , " she s a id . "Look - l e t ' s a l l have some Pop B i scu i t s . They a r e f r e sh made t o -day . And , oh , Moon-Face , do t e l l u s -wha t l and i s a t t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree t o -day?""The Land o f Topsy -Turvy , " s a id Moon-Face . "Bu t I don ' t adv i s e you t o go t he r e . I t ' s mos t uncomfo r t ab l e . ""Oh , do l e t ' s , " c r i ed D ick . "Can ' t we j u s t peep a t i t ? ""We ' l l s e e , " s a id Jo , g iv ing h im a Pop B i scu i t . "Ea t t h i s , D i ck . "Pop B i scu i t s we re l ove ly . D ick pu t one i n h i s mou th and b i t i t . I t wen t pop ! a t once - and he found h i s mou th fu l l o f swee t honey f rom the midd l e o f t he b i s cu i t ."De l i c i ous ! " he s a id . " I ' l l h ave ano the r . I s ay , Jo -DO l e t ' s t ake ou r l unch up i n to t he l and o f Topsy -Turvy . Oh , do , do ! "The Land o f Topsy -Turvy"Wha t i s Topsy -Turvy Land l i ke?" a sked Jo , t ak ing ano the r Pop B i scu i t ."Neve r been t he r e , " s a id Moon-Face . "Bu t I shou ld t h ink i t ' s qu i t e s a f e , r e a l l y . I t ' s on ly j u s t come t he r e , so i t shou ld s t ay fo r a wh i l e . We cou ld go up and s ee wha t i t ' s l i ke and come down aga in i f we don ' t l i ke i t . S i l ky and I and Saucepan w i l l come wi th you , i f you l i ke . "Moon-Face t u rned t o t he Saucepan Man , who was en joy ing h i s f i f t h Pop B i scu i t .

"Saucepan , we ' r e go ing up t he l adde r , " he s a id . "Are you coming?""Humming?" s a id Saucepan , 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 idn ' t hea r any humming . "" I s a id , a r e you COMING?" s a id Moon-Face ."Oh , coming? ' s a id Saucepan . "Of cou r se I 'm coming . Are we go ing t o t ake ou r l unch?""Yes , " s a id Moon-Face , go ing t o a cu rved doo r t ha t opened on t o a t i ny l a rde r . " I ' l l s e e wha t I ' v e go t . Toma toes . P lums . G inge r snaps . G inge r bee r . I ' l l b r i ng t hem a l l . "He pu t t hem in to a ba ske t . Then t hey a l l wen t ou t o f t he funny , cu rved room on t o t he b ig b r anch ou t s i de . Moon-Face shu t h i s doo r .Jo l ed t he way up t o t he ve ry t op o f t he Fa raway T ree . Then sudden ly D ick gave a shou t o f a s t on i shmen t ."Look! " he c r i ed . "The re ' s an eno rmous wh i t e c l oud above and a round u s . I sn ' t i t quee r ! "Su re enough , a va s t wh i t e c l oud swam above t hem -bu t j u s t nea r by was a ho l e r i gh t t h rough t he c loud !"Tha t ' s whe re we go , up t ha t ho l e , " s a id Jo . "See t ha t b r anch t ha t goes up t he ho l e? Come on ! "They a l l wen t up t he l a s t and t opmos t b r anch o f t he Fa raway T ree . I t wen t up and up t h rough t he pu rp l e ho l e i n t he c l oud . A t t he ve ry end o f t he b r anch was a l i t t l e l adde r .Jo c l imbed t he l adde r - and sudden ly h i s head poked ou t i n to t he Land o f Topsy -Turvy !Then one by one a l l t he o the r s f o l l owed-and soon a l l s even o f t hem s tood i n t he cu r i ous l and .D ick was no t a s u sed t o 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 th h i s eye s so w ide open t ha t i t r e a l l y s eemed a s i f t hey we re go ing t o d rop ou t o f h i s head !And , i ndeed , i t was a s t r ange s i gh t he s aw . Eve ry house was ups ide down , and s t ood on i t s ch imneys . The t r e e s we re ups ide down , t he i r heads bu r i ed i n t he g round and t he i r r oo t s i n t he a i r . And , dea r me , t he peop l e wa lked ups ide -down , t oo !"They a r e wa lk ing on t he i r hands , w i th t he i r l eg s i n t he a i r ! " s a id Jo , "Goodnes s , wha t a quee r t h ing t o do ! "Eve ryone s t a r ed a t t he fo lk o f Topsy -Turvy Land . They go t a l ong ve ry qu i ck ly on t he i r hands , and o f t en s t opped t o t a l k t o one ano the r , cha t t e r i ng bus i l y . Some o f t hem had been shopp ing , and ca r r i ed t he i r ba ske t s on one foo t ."Le t ' s go and peep i n s ide a house and s ee wha t i t ' s l i ke , a l l t opsy -tu rvy , " s a id Jo . So t hey s e t o f f t o t he nea re s t house . I t l ooked mos t pecu l i a r s t and ing on i t s ch imneys . No smoke came ou t o f t hem-bu t smoke came ou t o f a w indow nea r t he t op ."How do we ge t i n? " s a id Bes s i e . They wa t ched a Topsy -Turvy man wa lk on h i s hands t o ano the r house . He j umped i n a t t he nea re s t w indow, go ing up a l adde r f i r s t .The ch i l d r en l ooked fo r t he l adde r t ha t en t e r ed t he house t hey we re nea r . They soon found i t . They wen t up i t t o a w indow and peeped i n s ide .

"Grac ious ! " s a id Jo . "Eve ry th ing r ea l l y i s ups ide down in i t - t he cha i r s and t ab l e s , andeve ry th ing .    How       uncomfo r t ab l e       i t mus t be ! "An o ld l ady was i n s ide t he house . She was s i t t i ng ups ide down in an ups ide -down cha i r and l ooked ve ry pecu l i a r . She was ang ry when she s aw the ch i l d r en peep ing i n .She c l apped he r hands , and a t a l l man , wa lk ing on h i s hands , c ame runn ing i n f rom the nex t r oom."Send t hose rude ch i l d r en away , " shou t ed t he o ld woman . The t a l l man hu r r i ed t o t he w indow on h i s hands , and t he ch i l d r en qu i ck ly s l i d down the l adde r , f o r t he man l ooked r a the r f i e r ce ." I t ' s a s i l l y l and , I t h ink , " s a id Jo . " I vo t e we j u s t have ou r l unch and t hen l e ave t h i s p l ace . I wonde r why eve ry th ing i s t opsy - tu rvy . ""Oh , a spe l l was pu t on eve ry th ing and eve rybody , " s a id Moon-Face , " and i n a t r i c e eve ry th ing was t opsy - tu rvy . Look-wou ldn ' t t ha t be a good p l ace t o s i t and ea t ou r l unch i n?"I t was unde r a b ig oak t r e e whose roo t s s t ood h igh i n t he a i r . Jo and Moon-Face s e t ou t t he l unch . I t l ooked ve ry good ."The re ' s p l en ty fo r eve rybody , " s a id Jo . "Have a s andwich , S i l ky?""Saucepan , have a p lum?""Crumb?" s a id Saucepan , i n su rp r i s e . " I s t ha t a l l you can spa re fo r me -a c rumb?""PLUM, PLUM, PLUM!" s a id Moon-Face , push ing a r i pe one i n to t he Saucepan Man ' s hands ."Oh , p lum," s a id Saucepan . "We l l , why d idn ' t you s ay so? 'Eve rybody g igg l ed . They a l l s e t t o work t o e a t a good l unch .In t he midd l e o f i t , J o happened t o l ook round , and he s aw some th ing su rp r i s i ng .I t was a po l i c eman coming a long , wa lk ing on h i s hands , o f cou r se ."Look wha t ' s coming , " s a id Jo w i th a l augh . Eve ryone l ooked . Moon-Face wen t pa l e ." I don ' t l i ke t he l ook o f h im , " he s a id . "Suppose he ' s come t o l ock u s up fo r some th ing? We cou ldn ' t ge t away down the Fa raway T ree be fo re t h i s l and swung away f rom the t op ! "The po l i c eman came r i gh t up t o t he l i t t l e c rowd unde r t he t r e e ."Why a r en ' t you Topsy -Turvy?" he a sked i n a s t e rn vo i ce . "Don ' t you know tha t t he ru l e i nth i s l and i s t ha t eve ry th ing and eve ryone ha s t o be ups ide -down?""Yes , bu t we don ' t be long t o t h i s s i l l y l and , " s a id Jo . "And i f you we re s ens ib l e , you 'd make ano the r r u l e , s ay ing t ha t eve rybody mus t be t he r i gh t way up . You 've j u s t no i dea how s i l l y you l ook , po l i c eman , wa lk ing on you r hands ! "The po l i c eman wen t r ed w i th ange r . He t ook a so r t o f s t i ck f rom h i s be l t and t apped Jo on t he head w i th i t ."Topsy -Turvy ! " he s a id . "Topsy -Turvy ! "And t o Jo ' s ho r ro r he had t o t u rn h imse l f ups ide -down a t once ! The o the r s s t a r ed a t poo r Jo , s t and ing on h i s hands , h i s l eg s i n t he a i r ."Oh , go l l y ! " c r i ed Jo . " I c an ' t e a t any th ing p rope r ly now because I need my hands t o wa lk w i th . Po l i c eman , pu t me r i gh t aga in . "

"You a r e r i gh t now, " s a id t he po l i c eman , and wa lked so l emn ly away on h i s hands ."Pu t Jo t he r i gh t way up , " s a id D ick . So eve ryone t r i ed t o ge t h im ove r so t ha t he was t he r i gh t way up aga in . Bu t a s soon a s t hey go t h i s l eg s down and h i s head up , he t u rned t opsy - tu rvy aga in . He j u s t cou ldn ' t he lp i t , f o r he was unde r a spe l l .A g roup o f Topsy -Turvy peop l e c ame t o wa t ch . They l aughed l oud ly . "Now he be longs t o Topsy -Turvy Land ! " t hey c r i ed . "He ' l l have t o s t ay he r e w i th u s . Neve r m ind , boy -you ' l l soon ge t u sed t o i t ! ""Take me back t o t he Fa raway T ree , " begged Jo , a f r a id t ha t he r e a l l y and t r u ly migh t be made t o s t ay i n t h i s quee r l and . "Hur ry ! "Eve ryone j umped t o t he i r f e e t . They he lped Jo a long t o whe re t he ho l e r an down th rough t he c loud . He wasn ' t u sed 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 and up r igh t , bu t he cou ldn ' t . The spe l l wou ldn ' t l e t h im ." I t w i l l be d i f f i cu l t t o ge t h im down th rough t he ho l e , " s a id D ick . "Look- the r e i t i s . I ' d be t t e r go down f i r s t and s ee i f I c an he lp h im . You o the r s push h im th rough a s c a r e fu l l y a s you can . He ' l l have t o go ups ide down , I 'm a f r a id . "I t was ve ry d i f f i cu l t t o ge t Jo t h rough t he ho l e , because h i s hands and head had t o go f i r s t . Moon-Face he ld h i s l eg s t o gu ide h im . D ick he ld h i s shou lde r s a s he came down the l adde r , so t ha t he wou ldn ' t f a l l .A t l a s t t hey we re a l l s even t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l ouds , and we re on t he b road b r anch ou t s i de Moon-Face ' s house . Jo he ld on t o t he b r anch w i th h i s hands , h i s l eg s we re i n t he a i r ."Moon-Face ! S i l ky ! Can ' t you pos s ib ly t ake t h i s spe l l away?" g roaned he . " I t ' s d r ead fu l . ""S i l ky , wha t l and i s coming t o t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree nex t ? " a sked Moon-Face . "Have you hea rd? '" I t h ink i f s t he Land o f Spe l l s , " s a id S i l ky . " I t shou ld come t o -mor row. Bu t I 'm no t r e a l l y su r e . ""Oh , we l l , i f i t ' s t he Land o f Spe l l s , we cou ld ea s i l y ge t a spe l l f r om the r e t o pu t Jo r i gh t , " s a id Moon-Face , beaming . " Jo , you mus t s t ay t he n igh t w i th me and wa i t f o r t he Land o f Spe l l st omor row. The o the r s c an go home and t e l l wha t ha s happened . ""Al l r i gh t , " s a id Jo . " I c an ' t pos s ib ly c l imb up t he t r e e aga in i f I 'm ups ide down-so I ' l l j u s t have t o wa i t he r e . Mo the r w i l l neve r be l i eve i t , t hough , when t he o the r s t e l l he r why I don ' t go home . S t i l l , i t c an ' t be he lped . "They a l l wen t i n to Moon-Face ' s house . Jo s t ood on a cha i r , ups ide down . The o the r s s a t abou t and t a l ked . D ick was so r ry fo r Jo , bu t he cou ldn ' t he lp f e e l i ng a b i t exc i t ed . Goodnes s - i f t h i s was t he so r t o f adven tu re t ha t Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny had , wha t f un t h ings we re go ing t o be !The o the r s began t e l l i ng h im a l l t he adven tu re s t hey had had . S i l ky made some t e a , and wen t down the t r e e t o f e t ch some more Pop B i scu i t s . When i t was ha l f -pa s t f i ve Bes s i e s a id t hey mus t go .

"Good-bye , Jo , " she s a id . "Don ' t be t oo unhappy . P r e t end you a r e a ba t - t hey a lways s l e ep ups ide down , you know, and don ' t m ind a b i t ! Come on , D ick -we ' r e go ing down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p ! "Dick was exc i t ed . He t ook t he r ed cush ion t ha t Moon-Face gave h im and s a t h imse l f a t t he t op o f t he s l i de . Bes s i e gave h im a push .And o f f he wen t , r ound and round t he i n s ide o f t he eno rmous Fa raway T ree , s i t t i ng s a f e ly on h i s cush ion . Wha t a way t o ge t down a t r e e !4 -The Land o f Spe l l sD ick sho t r ound down the i n s ide o f t he Fa raway T ree on h i s cush ion . He came t o t he bo t t om. He sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r t he r e , and l anded on t he so f t g r een moss . He s a t t he r e fo r a momen t , ou t o f b r ea th ."Tha t ' s t he l ove l i e s t s l i de I ' v e eve r had ! " he t hough t t o h imse l f . "O-o -oh -wou ldn ' t I l i ke t o do t ha t aga in ! "He had j u s t go t up f rom the moss when t he t r ap -doo r a t t he bo t t om o f t he t r e e opened once aga in , and Fanny sho t ou t on a ye l l ow cush ion . Then came Bes s i e , g igg l i ng , f o r she a lways t hough t i t was a huge j oke t o s l i de down in s ide t he t r e e l i ke t ha t ."Wha t do we do w i th t he cush ions?" a sked D ick . "Does Moon-Face wan t t hem back?""Yes , he does , " s a id Fanny , p i ck ing t hem up . "The r ed squ i r r e l a lways co l l e c t s t hem and s ends t hem back t o h im . "As she spoke , a r ed squ i r r e l , d r e s sed i n 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 cush ions , " s a id Fanny , and t he squ i r r e l t ook t hem. He l ooked up i n to t he t r e e , and a rope came swing ing down ."Moon-Face a lways l e t s i t down fo r h i s cush ions , " s a id Bes s i e . D ick wa t ched t he squ i r r e l t i e t he t h r ee cush ions t o t he rope end . Then he gave t h r ee gen t l e t ugs a t t he rope , and a t once t herope was pu l l ed up , and t he cush ions wen t sw ing ing up t he t r e e t o Moon-Face ." I w i sh Jo was w i th u s , " s a id D ick , a s t hey a l l wen t home . "Do you suppose Aun t Po l l y w i l l be wor r i ed abou t h im?""Wel l , we ' l l have t o t e l l Mo the r , " s a id Fanny . "She i s su r e t o a sk whe re he i s . "Mothe r d id a sk , o f cou r se , and t he g i r l s t o ld he r wha t had happened ." I f i nd a l l t h i s ve ry d i f f i cu l t t o be l i eve , " s a id Mothe r , a s t on i shed . " I t h ink Jo i s j u s t spend ing t he n igh t w i th Moon-Face fo r a t r e a t . We l l , he c e r t a i n ly mus t come back t o -mor row, fo r t he r e i s work fo r h im to do . "Nobody s a id any more . The g i r l s and D ick f e l t ve ry t i r ed , and a f t e r some ho t cocoa and po t a toe s cooked i n t he i r j a cke t s f o r suppe r , t hey a l l wen t t o bed Bes s i e wonde red how Jo was ge t t i ng on a t Moon-Face ' s .He was ge t t i ng on a l l r i gh t , t hough he was ve ry t i r ed o f be ing ups ide down . I t d i dn ' t ma t t e r how ha rd he t r i ed t o ge t t he r i gh t way up , he a lways swung back t opsy - tu rvy aga in . The po l i c eman had pu t a ve ry s t rong spe l l on h im!

"You had be t t e r t r y t o s l e ep i n my bed , " s a id Moon-Face . " I ' l l s l e ep on my so fa . "" I suppose I ' l l h ave t o s t and on my head a l l n i gh t , " s a id poo r Jo . And t ha t ' s j u s t wha t he d id have t o do . I t was mos t uncomfo r t ab l e .Once he l o s t h i s ba l ance when he was a s l e ep , and t i pped o f f t he bed . He a lmos t f e l l down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p , bu t Moon-Face , who was awake ,r eached ou t a hand and caugh t h i s l eg j u s t i n t ime ."Grac ious ! " s a id Moon-Face . "Don ' 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 , Jo . I t ' s mos t upse t t i ng . ""We l l , how can I he lp i t ? " s a id Jo ." I ' l l t i e you r f e e t t o a na i l on my wa l l , " s a id Moon-Face . "Then you can ' t t opp l e ove r when you a r e a s l e ep . "So he d id t ha t , and Jo d idn ' t f a l l down any more . When morn ing came he was mos t a s t on i shed t o f i nd h imse l f ups ide -down , fo r a t f i r s t he d idn ' t r emember wha t had happened ." I ' l l j u s t peep up t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud and s ee i f by any chance t he Land o f Spe l l s i s t he r e ye t , " s a id Moon-Face . " I f i t i s , we ' l l go up and s ee wha t we can do fo r you . "So o f f he wen t up t he l i t t l e l adde r and popped h i s head ou t o f t he ho l e i n t he c l oud t o s ee i f t he Land o f Topsy -Turvy was s t i l l t he r e , o r i f i t h ad gone .The re was no th ing t he r e a t a l l - on ly j u s t t he b ig wh i t e c l oud , mov ing abou t l i ke a t h i ck mi s t . Moon-Face s l i pped down the l adde r aga in ."Topsy -Turvy ha s gone , bu t t he nex t l and ha sn ' t come ye t , " he s a id . "We ' l l have b r eak fa s t and t hen I ' l l l ook aga in . Ha l l o -he r e ' s S i l ky . S t ay and have b r eak fa s t , S i l ky da r l i ng . "" I c ame up t o s ee how Jo was , " s a id S i l ky . "Yes , I ' d l ove t o have b r eak fa s t . I t ' s f unny t o wa t ch Jo ea t i ng ups ide down . Hasn ' t t he Land o f Spe l l s come ye t ? ""No t ye t , " s a id Moon-Face , pu t t i ng a ke t t l e onh i s s t ove t o bo i l . "The re ' s no th ing t he r e a t a l l . Bu t Topsy -Turvy i s gone , t hank goodnes s ! "They a l l had b r eak fa s t . Moon-Face cooked some po r r i dge . "Wha t do you wan t on you r po r r i dge?" he a sked Jo . "T reac l e - suga r - c r eam?"Jo cou ldn ' t s e e any t r e ac l e , suga r o r c r eam on t he t ab l e . "T reac l e , " he s a id , "p l ea se , Moon-Face . " Moon-Face handed h im a sma l l j ug t ha t s eemed t o be qu i t e emp ty ."T reac l e ! " he s a id t o t he j ug i n a f i rm vo i ce . And t r e ac l e c ame pou r ing ou t a s soon a s Jo t i pped up t he j ug . S i l ky wan t ed c r eam-and c r eam came ou t when Moon-Face s a id "Cream!" t o t he j ug . I t was g r ea t f un .Moon-Face wen t aga in t o s ee i f t he Land o f Spe l l s had come . Th i s t ime he came back exc i t ed ." I t ' s t he r e ! " he s a id . "Come on ! I ' d be t t e r t ake some money w i th me , I t h ink , i n c a se we have t o buy t he spe l l we wan t . "He t ook a b ig pu r se down f rom a she l f , and t hen he and S i l ky he lped Jo t o wa lk ups ide down up t he b r anch t ha t l ed t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud t o t he l i t t l e l adde r . Up he wen t w i th g r ea t

d i f f i cu l t y , ho ld ing on t i gh t l y t o t he rungs o f t he l adde r w i th h i s hands . A t l a s t he was up i n t he Land o f Spe l l s .Th i s l and was l i ke a b ig ma rke t -p l ace . I n i t we re a l l k i nds o f cu r i ous l i t t l e shops and s t a l l s . A l l k inds o f peop l e so ld spe l l s . I n some o f t he shops s a t t a l l w i za rds , f amous fo r mag i c . I n some o f t hem were g r een -eyed w i t ches , mak ing spe l l s a s f a s t a s t hey cou ld . Ou t s ide , i n t he ma rke tp l ace , s a t a l l k i nds o f f a i ry fo lk a t t he i r s t a l l s -p ix i e s , gnomes , gob l i n s , e l ve s - a l l c ry ing t he i r wa re s a t t he t ops o f t he i r h igh vo i ce s ."Spe l l t o make a c rooked nose s t r a i gh t ! " c r i ed one p ix i e , r a t t l i ng a ye l l ow box i n wh ich we re mag i c p i l l s ."Spe l l t o g row b lue da f fod i l s ! " c r i ed a gnome , showing a bo t t l e o f b lue j u i ce ."Spe l l t o make ca t s s i ng ! " c r i ed ano the r gnome . Jo cou ld ha rd ly be l i eve h i s e a r s . How quee r ! Who wou ld wan t t o make ca t s s i ng?"Now, we mus t j u s t s ee i f we can pos s ib ly f i nd a spe l l t o make you s t and up s t r a i gh t aga in , " s a id Moon-Face , and he wen t i n to a l i t t l e l ow shop i n wh ich s a t a s t r ange gob l i n .The gob l i n had b lue , po in t ed ea r s , and h i s eye s spa rk l ed a s i f t hey had f i r eworks i n t hem." I wan t a spe l l , " s a id Moon-Face ."Wha t fo r ? " a sked t he gob l i n . " I ' v e a spe l l f o r eve ry th ing unde r t he sun i n my shop ! Ve ry power fu l spe l l s t oo , some o f t hem. Wou ld you l i ke a spe l l t o s end you t r ave l l i ng s t r a i gh t o f f t o t he moon?""Oh , no , t hank you , " s a id Moon-Face a t once . " I know I l ook l i ke t he man i n t he moon , w i th my b ig round f ace -bu t I 'm no th ing a t a l l t o do w i th t he moon r ea l l y . ""We l l , wou ld you l i ke a spe l l t o make you a s t a l l a s a g i an t ? " s a id t he gob l i n , p i ck ing up a box and open ing i t . He showed Moon-Face a l a rge b lue p i l l i n s i de . "Now, t ake t ha t p i l l , and you ' l l shoo t up a s h igh a s a house ! You ' l l f e e l f i ne . I t on ly cos t s one p i ece o f go ld . ""No , t hank you , " s a id Moon-Face . " I f I g r ew a s b ig a s t ha t I ' d neve r ge t down the ho l e i n t he c l oud back t o t he Fa raway T ree . 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 -house . I don ' t wan 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 ca l l my marve l l ous spe l l s s i l l y ! Ano the r word f rom you , s t up id o ld Round-Face , and I ' l l u se a spe l l t ha t w i l l t u rn you i n to a b ig bounc ing ba l l ! "S i l ky pu l l ed Moon-Face ou t o f t he shop qu i ck ly . She was qu i t e wh i t e . "Moon-Face , you know you shou ldn ' t make t he se peop l e c ro s s , " she wh i spe red . "Why , you may f i nd you r se l f no th ing bu t a bounc ing ba l l , o r a b l ack bee t l e , o r some th ing , i f you a r e rude t o t hem. Fo r goodnes s ' s ake , l e t me a sk fo r t he spe l l we wan t . Look -he re ' s a b igge r shop -w i th a n i ce - l ook ing w i t ch i n s ide . "They a l l wen t i n . The w i t ch was kn i t t i ng s t ock ings f rom the g r een smoke t ha t c ame f rom he r f i r e . I t was marve l l ous t o wa t ch he r . Jo w i shed he wasn ' t ups ide -down so t ha t he migh t s ee he r p rope r ly ."Good morn ing , " s a id t he w i t ch . "Do you wan t a spe l l ? ""Yes , p l ea se , " s a id S i l ky i n he r mos t po l i t e vo i ce . "We wan t t o make ou r f r i end Jo come t he r i gh t way up aga in . "

"Tha t ' s e a sy , " s a id t he w i t ch , he r g r een eyes l ook ing i n a k ind ly way a t poo r Jo . " I ' v e on ly go t t o rub a Wa lk ing -Spe l l on t o t he so l e s o f h i s f e e t and he w i l l be a l l r i gh t . The Wa lk ing -Spe l l w i l l make h i s f e e t wan t t o wa lk -and he w i l l have t os t and up t he r i gh t way t o wa lk on t hem-so he w i l l be cu red . Come he re , boy ! "Jo wa lked ove r t o t he w i t ch on h i s hands . She t ook down a j a r f r om a she l f and opened i t . I t was fu l l o f pu rp l e o in tmen t . The w i t ch rubbed some on t o t he so l e s o f Jo ' s shoes ."R imminy-Romminy-Ree t , S t and on you r own two f ee t ! R imminy-Romminy-Ro , The r i gh t way up you mus t go ! "And , o f cou r se , you can gues s wha t happened ! Jo swung r i gh t ove r , s t ood on h i s two f ee t aga in , and t he r e he was , a s up r igh t a s Moon-Face and S i l ky . Wasn ' t he g l ad !5 -Saucepan Makes a Mudd le .Jo , S i l ky and Moon-Face we re so ve ry p l ea sed t ha t Jo was t he r i gh t way up aga in ." I t f e e l s f unny , " s a id Jo . " I f e e l qu i t e g iddy t he r i gh t way up a f t e r s t and ing ups ide -down fo r so l ong . Thank you , w i t ch . How much i s t he spe l l ? ""One p i ece o f go ld , " s a id t he w i t ch . Moon-Face 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 w i t ch t h r ew i t i n t o t he f i r e , and a t once b r i gh t go lden smoke came ou t . She t ook up he r kn i t t i ng -need l e s and began t o kn i t t heye l l ow smoke i n to t he s t ock ings she was mak ing ." I wan t ed a ye l l ow pa t t e rn , " she s a id , p l e a sed . "Your p i ece o f go ld came j u s t a t t he r i gh t momen t . ""Go l ly , t h i s i s a ve ry mag i c l and , i sn ' t i t ? " s a id Jo , a s t he t h r ee o f t hem wa lked ou t o f t he quee r shop . "Fancy kn i t t i ng s t ock ings ou t o f smoke ! Don ' t l e t ' s go home ye t , Moon-Face . I wan t t o s ee a f ew more t h ings . ""Al l r i gh t , " s a id Moon-Face , who wan t ed t o exp lo re a b i t , t oo . "Come on . I s ay , l ook a t t he gnome who i s s e l l i ng a spe l l t o make ca t s s i ng ! Somebody ha s b rough t h i s c a t t o h im- I wonde r i f t he spe l l w i l l r e a l l y work ! "The s e rvan t o f a w i t ch had b rough t a l ong a b ig b l ack ca t . He handed t he gnome two s i l ve r p i ece s o f money . The gnome took t he ca t on h i s knee . He opened i t s mou th and l ooked down i t . Then he t ook a s i l ve r wh i s t l e and b l ew a t une so f t l y down the ca t ' s p ink t h roa t . The ca t swa l l owed once o r tw ice and t hen j umped o f f t he gnome ' s knee ."Wi l l i t s i ng now?" a sked t he w i t ch ' s s e rvan t . " I da r en ' t go back t o my mi s t r e s s un l e s s i t doe s . "" I t w i l l s i ng wheneve r you pu l l i t s t a i l , " s a id t he gnome , t u rn ing t o ano the r cus tomer .The w i t ch ' s s e rvan t wen t o f f w i th t he c a t f o l l owing beh ind . Jo t ook ho ld o f Moon-Face ' s a rm and wh i spe red t o h im:" I 'm go ing t o pu l l t he c a t ' s t a i l . I do SO wan t t o hea r i f i t r e a l l y w i l l s i ng ! "

Moon-Face and S i l ky wan t ed t o a s we l l . They g igg l ed t o s ee Jo runn ing so f t l y a f t e r t he b ig b l ack 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 , wha t a pecu l i a r t h ing ! The ca t s t opped , l i f t ed up i t s head , and s ang i n a ve ry deep man ' s vo i ce :"Oh , once my wh i ske r s g r ew so l ong I had t o have a shave ! The ba rbe r s a id : ' I t ' s no t t he way fo r wh i ske r s t o behave , I f you ' r e no t c a r e fu l , my dea r c a t , They ' l l g row in to a bea rd , And t hen a b i l l y -goa t you ' l l be , Or some th ing ve ry we i rd ! '"Oh , once my t a i l became so sho r t I t hadn ' t go t a wag , The g roce r s a id . . . "Bu t wha t t he g roce r s a id abou t t he c a t ' s sho r t t a i l nobody eve r knew. The s e rvan t o f t he w i t ch t u rned round i n su rp r i s e when he hea rd t he c a t s i ng ing , f o r he knew tha t he hadn ' t pu l l ed t he c a t ' s t a i l . He s aw Jo and t he o the r s g r i nn ing away nea r by , and he was ve ry ang ry ."How da re you u se up t he ca r ' s s i ng ing ! " he c r i ed . "You wa i t t i l l I t e l l t he w i t ch . She ' l l be a f t e r you . And you won ' t s i ng i f she ca t ches you ! ""Qu ick ! Run! " s a id Moon-Face . " I f he does f e t ch t he w i t ch we ' l l ge t i n to t r oub l e . "So t hey r an away f a s t , and we re soon ou t o fs i gh t o f t he c a t and t he s e rvan t . They s ank down unde r a t r e e , l augh ing ."Oh , dea r ! Tha t c a t d id s i ng a funny song ! " s a id Jo , w ip ing h i s eye s . "And wha t a l ove ly deep vo i ce i t had . Do you suppose i t s wh i ske r s r e a l l y d id g row ve ry l ong?"Jus t t hen t he t h r ee hea rd a l oud no i s e coming a long : "C lank i l y -c l ank , r a t t l e , bang , c r a sh ! ""The Saucepan Man!" t hey a l l c r i ed . "He ' s come up he re , t oo ! "And su re enough , i t was o ld Saucepan , g r i nn ing a l l ove r h i s f unny f ace . He had so many ke t t l e s and s aucepans on t ha t day t ha t no th ing cou ld be s een o f h im excep t h i s f a ce and h i s f e e t ."Ha l l o , ha l l o ! " he s a id . " I gues sed you we re up he re . Been hav ing fun?""Yes , " s a id Jo . " I 'm a l l r i gh t aga in - l ook ! I t ' s so n i ce t o wa lk t he p rope r way up aga in . And oh , Saucepan , we 've j u s t hea rd a c a t s i ng ! "Saucepan ac tua l l y hea rd wha t Joe s a id bu t he cou ldn ' t be l i eve t ha t he had hea rd r i gh t , so he pu t h i s hand beh ind h i s e a r and s a id , "Wha t d id you s ay? I t hough t you s a id you 'd hea rd a c a t s i ng -bu t I hea rd wrong , I know.""No , you hea rd r i gh t , " s a id Moon-Face . "We d id hea r a c a t s i ng ! ""Le t ' s go and exp lo re a b i t more , " s a id Jo . So up t hey go t and o f f t hey wen t .A wi t ch was s e 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 . The fou r wa t ched i n amazemen t a s t hey s aw he r rubb ing a p ink o in tmen t on t o a b roomhand l e be long ing t o an e l f .

"Now ge t on i t , s ay 'Whizz away! ' and you can f l y home , " s a id t he w i t ch . The e l f go t a s t r i de t he b rooms t i ck , a smi l e on he r p r e t t y f a ce ."Whizz away! " she s a id . And o f f wh izzed t he b rooms t i ck up i n to t he a i r , w i t h t he e l f c l i ng ing t i gh t l y t o i t !" I ' d l i ke t o buy t ha t spe l l , " s a id Jo . " I wonde r how much i t i s . "The w i t ch hea rd h im . "Three s i l ve r p i ece s , " she s a id . Jo hadn ' t even go t one . Bu t Moon-Face had . He t ook t hem ou t o f h i s l a rge pu r se and gave t hem to t he w i t ch ."Where ' s you r b rooms t i ck?" she s a id ."We haven ' t go t one w i th u s , " s a id Jo . "Bu t c an ' t you g ive u s t he o in tmen t i n s t e ad , p l ea se?""Wel l , I ' l l g i ve you j u s t a l i t t l e , " s a id t he w i t ch . She t ook a t i ny p ink j a r and pu t a dab o f t he p ink o in tmen t i n to i t . J o t ook i t and pu t i t i n t o h i s pocke t . Now maybe h i s mo the r ' s b rooms t i ck wou ld l e a rn t o f l y !A t t he nex t s t a l l a gob l i n was s e l l i ng a spe l l t o make t h ings b ig . The spe l l was i n b ig t i n s , and l ooked l i ke pa in t ." Ju s t t h ink wha t a u se fu l spe l l t h i s i s ! " ye l l ed t he gob l i n t o t he pa s se r s -by . "Have you v i s i t o r s coming t o t e a and on ly a sma l l c ake t o o f f e r t hem? A dab o f t h i s spe l l and t he cake swe l l s t o tw ice i t s s i z e ! Have you a su i t you have g rown ou t o f A dab o f t h i s spe l l and i t w i l l g row to t he r i gh t s i z e ! Marve l l ous , wonde r fu l , amaz ing and a s ton i sh ing ! Buy , buy , buy , wh i l s t you ' ve go t t he chance ! "Saucepan hea rd a l l t ha t t he gob l i n s a id , f o r he was shou t i ng a t t he t op o f h i s vo i ce . He began t o l ook i n a l l h i s ke t t l e s and s aucepans ."Wha t do you wan t ? " a sked Jo ."My money , " s a id t he Saucepan Man . " I a lways keep i t i n one o f my ke t t l e s o r s aucepans -bu t I neve r r emember wh ich . I s imp ly mus t buy t ha t spe l l . Th ink how use fu l i t wou ld be t o me . Some t imes when I go round s e l l i ng my goods a cus tomer w i l l s ay t o me , 'Oh , you haven ' t a b ig enough ke t t l e ! ' Bu t now I sha l l be ab l e t o make my ke t t l e s j u s t a s b ig a s I l i ke ! And we can dab t he Pop B i scu i t s w i th t he spe l l , t oo , and make t hem tw ice a s b ig . "He found h i s money a t l a s t and pa id i t t o t he gob l i n , who handed h im a t i n o f t he spe l l . Saucepan was ve ry p l ea sed . He l onged t o t r y ' i t on some th ing . He t ook t he b rush and dabbed a da i sy nea rby w i th t he spe l l . The da i sy a t once g r ew to tw ice i t s s i z e . Then Saucepan dabbed a bumblebee and t ha t g r ew eno rmous . I t buzzed a round Moon-Face and he waved i t away ."Saucepan , don ' t do any more bee s , " he begged . " I expec t t he i r s t i ngs a r e tw ice a s b ig , t oo . Look- l e t ' s go t o t ha t swee t - shop ove r t he r e and buy some swee t s . I t wou ld be fun t o make t hem tw ice a s b ig ! "They hu r r i ed t o t he shop -bu t on t he way a d r ead fu l t h ing happened ! Saucepan f e l l ove r one o f h i s ke t t l e s and upse t t he t i n i n wh ich he ca r r i ed t he spe l l . I t sp l a shed up - and d rops o f i t f e l l on t o Moon-Face , S i l ky , Jo and t he o ld Saucepan Man , t oo ! And i n a t r i c e t hey a l l sho t up t o tw ice t he i r s i z e ! S i l ky g r ew to t h r ee t imes he r s i z e because more d rops f e l l on he r .

They s t a r ed a t one ano the r . How sma l l t he Land o f Spe l l s sudden ly s eemed! 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 shops we re !"Saucepan ! You r ea l l y a r e c a r e l e s s ! " c r i ed Moon-Face , vexed . "Look wha t you 've done t o u s . Now wha t a r e we t o do?"S i l ky c lu t ched ho ld o f Moon-Face ' s a rm . "Moon-Face ! " she s a id . "Oh , Moon-Face do you . suppose we a r e t oo b ig t o go down the ho l e t h rough t he c loud?"Moon-Face t u rned pa l e . "We 'd be t t e r go andsee , "       h e       s a i d .       "Come       on , eve rybody . "F r igh t ened and s i l en t , a l l f ou r o f t hem hu r r i edto whe re t he ho l e l ed down to t he Fa raway T ree .How l i t t l e i t s e emed t o t he fou r b ig peop l e now!Moon-Face t r i ed     t o       ge t     down .    He     s t uck .    Hecou ldn ' t s l i p down a t a l l ." I t ' s no u se , " he s a id . "We ' r e t oo b ig t o godown . Wha teve r i n t he wor ld sha l l we do?"6 . Wha t Can They Do Now?Jo , Moon-Face , S i l ky and Saucepan s a t down by t he ho l e and t hough t ha rd . S i l ky began t o c ry .The Saucepan Man l ooked mos t uncomfo r t ab l e . He was ve ry fond o f S i l ky . "S i l ky , p l ea se do fo rg ive me fo r be ing so ca r e l e s s , " he s a id i n a sma l l vo i ce . " I d idn ' t mean t o do t h i s . Don ' t c ry . You make me f ee l d r ead fu l . "" I t ' s a l l r i gh t , " sobbed S i l ky , bo r rowing Moon-Face ' s hanky . " I know you d idn ' t mean t o . Bu t I c an ' t he lp f e e l i ng d r ead fu l l y s ad when I t h ink I won ' t eve r be ab l e t o s ee my dea r l i t t l e r oom in t he Fa raway T ree any more . "The Saucepan Man began t o c ry , t oo . Tea r s d r i pped w i th a sp l a sh i n to h i s s aucepans and ke t t l e s . He pu t h i s a rm round S i l ky , and two o r t h r ee ke t t l e - spou t s s t uck i n to he r ."Don ' t ! " she s a id . "You ' r e s t i ck ing i n to me . Moon-Face - Jo -can ' t you t h ink o f some th ingto do? Can we pos s ib ly squeeze down i f we ho ld ou r b r ea th s and make ou r se lve s a s sma l l a s we can?""Qu i t e imposs ib l e , " s a id Moon-Face g loomi ly . "L i s t en - t he r e ' s somebody coming up t he l adde r . "They hea rd vo i ce s - and soon a head popped up ou t o f t he ho l e i n t he c l oud . I t was D ick ' s ! He s t a r ed i n t he ve ry g r ea t e s t su rp r i s e a t t he fou r eno rmous peop l e s i t t i ng by t he ho l e .He c l imbed up and s t ood be s ide t hem, l ook ing ve ry , ve ry sma l l . Then up came Bes s i e and Fanny . The i r eye s nea r l y f e l l ou t o f t he i r heads when t hey s aw how b ig Jo and h i s f r i ends we re ."Wha t ' s happened?" c r i ed D ick . "We began t o be wor r i ed because you d idn ' t come home , Jo - so we c l imbed up t o s ee whe re you we re . Bu t why a r e you so ENORMOUS?"Jo t o ld t hem. S i l ky sobbed i n to -Moon-Face ' s hanky . Bes s i e pu t he r a rm round he r . I t was funny t o f e e l S i l ky so ve ry b ig . Bes s i e ' s a rm on ly wen t ha l f r ound S i l ky ' s wa i s t !"And now, you s ee , we can ' t ge t back down the ho l e , " s a id Jo .

" I know wha t you can do ! " s a id D ick sudden ly ,"Wha t? " c r i ed eve ryone hope fu l l y ."Why , rub t he ho l e w i th t he spe l l , and i t w i l l ge t b igge r , o f cou r se ! " s a id D ick . "Then you ' l l be ab l e t o ge t down i t . ""Why eve r d idn ' t we t h ink o f t ha t be fo re ! " c r i ed Jo , j ump ing up . "Saucepan , whe re ' s t ha t t i n w i th t he spe l l i n? "He p i cked up t he t i n -bu t , a l a s ! i t was qu i t e , qu i t e emp ty . Eve ry s i ng l e d rop had been sp i l t when Saucepan had f a l l en ove r ."We l l , neve r m ind ! " s a id Moon-Face , chee r i ng up . "We can go and buy some more f rom tha t gob l i n . Come on ! "They a l l s e t o f f , D i ck , Bes s i e and Fanny l ook ing ve ry sma l l i ndeed by t he o the r s . They wen t up t o t he gob l i n who had so ld t hem the spe l l ."May we have ano the r t i n o f t ha t spe l l you so ld u s j u s t now?" a sked Moon-Face , ho ld ing 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 i n . "And I c an ' t make any more t i l l t he fu l l moon comes . I t c an on ly be made i n t he moon l igh t . "Eve ryone l ooked so mi se r ab l e t ha t t he gob l i n f e l t so r ry fo r t hem. "Why do you l ook so unhappy?" he s a id . "Wha t ha s happened?"Jo t o ld h im eve ry th ing . The gob l i n l i s t ened w i th g r ea t i n t e r e s t . Then he smi l ed . "We l l , my dea r boy , " he s a id , " i f you can ' t ge t a spe l l t o make t he ho l e b ig , why don ' t you buy a spe l l t o make you r se lve s sma l l ? My b ro the r , t he g r een gob l i n ove r t he r e , s e l l s t ha t k ind o f spe l l . On ly be ca r e fu l no t t o pu t t oo much on you r se lve s , o r you may go sma l l e r t han you mean t o ! "They wen t ove r t o t he g r een gob l i n . He was ye l l i ng a t t he t op o f h i s vo i ce ."Buy my wonde r fu l and mos t amaz ing spe l l ! I t w i l l make any th ing a s sma l l a s you l i ke ! Have you an enemy? Dab h im wi th t h i s and s ee h im sh r ink t o t he s i z e o f a mouse ! Have you t oo b ig a nose? Dab i t w i t h t h i s and make i t t he r i gh t s i z e ! Oh , wonde r fu l , a s t on i sh ing , amaz ing . . . . "Eve ryone hu r r i ed up . Moon-Face t ook some money ou t o f h i s pu r se . " I ' l l h ave t he spe l l , p l e a se , " he s a id . The g r een gob l i n gave h im a t i n . The spe l l i n i t l ooked r a the r l i ke pa in t , j u s t a s t he o the r had done ."Now go s l ow , " s a id t he gob l i n . "You don ' t wan t t o ge t t oo sma l l . T ry a l i t t l e a t a t ime . "Moon-Face dabbed a l i t t l e on S i l ky . She wen t a b i t sma l l e r a t once . He dabbed aga in . She wen t sma l l e r s t i l l ." I s she t he r i gh t s i z e ye t ? " a sked Moon-Face . Eve ryone s t a r ed a t S i l ky ."No t qu i t e , " s a id Bes s i e . "Bu t she i s a lmos t , Moon-Face . So be ca r e fu l w i th you r nex t dab . "Moon-Face was ve ry ca r e fu l . A t t he nex t dab o f t he spe l l S i l ky wen t t o exac t l y he r r i gh t s i z e . She was so p l ea sed ."Now you , Jo , " s a id Moon-Face . So he dabbed Jo and go t Jo back t o h i s r i gh t s i z e aga in , t oo . Then he t r i ed dabb ing t he Saucepan Man ,

and soon go t h im r i gh t . H i s ke t t l e s and s aucepans wen t r i gh t , t oo . I t was funny t o wa t ch t hem."Now I ' l l do you , Moon-Face , " s a id Jo ."No , t hanks , I ' l l do myse l f , " s a id Moon-Face . He dabbed t he spe l l on t o h imse l f and sh rank sma l l e r . He dabbed aga in and wen t sma l l e r s t i l l . Then he s t opped dabb ing and pu t t he b ru sh down ."You ' r e no t qu i t e you r o rd ina ry s i z e ye t , " s a id Jo ." I know," s a id Moon-Face . "Bu t I a lways t hough t I was a b i t on t he sho r t s i de . Now I 'm j u s t abou t r i gh t . I a lways wan t ed t o be a b i t t a l l e r . I shan ' t dab myse l f any more . "Eve ryone l aughed . I t was funny t o s ee Moon-Face a b i t t a l l e r t han u sua l . As t hey s t ood t he r e and l aughed , a cu r i ous co ld w ind began t o b low . Moon-Face l ooked a l l r ound and t hen began t o shou t ."Qu ick , qu i ck ! The Land o f Spe l l s i s on t he move ! Hur ry be fo re we ge t l e f t beh ind ! "Eve ryone go t a shock . Good g rac ious ! I t wou ld neve r do t o be l e f t beh ind , j u s t a s eve ryone had go t sma l l enough t o go down the ho l e i n t he c l ouds .They s e t o f f t o t he ho l e . The w ind b l ew more and more s t rong ly , and sudden ly t he sun wen t ou t . I t was a lmos t a s i f somebody had b lown i t ou t , Jo t hough t . A t once da rknes s f e l l on t he Land o f Spe l l s ."Take ho ld o f hands , t ake ho ld o f hands ! " c r i ed Jo . "We sha l l l o se one ano the r i f we don ' t ! "They a l l t ook ho ld o f one ano the r ' s hands and ca l l ed ou t t he i r names t o make su re eve ryone was t he r e . They s t umb led on t h rough t he da rknes s ."He re ' s t he ho l e ! " c r i ed Jo , a t l a s t , and down he wen t . He f e l t t he l adde r and c l imbed down tha t , t oo . The o the r s f o l l owed one by one , push ing c lo se beh ind i n t he da rk , l ong ing t o ge t down to t he Fa raway T ree t hey knew so we l l . How love ly i t wou ld be t o s i t i n Moon-Face ' s r oom and f ee l s a f e !Bu t down a t t he bo t t om o f t he l adde r t he r e was no Fa raway T ree . I n s t e ad , t o Jo ' s a s t on i shmen t , t he r e was a na r row pas sage , l i t by a sw ing ing g r een l an t e rn ." I s ay , " he s a id t o t he o the r s , "Wha t ' s t h i s ? Where ' s t he Fa raway T ree?""We 've come down the wrong ho l e , " g roaned Moon-Face . "Oh , goodnes s , wha t bad l uck ! ""Wel l , whe re a r e we?" a sked D ick i n wonde r ." I don ' t know," s a id Moon-Face . "We 'd be t t e r f o l l ow th i s pa s sage and s ee whe re i t l e ads t o . I t ' s no Use c l imb ing back and t r y ing t o f i nd t he r i gh t ho l e . We 'd neve r f i nd i t i n t he da rk -and anyway , I 'm p re t t y su r e t he Land o f Spe l l s ha s moved on by now."Eve ryone f e l t ve ry g loomy . Jo l ed t he way down the pa s sage . I t tw i s t ed and t u rned , wen t up and down s t eps , and was l i gh t ed he r e and t he r e by t he g r een l an t e rn s sw ing ing f rom the roo f .A t l a s t t hey came t o a b ig ye l l ow doo r . On i t was a b lue knocke r , a b lue be l l , a b lue l e t t e r -box and a b lue no t i c e t ha t s a id :

"Mis t e r Change -Abou t . Knock once , r i ng tw ice , and r a t t l e t he l e t t e r -box . "Jo knocked once , ve ry l oud ly . Then he r ang tw ice , and eve ryone hea 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 idn ' t open . I t comple t e ly d i s appea red . I t was mos t pecu l i a r . One minu t e i t was t he r e - and t he nex t i t had gone , and t he r e was no th ing i n f ron t o f t hem. They cou ld s ee r i gh t i n to a b ig unde rg round room.At t he end o f i t , by a roa r i ng f i r e , a r ound f a t pe r son was s i t t i ng . "Tha t mus t be Mis t e r Change -Abou t ! " wh i spe red D ick . "Da re we go i n?"7 -Mr . Change -Abou t and t he Enchan t e r .Eve ryone s t a r ed a t Mr . Change -Abou t . A t l e a s t , a s he was t he on ly pe r son i n t he room, t hey t hough t t ha t was who i t mus t be . He go t up and came t owards t hem.He was a f a t , comfo r t ab l e - l ook ing pe r son w i th a b road smi l e on h i s f a ce . "Dea r me , wha t a l o t o f v i s i t o r s ! " he s a id . "Do s i t down . "The re was nowhe re t o s i t excep t t he f l oo r . Th i s was made o f s t one and l ooked r a the r co ld . So nobody s a t down .Some th ing happened t o Mr . Change -Abou t when nobody obeyed h im . He g r ew t a l l and t h in . H i s b road smi l e d i s appea red and a f rown came a l l ove r h i s f a ce . He l ooked a mos t unp l ea san t pe r son ."S IT DOWN!" he roa r ed . And eve rybody s a t down in a hu r ry !Mr . Change -Abou t l ooked a t t he Saucepan Man , who had s a t down wi th a t r emendous c l a t t e r ."Have you a n i ce l i t t l e ke t t l e t ha t wou ld bo i l enough wa t e r f o r two cups o f t e a? " he a sked .The Saucepan Man d idn ' t hea r . So Jo shou t ed i n h i s e a r , and he beamed , go t up , and und id a l i t t l e ke t t l e f rom the many t ha t hung abou t h im ." Jus t t he t h ing ! " he s a id , hand ing i t t o Mr . Change -Abou t . "T ry i t and s ee ! "Mr . Change -Abou t changed aga in , and became a happy - look ing l i t t l e c r ea tu r e w i th danc ing eyes and a swee t smi l e . He t ook t he ke t t l e ."Thank you , " he s a id . "So k ind o f you . Ju s t wha t I wan t ed . How much i s i t ? ""No th ing a t a l l , " s a id t he Saucepan Man . " Jus t a p r e sen t t o you ! ""Wel l , a l l ow me t o hand round some choco l a t e t o you a l l i n r e t u rn fo r such a n i ce p r e sen t , " s a id Mr . Change -Abou t , and f e t ched an eno rmous box o f choco l a t e s f rom a cupboa rd . Eve rybody was p l ea sed .D ick l ooked ca r e fu l l y i n to t he box when h i s t u rn came . H i s hand s t r e t ched ou t f o r t he ve ry b igges t choco l a t e o f a l l . Mr . Change -Abou t a t once changed aga in and f l ew in to a r age .He became t h in and mean - look ing , h i s nose sho t ou t l ong , and h i s eye s g r ew sma l l ."Bad boy , g r eedy boy ! " he shou t ed . "You shan ' t any o f you have my choco l a t e s now! Hor r i d , g r eedy ch i l d r en ! "

And a t once a l l t he choco l a t e s changed t o l i t t l e ha rd s t ones . Bes s i e had he r s i n he r mou th , and she spa t i t ou t a t once . The o the r s l ooked mos t d i sgus t ed . The o ld Saucepan Man gave a ye l l o f d i smay ." I ' ve swa l l owed mine -and now I suppose I ' v e go t a s t one i n s ide me . Oh , you na s ty Mr . Change -Abou t ! I ' l l s how you wha t I t h ink o f you r choco l a t e s ! "And t o eve ryone ' s su rp r i s e Saucepan ru shed a t Mr . Change -Abou t , knocked h i s box o f choco l a t e s a l l ove r t he room, and began t o pummel h im ha rd .B i f f , smack , b i f f , smack ! Goodnes s , how the o ld Saucepan Man fough t Mr . Change -Abou t . And Mr . Change -Abou t fough t back -bu t wha t was t he good o f t ha t ? Saucepan was so hung abou t w i th pans o f a l l k i nds t ha t nobody cou ld pos s ib ly h i t h im anywhe re w i thou t g r az ing t he i r knuck l e s and hu r t i ng t hemse lve s 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 ! The ke t t l e s and s aucepans made an eno rmous no i s e , and eve ryone began t o l augh , f o r r e a l l y Saucepan l ooked t oo funny fo r words , danc ing abou t on t he f l oo r , h i t t i ng and s l app ing a t Mr . Change -Abou t .Mr . Change -Abou t sudden ly go t ve ry b ig and f i e r ce - l ook ing , bu t o ld Saucepan d idn ' t s e em to mind a t a l l . He j u s t wen t on h i t t i ng ou t a t h im , and shou t ed : "The b igge r you a r e , t he more t he r e i s t o h i t ! "So t hen Mr . Change -Abou t go t ve ry sma l l i ndeed , a s sma l l a s a mouse , and r an squea l i ng ac ros s t he f l oo r i n f r i gh t . Qu i ck a s l i gh tn ing , Saucepan p i cked h im up , popped h im in to a ke t t l e , and pu t t he l i d on h im!"Oh , Saucepan ! Wha teve r w i l l you do nex t ? " s a id Jo , w ip ing t e a r s o f l augh t e r f rom h i s eye s . " I ' v e neve r s een such a funny f i gh t i n my l i f e . Be ca r e fu l Mr . Change -Abou t doesn ' t squeeze ou t o f t he spou t . "" I ' l l s t u f f i t w i t h pape r , " s a id Saucepan , t e a r i ng some f rom the box o f choco l a t e s . "Now he ' s s a f e . We l l -wha t do we do nex t ? ""We 'd be t t e r ge t ou t o f he r e , " s a id Jo , s t and ing up . He t u rned t owards t he doo rway -bu t wha t was t h i s ! The re was no doo rway-and no doo r ! On ly a wa l l o f r ock t ha t r an a l l r ound t he unde rg round room now."Goodnes s ! How do we ge t ou t ? " s a id Jo , puzz l ed . "Th i s i s a ve ry mag i c k ind o f p l ace . ""The re ' s no w indow, o f cou r se , because we a r e unde rg round , " s a id D ick . "Wha t i n t he w ide wor ld a r e we go ing t o do?""Wha t abou t t he ch imney?" a sked Fanny , r unn ing t o 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 . ""We l l , t ha t l ooks abou t ou r on ly chance o f ge t t i ng ou t o f he r e , " s a id Jo . He l ooked round fo r some wa t e r t o pu t ou t t he f i r e . He s aw a t ap j u t t i ng ou t f rom the wa l l and wen t t o i t . He pu t a pa i l unde rnea th and t u rned on t he t ap . The wa t e r was b r i gh t g r een , and soon f i l l ed t he pa i l . Jo t h r ew i t on t he f i r e . I t made a t e r r i f i c s i z z l i ng no i s e and wen t ou t a t once , pu f f i ng c louds o f g r een smoke i n to t he room.

Jo s t epped on t o t he dead f i r e and l ooked up t he ch imney . "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 emen t . "Come on ! We sha l l ge t d i r t y , bu t we can ' t he lp t ha t . Hur ry , be fo re any th ing e l s e quee r happens ! "Up the l adde r he wen t . I t was 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 ighe r he wen t ."Wha t an eno rmous ly l ong ch imney! " c a l l ed back Jo . " I s eve ryone coming?""Yes ! Yes ! " c a l l ed s i x vo i ce s be low h im . Jo c l imbed s t e ad i l y upwards . A t l a s t t he l adde r c ame t o an end . Joe c l ambe red ove r t he t op o f i t and found h imse l f i n a mos t pecu l i a r p l ace ."Th i s l ooks l i ke some k ind o f c e l l a r , " he s a id t o t he o the r s , a s t hey s c r amb led up be s ide h im . "Look a t a l l t hose s acks p i l ed up ! Wha t do you suppose i s i n t hem?""Le t ' s l ook , " s a id D ick , who was a lways cu r ious abou t eve ry th ing . He und id a s ack -and , goodnes s g r ac ious me ! -ou t pou red a g r ea t s t r e am o f b r i gh t go lden p i ece s o f money ! Eve ryone l ooked a t i t i n a s t on i shmen t ."Somebody VERY r i ch mus t l i ve he r e , " s a id Jo a t l a s t . " I neve r i n my l i f e s aw so much go ld . I c an ' t be l i eve t ha t a l l t he s acks a r e fu l l o f i t ! "He und id ano the r s ack -and ou t pou red go ld aga in . Ju s t a s eve ryone was runn ing t he i r f i nge r s t h rough i t , ma rve l l i ng a t t he g l eam and sh ine o f so much go ld , t he r e c ame t he sound o f qu i ck foo t s t eps ove rhead .A doo r above t hem opened , and a g l eam o f sun l i gh t shone on t o a f l i gh t o f s t one s t eps l e ad ing up f rom the ce l l a r t o t he doo r . A t a l l man i n a po in t ed ha t l ooked down ."Go l ly ! I t ' s an enchan t e r ! " wh i spe red Moon-Face i n a f r i gh t . "We mus t s t i l l b e i n t he Land o f Spe l l s . Oh , dea r ! ""Robbe r s ! Th i eves ! Burg l a r s ! " shou t ed t he enchan t e r i n a l oud vo i ce . "Se rvan t s , come he re ! Cap tu re t he se robbe r s ! They a r e a f t e r my go ld ! See - t hey have undone two sacks a l r e ady ! ""We don ' t wan t you r go ld ! " c r i ed D ick , "We on ly j u s t wan t ed t o know wha t was i n a l l t he se s acks ! "" I don ' t be l i eve you ! " c r i ed t he enchan t e r , a s abou t a dozen sma l l imps came runn ing pa s t h im down the s t eps i n to t he c e l l a r . "Cap tu re t hem, s e rvan t s , and t i e t hem up ! "The l i t t l e imps pu l l ed eve ryone up t he ce l l a r s t eps i n to a b ig , sun l i t r oom. I t s c e i l i ng was so h igh t ha t nobody cou ld s ee i t . "Now t i e t hem up , " commanded t he enchan t e r .Moon-Face sudden ly sna t ched a ke t t l e f rom Saucepan and snapped t he s t r i ng t ha t t i ed i t t o h im . He wen t t owards t he enchan t e r f e a r l e s s l y ."Wa i t ! " he c r i ed , much t o t he a s t on i shmen t o f a l l t he o the r s . "Wa i t be fo re you do t h i s f oo l i sh t h ing ! I am an enchan t e r , t oo - and i n t h i s ke t t l e I have Mr . Change -Abou t ! Yes -he i s a p r i sone r t he r e ! And l e t me t e l l you t h i s , t ha t i f you da re t o t i e me up , I ' l l pu t you i n to t he ke t t l e , t oo , w i th Mr . Change -Abou t ! "

From the ke t t l e c ame a sma l l , squea l i ng vo i ce : "Se t me f r ee , Enchan t e r , s e t me f r ee ! Oh , do s e t me f r ee ! "The enchan t e r t u rned qu i t e pa l e . He knew i t was Mr . Change -Abou t ' s vo i ce ."E r - e r - t h i s i s mos t pecu l i a r , " he s a id . "How d id you cap tu re Mr . Change -Abou t? He i s a ve ry power fu l pe r son , and a g r ea t f r i end o f m ine . ""Oh , I 'm no t go ing t o t e l l you wha t mag i c I u sed , " s a id Moon-Face bo ld ly . "Now -a r e you go ing t o l e t u s go - o r sha l l I pu t you i n 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 enchan t e r , and he waved t hem a l l t owa rds a doo r a t t he end o f t he room, "You may l e ave a t once . "Eve ryone ru shed t o t he doo r g l ad ly . They a l l r an t h rough i t , expec t i ng t o come ou t i n to t he sunsh ine .Bu t , a l a s f o r t hem! The enchan t e r had p l ayed t hem a t r i ck ! They found t hemse lve s go ing up many hund reds o f s t a i r s , up and up and up - and when t hey came t o t he t op t he r e was no th ing bu t a r ound room wi th one sma l l w indow! A bench s t ood a t one end and a t ab l e a t t he o the r .The enchan t e r ' s vo i ce f l oa t ed up t o t hem."Ho! ho ! I ' v e go t you n i ce ly ! Now I 'm go ing t o ge t my f r i end , Wiza rd Wi ly , and he ' l l soon t e l l me how to dea l w i th robbe r s l i ke you ! ""We a r e i n a t r ap ! " g roaned Jo . "Moon-Face , you we re ve ry c l eve r and ve ry b r ave . Bu t hones t l y , we a r e wor se o f f t han eve r . I s imp ly don ' t s e e any way ou t o f t h i s a t a l l ! "8 . How Can They Escape?Moon-Face l ooked a l l r ound t he room a t t he t op o f t he t ower . "We l l , we ' r e i n a n i ce f i x now," he s a id g loomi ly . " I t ' s no u se go ing down the s t a i r s aga in -we sha l l f i nd t he doo r a t t he bo t t om locked . And 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. "Grac ious ! " he s a id , " t he t ower i s awfu l l y t a l l ! I c an ha rd ly s ee t he bo t t om o f i t . Ha l l o - t he r e ' s t he enchan t e r go ing o f f i n h i s c a r r i age . I suppose he i s go ing t o f e t ch h i s f r i end , dea r Wiza rd Wi ly . "" I don ' t l i ke t he sound o f Wiza rd Wi ly , " s a id S i l ky . " Jo -Dick -Moon-Face -p l ea se , p l e a se t h ink o f some way t o e scape ! "Bu t t he r e j u s t s imp ly WASN'T any way . No one wan t ed t o j ump ou t o f t he w indow.They a l l s a t down . " I 'm d read fu l l y hung ry , " s a id Bes s i e . "Has anyone go t any th ing t o e a t ? "" I may     have     go t     some    Pop    B i scu i t s , " s a idMoon-Face , f e e l i ng i n h i s pocke t s . Bu t he hadn ' t . "Fee l i n you r pocke t s , Jo and D ick . "Bo th boys f e l t , hop ing t o f i nd a b i t o f t o f f ee o r ha l f a b i s cu i t . D i ck b rough t ou t a co l l e c t i on o f s t r i ng , b i t s o f pape r , a penc i l and a f ew marb l e s . Jo t ook ou t much t he s ame k ind o f t h ings -bu t w i th h i s r ubb i sh came a p ink j a r , ve ry sma l l and heavy .

"Wha t ' s i n t ha t j a r ? " a sked Bes s i e , who hadn ' t s e en i t be fo re . " I sn ' t i t p r e t t y? ""Le t me s ee -wha t c an i t be?" wonde red Jo , a s he unsc r ewed t he l i d . "Oh- I know. We saw a w i t ch s e l l i ng wh izz - away o in tmen t f o r b rooms t i cks i n t he Land o f Spe l l s - and I t hough t i t wou ld be such fun t o rub some on mo the r ' s b rooms t i ck and s ee i t f l y t h rough t he a i r . So we bough t some . Sme l l i t - i t ' s de l i c i ous . "Eve ryone sme l t i t . Moon-Face sudden ly go t t r emendous ly exc i t ed . " I s ay - " he began . " I s ay -oh , I s ay ! ""Wel l , s ay t hen ! " s a id Jo . "Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? '"Oh , I SAY!" s a id Moon-Face , s t ammer ing a l l t he more . "L i s t en ! I f on ly we cou ld ge t a b rooms t i ck -we cou ld rub t h i s p ink o in tmen t on i t - and f l y away on i t ! ""Moon-Face , t ha t ' s a ve ry good i dea - i f on ly we had a b rooms t i ck -bu t we haven ' t ! " s a id Jo . "Look a t t h i s r oom-a t ab l e and a bench -no s i gn o f a b rooms t i ck a t a l l ! ""We l l , I ' l l r un down the s t a i r s and s ee i f I c an pos s ib ly ge t a b rooms t i ck , " s a id Moon-Face , ge t t i ng a l l exc i t ed . " I s aw some s t and ing i n a co rne r o f t ha t r oom we we re i n . I ' l l do my be s t , anyway!""Good o ld Moon-Face ! " s a id eve ryone , a s t hey wa t ched t he round -f aced l i t t l e f e l l ow scu r ry down the hund reds o f s t eps . " I f on ly he ge t s a b rooms t i ck ! "Moon-Face hu r r i ed down and down . I t d i d s eem such a ve ry l ong way . A t l a s t he c ame t o t he bo t t om o f t he s t a i r s . An eno rmous wooden doo r was a t t he bo t t om, f a s t shu t . Moon-Face t r i ed t o open i t , bu t he cou ldn ' t . So he banged on t he doo r l oud ly .A su rp r i s ed vo i ce c a l l ed ou t : "H ie , t he r e ! Wha t a r e you bang ing on t he doo r fo r ? Wha t do you wan t ? ""A b rooms t i ck ! " s a id Moon-Face l oud ly ."A b rooms t i ck ! " s a id t he vo i ce , more a s ton i shed t han eve r . "Wha teve r fo r ? ""To sweep up some c rumbs ! " s a id Moon-Face , qu i t e un t ru th fu l l y ."A dus t -pan and b rush w i l l do fo r t ha t ! " c r i ed t he vo i ce , and t he doo r opened a c r ack . A dus t -pan and b rush sho t i n w i th a c l a t t e r and came t o r e s t by Moon-Face ' s f e e t . Then t he doo r shu t w i th a bang and was bo l t ed a t t he o the r s i de ."A dus t -pan and b rush ! " s a id Moon-Face i n d i sgus t . "Now, who can r i de away on t hose?" He banged on t he doo r aga in ."Now wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " ye l l ed t he vo i ce ang r i l y ."These won ' t do , " s a id Moon-Face . " I wan t a BROOMSTICK!""Wel l , go on wan t i ng , " s a id t he vo i ce . "You won ' t ge t one . I suppose you t h ink you ' l l f l y away 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 suppose my mas t e r wou ld s ay t o me when he came back i f I ' d g iven you one o f h i s b rooms t i cks t o e scape on?"Moon-Face g roaned . He knew i t was no good a sk ing aga in . He p i cked up t he dus t -pan and b rush and c l imbed t he s t a i r s s l owly , sudden ly f ee l i ng ve ry t i r ed .

Eve ryone was wa i t i ng fo r h im . "D id you ge t i t , Moon-Face?" t hey c r i ed . Bu t when t hey s aw Moon-Face ' s g loomy f ace and t he dus t -pan and b rush i n h i s hand , t hey we re ve ry s ad .They a l l s a t down to t h ink . Jo" l ooked up . " I suppose i t wou ldn ' t be any good rubb ing t he wh izz - away o in tmen t on t o any th ing e l s e? " he a sked . "Wou ld i t make any th ing bu t b rooms t i cks f l y away?"" I shou ldn ' t t h i nk so , " s a id Moon-Face . "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 so r t . ""No -bu t t he r e ' s a t ab l e ove r t he r e , and t h i s bench , " s a id Jo , ge t t i ng exc i t ed . "Cou ldn ' t we t r y on t hose? We cou ld ea s i l y s i t on t hem and f l y o f f , i f on ly t he mag i c wou ld work . ""Bu t i t won ' t , " s a id S i l ky . " I 'm su re o f t ha t . I t ' s on ly fo r b rooms t i cks . Bu t t r y i t , J o . "Jo t ook o f f t he l i d o f t he j a r aga in . He dabbed a f i nge r i n to t he p ink o in tmen t and rubbed some a l l ove r t he t op o f t he wooden bench , wh ich was ve ry , l i ke a f o rm a t s choo l . "Now fo r t he t ab l e , " s a id Jo . He t u rned i t ups ide down , t h ink ing t ha t i t wou ld be more comfo r t ab l e t o s i t on t ha t way . They cou ld ho ld t he l eg s a s t hey wen t !He rubbed t he o in tmen t a l l ove r t he unde r s ide o f t he t ab l e . As he was do ing t h i s eve ryone hea rd t he sound o f ho r se s ' hoo f s c l i p -c lopp ing ou t s i de . S i l ky r an t o t he w indow." I t ' s t he enchan t e r come back aga in - and he ' s go t t he Wiza rd Wi ly w i th h im!" she c r i ed . "Oh , do be qu i ck , Jo ! They w i l l be up he re i n a m inu t e . ""Moon-Face , S i l ky and Saucepan , you s i t on t he bench , " s a id Jo . "You g i r l s and D ick and I w i l l s i t on t he t ab l e . Hur ry now!"Eve ryone s c r amb led t o t ake t he i r s ea t s . S i l ky was t r emb l ing w i th exc i t emen t . She cou ld hea r t he foo t s t eps o f t he enchan t e r and t he w iza rd coming up t he s t eps ."Now, ho ld t i gh t , i n c a se we r ea l l y do go o f f ! " s a id Joe . "Ready , eve ryone? Then WHIZZ-AWAY HOME!"And , goodnes s g r ac ious , t he bench and t he t ab l e began t o move ! Yes , t hey r ea l l y d id ! They moved s l owly a t f i r s t , f o r t hey we re no t u sed t o wh izz ing away-bu t a s t he ch i l d r en squea l ed and squeaked i n su rp r i s e and de l i gh t , t he t ab l e ro se up sudden ly 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 . "Oh , t ab l e , do you r be s t ! " c r i ed Jo . "The enchan t e r i s nea r l y 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 t hen i t cou ld j u s t manage t o squeeze t h rough t he open ing . The ch i l d r en each c lung t i gh t l y t o a l eg ,a f r a id o f be ing t i pped o f f . Then a t l a s t t he t ab l e was t h rough t he w indow, and , s a i l i ng away ups ide down , i t s f ou r l eg s i n t he a i r , c a r ry ing t he exc i t ed ch i l d r en s a f e ly , i t wh i zzed o f f ove r t he Land o f Spe l l s !Jo l ooked back t o s ee i f t he wooden bench was coming , t oo . I t had had t o wa i t un t i l t he t ab l e was t h rough t he w indow. Ju s t a s i t was abou t t o j e rk upwards t o t he w indow, t he enchan t e r and t he Wiza rd Wi ly had come ru sh ing i n to t he room. Wha t wou ld have happened i f

t he o ld Saucepan Man hadn ' t sudden ly t h rown & ke t t l e a t t hem, goodnes s knows!I t was t he ke t t l e w i th Mr . Change -Abou t i n ! The l i d c ame o f f . Mr . Change -Abou t j umped ou t and t u rned h imse l f a lmos t i n to a g i an t ! The enchan t e r f e l l ove r h im , and Mr . Change -Abou t , no t s ee ing who i t was a t a l l , b egan t o pummel h im ha rd w i 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 i n to a ke t t l e ! "Wi ly h i t ou t a t Mr . Change -Abou t , no t knowing i n t he l e a s t who he was , o r whe re he had sudden ly sp rung f rom. And t he r e was a pe r f ec t l y ma rve l l ous f i gh t go ing on , j u s t a s t he wooden bench f l ew ou t o f t he w indow. The enchan t e 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 momen t Mr . Change -Abou t gave h im such a ha rd punch on t he nose t ha t he f e l l ove r , smack , aga in !"Go i t , Change -Abou t ! " ye l l ed Moon-Face . "H i t h im ha rd ! "And ou t o f t he w indow sa i l ed t he bench , w i th Moon-Face , S i l ky and Saucepan c l i ng ing t i gh t l y t o i t . Fa r away i n t he d i s t ance was t he ups ide -down t ab l e .The t ab l e wh izzed s t e ad i l y onwards , ove r h i l l s and woods , and once ove r t he s ea . "We 've come a ve ry l ong way f rom home s ince we 've been i n t he Land o f Spe l l s , " s a id Jo . " I hope t he t ab l e knows i t s way t o ou r home . I don ' t wan t t o l and i n any more s t r ange l ands j u s t a t p r e sen t ! "The t ab l e knew i t s way a l l r i gh t . Jo gave a shou t a s i t f l ew ove r a b ig da rk wood . "The Enchan t ed Wood!" he c r i ed . "We ' r e nea r l y home!"The t ab l e f l ew down to t he ga rden o f t he ch i l d r en ' s co t t age . The i r mo the r was t he r e , hang ing ou t some c lo the s . She l ooked round i n t he g r ea t e s t a s t on i shmen t when she s aw them a r r i ve i n such a pecu l i a r way ."We l l , r e a l l y ! " she s a id . "Wha teve r nex t ! Do you u sua l l y f l y a round t he coun t ry i n an ups ide -down t ab l e? ""Oh , mo the r ! We 've had such an adven tu re ! " s a id Jo , s c r amb l ing o f f . He l ooked up i n t he a i r t o s ee i f t he bench was fo l l owing -bu t t he r e was no s i gn o f i t ."Where ' s t he bench?" s a id D ick . "Oh- I suppose i t w i l l go t o t he Fa raway , a s t ha t i s whe re t he o the r s l i ve . Grac ious - I f e e l a l l t r emb ly . Jo - I am NOT go ing i n to any more l ands a t t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree aga in . I t ' s j u s t a b i t t oo exc i t i ng ! ""R igh t , " s a id Jo . " I f e e l t he s ame . No more adven tu re s fo r me ! "9 -The Land o f Dreams .The ch i l d r en had had enough o f adven tu re s fo r some t ime . The i r mo the r s e t t hem to work i n t he ga rden , and t hey d id t he i r be s t f o r he r . Nobody sugges t ed go ing t o t he Enchan t ed Wood a t a l l ." I hope o ld Moon-Face , S i l ky and t he Saucepan Man go t back t o t he t r e e s a f e ly , " s a id Jo one day .Moon-Face was wonde r ing t he s ame t h ing abou t t he ch i l d r en . He and S i l ky t a l ked abou t i t ."We haven ' t s e en t he ch i l d r en fo r age s , " he s a id . "Le t ' s s l i p down the t r e e , S i l ky , and make su re t hey go t back a l l r i gh t , sha l l we?

Af te r a l l , i t wou ld be d r ead fu l i f t hey hadn ' t go t back , and t he i r mo the r was wor ry ing abou t t hem."So one a f t e rnoon , j u s t a f t e r l unch , S i l ky and Moon-Face wa lked up t o t he doo r o f t he co t t age . Bes s i e opened i t and squea l ed w i th de l i gh t ."Moon-Face ! So you go t back s a f e ly a f t e r a l l ! Come in ! Come in , S i l ky da r l i ng . Saucepan , you ' l l have t o t ake o f f a ke t t l e o r two i f you wan t t o ge t i n a t t he doo r . "The ch i l d r en ' s pa r en t s we re ou t . The ch i l d r en and t he i r f r i ends s a t and t a l ked abou t t he i r l a s t adven tu re ."Wha t l and i s a t t he t op o f t he t r e e now?" a sked D ick cu r ious ly ."Don ' t know," s a id Moon-Face . "L ike t o come and s ee?" 64"No , t hanks , " s a id Jo a t once . "We ' r e no t go ing up t he r e any more . ""We l l , come back and have t e a w i th u s , " s a id Moon-Face . "S i l ky ' s go t some Pop B i scu i t s - and I ' v e made some Goog le Buns . I don ' t o f t en make t hem-and I t e l l you t hey ' r e a t r e a t ! ""Goog le Buns ! " s a id Bes s i e i n a s t on i shmen t . "Wha teve r a r e t hey?""You come and s ee , " s a id Moon-Face , g r i nn ing . "They ' r e be t t e r t han Pop B i scu i t s - a r en ' t t hey , S i l ky?""Much , "     s a id S i l ky ."We l l -Fanny and I have f i n i shed ou r work , " s a id Bes s i e . "Wha t abou t you boys?""We 've go t abou t ha l f an hou r ' s more work t o do , t ha t ' s a l l , " s a id Jo . " I f eve ryone he lp s , i t w i l l on ly t ake abou t t en minu t e s . We cou ld l e ave a no t e fo r Mothe r . I wou ld r a the r l i ke t o t r y t hose Goog le Buns ! "Wel l , eve ryone wen t i n to t he ga rden t o d ig up t he ca r ro t s and pu t t hem in to p i l e s . I t d i dn ' t t ake more t han t en minu t e s because t hey a l l worked so ha rd . They pu t away t he i r t oo l s , washed t he i r hands , l e f t a no t e fo r Mothe r and t hen s e t o f f f o r t he Enchan t ed Wood .The Saucepan Man sang one o f h i s r i d i cu lous songs on t he way :"Two t a i l s f o r a k i t t en , Two c louds fo r t he sky , Two p igeons fo r Chr i s tmas To make a p lum p i e ! "Eve ryone l aughed . Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny had hea rd t he Saucepan Man ' s s i l l y songs be fo re , bu t D ick hadn ' t ."Go on , " s a id D ick . "Th i s i s t he s i l l i e s t song I ' v e eve r hea rd . "The Saucepan Man c l a shed two ke t t l e s t oge the r a s he s ang :"Two ro se s fo r Bes s i e , Two spank ings fo r Jo , Two r i bbons fo r Fanny , Wi th a ho -de r ry -ho ! "" I t ' s an ea sy song t o make up a s you go a long , " s a id Bes s 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 in w i th t he word 'Two ' . Ju s t t h ink o f any nonsense you l i ke , and t he song s imp ly makes i t s e l f . "S ing ing s i l l y songs , t hey a l l r e ached t he Fa raway T ree . Saucepan ye l l ed up i t : "H ie , Wa tz i s -name! Le t down a rope , t he r e ' s a good f e l l ow! I t ' s t oo ho t t o wa lk up t o -day . "The rope came down . They a l l wen t up one by one , pu l l ed h igh by t he s t r ong a rms o f Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname .

Fanny was un lucky . She go t sp l a shed by Dame Washa lo t ' s wa t e r on t he way up . "Nex t t ime I go up on t he rope I sha l l t ake an umbre l l a w i th me , " she s a id c ro s s ly ."Come on , " s a id Moon-Face . "Come and ea t a Goog l e Bun and s ee wha t you t h ink o f i t . "Soon t hey we re a l l s i t t i ng on t he b road b r anchesou t s i de Moon-Face ' s house , e a t i ng Pop B i scu i t s and Goog le Buns . The buns we re mos t pecu l i a r . They each had a ve ry l a rge cu r r an t i n t he midd l e , and t h i s was f i l l ed w i th she rbe t . So when you go t t o t he cu r r an t and b i t i t t he she rbe t f r o thed ou t and f i l l ed you r mou th w i th f i ne bubb l e s t ha t t a s t ed de l i c i ous . The ch i l d r en go t a r e a l su rp r i s e when t hey b i t t he i r cu r r an t s , and Moon-Face a lmos t f e l l o f f t he b r anch w i th l augh ing ."Come and s ee some new cush ions I ' v e go t , " he s a id t o t he ch i l d r en when t hey had ea t en a s many b i s cu i t s and buns a s t hey cou ld manage . Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny wen t i n to Moon-Face ' s f unny round house .Moon-Face l ooked round fo r D ick . Bu t he wasn ' t t he r e . "Where ' s D ick?" he s a id ."He ' s gone up t he l adde r t o peep and s ee wha t l and i s a t t he t op , " s a id S i l ky . " I t o ld h im no t t o . Bu t he ' s r a t he r a naugh ty boy , I t h ink . ""Grac ious ! " s a id Jo , r unn ing ou t o f t he house . "D ick ! Come back , you s i l l y ! "Eve ryone began t o shou t , "D ick ! DICK!"Bu t no answer c ame down the l adde r . The b ig wh i t e c l oud sw i r l ed above s i l en t l y , and nobody cou ld imag ine why Dick d idn ' t come back ." I ' l l go and s ee wha t he ' s do ing , " s a id Moon-Face . So up he wen t . And he d idn ' t come back e i t he r ! Then t he o ld Saucepan Man wen t c au t i ous ly up , s t ep by s t ep . He d i s appea red t h rough t he ho l e - and he d idn ' t come back ! , "Wha teve r ha s happened t o t hem?" s a id Jo i n t he g r aves t a s t on i shmen t . "Look he re , g i r l s -ge ta rope ou t o f Moon-Face ' s house and t i e you r se lve s and S i l ky t o me . Then I ' l l go up t he l adde r - and i f anyone t r i e s t o pu l l me i n to t he l and above , t hey won ' t be ab l e t o , because you t h r ee c an pu l l me back . See?""R igh t , " s a id Bes s i e , and she kno t t ed t he rope round he r wa i s t and Fanny ' s , and t hen round S i l ky ' s , t oo . Jo t i ed t he o the r end t o h imse l f . Then up t he l adde r he wen t .And be fo re t he g i r l s qu i t e knew wha t had happened , Jo was l i f t ed i n to t he l and above - and t hey we re a l l d r agged up , t oo , t he i r f e e t s c r amb l ing somehow up t he l adde r and t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud !The re t hey a l l s t ood i n a f i e l d o f r ed popp i e s , w i th a t a l l man nea rby , ho ld ing a s ack ove r h i s shou lde r !" I s t ha t t he l o t ? " he a sked . "Good! We l l , he r e ' s some th ing t o make you s l e ep ! "

He pu t h i s hand i n h i s s ack 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 su rp r i s ed g roup . I n a t r i c e t hey we re rubb ing t he i r eye s and yawn ing ."Th i s i s t he Land o f Dreams , " s a id Moon-Face s l e ep i l y . "And t ha t ' s t he Sandman . Goodnes s , how s l eepy I am!""Don ' t go t o s l e ep ! Don ' t go t o s l e ep ! " c r i ed S i l ky , t ak ing Moon-Face ' s a rm and shak ing h im . " I f we do , we ' l l wake up and f i nd t ha t t h i s l and ha s moved away f rom the Fa raway T ree . Come back down the ho l e , Moon-Face , and don ' t be s i l l y . " 68" I 'm so - s l e epy , " s a id Moon-Face , and l ay down among t he r ed popp i e s . I n a t r i c e he was sno r ing l oud ly , f a s t a s l e ep ."Ge t h im to t he ho l e ! " c r i ed S i l ky . Bu t Jo , D ick and t he Saucepan Man we re a l l yawn ing and rubb ing t he i r eye s , t oo s l e epy t o do a t h ing . Then Bes s i e and Fanny s l i d down qu i e t l y i n to t he popp i e s and f e l l a s l e ep , t oo . A t l a s t on ly S i l ky was l e f t . No t much o f t he s l e epy s and had gone i n to he r eye s , so she was w ide r awake t han t he r e s t .She s t a r ed a t eve ryone i n d i smay . "Oh dea r , " she s a id , " I ' l l n eve r ge t you down the ho l e by myse l f . I ' l l h ave t o ge t he lp . I mus t go and f e t ch Wa tz i sname and t he Angry P ix i e and Dame Washa lo t , t oo ! "She r an o f f t o t he ho l e , s l i pped down the l adde r t h rough t he c loud and s l i d on t o t he b road b r anch be low . "Wa tz i sname!" she ca l l ed . "Dame Washa lo t ! Angry P ix i e ! "Af t e r a m inu t e o r two Jo woke up . He rubbed h i s eye s and s a t up . No t f a r o f f he s aw some th ing t ha t p l ea sed h im ve ry much i ndeed . I t was an i c ec r eam man wi th h i s c a r t . The man was r i ng ing h i s be l l l oud ly ."H ie , Moon-Face ! Wake up ! " c r i ed Jo . "The re ' s an i c e - c r eam man . Have you any money?"Eve ryone woke up . Moon-Face f e l t i n h i s pu r se and t hen s t a r ed i n t he g r ea t e s t su rp r i s e . I t was fu l l o f ma rb l e s !"Now who pu t ma rb l e s t he r e?" he wonde red .The i c e - c r eam man rode up . "Marb l e s w i l l doto pay fo r my i c e - c r eam," he s a id . So Moon-Face pa id h im s ix ma rb l e s .The man gave t hem each a packe t and rode o f f , r i ng ing h i s be l l . Moon-Face und id h i s packe t , expec t i ng t o f i nd a de l i c i ous i c e -c r eam the r e -bu t i n s ide t he r e was a b ig wh i s t l e ! I t was mos t a s t on i sh ing .Eve ryone e l s e had a wh i s t l e , t oo . "How ex t r ao rd ina ry ! " s a id D ick . "Th i s i s t he k ind o f t h ing t ha t happens i n d r eams! ""Wel l - a f t e r a l l - t h i s i s Dreamland ! " s a id Bes s i e . " I wonde r i f t he se wh i s t l e s b low!"She b l ew he r s . I t was ve ry l oud i ndeed . The o the r s b l ew the i r s , t oo . And a t once s i x po l i c emen appea red nea r by , r unn ing fo r a l l t hey we re wor th . They ru shed up t o t he ch i l d r en ."Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " t hey c r i ed . "You a r e b lowing po l i c e wh i s t l e s ! Wha t ha s happened? Do you wan t he lp?""No , " s a id D ick w i th a g igg l e .

"Then you mus t come t o t he sw imming-ba th , " s a id t he po l i c eman , and t o eve ryone ' s eno rmous a s ton i shmen t t hey we re a l l l ed o f f ."Why the sw imming ba th?" s a id Fanny . "L i s t en , po l i c eman -we haven ' t go t ba th ing cos tumes . ""Oh , you naugh ty s t o ry - t e l l e r ! " s a id t he po l i c eman nea re s t t o he r .And t o Bes s i e ' s t r emendous su rp r i s e she found t ha t she had on a b lue and wh i t e ba th ing cos tume-and a l l t he o the r s had ba th ing su i t s , t oo . I t was mos t ex t r ao rd ina ry .They came t o t he sw imming ba th -bu t t he r e 70was no wa t e r i n i t a t a l l . "Ge t i n and sw im," s a id t he po l i c eman ."The re ' s no wa t e r , " s a id D ick . "Don ' t be s i l l y . " And t hen , ve ry sudden ly , a l l t he po l i c emen began t o c ry - and i n a t r i c e t he sw imming ba th was fu l l o f t he i r t e a r s !"Th i s so r t o f t h ing makes me f ee l f unny , " s a id Jo . " I don ' t wan t t o sw im in t e a r s . Qu i ck , eve ryone -push t he po l i c emen i n to t he ba th ! "And i n ha l f a s econd a l l t he po l i c emen we re k i ck ing f eeb ly i n t he ba th o f t e a r s . As t he ch i l d r en wa t ched t hey changed i n to b lue f i she s and swam away , n i ck ing t he i r t a i l s ." I f e e l a s i f I 'm i n a d r eam," s a id D ick ."So do I , " s a id Jo . " I w i sh I cou ld ge t ou t o f i t . Oh , l ook - the r e ' s an ae rop l ane coming down . Pe rhaps we cou ld ge t i n to i t and f l y away! "The ae rop l ane , wh ich was sma l l and g r een , l anded nea r by . The re was nobody i n i t a t a l l . The ch i l d r en r an t o i t and go t i n . Jo pushed down the hand l e ma rked UP ."Of f we go ! " he s a id . And o f f t hey wen t !10 .A Few More Adven tu re sEve ryone was ve ry p l ea sed t o be i n t he a e rop l ane , because t hey t hough t t hey cou ld f l y away f rom the Land o f Dreams . Af t e r a s econd o r two Bes s i e l e aned ove r t he s i de o f t he a e rop l ane t o s ee how h igh t hey we re f rom the g round . She gave a l oud c ry ."Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " a sked Jo ." Jo ! Th i s i sn ' t an ae rop l ane a f t e r a l l ! " s a id Bes s i e i n a s t on i shmen t . " I t ' s a bus . I t ha sn ' t go t w ings any more . On ly whee l s . And we ' 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 ink i t was an ae rop l ane ! ""Grac ious ! Aren ' t we f l y ing , t hen?"     s a id Jo ,"No - j u s t r unn ing down a road , " s a id Fanny .Eve ryone was s i l en t . They we re so d i s appo in t ed . Then a cu r i ous no i s e was hea rd . Sp l i shy - sp l a sh ! Sp l a sh ! Sp l a sh !The ch i l d r en l ooked ove r t he s i de o f t he bus - and t hey a l l gave a shou t o f amazemen t ." Jo ! Look! The bus i s r unn ing on wa t e r ! Bu t i t i sn ' t a bus any more . Oh , l ook - i t ' s go t a s a i l ! "In t he g r ea t e s t a s t on i shmen t eve ryone l ooked upwards - and t he r e3 b i l l owing i n t he w ind , was a g r ea t wh i t e s a i l . And Jo was now s t ee r i ng w i th a t i l l e r i n s t e ad o f w i th a hand l e o r a whee l . I t was a l l mos t mudd l ing .

"Th i s i s c e r t a i n ly t he Land o f Dreams , no doub t abou t t ha t , " g roaned Jo , wonde r ing wha t eve r t hesh ip wou ld t u rn i n to . "The awfu l pa r t i s -we ' r e awake -and ye t we have t o have t he se d r eam- l i ke t h ings happen ing ! "An eno rmous wave sp l a shed ove r eve ryone . Fanny gave a s c r eam. The sh ip rocked t o and f ro , t o and f ro , and eve ryone c lung t i gh t l y t o one ano the r ."Le t ' s l and somewhere , f o r goodnes s ' s ake ! " c r i ed D ick . "Goodnes s knows wha t t h i s sh ip w i l l t u rn i n to nex t - a rock ing -ho r se , I shou ld t h ink , by t he way i t ' s r ock ing i t s e l f t o and f ro . "And do you know, no soone r had D ick s a id t ha t t han i t d i d t u rn i n to a r ock ing -ho r se . Jo found h imse l f ho ld ing on t o i t s mane , and a l l t he o the r s c l ung t oge the r beh ind h im . The wa t e r d i s appea red .The rock ing -ho r se s eemed t o be rock ing 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 way t h i s t h ing keeps chang ing . S l i p o f f , Moon-Face , and he lp t he o the r s down . "I t wasn ' t l ong be fo re t hey we re a l l s t and ing i n t he road , f e e l i ng r a the r quee r . The rock ing -ho r se wen t on rock ing by i t s e l f down the road . As t he ch i l d r en wa t ched i t , i t changed i n to a l a rge b rown bea r t ha t s campe red on i t s b ig paws ."Ha ! " s a id Jo . "We go t o f f j u s t i n t ime ! We l l -wha t a r e we go ing t o do now?"A man came down the road ca r ry ing a g r een -cove red t r ay on h i s head . He r ang a be l l . "Muf f i n s ! F ine muf f i n s ! " he shou t ed . "Muf f in s fo r s a l e ! ""Oooh! I f e e l exac t l y a s i f I cou ld ea t a muf f i n , " s a id Bes s i e . "H ie , muf f i n -man! We ' l l have s i x muf f i n s . "The muf f i n -man s t opped . He t ook down h i s t r ay f rom h i s head and uncove red i t . Unde rnea th we re no t muf f i n s , bu t sma l l k i t t en s !The muf f i n -man s eemed t o t h ink t hey we re muf f i n s . He handed one t o e ach o f t he su rp r i s ed ch i l d r en , and one t o Moon-Face and Saucepan . Then he cove red up h i s t r ay aga in and wen t down the road r i ng ing h i s be l l ."We l l , doe s he suppose we can ea t k i t t en s?" s a id Bes s i e . " I s ay -a r en ' t t hey da r l i ngs? Wha t a r e we go ing t o do w i th t hem?""They s eem to be g rowing , " s a id Jo i n su rp r i s e . And so t hey we re . I n a m inu t e o r two t he k i t t en s we re t oo heavy t o c a r ry - t hey we re b ig c a t s !They s t i l l wen t on g rowing , and soon t hey we re a s b ig a s t i ge r s . They gambo l l ed p l ay fu l l y round t he ch i l d r en , who we re r e a l l y r a t he r a f r a id o f t hem."Now l i s t en , " s a id Jo t o t he eno rmous k i t t en s , "You be long t o t he muf f i n -man . You go a f t e r h im and ge t on t o h i s t r ay whe re you be long . L i s t en -you can s t i l l h ea r h i s be l l ! Go a long now!"To eve ryone ' s su rp r i s e and de l i gh t t he g r ea t an ima l s gambo l l ed down the road a f t e r t he muf f i n -man ."He w i l l ge t a su rp r i s e , " s a id D ick w i th a g igg l e . " I s ay -don ' t l e t ' s buy any th ing f rom anyone e l s e . I t ' s a b i t t oo su rp r i s i ng . ""Wha t we r ea l l y ough t t o do i s t o t r y and f i nd t he ho l e t ha t l e ads f rom th i s l and t o t he Fa raway T ree , " s a id Jo s e r i ous ly . "Su re ly you

don ' t wan t t o s t ay i n t h i s pecu l i a r l and fo r eve r ! Grac ious , we neve r know wha t i s happen ing f rom one minu t e t o ano the r ! "" I f e e l t e r r i b ly s l e epy aga in , " s a id Moon-Face , yawn ing . " I do w i sh I cou ld go t o bed . "Now, a s he s a id 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 beh ind t hem. They a l l t u rned -and t o t he i r g r ea t amazemen t s aw a b ig wh i t e bed fo l l owing 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 ick , s t opp ing i n su rp r i s e . "Look a t t ha t bed ! Where d id i t come f rom?"The bed s t opped j u s t by t hem. Moon-Face yawned ." I ' d l i ke t o cudd l e down in you and go t o s l e ep , " he s a id t o t he bed . The bed c r eaked a s i f i t was p l ea sed .Moon-Face c l imbed on t o i t . I t was so f t and cosy . Moon-Face pu t h i s head on t he p i l l ow and shu t h i s eye s . He began t o sno re ve ry gen t l y .Th i s made eve ryone e l s e f e e l d r ead fu l l y t i r ed and s l e epy , t oo . One by one t hey c l imbed i n to t he b ig bed and l ay down , snugg l ed t oge the r . The bed c r eaked i n a ve ry p l ea sed way . Then i t wen t on i t s way aga in , c l i pp i t t y - c lopp ing on i t s f ou r f a t l eg s , t ak ing t he s i x s l e epe r s w i th i t .Now wha t had happened t o S i l ky? We l l , she had found Dame Washa lo t , Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname and t he Angry P ix i e , and had t o ld t hem how the o the r s had f a l l en a s l e ep i n t he Land o f Dreams ."Grac ious ! They ' l l neve r ge t away f rom the r e ! " s a id Wa tz i sname anx ious ly . "We mus t r e scue t hem. Come a long . "Dame Washa lo t pu t a wash - tub o f wa t e r on he r head . The Angry P ix i e p i cked up a ke t t l e o f wa t e r . Wa tz i sname d idn ' t t ake any th ing . They a l l wen t up t o t he l adde r a t t he t op o f t he t r e e ."The Land o f Dreams i s s t i l l h e r e , " s a id S i l ky when he r head peeped ove r t he t op . " I c an ' t s e e t ha t ho r r i d Sandman anywhe re . I t ' s a good chance t o s l i p up and r e scue t he o the r s now. Come on ! "Up they a l l wen t . They s t a r ed round t he f i e l d o f popp i e s , bu t t hey cou ld s ee none o f t he o the r s a t a l l ."We mus t hun t f o r t hem," s a id S i l ky . "Oh , my goodnes s , l ook a t t ha t g r ea t b rown bea r r u sh ing a long ! I wonde r i f he knows any th ing abou t t he o the r s . " She ca l l ed ou t t o h im , bu t he d idn ' t s t op . He made a no i s e l i ke a hen and ru shed on .The fou r o f t hem wande red on and on - and sudden ly t hey s aw some th ing mos t pecu l i a r coming t owards t hem-some th ing w ide and wh i t e ."Wha t i n t he wor ld c an i t be?" s a id S i l ky i n wonde r . "Goodnes s me -i t ' s a BED!"And so i t was - t he ve ry bed i n wh ich t he fou r ch i l d r en and Moon-Face and Saucepan we re a s l e ep !"Oh , l ook , l ook , l ook ! " squea l ed S i l ky . "They ' r e a l l he r e ! Wake up , s i l l i e s ! Wake up ! "Bu t t hey wou ldn ' t wake . They j u s t s i ghed a l i t t l e and t u rned ove r . No th ing t ha t S i l ky and t he o the r s cou ld do wou ld wake t hem. And , i n t he midd l e o f a l l t h i s , t he r e c ame foo t s t eps beh ind t hem.

Si lky t u rned and gave a squea l . "Oh , i t ' s t he Sandman! Don ' t l e t h im th row h i s s and i n to you r eye s o r you w i l l go t o s l e ep , t oo ! Qu ick , qu i ck , do some th ing ! "The Sandman was a l r e ady d ipp ing h i s hand i n to h i s b ig s ack t o t h row sand i n to t he i r eye s . Bu t , qu i ck a s l i gh tn ing , Dame Washa lo t p i cked up he r wash - tub and t h r ew the who le o f t he wa t e r ove r t he s ack ! I t we t t ed t he s and so t ha t t he Sandman cou ldn ' t t h row i t p rope r ly . Then t he Angry P ix i e emp t i ed h i s ke t t l e ove r t he Sandman h imse l f , and he began t o choke and sp lu t t e r .Wa tz i sname s t a r ed . He sudden ly t ook ou t h i s pocke t -kn i f e and s l i t a ho l e a t t he ve ry bo t t om o f t he s ack . The s and was d ry t he r e . Wa tz i sname t ook a hand fu l o f i t and t h r ew i t s t r a i gh t i n to t he chok ing Sandman ' s eye s ."Now you go t o s l e ep fo r a b i t ! " shou t ed Wa tz i sname . And , o f cou r se , t ha t ' s j u s t wha t t he b ig Sandman d id ! He s ank down unde r a bush and shu t h i s eye s . H i s s l e epy s and ac t ed on h im a s much a s on anyone e l s e !"Now we 've go t a chance ! " s a id S i l ky , p l ea sed . "He lp me t o wake eve ryone ! "Bu t , you know, t hey j u s t wou ld no t wake ! I t was d r ead fu l ."We l l , we can ' t pos s ib ly ge t t he bed down the ho l e , " s a id S i l ky i n de spa i r . Then a b r i gh t i dea came t o he r . She f e l t i n Jo ' s pocke t s . She t u rned ou t t he l i t t l e p ink j a r o f Whizz -Away o in tmen t . "The re may be j u s t a l i t t l e l e f t ! " she s a id .And so t he r e was - t he ve ry t i n i e s t dab ! " I hope i t ' s enough! " s a id S i l ky . "Ge t on t he bed , Dame Washa lo t and 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?"She rubbed t he dab o f o in tmen t on t o t he head o f t he bed . "Whizz -Away Home , bed ! " she s a id .And , good g rac ious me , t ha t b ig wh i t e bed wh izzed away! I t wh i zzed away so f a s t t ha t S i l ky nea r l y f e l l o f f . I t r u shed t h rough t he a i r , g i v 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 ime i t c ame t o t he end o f t he Land o f Dreams . A b ig wh i t e c l oud s t r e t ched ou t a t t he edge . The bed f l ew th rough i t , down and down . Then i t f l ew in ano the r d i r ec t i on ." I t ' s go ing back t o t he Fa raway T ree , I 'm su re , " s a id S i l ky . And so i t was ! I t a r r i ved t he r e and t r i ed t o ge t t h rough t he b r anches . I t s t uck on one and s l i d s i deways . Eve ryone began t o s l i de o f f ."Wake up , wake up ! " squea l ed S i l ky , bang ing t he ch i l d r en and Moon-Face and Saucepan . They woke up i n a hu r ry , f o r t hey we re no l onge r i n Dreamland . They f e l t t hemse lve s f a l l i ng and caugh t ho ld o f b r anches and tw igs ."Where a r e we?" c r i ed D ick . "Wha t ha s happened?""Oh , goodnes s , t oo many t h ings t o t e l l you a l l a t once , " s a id S i l ky . " I s eve ryone s a f e? Then fo r goodnes s ' s ake come i n to my house and s i t down fo r a b i t . I r e a l l y f e e l qu i t e ou t o f b r ea th ! "I I . Up t he T ree Aga in .Eve ryone c rowded i n to S i l ky ' s r oom in s ide t he t r e e . "How d id we ge t back t o t he t r e e?" a sked D ick i n amazemen t .

Si lky t o ld h im . "We found you a l l a s l e ep on t ha t b ig bed , and we rubbed on i t some o f t he Whizz -Away o in tmen t , t he ve ry l a s t b i t l e f t . And i t wh i zzed away he re . Oh , and we we t t ed t he Sandman ' s s and so t ha t he cou ldn ' t t h row sand i n to ou r eye s and make u s go t o s l e ep . ""Wa tz i sname was c l eve r , t oo . He s l i t t he bo t t om o f t he s ack w i th h i s kn i f e , f ound a hand fu l o f d ry s and t he r e and t h r ew i t a t t he Sandman h imse l f ! " s a id t he Angry P ix i e . "And he wen t r i gh t o f f t o s l e ep and cou ldn ' t i n t e r f e r e w i th u s any more ! "" I t was a l l D i ck ' s f au l t , " s a id Jo . "We sa id we wou ldn ' t go t o any more l ands - and he wen t up t he r e and go t c augh t by t he Sandman . So o f cou r se we had t o go a f t e r h im . ""So r ry , " s a id D ick . "Anyway , eve ry th ing ' s a l l r i gh t now. I won ' t do i t aga in . ""We 'd be t t e r go home , " s a id Bes s i e . " I t mus t be ge t t i ng l a t e . Goodnes s knows when we ' l l come aga in , S i l ky . Good-bye , eve ryone . Come and s ee u s i f we don ' t come t o s ee 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 speed . Then t hey wa lked home , t a l k ing abou t t he i r l a t e s t adven tu re ." I t was so quee r be ing awake and hav ing d r eams , " s a id Fanny . "Do you r emember t he muf f i n s t ha t t u rned i n to k i t t en s?"" I w i sh a r e a l l y n i ce l and wou ld come t o t he t op o f t he t r e e , " s a id Jo . "L ike t he Land o f Take -Wha t -You-Wan t . Tha t was fun . I wonde r i f i t w i l l eve r come aga in . "Fo r abou t a week t he ch i l d r en d id no t even go i n to t he Enchan t ed Wood . Fo r one t h ing t hey we re ve ry busy he lp ing t he i r pa r en t s , and fo r ano the r t h ing t hey f e l t t ha t t hey d idn ' t wan t any more adven tu re s fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e .And t hen a no t e c ame f rom S i l ky and Moon-Face . Th i s i s wha t i t s a i d :"DEAR BESSIE , FANNY, JO AND DICK,"We know tha t you don ' t wan t any more adven tu re s j u s t ye t , bu t you migh 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 Fa raway T ree j u s t now. I t i s t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se , even n i ce r t han t he Land o f Take -Wha t -You-Wan t . We a r e go ing t he r e t on igh t . I f you wan t t o come , come j u s t be fo re m idn igh t and you can go w i th u s . We wi l l wa i t f o r you t i l l t hen ."Love f rom " S ILKY AND MOON-FACE."The ch i l d r en r ead t he no t e one a f t e r ano the r . The i r eye s began t o sh ine . "Sha l l we go?" s a id Fanny . "Be t t e r no t , " s a id Jo . "Some th ing s i l l y i s su r eto     happen       t o       u s .       I t       a lways       doe s . ""Oh , Jo ! Do l e t ' s go ! " s a id Bes s i e . "You know how exc i t i ng t he Enchan 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 abou t - and t he Fa raway T ree l i t w i t h l an t e rn s and t h ings . Come on , Jo - s ay we ' l l go . "" I r e a l l y t h ink we 'd be t t e r no t , " s a id Jo . "D ick migh t do some th ing s i l l y aga in , "" I wou ld no t ! " s a id D ick i n a t empe r . " I t ' s no t f a i r o f you t o s ay t ha t . "

"Don ' t qua r r e l , " s a id Bes s i e . "We l l , l i s t en - i f you don ' t wan t t o go , Jo , Fanny and I w i l l go w i th D ick . He can l ook a f t e r u s . ""Pooh! D ick wan t s l ook ing a f t e r h imse l f , " s a id Jo .D ick gave Jo a punch on t he shou lde r and Jo s l apped back ."Oh , don ' t ! " s a id Bes s i e . "You ' r e no t i n t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se now!"Tha t made eve ryone l augh . "So r ry , Jo , " s a id D ick . "Be a spo r t . Le 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 e e and hea r wha t S i l ky and Moon-Face can t e l l u s abou t t h i s new l and . I f i t sounds a t a l l dange rous we won ' t go . See?""Al l r i gh t , " s a id Jo , who r ea l l y d id wan 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 keep l e ad ing t he g i r l s i n to dange r . "A l l r i gh t . We ' l l go up and t a l k t o S i l ky and Moon-Face . Bu t m ind - i f I dec ide no t t o go w i th t hem, t he r e ' s t o be no g rumbl ing . ""We p romi se , Jo , " s a id Bes s i e . And so i t was s e t t l ed . They wou ld go t o t he Enchan t ed Wood t ha t n igh t and c l imb t he Fa raway T ree t o s ee t he i r f r i ends .I t was 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 even and d r e s s . I t was ve ry da rk because t he r e was no moon ."We sha l l have t o t ake a t o r ch , " s a id Jo . "Are you g i r l s r e ady? Now don ' t make a no i s e , o r you ' l l wake Mothe r . "They a l l c r ep t down s t a i r s and ou t i n to t he da rk , s i l en t ga rden . An owl hoo t ed nea rby , and some th ing r an down the ga rden pa th . Bes s i e nea r l y squea l ed ."Sh ! I t ' s on ly a mouse o r some th ing , " s a id Jo . " I ' l l sw i t ch on my to r ch now. Keep c lo se t oge the r and we sha l l a l l s e e whe re we ' r e go ing . "In a bunch t hey wen t down the back ga rden and ou t i n to t he l i t t l e l ane t he r e . The Enchan t ed Wood l oomed up b ig and da rk . The t r e e s spoke t o one ano the r so f t l y . "Wisha , w i sha , w i sha , " t hey s a id . "Wisha , w i sha , w i sha ! "The ch i l d r en j umped ove r t he d i t ch and wa lked t h rough t he wood , down the pa th s t hey knew so we l l . The wood was fu l l o f f a i ry fo lk go ing abou t t he i r bus ine s s . They t ook no no t i c e o f t he ch i l d r en . Jo soon swi t ched o f f h i s t o r ch . Lan t e rn s shone eve rywhe re and gave enough l i gh t t o s ee by .They soon came t o t he g r ea t da rk t r unk o f t he Fa raway T ree . A rope swung down th rough t he b r anches ."Oh , good ! " s a id D ick . " I s Moon-Face go ing t o pu l l u s up?""No , " s a id Jo . "We ' l l have t o c l imb up -bu twe can u se t he rope t o he lp u s . I t ' s a lways i n t he t r e e a t n igh t t o he lp t he many fo lk go ing up and down . "And i ndeed t he r e we re a g r ea t many peop l e u s ing t he Fa raway T ree t ha t n igh t . S t r ange p ix i e s , gob l i n s and gnomes swa rmed up and down i t , and b rown ie s c l imbed up , cha t t e r i ng ha rd ."Where a r e t hey go ing?" a sked D ick i n su rp r i s e ."Oh , up t o t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se , I expec t , " s a id Jo . "And some o f t hem a r e v i s i t i ng t he i r f r i ends i n t he t r e e . Look - t he r e ' s t he Angry P ix i e ! He ' s go t a pa r t y on t o -n igh t ! "

The Angry P ix i e had abou t e i gh t l i t t l e f r i ends squashed i n to h i s t r e e - room, and l ooked a s p l ea sed a s cou ld be . "Come and j o in u s ! " he ca l l ed t o Jo ."We can ' t , " s a id Jo . "Thanks a l l t he s ame . We ' r e go ing up t o Moon-Face ' s . "Eve ryone dodged Dame Washa lo t ' s wash ing wa t e r , l aughed a t o ld Wa tz i sname s i t t i ng sno r ing a s u sua l i n h i s cha i r , and a t l a s t c ame t o Moon-Face ' s house .And t he r e was nobody t he r e ! The re was a no t e s t uck on t he doo r ."We wa i t ed t i l l m idn igh t and you d idn ' t come . I f you do come and we ' r e no t he r e , you ' l l f i nd u s i n t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se ."Love f rom"SILKY AND MOON-FACE." "P .S . -DO come . Ju s t t h ink o f t he t h ings you wan t t o do -you can do t hem a l l i n t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se ! ""Go l ly ! " s a id D ick , l ong ing ly , "wha t I ' d l i ke t o do be t t e r t han any th ing e l s e i s t o r i de s i x t imes on a roundabou t w i thou t s t opp ing ! ""And I ' d l i ke t o e a t s i x i c e - c r eams w i thou t s t opp ing ! " s a id Bes s i e ."And I ' d l i ke t o r i de an e l ephan t , " s a id Fanny ."And / shou ld l i ke t o d r i ve a mo to r - ca r a l l by myse l f , " s a id Jo ." Jo ! Le t ' s go up t he l adde r ! " begged Fanny ."Oh , do , do l e t ' s ! Why can ' t we go and v i s i t a r e a l l y n i ce l and when one comes? I t ' s j u s t t oo mean o f you t o s ay we can ' t . ""We l l , " s a id Jo . "We l l - I suppose we 'd be t t e r ! Come on ! "Wi th sh r i eks and squea l s o f de l i gh t t he g i r l s and D ick p r e s sed up t he l i t t l e l adde r , t h rough t he 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 i gh t -bu t , l o and beho ld ! a s soon a s t hey had go t i n to t he l and above t he c loud i t was day t ime ! How ex t r ao rd ina ry !The ch i l d r en s t ood and gazed round i t . I t s e emed a ve ry exc i t i ng l and , r a t he r l i ke a huge amusemen t pa rk . The re we re roundabou t s go ing round and round i n t ime t o mus i c . The re we re sw ings and s ee - saws . The re was a r a i lway t r a i n pu f f i ng a long bus i l y , and t he r e we re sma l l a e rop l anes f l y ing eve rywhe re , w i th b rown ie s , p ix i e s and gob l i n s hav ing a f i ne t ime i n t hem."Goodnes s ! Doesn ' t i t l ook exc i t i ng?" s a id Bes s i e . " I wonde r whe re Moon-Face and S i l ky a r e . ""The re t hey a r e -ove r t he r e -on t ha t r ound -abou t ! " c r i ed Jo . "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 down a l l t he t ime -and Moon-Face 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 . As soon a s Moon-Face and S i l ky s aw the ch i l d r en , t hey s c r eamed wi th j oy and waved t he i r hands . The roundabou t s t opped and t he ch i l d r en go t on . Bes s i e chose a wh i t e r abb i t . Fanny rode on a l i on and f e l t ve ry g r and . Jo wen t on a bea r and D ick chose a ho r se ."So g l ad you came!" c r i ed S i l ky . "We wa i t ed and wa i t ed fo r you . Oh-we ' r e o f f ! Ho ld t i gh t ! "The roundabou t wen t r ound and round and round . The ch i l d r en shou t ed fo r j oy , because i t wen t so f a s t . "Le t ' s have s i x r i de s w i thou t ge t t i ng o f f ! " c r i ed Jo . So t hey d id - and dea r me , we ren ' t

t hey g iddy when t hey d id a t l a s t ge t o f f . They ro l l ed abou t l i ke s a i l o r s !" I f e e l l i ke s i t t i ng down wi th s i x i c e - c r eams , " s a id Bes s i e . A t once an i c e - c r eam man rode up and handed t hem ou t t h i r t y - s i x i c e -c r eams . I t d i d l ook a l o t . When Jo had d iv ided t hem a l l ou t equa l l y t he r e we re s i x e ach . And how de l i c i ous t hey we re ! Eve rybody managed s i x qu i t e e a s i l y ."And now, wha t abou t me d r i v ing t ha t r a i lway eng ine ! " c r i ed Jo , j ump ing up . " I ' v e a lways wan t ed t o do t ha t . Wou ld you a l l l i ke t o be my pa s senge r s? We l l , come on , t hen ! "And o f f t hey a l l r a ced t o whe re t he r a i lway t r a i n was s t opp ing a t a l i t t l e s t a t i on . "H i ! h i e ! " ye l l ed Jo t o t he d r i ve r . " I wan t t o d r i ve you r t r a i n ! ""Come a long up , t hen , " s a id t he d r i ve r , j ump ing down . "The eng ine i s j u s t r e ady t o go ! "12 .The Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se .Jo j umped up i n to t he c ab o f t he eng ine . A b r i gh t f i r e was bu rn ing t he r e . He l ooked a t a i l t he sh in ing hand l e s and whee l s ."Sha l l I know wh ich i s wh ich?" he a sked t he d r i ve r ."Oh , ye s , " s a id t he d r i ve r . "Tha t ' s t he s t a r t i ng whee l - and t ha t ' s t o make t he wh i s t l e go -and t ha t ' s t o go s l ow-and t ha t ' s t o go f a s t . You can ' t make a m i s t ake . Don ' t f o rge t t o s t op a t t he s t a t i ons , w i l l you? And oh - look ou t f o r t he l eve l - c ro s s ing ga t e s , i n c a se t hey a r e shu t . I t wou ld be a p i t y t o bump in to t hem and b r eak t hem."Jo f e l t t r emendous ly exc i t ed . D ick l ooked up l ong ing ly . " Jo ! Cou ld I come t oo?" he begged . "Do l e t me . Ju s t t o wa t ch you . ""Al l r i gh t , " s a id Jo . So D ick hopped up on t o t he eng ine . The g i r l s , Moon-Face and S i l ky go t i n to a c a r r i age j u s t beh ind . The gua rd r an up t he p l a t fo rm wav ing a g r een f l ag and b lowing h i s wh i s t l e ."The s i gna l ' s down!" ye l l ed D ick . "Go on , Jo ! S t a r t he r up ! "Jo tw i s t ed t he s t a r t i ng whee l . The eng ine began t o chu f f - chu f f -chu f f and moved ou t o f t he s t a t i on . The g i r l s gave a squea l o f de l i gh t ." Jo ' s r e a l l y d r i v ing t he t r a i n ! " c r i ed Bes s i e . "Oh i sn ' t he c l eve r ! He ' s wan t ed t o d r i ve an eng ine a l l h i s l i f e ! "The eng ine began t o go ve ry f a s t - t oo f a s t . Jo pu l l ed t he "Go S low" hand l e , and i t wen t more s l owly . He was so i n t e r e s t ed i n wha t he was do ing t ha t he d idn ' t no t i c e he was coming t o a s t a t i on . He sho t r i gh t t h rough i t !" Jo ! " c r i ed D ick , "you 've gone by a s t a t i on . Grac ious , t he pa s senge r s wa i t i ng t he r e d id l ook c ro s s - and oh , l ook , a l o t o f t hem in ou r t r a i n wan t ed t o ge t ou t t he r e ! "Su re enough qu i t e a number o f ang ry peop l e we re l ook ing ou t o f t he c a r r i age w indows , ye l l i ng t o Jo t o s t op .Jo wen t r ed . He pu l l ed t he "S top" hand l e . The eng ine s t opped . Then Jo pu l l ed t he "Go Backwards" hand l e and t he t r a i n moved s l owly backwards t o t he s t a t i on . I t s t opped t he r e and Jo and D ick had t he p l ea su re o f s ee ing t he pa s senge r s ge t ou t and i n . The gua rd came ru sh ing up .

"You pa s sed t he s t a t i on , you pa s sed t he s t a t i on ! " he c r i ed . "Don ' t you da re t o pa s s my s t a t i on aga in w i thou t s t opp ing ! ""Al l r i gh t , a l l r i gh t , " s a id Jo . "Now then -o f f we go aga in ! " And o f f t hey wen t ."Keep a l ook -ou t f o r s t a t i ons , s i gna l s , t unne l s and l eve l c ro s s ings , D ick , " s a id Jo . So D ick s t uck h i s head ou t and wa t ched ."Leve l c ro s s ing ! " he c r i ed . "The ga t e s a r e shu t ! S low down , Jo , s l ow down!"Bu t un luck i l y Jo pu l l ed t he "Go Fas t " hand l e i n s t e ad o f t he "Go S low" and t he t r a i n sho t qu i ck ly t o t he c l o sed ga t e s o f t he l eve l -c ro s s ing . Ju s t a s t he eng ine had nea r l y r e ached t hem al i t t l e man ru shed ou t o f t he c ab in nea r by and f l ung t he ga t e s open j u s t i n t ime !"You bad d r i ve r ! " he shou t ed a s t he t r a i n roa r ed pa s t . "You migh t have b roken my ga t e s ! ""Tha t was a na r row squeak , " s a id Jo . "Wha t ' s t h i s coming now, D ick?""A tunne l , " s a id D ick . "Whi s t l e a s you go t h rough i n c a se anyone i s wa lk ing i n i t . "So Jo made t he eng ine wh i s t l e l oud ly . I t r e a l l y was fun . I t r a ced t h rough t he da rk t unne l and came ou t nea r a s t a t i on ."S top ! S t a t i on , Jo ! " c r i ed D ick . And Jo s t opped . Then on wen t t he t r a i n aga in , wh i s t l i ng l oud ly , r u sh ing pa s t s i gna l s t ha t we re down .Then some th ing happened . The "Go S low" and t he "S top" hand l e s -wou ldn ' t work ! The t r a i nr aced on and on pa s t s t a t i ons , b ig and sma l l , t h rough t unne l s , pa s t s i gna l s t ha t we re up , and behaved j u s t a s i f i t h ad gone mad ." I s ay ! " s a id D ick i n a l a rm , "wha t ' s gone wrong , Jo?"Jo d idn ' t know. Fo r m i l e s and mi l e s t he t r a i n t o r e on , and a l l t he pa s senge r s became a l a rmed . And t hen , a s t he t r a i n d r ew nea r a s t a t i on , i t g ave a l oud s i gh , r an s l owly and t hen s t opped a l l by i t s e l f .And i t was t he ve ry s ame s t a t i on i t had s t a r t ed f rom! The d r i ve r o f t he t r a i n was t he r e , wa i t i ng ."So you ' r e back aga in , " he s a id . "My , you 've been qu i ck . ""We l l , t he eng ine d idn ' t behave i t s e l f ve ry we l l , " s a id Jo , s t epp ing down thank fu l l y . " I t j u s t r an away t he l a s t pa r t o f t he j ou rney . I t wou ldn ' t s t op anywhe re ! ""Oh , I da r e s ay i t wan t ed t o ge t back t o me , " s a id t he d r i ve r , c l imb ing i n to t he eng ine -cab . " I t ' s a monkey some t imes . Come a long and d r i ve i t aga in w i th me . ""No , t hank you , " s a id Jo . " I t h ink I ' v e had enough . I t was fun , t hough . "The g i r l s , Moon-Face and S i l ky , go t ou t o f t he i r c a r r i age s . They had been r a the r f r i gh t ened t he l a s t pa r t o f t he j ou rney , bu t t hey t hough t Jo was ve ry c l eve r t o d r i ve t he t r a i n by h imse l f .They a l l l e f t t he s t a t i on . "Now wha t sha l l we do?" s a id Moon-Face ." I wan t t o r i de on an e l ephan t , " s a id Fanny a t once .

"The re a r en ' t any , " s a id Bes s i e . Bu t no soone r had she spoken t han t he ch i l d r en s aw s ix b ig g r ey e l ephan t s wa lk ing so l emn ly up t o t hem, sway ing a l i t t l e f r om s ide t o s i de ."Oh , l ook , l ook ! " ye l l ed Fanny , nea r l y mad w i th exc i t emen t . "The 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 ! "Each e l ephan 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 , Moon-Face and S i l ky c l imbed up and s a t on a comfo r t ab l e s ea t on t he e l ephan t ' s backs . Then t he b ig c r ea tu r e s s e t o f f , sway ing t h rough t he c rowds .I t was s imp ly l ove ly . Fanny d id en joy he r se l f . She ca l l ed t o t he o the r s . "Wasn ' t t h i s a good i dea o f m ine , eve rybody? Aren ' t we h igh up? And i sn ' t i t f un?"" I t i s f un , " s a id Moon-Face , who had neve r even s een a r t e l ephan t be fo re , and wou ld ce r t a i n ly neve r have t hough t o f r i d ing on one i f he had . "Oh , goodnes s -my rope l adde r ha s s l i pped o f f my e l ephan t ! Now I sha l l neve r be ab l e t o ge t down! I ' l l h ave t o r i de on t h i s e l ephan t a l l my l i f e l ong ! "Eve rybody l aughed -bu t Moon-Face was r ea l l y a l a rmed . When t he ch i l d r en had had enough o f r i d ing t hey a l l c l imbed down the i r r ope l adde r s -bu t poo r Moon-Face s a t up h igh , t e a r s pou r ing down h i s f a t cheeks ." I t e l l you I c an ' t ge t down , " he kep t s ay ing . " 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 . Then i t go t t i r ed o f hea r i ng Moon-Face c ry . I tswung i t s eno rmous t r unk round , wound i t gen t l y round Moon-Face ' s wa i s t , and l i f t ed h im down to t he g round . Moon-Face was so su rp r i s ed t ha t he cou ldn ' t speak a word .A t 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 me down wi th?" he a sked . "H i s nose ! ""No , h i s t r unk , " s a id Jo , l augh ing . "D idn ' t you know tha t e l ephan t s had t r unks , Moon-Face?""No , " s a id Moon-Face , puzz l ed . " I 'm g l ad he d idn ' t pack me i n h i s t r unk and t ake me away fo r l uggage ! "The ch i l d r en roa r ed w i th l augh t e r . They wa t ched t he b ig e l ephan t s wa lk ing o f f ."Wha t sha l l we do now?" s a id Jo . "D ick , wha t do you wan t t o do?""Wel l , I know I c an ' t do i t - bu t wou ldn ' t I j u s t l ove t o have a padd l e i n t he s ea ! " s a id D ick ."Oooh- tha t wou ld be n i ce ! " s a id Fanny , who l oved padd l i ng t oo . "Bu t t he r e i sn ' t any s ea he r e . "Jus t a s she s a id t ha t she no t i c ed a s i gn -pos t nea r by . I t po in t ed away f rom them and s a id , i n b ig l e t t e r s , "TO THE SEA.""Goodnes s ! " s a id Fanny . "Look a t t ha t ! Come on , eve ryone ! "Of f t hey a l l wen t , r unn ing t he way t ha t t he s i gnpos t po in t ed . And , a f t e r go ing round two co rne r s , t he r e , - su r e enough , was t he b lue , b lue s ea , l y ing b r i gh t and ca lm in t he wa rm sunsh ine ! Sh in ing go lden s ands s t r e t ched t o t he l i t t l e waves ."Oh , goody , goody! " c r i ed D ick , t ak ing o f f h i s 92shoes and socks a t once . "Come on , qu i ck ly? '

Soon eve ryone was padd l i ng i n t he wa rm sea . Moon-Face and S i l ky had neve r padd l ed be fo re , bu t t hey l oved i t j u s t a s much a s t he ch i l d r en d id . D ick padd l ed ou t so f a r t ha t he go t h i s sho r t s soak ing we t ."Oh , D ick ! You a r e we t ! " c r i ed Bes s i e . "Come back ! ""Th i s i s t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se , i sn ' t i t ? " shou t ed D ick , danc ing abou t i n t he wa t e r and ge t t i ng we t t e r t han eve r . "We l l , I sha l l ge t a s we t a s I l i ke , t hen ! ""Le t ' s d ig an ENORMOUS ca s t l e ! " c r i ed Moon-Face . "Then we can a l l s i t on t he t op o f i t when t he s ea comes up . ""We can ' t , " s a id S i l ky , sudden ly l ook ing s ad ."Why no t ? Why no t ? " c r i ed Jo i n su rp r i s e . " I sn ' t t h i s t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se?""Yes , " s a id S i l ky . "Bu t i t ' s t ime we wen t back t o t he Fa raway T ree . Th i s l and w i l l soon be on t he move -and n i ce a s i t i s , we don ' t wan t t o l i ve he r e fo r eve r . ""Grac ious , no , " s a id Jo . "Our mo the r and f a the r cou ldn ' t pos s ib ly do w i thou t u s ! D ick ! D ick ! Come in t o sho re ! We ' r e go ing home!"Dick d idn ' t wan t t o be l e f t beh ind . He waded back a t once , h i s sho r t s d r i pp ing we t , and h i s j e r s ey sp l a shed , t oo . They a l l made t he i r way t o t he ho l e t ha t l ed down th rough t he c loud t o t he Fa raway T ree ."We d id have a l ove ly t ime , " s i ghed Jo , l ook ing back l ong ing ly a t t he gay l and he was l e av ingbeh ind . " I t ' s one o f t he n i ce s t l ands t ha t ha s eve r been a t t he t op o f t he T ree . "They a l l f e l t t i r ed a s t hey c rowded i n to Moon-Face ' s r oom. "Don ' t f a l l a s l e ep be fo re you ge t home , " s a id Moon-Face . "Take cush ions , a l l o f you . "They wen t down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p , yawn ing . They made t he i r way home and f e l l i n t o bed , t i r ed ou t bu t happy . And i n t he morn ing t he i r mo the r spoke i n su rp r i s e t o D ick ."Dick , how i s i t t ha t you r sho r t s and j e r s ey a r e so we t t h i s morn ing?"" I padd l ed t oo deep i n t he s ea , " s a id D ick -and he cou ldn ' t t h i nk why h i s Aun t Po l l y s a id he was a naugh ty l i t t l e s t o ry - t e l l e r !13 -The Land o f Toys .One a f t e rnoon S i l ky came t o s ee t he ch i l d r en a s t hey we re a l l work ing ha rd i n t he ga rden . She l e aned ove r t he ga t e and ca l l ed t o t hem."Ha l lo ! I ' v e come t o t e l l you some th ing ! ""Oh , ha l l o , S i l ky dea r ! " c r i ed eve ryone . "Come a long i n . We can ' t s t op work because we 've go t t o f i n i sh c l e a r i ng t h i s pa t ch be fo re t e a . "S i l ky came i n . She s a t down on t he ba r row . "The o ld Saucepan Man wan t s t o g ive a pa r t y , " she s a id . "And he s ays , w i l l you come?"" I s i t h i s b i r t hday?" a sked Jo ."Oh , no . He doesn ' t know when h i s b i r t hday i s , " s a id S i l ky . "He s ays he ha sn ' t go t one . Th i s i s j u s t a pa r t y . You s ee , t he Land o f Good i e s i s coming soon , and Saucepan t hough t i t wou ld be a f i ne

i dea t o go t he r e w i th a l a rge ba ske t and co l l e c t a s many good t h ings t o e a t a s he c an f i nd , and t hen g ive a pa r t y i n Moon-Face ' s r oom, so t ha t we can ea t a l l t he t h ings . ""Tha t sounds f i ne ! " s a id D ick , who l oved ea t i ng good t h ings . "When sha 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 id Bes s i e : "Mothe r s ays we 've been ve ry good t h i s week , so she i s su r e t o l e t u s come t o t he Saucepan Man ' s pa r t y t o -mor row. We ' l l be t he r e ! When i s Saucepan go ing t o ge t t he good i e s t o e a t ? ""To-mor row morn ing , " s a id S i l ky . "He s ays t ha t t he Land o f Good i e s w i l l be t he r e t hen . We l l , good -bye . I won ' t s t ay and t a l k t o -day , a s I s a id I ' d make some Pop B i scu i t s and Goog le Buns fo r t he t e a t o -mor row a s we l l . I m igh t make some Tof f ee Shocks , t oo . "S i l ky wen t . The ch i l d r en t a l ked j oy fu l l y o f t he pa r t y nex t day ."Hope t he r e w i l l be t r e ac l e pudd ing , " s a id D ick ."T reac l e pudd ing ! A t a t e a -pa r t y ! " s a id Bes s i e ."We l l , why no t ? " s a id D ick . " I t ' s mos t de l i c i ous . I hope t he r e w i l l be p ink and ye l l ow j e l l y , t oo . "Eve ryone f e l t exc i t ed when t he nex t a f t e rnoon came . Mothe r s a id t hey migh t go , bu t she wou ldn ' t l e t t hem pu t on t he i r be s t c l o the s ."No t i f you a r e go ing t o c l imb t r e e s , " she s a id . "And Dick , p l ea se don ' t ge t you r c l o the s we t t h i s t ime . I f you do , you ' l l have t o s t ay i n bed a l l day wh i l s t I d ry t hem."The ch i l d r en r an t o t he Enchan t ed Wood . They had t o c l imb up t he t r e e i n t he o rd ina ry way , f o r t he r e was no rope t ha t day . Up t hey wen t , shou t i ng a g r ee t i ng t o t he owl i n h i s r oom, t o t he Angry P ix i e , and t o Dame Washa lo t .They r eached Moon-Face ' s house . He and S i l ky we re s e t t i ng ou t cups and s auce r s and p l a t e s r e ady fo r a l l t he good i e s t ha t Saucepan was go ing t o b r i ng back . S i l ky handed a bag round . "Have a To f f ee Shock?" she s a id .Now, a l l t he ch i l d r en excep t D ick had had To f f ee Shocks be fo re , and , p rov id ing you knew, wha t t he t o f f ee d id i t was a l l r i gh t . Bu t i f you d idn ' t , i t was r a t he r a l a rming .A Tof f ee Shock ge t s b igge r and b igge r and b igge r a s you suck i t , i n s t e ad o f sma l l e r and sma l l e r - and when i t i s so b ig t ha t t he r e i s ha rd ly room fo r i t i n you r mou th i t sudden ly exp lodes - and goes t o no th ing . Jo , Bes s i e and Fanny wa t ched D ick a s he sucked h i s To f f ee Shock , nudg ing one ano the r and g igg l i ng .D ick t ook a b ig To f f ee Shock , f o r he was r a the r a g r eedy boy . He popped i t i n t o h i s mou th and sucked ha rd . I t t a s t ed mos t de l i c i ous . Bu t i t s e emed t o ge t b igge r and b igge r .D ick 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 su rp r i s ed h im ve ry much . Bu t t he To f f ee Shock was now so b ig t ha t he cou ld ha rd ly t a l k ."Oob le , oob l e , oob l e ! " he s a id ."Wha t l anguage a r e you t a l k ing , D ick? ' a sked Moon-Face , w i th a g igg l e .

Dick l ooked r ea l l y a l a rmed . H i s t o f f ee was now so eno rmous t ha t he cou ld ha rd ly f i nd room in h i s mou th fo r i t . And t hen sudden ly i t exp loded - and h i s mou th was qu i t e emp ty ."Ooooh! " s a id D ick , open ing and shu t t i ng h i s mou th l i ke a go ld f i sh . "Oooh!""Don ' t you l i ke you r swee t ? " s a id S i l ky , t r y ing no t t o g igg l e . "We l l , sp i t i t ou t i f you l i ke , and have ano the r . "" I t ' s gone ! " s a id D ick . Then he s aw the o the r s l augh ing , and he gues sed t ha t To f f ee Shocks we re no t qu i t e t he u sua l k ind o f swee t s . He began t o l augh , t oo . "Goodnes s , t ha t d id f r i gh t en me! " he s a id . " I s ay , wou ldn ' t I l i ke t o g ive t he mas t e r a t my o ld s choo l a To f f ee Shock ! "Moon-Face l ooked a t h i s c l ock . "O ld Saucepan i s a l ong t ime , " he s a id . " I t ' s ha l f -pa s t t h r ee now, and he p romi sed t o be r e a l l y qu i ck . ""Ha l l o -he re ' s somebody coming now," s a id Moon-Face , hea r i ng foo t s t eps on t he l adde r t ha t l ed up t h rough t he c loud . "Pe rhaps i f s o ld Saucepan . Bu t I c an ' t hea r h i s ke t t l e s c l ank ing ! "Down the l adde r c ame a wooden so ld i e r . He s a lu t ed a s he wen t pa s t ."H ie , h i e ! " shou t ed Moon-Face sudden ly . "Wa i t a m inu t e ! How i s i t t ha t you l i ve i n t he Land o f Good i e s? "" I don ' t , " s a id t he wooden so ld i e r , i n su rp r i s e . " I l i ve i n t he Land o f Toys . ""Wha t ! I s t he Land o f Toys up t he r e now?" c r i ed Moon-Face , s t and ing up i n a s t on i shmen t ."Of cou r se ! " s a id t he so ld i e r . "The Land o f Good i e s doesn ' t a r r i ve t i l l n ex t week . ""Goodnes s ! " g roaned Moon-Face , a s t he so ld i e r d i s appea red down the t r e e . "O ld Saucepan ha s made a m i s t ake . He ' s gone t o t he Land o f Toys i n s t e ad o f t o t he Land o f Good i e s . I expec t he i s hun t i ng eve rywhe re fo r n i ce t h ings t o b r i ng down to u s -he ' s such a dea r o ld s t up id t ha t he wou ldn ' t know i t wasn ' t t he r i gh t l and . ""We 'd be t t e r go and t e l l h im , " s a id S i l ky . "You ch i l d r en can s t ay he r e t i l l we come back , and t hen we ' l l have a n i ce t e a o f Pop B i scu i t s and Goog le Buns . He lp you r se l f t o To f f ee Shocks wh i l s t we a r e gone . ""We ' l l come t oo , " s a id Bes s i e , j ump ing up . "The Land o f Toys sounds exc i t i ng . I w i sh we 'd b rough t Pe rone l , ou r do l l . She wou ld have l oved t o v i s i t t he Land o f Toys . "" I suppose i t i sn ' t a t a l l a dange rous l and ! " ' s a i d Jo . " Ju s t t oys come a l i ve?""Of cou r se     i t ' s       no t       d ange rous , "       s a i d       S i l ky .They a l l wen t up t he l adde r . They we re ve ry anx ious t o s ee wha t t he Land o f Toys was l i ke . I t was exac t l y a s t hey imag ined i t !Do l l s ' house s , t oy swee t shops , t oy fo r t s , t oy r a i lway s t a t i ons s t ood abou t eve rywhe re , bu t much b igge r t han p rope r t oys . Go l l iwogs , t eddy bea r s , do l l s o f a l l k i nds , s t u f f ed an ima l s and c lockwork t oys r an o r wa lked abou t , t a l k ing and l augh ing ." I s ay ! Th i s i s f un ! " s a id Bes s i e . "Oh , l ook a t t hose wooden so ld i e r s a l l wa lk ing i n a r ow!"

The ch i l d r en s t a r ed round , bu t Moon-Face pu l l ed t he i r a rms ."Come on , " he s a id . "We 've go t t o f i nd ou t whe re t he o ld Saucepan Man ha s go t t o ! I c an ' t s e e h im anywhe re . "The s i x o f t hem wande red abou t t he Land o f Toys . C lockwork an ima l s r an eve rywhe re . A b ig Noah ' s Ark sudden ly opened i t s l i d and l e t ou t s co re s o f wooden an ima l s wa lk ing i n twos . Noah came beh ind , humming .The Saucepan Man was s imp ly nowhe re t o be s een . " I ' d be t t e r a sk someone i f t hey ' ve s een h im , " s a id Moon-Face a t l a s t . So he s t opped a b ig go l l iwog and spoke t o h im ."Have you s een a l i t t l e man hung abou t w i th ke t t l e s and s aucepans?" he a sked ."Yes , " s a id t he go l l iwog a t once . "He ' s bad . He t r i ed t o s t e a l some swee t s ou t o f t he swee t shop ove r t he r e . "" I 'm su re Saucepan wou ldn ' t s t e a l a t h ing ! " s a id Jo ang r i l y ."We l l , he d id , " s a id t he go l l iwog . " I s aw h im . "" I know wha t happened , " s a id Moon-Face , sudden ly . "O ld Saucepan t hough t t h i s was t he Land o f Good i e s . He d idn ' t know i t was t he Land o f Toys . So when he s aw the swee t shop he t hough t he cou ld t ake a s many a s he l i ked . You can i n t he Land o f Good i e s , you know. And peop l e mus t have t hough t he was s t e a l i ng . ""Oh , dea r , " s a id S i l ky , i n d i smay . "Go l l iwog , wha t happened t o t he Saucepan Man?""The po l i c eman came up and t ook h im o f f t o p r i son , " s a id t he go l l iwog . "The re ' s t he po l i c eman ove r t he r e . You can a sk h im a l l abou t i t . "The go l l iwog wen t o f f . The ch i l d r en , Moon-Face and S i l ky wen t ove r t o t he po l i c eman . He t o ld t hem i t was qu i t e t r ue wha t t he go l l iwog had s a id Saucepan had t r i ed t o t ake swee t s ou t o f t he swee t shop , and he had been l ocked up ."Oh , we mus t r e scue h im!" c r i ed Jo a t once . "Where i s he?""You mus t c e r t a i n ly no t r e scue h im , " s a id t he po l i c eman c ro s s ly . " I shan ' t t e l l you whe re he i s ! "And no ma t t e r how much t he ch i l d r en begged h im , he wou ld NOT t e l l t hem whe re he had pu t poo r Saucepan ."We l l , we mus t j u s t go and l ook fo r h im ou r se lve s , t ha t ' s a l l , " s a id Jo . And t he s i x o f t hem wande red o f f t h rough t he Land o f Toys , shou t i ng l oud ly a s t hey wen t ."Saucepan ! Dea r o ld Saucepan ! Where a r e you? '14 -An Exc i t i ng Rescue .The ch i l d r en , Moon-Face and S i l ky wen t down the c rooked s t r e e t s o f t he Land o f Toys , c a l l i ng t he o ld Saucepan Man ."Of cou r se , Saucepan i s ve ry dea f , " s a id Jo ."He migh t no t hea r u s c a l l i ng h im , even i f he we re l ocked up somewhere qu i t e nea r . "They wen t on aga in , shou t i ng and ca l l i ng . The t oys hu r ry ing by s t a r ed a t t hem in a s t on i shmen t ."Why do you keep ca l l i ng ' Saucepan , Saucepan ' ? " a sked a beau t i fu l l y d r e s sed do l l . "Are you s e l l i ng s aucepans , o r some th ing?"

"No , " s a id Jo . "We ' r e l ook ing fo r a f r i end . "Jus t t hen S i l ky hea rd some th ing . She c lu t ched Jo ' s a rm . "Sh ! " she s a id . "L i s t en ! Do l i s t en ! "Eve ryone s t ood s t i l l and l i s t ened . Then , f l oa t i ng on t he a i r c ame a we l l -known vo i ce , s i ng ing a s i l l y song :"Two t r e e s i n a t e apo t , Two spoons i n a p i e , Two c locks up t he ch imney . H i - t i dd ly -h i e ! "" I t ' s Saucepan ! " c r i ed Jo . "Nobody bu t Saucepan s i ngs t hose s i l l y songs . Where i s he?"They l ooked a l l r ound . The re was a t oy fo r t no t f a r o f f , bu t , o f cou r se , much b igge r t han a p rope r t oy fo r t . The song s eemed t o come f rom the r e ."Two mice on a l amp-pos t , Two hums i n a bee . Two shoes on a r abb i t . H i - t i dd ly -hee ! "Jo l aughed l oud ly . " I neve r knew such a s t up id song i n my l i f e , " he s a id . " I c an ' t t h i nk howo ld Saucepan can make i t up . I t ' s coming f rom tha t f o r t . Tha t ' s whe re he i s l ocked up . "Eve ryone l ooked a t t he r ed -pa in t ed fo r t . So ld i e r s wa lked up and down on i t . A d rawbr idge was pu l l ed up so t ha t no one cou ld go i n o r ou t . When a so ld i e r wan t ed t o go ou t t he d r awbr idge was l e t down and t he so ld i e r s t epped ove r i t . Then i t was pu l l ed up aga in ."We l l , Saucepan i s c e r t a i n ly i n t he r e , " s a id Moon-Face . "And , by t he way , don ' t c a l l t o h im , any o f you . We don ' t wan t t he gua rds t o know tha t t he r e a r e any f r i ends o f h i s he r e - e l s e t hey may 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 we ' r e he r e , " s a id Bes s i e . "He wou ld be so ve ry , ve ry g l ad . He mus t f e e l so wor r i ed and unhappy . "" I know a way o f t e l l i ng h im we a r e he r e , w i thou t anyone gues s ing we a r e f r i ends o f h i s , " s a id Jo sudden ly . "L i s t en . "He s t ood and t hough t f o r a momen t . Then he r a i s ed h i s vo i ce and s ang a l i t t l e song :"Two boys i n t he h igh - road , Two g i r l s i n t he s t r e e t , Two f r i ends f e e l i ng so r ry . Twee t - twee t - twee t - twee t - twee t ! "Eve ryone roa r ed w i th l augh t e r . " I t ' s ve ry c l eve r , Jo , " s a id D ick . "Two boys -Saucepan w i l l know tha t ' s you and me- two g i r l s - t ha t ' s Bes s i e and Fanny- two f r i ends , S i l ky and Moon-Face ! Saucepan w i l l know we ' r e a l l he r e ! "A f r i gh t fu l no i s e c ame f rom the fo r t - a c l ang ing and a bang ing , a c l ank ing and c r a sh ing . Eve ryone l i s t ened ."Tha t ' s o ld Saucepan danc ing round mad ly t o l e t u s know he hea rd and unde r s tood , " s a id Jo . "Now the t h ing i s -how a r e we go ing t o r e scue h im?"They wa lked down the s t r e e t , t a l k ing , t r y ing t o t h ink o f some good way t o s ave poo r Saucepan . They came t o a c l o the s shop . I n i t we re do l l s ' c l o the s o f a l l so r t s . I n t he w indow was a s e t o f s a i l o r ' s c l o the s , t oo . Jo s t a r ed a t t hem."Now, I wonde r , " he s a id . " I j u s t wonde r i f t hey ' ve go t any so ld i e r ' s c l o the s . Moon-Face , l end me you r b ig pu r se i f i t ' s go t any money i n . "

Moon-Face pu t h i s l a rge pu r se i n to Jo ' s hand . Jo d i s appea red i n to t he shop . He came ou t w i th t h r ee s e t s o f b r i gh t r ed so ld i e r ' s un i fo rms , w i th b ig , b l a ck , f u r ry bea r sk in s fo r ha t s ."Come on , " he s a id i n exc i t emen t . "Come somewhere t ha t we shan ' t be s een . "They a l l hu r r i ed down the s t r e e t and came t o a f i e l d whe re some t oy cows s t ood g r az ing .They c l imbed ove r t he ga t e and wen t beh ind t he hedge . "D ick , s ee i f t h i s un i fo rm wi l l f i t you , " s a id Jo . " I ' l l pu t t h i s one on . ""Bu t Jo - Jo -wha t a r e you go ing t o do?" a sked Bes s i e i n su rp r i s e ." I shou ld have t hough t you cou ld have gues sed , " s a id Jo , pu t t i ng on t he un i fo rm qu i ck ly . "We ' r e go ing t o s ee i f we can march i n to t he fo r t and ge t o ld Saucepan ou t ! I shou ld t h ink t hey w i l l l e t down the d r awbr idge fo r u s i f we a r e d r e s sed l i ke so ld i e r s . "" I s t h i s t h i rd su i t f o r me?" a sked Moon-Face , exc i t ed ly ."No , Moon-Face , " s a id Jo . " I d idn ' t t h i nk you 'd l ook a b i t l i ke a so ld i e r , even i f you we re d r e s sed l i ke one . You mus t s t ay ou t s i de and l ook 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 Saucepan . The so ld i e r s wou 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 th ke t t l e s and s aucepans ! They wou ld know i t was t he p r i sone r and wou ld s t op h im . He ' l l have t o t ake o f f h i s ke t t l e s and t h ings and d r e s s i n t h i s . Then , maybe we can r e scue h im qu i t e e a s i l y . "" Jo , you a r e r e a l l y ve ry , ve ry c l eve r , " s a id S i l ky .Jo f e l t ve ry p l ea sed . He buck l ed h i s be l t , and pu t on h i s b l ack bea r sk in . My word , he d id l ook g r and ! So d id D ick ."Now we ' r e r e ady , " s a id Jo . "Moon-Face , i f by any chance D ick and I a r e c augh t , you mus t t ake t he g i r l s s a f e ly back t o t he T ree . See?"" I s ee , " s a id Moon-Face . "Good l uck , boys ! "Eve ryone wen t ou t o f t he f i e l d and wa lked back t o t he fo r t . When t hey go t nea r i t , D i ck and Jo began t o ma rch ve ry we l l , i ndeed . Le f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t !They came t o t he fo r t . "So ld i e r , l e t down the d r awbr idge ! " ye l l ed Jo , i n h i s l oudes t and mos t command ing vo i ce . The s en t i ne l pee r ed ove r t he wa l l o f t he fo r t . When he s aw two such smar t so ld i e r s , he s a lu t ed a t once , and s e t t o work t o l e t down the d r awbr idge . C ra sh ! I t f e l l f l a t t o t he g round , and D ick and Jo wa lked ove r i t i n t o t he fo r t .C reak , c r eeeee -eak ! The d r awbr idge was d r awn up aga in . Jo and D ick marched r i gh t i n to t he fo r t . So ld i e r s s a lu t ed a t once ." I w i sh t o t a l k t o t he p r i sone r he r e , " s a id Jo ."Yes , c ap t a in , " s a id a wooden so ld i e r , s a l u t i ng . He t ook a key f rom h i s be l t and gave i t t o Jo . "F i r s t doo r on t he r i gh t , s i r , " he s a id . "Be ca r e fu l . He may be f i e r ce . ""Thanks , my man , " s a id Jo , and marched t o t he f i r s t doo r on t he r i gh t . He un locked i t and he and D ick wen t i n and shu t t he doo r . Saucepan was t he r e ! When he s aw the two so ld i e r s , he f e l l on h i s knees ."Se t me f r ee , s e t me f r ee ! " he begged . " I d id no t mean t o s t e a l t he swee t s . I t hough t t h i s was t he Land o f Good i e s . "

"Saucepan ! I t ' s u s ! " wh i spe red Jo , t ak ing o f f h i s he lme t so t ha t Saucepan cou ld s ee h im p l a in ly . "We 've come t o s ave you . Pu t on t h i s un i fo rm , qu i ck ! ""Bu t wha t abou t my ke t t l e s and s aucepans?" s a id Saucepan . " I c an ' t l e ave t hem beh ind . ""Don ' t be s i l l y . You ' l l have t o , " s a id Jo . "Qu ick , D ick , he lp h im o f f w i th t hem."The two boys s t r i pped o f f eve ry pan and made Saucepan d r e s s up i n t he r ed un i fo rm . He t r emb led so much w i th exc i t emen t t ha t t hey had t o do up eve ry bu t t on fo r h im ."Now march c lo se t o u s and don ' t s ay a word , " s a id Jo , when Saucepan was r eady . H i s ke t t l e s and s aucepans l ay i n a heap on t he f l oo r . He f e l l ove r t hem a s he s c r amb led ac ros s t o Jo and D ick . Jo opened t he doo r . A l l t h r ee ma rched ou t , keep ing i n s t ep . Le f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t , l e f t , r i gh t !The o the r so ld i e r s i n t he fo r t l ooked up bu t s aw no th ing bu t t h r ee o f t he i r comrades -o r so t hey t hough t . Jo shou t ed t o t he s en t i ne l :"Le t down the d r awbr idge ! ""Very good , c ap t a in ! " c r i ed t he s en t i ne l , and l e t i t down wi th a c r a sh . Jo , D ick and Saucepan marched 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-Face and t he g i r l s cou ld ha rd ly be l i eve t ha t t he t h i rd so ld i e r was o ld Saucepan . He d id l ook so d i f f e r en t i n un i fo rm , w i thou t h i s panshung a l l     r ound h im .    S i l ky f l ew to hug h im .And t hen t he s en t i ne l o f t he fo r t ye l l ed ou t i n a l oud vo i ce : " I be l i eve t ha t ' s t he p r i sone r ! I be l i eve he ' s e s caped ! H ie , h i e , a f t e r t hem!""Goodnes s ! Run! run ! " c r i ed Jo , a t once . And t hey a l l r an . How they r an ! So 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 iwogs and t eddy bea r s j o ined i n t he cha se , and do l l s o f a l l k i nds pa t t e r ed beh ind on t he i r sma l l f e e t ."To t he ho l e i n t he c l oud ! " shou t ed Jo . "Run , Bes s i e ; r un , Fanny ! Oh , I do hope we ge t t he r e i n t ime ! "15 -A Shock fo r t he Toys .How the ch i l d r en and t he o the r s r an ! They knew qu i t e we l l t ha t i f t hey we re caugh t t hey wou ld be pu t i n to t he t oy fo r t - and t hen t he Land o f Toys wou ld move away f rom the Fa raway T ree , and goodnes s knew how long t hey migh t have t o s t ay t he r e !So t hey r an a t t op speed . Fanny f e l l beh ind a l i t t l e , and Jo caugh t he r hand t o he lp he r . Pan t i ng and pu f f i ng , t hey r aced down the s t r e e t s o f t he Land o f Toys , t r y ing t o r emember whe re t he ho l e l ed down th rough t he c loud t o t he Fa raway T ree .Jo r emembered t he way . He l ed t hem a l l t o t he ho l e - and t he r e was t he l adde r , t hank goodnes s ! "Down you go ! " c r i ed t he boy t o S i l ky , Bes s i eand Fanny . "Hur ry ! Ge t i n to Moon-Face ' s r oom qu i ck ly . "Down the g i r l s wen t , and t hen D ick , Moon-Face , Saucepan and Jo . Jo on ly j u s t go t down in t ime , f o r a l a rge go l l iwog , w i th ve ry l ong

l eg s , had a lmos t c augh t t hem up -and a s Jo wen t down he r eached ou t and t r i ed t o c a t ch Jo ' s co l l a r .Jo j e rked h imse l f away . H i s co l l a r t o r e - and t he boy ha l f s l i d , ha l f c l imbed down the l adde r t o s a f e ty . Soon he was i n Moon-Face ' s house w i th t he o the r s -bu t wha t was t h i s ? The t oys d id no t s t ay up i n t he i r l and - they pou red down the l adde r a f t e r t he ch i l d r en and t he i r f r i ends !"They ' r e coming i n he r e ! " ye l l ed Moon-Face . "Oh , why d idn ' t we shu t t he doo r? "Bu t i t was t oo l a t e t hen t o shu t t he doo r . So ld i e r s , go l l iwogs , bea r s and do l l s pou red i n to Moon-Face ' s f unny round room-and Moon-Face , qu i ck a s l i gh tn ing , gave t hem each a push t owards t he midd l e o f h i s r oom.The open ing o f h i s s l i ppe ry - s l i p was t he r e - and one by one a l l t he a s t on i shed t oys f e l l i n t o t he ho l e and found t hemse lve s s l i d ing w i ld ly down the i n s ide o f t he t r e e !As soon a s Jo and t he o the r s s aw wha t Moon-Face was do ing , t hey d id t he s ame ."Down you go ! " s a id Jo t o a f a t go l l iwog , g iv ing h im a ha rd push -and down he wen t ."A push fo r you ! " ye l l ed D ick t o a b ig b lue t eddy bea r - and down the s l i de wen t t he bea r .Soon t he ch i l d r en cou ld do no more push ing , f o r t hey began t o g igg l e . I t r e a l l y was t oo funny t o s ee t he t oys ru sh ing i n , be ing pushed , and go ing down the s l i de , squea l i ng and k i ck ing fo r a l l t hey we re wor th . Bu t a f t e r a wh i l e no more t oys c ame , and Moon-Face shu t h i s doo r . He f l ung h imse l f on h i s cu rved bed , and l aughed t i l l t he t e a r s r an down h i s cheeks and we t t ed h i s p i l l ow ."Wha t w i l l t he t oys do?" a sked Jo a t l a s t ."C l imb back up t he t r e e t o t he Land o f Toys , " s a id Moon-Face , d ry ing h i s eye s . "We ' l l s e e t hem ou t o f my window. They won ' t i n t e r f e r e w i th u s aga in ! "Af t e r abou t an hou r t he t oys began t o come pa s t Moon-Face ' s w indow, s l owly , a s i f t hey we re t i r ed . No t one o f t hem t r i ed t o open t he doo r and ge t i n to Moon-Face ' s house ."They ' r e a f r a id t ha t i f t hey don ' t ge t back i n to t he i r l and a t once i t w i l l move away! " s a id S i l ky . "Le t ' s s i t he r e and wa t ch t hem a l l -and have a f ew Goog le Buns and Pop B i scu i t s . "" I 'm so ve ry so r ry t o have caused a l l t h i s t r oub l e , " s a id t he Saucepan Man i n a humble vo i ce . "And I d idn ' t b r i ng any th ing back fo r t e a e i t he r . You s ee , I r e a l l y t hough t , when I go t i n to t he Land o f Toys , t ha t i t was t he Land o f Good i e s , because one o f t he f i r s t t h ings I s aw was t ha t t oy swee t shop . And i n t he Land o f Good i e s you can j u s t t ake any th ing you l i ke w i thou t pay ing - so o f cou r se I wen t r i gh t i n to t he shop and began t o emp ty some choco l a t e s ou t o f a box . Tha t ' s why t hey pu t me i n to p r i son . I t was d r ead fu l . Oh , I was g l ad t o hea r Jo s i ng ing . I knew a t once t ha t you wou ld t r y t o r e scue me . "

Thi s was a ve ry l ong speech fo r Saucepan t o make . He l ooked so unhappy and so r ry t ha t eve ryone fo rgave h im a t once fo r mak ing such a s i l l y m i s t ake ."Chee r up , Saucepan , " s a id Moon-Face . "The Land o f Good i e s w i l l soon come a long -and we ' l l ALL go and v i s i t i t , no t j u s t you - and we ' l l have t he g r andes t f e a s t we have eve r had i n ou r l i ve s . ""Oh , bu t do you t h ink we ough t t o? " began Jo . "Hones t l y , we s eem to ge t i n to a f i x eve ry s i ng l e t ime we go up t he l adde r . "" I ' l l make qu i t e su r e t ha t t he Land o f Good i e s i s t he r e , " s a id Moon-Face . "No th ing wha t eve r c an go wrong i f we v i s i t i t . Don ' t be a f r a id . I s ay , Jo , you and D ick and Saucepan do l ook awfu l l y g r and i n you r so ld i e r ' s un i fo rms . Are you a lways go ing t o wea r t hem?""Oh , g r ac ious - I f o rgo t we haven ' t go t ou r p rope r c l o the s , " s a id Jo . "Mothe r w i l l be c ro s s i f we l e ave t hem in t he Land o f Toys . We l e f t t hem unde r a hedge nea r t he fo r t . ""And I l e f t my l ove ly ke t t l e s and s aucepans i n t he fo r t , " s a id Saucepan i n a mourn fu l vo i ce . " I f e e l f unny w i thou t t hem. I don ' t l i ke be ing a so ld i e r . I wan t t o be a Saucepan Man . "" I ' d l i ke you t o be ou r dea r o ld Saucepan Man , t oo , " s a id S i l ky . " I t doe sn ' t s e em you , somehow, d r e s sed up l i ke t ha t . Bu t I don ' t s e e how we a r e t o ge t any th ing back . Ce r t a in ly none o f u s i s go ing back i n to t he Land o f Toys aga in ! "Jus t t hen t h r ee s a i l o r do l l s , l a s t o f a l l t he t oys , c ame c l imb ing s l owly up t he t r e e . They we re noc ry ing . The i r s a i l o r c l o the s we re t o rn and soak ing we t .Moon-Face opened h i s doo r . "Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " he a sked . "Wha t ' s happened t o you?""Awfu l t h ings , " s a id t he f i r s t s a i l o r . "We were c l imb ing up t h i s t r e e when we came t o a w indow, and we a l l peeped i n . And a ve ry ang ry p ix i e f l ew ou t a t u s and pushed u s o f f t he b r anch . The Fa raway T ree was g rowing t ho rns j u s t t he r e and t hey t o r e ou r c l o the s t o b i t s . And t hen a who le l o t o f wash ing wa t e r c ame pou r ing down the t r e e on t op o f u s and soaked u s . So we f ee l d r ead fu l . I f on ly we cou ld ge t some new c lo the s ! ""L i s t en ! " c r i ed Jo sudden ly . "How wou ld you l i ke t o have ou r so ld i e r un i fo rms? . They a r e qu i t e new and ve ry smar t . ""Oooh!" s a id a l l t he s a i l o r do l l s t oge the r . "We 'd l ove t ha t . Wou ld you r ea l l y g ive u s t hose? We sha l l ge t i n to such t r oub l e i f we go back t o t he Land o f Toys l i ke t h i s . ""We ' l l g i ve you t hem on one cond i t i on , s a i l o r do l l s , " s a id Jo . "You mus t f i nd ou r own th ings i n t he Land o f Toys and t h row them down the l adde r t o u s . We ' l l t e l l you whe re t hey a r e , ""We can ea s i l y do t ha t , " p romi sed t he s a i l o r s . So Jo , D ick and t he Saucepan s t r i pped o f f t he i r smar t un i fo rms and gave t hem to t he s a i l o r do l l s who t ook o f f t he i r t o rn b lue c lo the s and d r e s sed t hemse lve s i n t he r ed t r ouse r s , t un i c s and bea r sk in he lme t s . They l ooked a s smar t a s cou ld be ."Now you w i l l f i nd ou r c l o the s fo r u s , won ' t you?" s a id Jo . "We a r e t r u s t i ng you , you s ee . "i n

"We a r e ve ry t r u s t ab l e , " s a id t he do l l s , and r an up t he l adde r a f t e r Jo had t o ld t hem exac t l y whe re t o f i nd eve ry th ing .Jo , D ick and Saucepan s a t i n t he i r ve s t s and pan t s and sh ive red a l i t t l e , f o r t he un i fo rms had been wa rm. "We sha l l l ook funny go ing home l i ke t h i s i f t hose s a i l o r s don ' t keep t he i r word ! " s a id D ick . "As a ma t t e r o f f a c t , I ' d have l i ked t o 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 the s . ""Look- some th ing ' s coming down the l adde r ! " c r i ed Moon-Face , and t hey a l l r an ou t t o s ee . "How qu i ck t he s a i l o r do l l s have been o r so ld i e r do l l s , I suppose , we ough t t o c a l l t hem now."Two se t s o f c l o the s t umb led down the l adde r and t he ch i l d r en caugh t t hem. Then came a c l a t t e r and a c l ang ing a s ke t t l e s and s aucepans came down too . Saucepan was de l i gh t ed . He pu t on a pa i r o f r agged t rouse r s and a funny o ld coa t t ha t c ame down wi th t he pans - and t hen S i l ky he lped h im to s t r i ng h i s ke t t l e s and s aucepans round h im a s u sua l ."Now you l ook ou r dea r o ld Saucepan aga in , " s a id S i l ky . The boys d r e s sed , t oo . Then Jo l ooked a t Moon-Face ' s c l ock ."We mus t go , " he s a id . "Thanks fo r t he Pop B i scu i t s and eve ry th ing . Now, Saucepan , don ' t ge t i n to any more t r oub l e fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e ! ""Smi l e? " s a id Saucepan , go ing sudden ly dea f aga in . " I am smi l i ng . Look! ""Tha t ' s a g r i n , no t a smi l e ! " s a id Jo , a s he s awSaucepan smi l i ng f rom ea r t o e a r . "Now don ' t ge t i n to any more TROUBLE!""Bubb le? Where ' s a bubb l e?" s a id Saucepan , l ook ing a l l r ound . " I d idn ' t s e e anyone b lowing bubb l e s . "The ch i l d r en g r i nned . Saucepan was a lways ve ry funny when he hea rd t h ings wrong ."Come on , " s a id Bes s i e . "Mothe r w i l l be c ro s s i f we ' r e home too l a t e . Good-bye , Moon-Face . Good-bye , S i l ky . We ' l l s e e you aga in soon . ""Wel l , don ' t f o rge t t o come t o t he Land o f Good i e s w i th u s , " s a id S i l ky . "Tha t r e a l l y w i l l be fun . Nea r ly a s much fun a s t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se . ""We ' l l come , " p romi sed Bes s i e . "Don ' t go w i thou t u s . Can I have a r ed cush ion , Moon-Face? Thank you ! "One by one t he fou r ch i l d r en s l i d sw i f t l y down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p t o t he bo t t om o f t he t r e e . They sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r , gave t he r ed squ i r r e l t he cush ions and s e t o f f home ." I 'm l ook ing fo rwa rd t o ou r nex t adven tu re , " s a id D ick . " I t makes my mou th wa t e r when I t h ink o f t he Land o f Good i e s ! Hur r ah ! "16 .The Land o f Good i e s .The fou r ch i l d r en we re r a t he r naugh ty t he nex t f ew days . D ick and Jo qua r r e l l ed , and t hey f e l l ove r when t hey began t o wre s 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 Bes s i e s co rched a t ab l e - c lo th when she was i r on ing i t - and Fanny t o r e an eno rmous ho l e i n he r b lue f rock when she wen t b l ackbe r ry ing ."Rea l l y , you a r e a l l ve ry naugh ty and ca r e l e s s l a t e l y , " s a id t he i r mo the r . " Jo , you w i l l mend t ha t t ab l e a s be s t you can . D ick , you mus t he lp h im-and i f I s e e you qua r r e l l i ng l i ke t ha t aga in I sha l l s end you bo th t o bed a t once . Fanny , why d idn ' t you pu t on you r o ld ove ra l l when you wen t b i ackbe r ry ing , a s I t o ld you t o? You a r e a naugh ty l i t t l e g i r l . S i t down and mend t ha t t e a r p rope r ly . "Bes s i e had t o wash t he t ab l e - c lo th c a r e fu l l y t o t r y and ge t t he s co rch marks ou t o f i t ." I s ay , i t ' s a p i t y a l l t he se t h ings have happened j u s t t h i s week , " g roaned Jo t o D ick , a s t he two boys d id t he i r be s t t o mend t he t ab l e . " I 'm a f r a id t he Land o f Good i e s w i l l come and go be fo re we ge t t he r e ! I da r en ' t a sk Mothe r o r Fa the r i f we can go o f f t o t he Fa raway T ree . We 've been so naugh ty t ha t t hey a r e su r e t o s ay no . ""Moon-Face and t he o the r s w i l l be wonde r ing why we don ' t go , " s a id Bes s i e , a lmos t i n t e a r s .They we re . The Land o f Good i e s had come , and a mos t de l i c i ous sme l l kep t coming down the l adde r . Moon-Face wa i t ed and wa i t ed fo r t he ch i l d r en t o come , and t hey d idn ' t .Then he hea rd t ha t t he Land o f Good i e s was go ing t o move away t he nex t a f t e rnoon , and he wonde red wha t t o do ."We sa id we 'd wa i t f o r t he ch i l d r en -bu t we don ' t wan t t o m i s s go ing ou r se lve s , " he s a id t o S i l ky . "We had be t t e r s end a no t e t o t hem. Pe rhaps some th ing ha s happened t o s t op t hem coming . "So t hey wro t e a no t e , and wen t down to a sk t he owl t o t ake i t . Bu t he was a s l e ep . So t hey wen t t o t he woodpecke r , who had a ho l e i n t he t r e e fo r h imse l f , and he s a id he wou ld t ake i t .He f l ew o f f w i th i t i n h i s beak . He soon found t he co t t age and r apped a t t he w indow wi th h i s beak ."A love ly woodpecke r ! " c r i ed Jo , l ook ing up . "See t he r ed on h i s head? He ' s go t a no t e fo r u s ! "He opened t he w indow. Mothe r was t he r e , i r on ing i n t he s ame room a s t he ch i l d r en , and she l ooked mos t a s t on i shed t o s ee such an unexpec t ed v i s i t o r .Jo t ook t he no t e . The b i rd s t ayed on t he w indow-s i l l , wa i t i ng fo r an answer . Jo r e ad i t and t hen showed i t t o t he o the r s . They a l l l ooked r a the r s ad . I t was d r ead fu l t o know tha t t he l ove ly Land o f Good i e s had come and was so soon go ing - and t hey cou ldn ' t v i s i t i t ."Te l l Moon-Face we 've been naugh ty and can ' t come , " s a id Jo .The b i rd sp r ead i t s w ings , bu t Mo the r l ooked upand spoke . "Wa i t a m inu t e ! " she s a id t o t he b i rd . Then she t u rned t o Jo . "Read me t he no t e , " she s a id . Jo r e ad i t ou t l oud :"DEAR JO , BESSIE , FANNY AND DICK,"The Land o f Good i e s i s he r e and goes t omor row. We have wa i t ed and wa i t ed fo r you t o come . I f you don ' t come t o -mor row we sha l l have t o go by ou r se lve s . Can ' t you come? "Love f rom "S ILKY, SAUCEPAN AND MOON-FACE."

"The Land o f Good i e s ! " s a id Mothe r i n amazemen t . "We l l , I neve r d id hea r o f such funny happen ings ! I suppose t he r e a r e l o t s o f n i ce t h ings t o e a t t he r e , and t ha t ' s why you a l l wan t t o go . We l l -you ce r t a i n ly have been bad ch i l d r en -bu t you 've done you r be s t t o pu t t h ings r i gh t . You may go t o -mor row morn ing ! ""Mothe r ! Oh , Mothe r , t hank you ! " c r i ed t he ch i l d r en . "Thank you , Aun t Po l l y ! " s a id D ick , hugg ing he r . "Oh , how love ly ! ""Te l l Moon-Face we ' l l come a s soon a s we can t o -mor row morn ing , " s a id Jo t o t he l i s t en ing woodpecke r . He nodded h i s r ed -sp l a shed head and f l ew o f f . The ch i l d r en t a l ked t oge the r , exc i t ed ." I shan ' t have any b r eak fa s t , " s a id Bes s i e . " I t ' s no t much good go ing t o t he Land o f Good i e s un l e s s we ' r e hung ry ! ""Tha t ' s a good i dea , " s a id D ick . " I t h ink I won ' t have any suppe r t o -n igh t e i t he r ! "So when t he t ime came fo r t he fou r ch i l d r en t ose t o f f t o t he Enchan t ed Wood , t hey we re a l l t e r r i b ly hung ry ! They r an t o t he Fa raway T ree and c l imbed up i t i n exc i t emen t ." I hope t he r e a r e t r e ac l e t a r t s , " s a id Jo ." I wan t choco l a t e b l ancmange , " s a id Bes s i e ." I s imp ly can ' t beg in t o s ay t he t h ings I ' d l i ke , " s a id g r eedy D ick ."We l l , don ' t , " s a id Jo . "Save you r b r ea th and hu r ry . You ' r e be ing l e f t beh ind ! "They go t t o Moon-Face ' s , and shou t ed l oud ly t o h im . He came runn ing ou t o f h i s t r e e -house i n de l i gh t ."Oh , good , good , good ! " he c r i ed . "You a r e n i ce and ea r l y . S i l ky , t hey ' r e he r e ! Go down and ca l l o ld Saucepan . He ' s w i th Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname .I 'm su re       Saucepan    wou ld     l i ke t o     come     t oo . "I t wasn ' t l ong be fo re s even exc i t ed peop l e we re c l imb ing up t he l adde r t o t he Land o f Good i e s . How they l onged t o s ee wha t i t was l i ke !We l l , i t was much be t t e r t han anyone imag ined ! I t was a sma l l p l a ce , s e t w i th l i t t l e c rooked house s and shops - and eve ry s i ng l e house and shop was made o f t h ings t o e a t ! The f i r s t house t ha t t he ch i l d r en s aw was 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 Jo . " I t s wa l l s a r e made o f suga r - and t he ch imneys a r e choco l a t e - and t he w indow-s i l l s a r e peppe rmin t c r eam!""And l ook a t t ha t shop ! " c r i ed D ick . " I t ' s go t wa i l s made o f b rown choco l a t e , and t he doo r i s made o f ma rz ipan . And I 'm su re t he w indow-s i l l s a r e g inge rb read ! "The Land o f Good i e s was r ea l l y a ve ry ex t r ao rd ina ry p l ace . Eve ry th ing i n i t s e emed t o be ea t ab l e . And t hen t he ch i l d r en caugh t s i gh t o f t he t r e e s and bushes and ca l l ed ou t i n t he g r ea t e s t a s t on i shmen t :"Look! Tha t t r e e i s g rowing cu r r an t buns ! ""And t ha t one ha s go t buds t ha t a r e open ing ou t i n to b i s cu i t s ! I t ' s a B i scu i t T ree ! "

"And l ook a t t h i s l i t t l e t r e e he r e - i t ' s g rowing b ig , f l a t , wh i t e f l ower s l i ke p l a t e s - and t he midd l e o f t he f l ower 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 was j e l l y ! I t was r e a l l y mos t pecu l i a r . The re was ano the r sma l l bush t ha t g r ew c lu s t e r s o f a cu r i ous - l ook ing f ru i t , l i ke f l a t be r r i e s o f a l l co lou r s - and , w i l l you be l i eve i t , when t he ch i l d r en p i cked t he f ru i t i t was bo i l ed swee t s , a l l nea t l y g rowing t oge the r l i ke a bunch o f g r apes ."Oooh , l ove ly ! " s a id Jo , who l i ked bo i l ed swee 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 sn ' t made o f ba r l ey -suga r ! "I t was . The ch i l d r en b roke o f f b ig s t i ck s f rom the f ence , and sucked t he ba r l ey - suga r . I t was t he n i ce s t t hey had eve r t a s t ed .The shops we re fu l l o f t h ings t o e a t . You shou ld j u s t have s een t hem! Jo f e l t a s i f he wou ld l i ke a s ausage ro l l and he wen t i n to a s ausage - ro l l shop . The ro l l s we re t umb l ing one by one ou t o f a mach ine . The hand l e was be ing t u rned by a mos t pecu l i a r man . He was qu i t e f l a t and b rown , and had wha t l ooked l i ke b l ack cu r r an t s f o r eye s ."Do you know. I t h ink he i s a g inge rb read man! " wh i spe red Jo t o t he o the r s . "He ' s j u s t l i ke t he g inge rb read peop l e t ha t Mo the r makes fo r u s . "The ch i l d r en chose a s ausage ro l l e ach and wen t ou t , munch ing . They wande red i n to t he nex t shop . I t had l ove ly b ig i c ed cakes , s e t ou t i n rows . Some we re ye l l ow , some we re p ink , and some wh i t e ."Your name , p l ea se?" a sked t he funny l i t t l e woman t he r e , l ook ing a t Bes s i e , who had a sked 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 s e . And t he r e i n t he midd l e o f t he c ake he r name appea red i n p ink suga r l e t t e r s ! Of cou r se , a l l t he o the r s wan t ed cakes , t oo , t hen , j u s t t o s ee t he i r names come!"We sha l l neve r be ab l e t o e a t a l l t he se , " s a id Moon-Face , l ook ing a t t he s even cakes t ha t hadsudden ly appea red . Bu t , you know, t hey t a s t ed so de l i c i ous t ha t , i t wasn ' t ve ry l ong be fo re t hey a l l wen t !In to shop a f t e r shop wen t t he ch i l d r en and t he o the r s , t a s t i ng eve ry th ing t hey cou ld s ee . They had t oma to soup , poached eggs , g inge r buns , choco l a t e f i nge r s , i c e - c r eams , and goodnes s knows wha t e l s e ."We l l , I j u s t s imp ly CAN'T ea t any th ing more , " s a id S i l ky a t l a s t . " I ' v e been r ea l l y g r eedy . I am su re I sha l l be i l l i f I e a t any th ing e l s e . ""Oh , S i l ky ! " s a id D ick . "Don ' t s t op . I c an go on fo r qu i t e a l ong t ime ye t . ""Dick , you ' r e g r eedy , r e a l l y g r eedy , " s a id Jo . "You ough t t o s t op . ""We l l , I 'm no t go ing t o , " s a id D ick . The o the r s l ooked a t h im ."You ' r e ge t t i ng ve ry f a t , " s a id Jo sudden ly . "You won ' t be ab l e t o ge t down the ho l e ! You be ca r e fu l , D i ck . You a r e no t t o go i n to any more shops . ""Al l r i gh t , " s a id D ick , l ook ing su lky . Bu t a l t hough he d id no t go i n to t he shops , do you know wha t he d id? He b roke o f f some o f a

g inge rb read w indow-s i l l - and t hen he t ook a knocke r f rom a doo r . I t was made o f ba r l ey - suga r , and D ick sucked i t i n de l i gh t . The o the r s had no t s een h im do t he se t h ings -bu t t he man whose knocke r D ick had pu l l ed o f f d id s ee h im!He opened h i s doo r and came runn ing ou t . "H ie , h i e ! " he c r i ed ang r i l y . "Br ing back my knocke r a t once ! You bad , naugh ty boy ! "Dick Ge t s Eve ryone In to T roub l eWhen Jo and t he o the r s hea rd t he ang ry vo i ce beh ind t hem, t hey t u rned i n su rp r i s e . Nobody bu t D ick knew wha t t he ang ry l i t t l e man was t a l k ing abou t ."Knocke r? " s a id Jo , i n a s t on i shmen t . "Wha t knocke r? We haven ' t go t you r knocke r . ""Tha t bad boy i s e a t i ng my knocke r ! " c r i ed t he man , and he po in t ed t o D ick . " I had a beau t i fu l one , made o f go lden ba r l ey - suga r - and now tha t boy ha s e a t en i t nea r l y a l l up ! "They a l l s t a r ed a t D ick . He wen t ve ry r ed . Wha t was l e f t o f t he knocke r was i n h i s mou th ."Did you r ea l l y t ake h i s ba r l ey - suga r knocke r? " s a id Jo i n amazemen t . "Wha teve r we re you t h ink ing o f , D i ck?""Wel l , I j u s t neve r t hough t , " s a id D ick , swa l l owing 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 ooked so n i ce . I 'm ve ry so r ry . ""Tha t ' s a l l ve ry we l l , " s a id t he ang ry man . "Bu t be ing so r ry won ' t b r i ng back my knocke r . You ' r e a bad boy . You come and s i t i n my house t i l l t he o the r s a r e r e ady t o go . I won ' t have you go ing abou t i n ou r l and ea t i ng knocke r s and ch imneys and w indow-s i l l s ! ""You 'd be t t e r go , D ick , " s a id Jo . "We ' l l c a l l f o r you when we ' r e r e ady t o go home . We shan ' t be l ong now. Anyway , you 've ea t en qu i t e enough . "So poo r D ick had t o go i n to t he house w i th t he c ro s s l i t t l e man , who made h im s i t on a s t oo l and keep s t i l l . The o the r s wande red o f f aga in ."We mus tn ' t be he r e much l onge r , " s a id Moon-Face . " I t ' s a lmos t t ime fo r t h i s l and t o move on . Look! S t r awbe r r i e s and c r eam."The ch i l d r en s t a r ed a t t he s t r awbe r r i e s and c r eam. They had neve r s een such a s t r ange s i gh t be fo re . The s t r awbe r r i e s g r ew by t he hund red on s t r awbe r ry p l an t s -bu t e ach s t r awbe r ry had i t s own b ig dob o f c r eam g rowing on i t , r e ady t o be ea t en ."They a r e even suga red ! " s a id Jo , p i ck ing one . "Look-my s t r awbe r ry i s powde red w i th wh i t e suga r - and , oh , t he c r eam i s de l i c i ous ! "They en joyed t he s t r awbe r r i e s and c r eam, and t hen Jo had a good i dea ." I s ay ! Wha t abou t t ak ing some o f t he se l ove ly good i e s back w i th u s? " he s a id . "Wa tz i sname wou ld l ove a p lum p i e - and t he Angry P ix i e wou ld l i ke some o f t hose j e l l y - f l ower s - and Dame Washa lo t wou ld l i ke a t r e ac l e pudd ing . ""And Mothe r wou ld l i ke l o t s o f t h ings , t oo , " s a id Bes s i e j oy fu l l y .

So t hey a l l began co l l e c t i ng pudd ings and p i e s and cakes . I t was fun . The t r e ac l e pudd ing had so much t r e ac l e t ha t i t d r i pped a l l down Moon-Face ' s l eg ."You ' l l have t o have a ba th , Moon-Face , " s a id S i l ky . "You ' r e t e r r i b ly s t i cky . "They nea r l y fo rgo t t o c a l l f o r poo r D ick ! As t hey pa s sed t he house whose knocke r he hadea t en , he banged l oud ly on t he w indow, and t hey a l l s t opped ."Grac ious ! We nea r l y fo rgo t abou t D ick ! " s a id Bes s i e . "D ick , D ick , come on ! We ' r e go ing ! "Dick came runn ing ou t o f t he house . The l i t t l e man ca l l ed a f t e r h im: "Now, don ' t you ea t anybody ' s knocke r aga in ! ""Goodnes s ! Why have you go t a l l t hose t h ings?" a sked D ick i n su rp r i s e , l ook ing a t t he pudd ings and p i e s and cakes . "Are t hey fo r ou r suppe r? ""Dick ! How can you t h ink o f suppe r a f t e r e a t i ng such a l o t ! " c r i ed Jo . "Why , Fm su re I cou ldn ' t e a t even a choco l a t e be fo re t o -mor row morn ing . No- the se t h ings a r e fo r Wa tz i sname and Dame Washa lo t and Mothe r . Come on . Moon-Face s ays t h i s l and w i l l soon be on t he move . "They a l l wen t t o t he ho l e t ha t l ed down th rough t he c loud . I t d i dn ' t t ake l ong t o c l imb down the l adde r and on t o t he b ig b r anch ou t s i de Moon-Face ' s house .D ick came l a s t - and he sudden ly mi s sed h i s f oo t i ng and f e l l r i gh t down the l adde r on t he t op o f t he o the r s be low . And he knocked t he pudd ings , p i e s and cakes r i gh t ou t o f t he i r hands ! Down wen t a l l t he good i e s , bumping f rom b ranch t o b r anch . The ch i l d r en and t he o the r s s t a r ed a f t e r t hem in d i smay .Then t he r e c ame a ve ry ang ry ye l l f r om be low. "Who ' s t h rown a . t r e ac l e pudd ing a t me? Wa i t t i l l I ge t t hem. I ' v e t r e ac l e a l l ove r me . I t bu r s t on my head . Oh , oh , OH!"Then t he r e c ame an ang ry squea l i ng f rom lowerdown s t i l l . "P lum p i e ! P lum p i e i n my wash tub ! Sausage ro l l s i n my wash tub ! Peppe rmin t s down my neck ! Oh , you r a sca l s up t he r e - I 'm coming up a f t e r you , so I am!"And f rom s t i l l l owe r down came t he vo i ce o f t he Angry P ix i e - and t r u ly a ve ry ang ry p ix i e , i ndeed , he was ! " J e l l y on my nose ! J e l l y down my neck ! J e l l y i n my pocke t s ! Wha t nex t ? Who ' s do ing a l l t h i s ? Wa i t t i l l I come up and t e l l t hem wha t I t h ink ! "The ch i l d r en l i s t ened , ha l f f r i gh t ened and ve ry much amused . They began t o g igg l e ."P lum p i e i n Dame Washa lo t ' s t ub ! " g igg l edJo ." Je l l y on t he Angry P ix i e ' s nose ! " s a id Bes s i e ." I s ay - I do be l i eve t hey r ea l l y a r e coming up ! " s a id Jo , i n a l a rm . "Look- i sn ' t t ha t Wa tz i sname?"They a l l pee r ed down the t r e e . Yes - i t was Wa tz i sname c l imb ing up , l ook ing ve ry ang ry . The Saucepan Man l e aned ove r r a t he r t oo f a r , and nea r l y f e l l . D i ck j u s t c augh t h im in t ime -bu t one o f h i s

ke t t l e s c ame l oose and f e l l down . I t bounced f rom b ranch t o b r anch and l anded on poo r o ld Wa tz i sname ' s b ig head !He gave a t r emendous ye l l . "Wha t ! I s i t you , Saucepan , t h rowing a l l t he se t h ings down the t r e e . Wha t you wan t i s a spank ing . And you ' l l ge t i t ? And anybody e l s e up t he 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 ing , t oo ! ""A spank ing ! " s a id Dame Washa lo t ' s vo i ce ."A SPANKING!" roa r ed t he Angry P ix i e no t f a r beh ind ."Go l ly ! " s a id Jo i n a l a rm . " I t l ooks a s i f t he Land o f Spank ings i s abou t t o a r r i ve up he re . I vo t e we go . You 'd be t t e r shu t you r doo r , Moon-Face , and you and S i l ky and Saucepan had be t t e r l i e down on t he so f a and t he bed and p r e t end t o be a s l e ep . Then maybe t hose ang ry peop l e w i l l t h i nk i t ' s somebody up i n t he Land o f Good i e s t ha t ha s been t h rowing a l l t hose t h ings down . ""Dick ough t t o s t ay up t he r e and ge t t he spank ings , " s a id Moon-Face g loomi ly . "F i r s t he goes and ea t s somebody ' s doo r -knocke r and ge t s i n to t r oub l e . Then he f a l l s on t op o f u s a l l and s ends a l l t he good i e s down the t r e e . "" I 'm go ing down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p w i th t he ch i l d r en , " s a id S i l ky , who was ve ry much a f r a id o f Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname when he was i n a t empe r . " I c an c l imb up t o my house and l ock myse l f i n be fo re a l l t hose ang ry peop l e come down aga in . Saucepan , why don ' t you come , t oo? 'Saucepan t hough t he wou ld . So t he ch i l d r en and S i l ky and Saucepan a l l s l i d down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p . Ju s t i n t ime , t oo - fo r Mi s t e r Wa tz i sname came shou t i ng up t o Moon-Face ' s doo r a s Jo , who was l a s t , s l i d down .Moon-Face had shu t h i s doo r . He was l y ing on h i s bed , p r e t end ing t o be a s l e ep . Wa tz i sname banged ha rd on t he doo r . Moon-Face d idn ' t an swer . Wa tz i sname peeped i n a t t he w indow."Moon-Face ! Wake up ! Wake up , I s ay ! ""Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " s a id Moon-Face , i n a s l e epy vo i ce , s i t t i ng up and rubb ing h i s eye s .Dame Washa lo t and t he Angry P ix i e c ame up ,t oo . The P ix i e had j e l l y a l l ove r h im , and Wa tz i sname had t r e ac l e pudd ing down h im . They we re a l l ve ry ang ry .They opened Moon-Face ' s doo r and wen t i n . "Who was i t t ha t t h r ew a l l t hose t h ings down on u s?" a sked Wa tz i sname . "Where ' s Saucepan? D id he t h row tha t ke t t l e ? I 'm go ing t o spank h im . ""Wha teve r a r e you t a l k ing abou t ? " s a id Moon-Face , p r e t end ing no t t o know. "How s t i cky you a r e , Wa tz i sname!""And so a r e you ! " ye l l ed Wa tz i sname , sudden ly , s ee ing t r e ac l e sh in ing a l l down Moon-Face ' s l eg s . " I t was you who t h r ew tha t pudd ing down on me! My word , I ' l l s pank you ha rd ! "Then a l l t h r ee o f t hem wen t f o r poo r Moon-Face , who go t abou t s i x ha rd s l aps . He ro l l ed ove r t o t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , and s l i d down 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 ime t o s ee S i l ky and Saucepan s ay ing good -bye t o t he ch i l d r en . They we re mos t amazed when Moon-Face sho t ou t be s ide t hem.

" I ' ve been spanked ! " wep t Moon-Face . "They a l l spanked me because I was s t i cky , so t hey t hough t I ' d t h rown a l l t he good i e s a t t hem. And now I 'm a f r a id t o go back because t hey w i l l be wa i t i ng fo r me . ""Poor Moon-Face , " s a id Jo . "And i t was a l l D i ck ' s f au l t . L i s t en . S i l ky can c l imb back t o he r house ; bu t you and Saucepan had be t t e r come back w i th u s and s t ay t he n igh t . D i ck and I w i l l s l e ep downs t a i r s on t he so f a , and you can have ou r beds . Mo the r won ' t m ind . ""Al l r i gh t , " s a id Moon-Face , w ip ing h i s eye s . "Tha t w i l l be fun . Oh , wha t a p i t y we was t ed a l l t hose l ove ly good i e s ! I r e a l l y do t h ink D ick i s a c l umsy boy ! "They a l l wen t home t oge the r , and poo r D ick d idn ' t s ay a word . Bu t how he d id w i sh he cou ld make up fo r a l l he had done !18 .A Su rp r i s i ng V i s i t o rThe ch i l d r en ' s mo the r was r a the r a s t on i shed t o s ee Moon-Face and Saucepan a r r i v ing a t t he co t t age w i th t he ch i l d r en ."Mothe r , may t hey s t ay t he n igh t ? " a sked Jo . "They 've been so good t o u s i n l o t s o f ways - and t hey don ' t wan t t o go back t o t he t r e e t o -n igh t because somebody i s wa i t i ng t he r e t o spank t hem.""Dea r me ! " s a id Mothe r , even more su rp r i s ed . "We l l , ye s , t hey can s t ay . You and D ick mus t s l e ep downs t a i r s on t he so f a . I f t hey l i ke t o he lp i n t he ga rden fo r a day o r two , t hey can s t ay l onge r . ""Oooh!" s a id Moon-Face , p l ea sed . "Tha t wou ld be f i ne ! I 'm su re Wa tz i sname wi l l have fo rgo t t en abou t spank ing u s i f we can s t ay away a f ew days . Thank you ve ry much . We wi l l he lp a l l we can . ""Wou ld you l i ke one o f my ve ry spec i a l ke t t l e s ? " a sked Saucepan g r a t e fu l l y . "Or a f i ne b ig s aucepan fo r cook ing soup bones?""Thank you , " s a id Mothe r , smi l i ng , f o r t he o ld Saucepan Man was 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 ld do w i th a s t r ong l i t t l e ke t t l e . Bu t l e t me pay you , ""Ce r t a in ly no t , madam," s a id Saucepan , hea r i ng qu i t e we l l f o r a change . " I sha l l be on ly t oo p l ea sed t o p r e sen t you w i th any th ing you l i ke i n t he way o f ke t t l e s o r s aucepans . "He gave Mothe r a f i ne l i t t l e ke t t l e and a good s t rong s aucepan . She was ve ry p l ea sed . Moon-Face l ooked on , wonde r ing wha t he cou ld g ive he r , t oo . He pu t h i s hand i n h i s pocke t and f e l t a round a b i t . Then he b rough t ou t a bag and o f f e r ed i t t o t he ch i l d r en ' s mo the r ."Have a b i t o f t o f f ee?" he a sked . Mo the r t ook a p i ece . The ch i l d r en s t a r ed a t he r , knowing t ha t i t was a p i ece o f Shock Tof f ee ! Poo r Mothe 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 th a s she sucked i t , and she l ooked more and more su rp r i s ed . A t l a s t , when she f e l t t ha t i t was j u s t a s b ig a s he r who le mou th , i t exp loded i n to no th ing a t a l l - and t he ch i l d r en squea l ed w i th l augh t e r ."Mothe r , t ha t was a To f f ee Shock ! " s a id Jo , g igg l i ng . "Wou ld you l i ke t o t r y a Pop B i scu i t - o r a Goog l e Bun?""No , t hank you , " s a id Mothe r a t once . "The To f f ee Shock t a s t ed de l i c i ous -bu t i t d i d g ive me a shock ! "

I t was fun hav ing Moon-Face and Saucepan s t ay ing w i th t hem in t he i r co t t age fo r a f ew days . The ch i l d r en s imp ly l oved i t . Moon-Face was ve ry ,ve ry good i n t he ga rden , f o r he dug and c l ea r ed away rubb i sh tw ice a s f a s t a s anyone e l s e . The o ld Saucepan Man wasn ' t so good because he sudden ly wen t dea f aga in and d idn ' t unde r s t and wha t was s a id t o h im . So he d id r a t he r quee r t h ings .When Mothe r s a id : "Saucepan , f e t ch .me some ca r ro t s , w i l l you?" he t hough t she had a sked fo r spa r rows , and he spen t t he who le morn ing t r y ing t o c a t ch t hem by t h rowing s a l t on t he i r t a i l s .Then he wen t i n to t he k i t chen l ook ing ve ry so l emn . " I c an ' t b r i ng you any spa r rows , " he s a id .Mothe r s t a r ed a t h im . " I don ' t wan t spa r rows , " she s a id ."Bu t you a sked me fo r some , " s a id Saucepan , i n su rp r i s e ." Indeed I d idn ' t , " s a id Mothe r . "Wha t do you suppose I wan t spa r rows fo r ? To make po r r i dge w i th?"When Saucepan and Moon-Face had been a t t he ch i l d r en ' s co t t age fo r two o r t h r ee days , S i l ky came i n a g r ea t s t a t e o f exc i t emen t .She knocked a t t he doo r and Jo opened i t . "Oh , Jo ! Have you s t i l l go t Moon-Face and Saucepan he re?" she a sked . "We l l , t e l l t hem they mus t come back t o t he t r e e a t once . ""Grac ious ! Wha t ' s happened?" s a id Jo . Eve ryone c rowded t o t he doo r t o hea r wha t S i l ky had t o s ay ."We l l , you know the O ld Woman Who L ive s i n a Shoe , don ' t you?" s a id S i l ky . "He r l and ha s j u s t come t o t he t op o f t he t r e e , and t he O ld Woman came down the l adde r t h rough t he c loud t o s ee Dame Washa lo t , who i s an o ld f r i end o f he r s . And when she s aw tha t Moon-Face ' s house was emp ty , she s a id she was go ing t o l i ve t he r e ! She s a id she was t i r ed o f l ook ing a f t e r a pack o f naugh ty ch i l d r en . ""Oh , my!" s a id Moon-Face , l ook ing ve ry b lue . " I don ' t l i ke t ha t O ld Woman . She g ive s he r ch i l d r en b ro th w i thou t any b r ead , and she wh ips t hem and s ends t hem to bed when t hey 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 house i n t he t r e e i s m ine , and I 'm coming 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 l ky . "Bu t do you suppose she t ook any no t i c e o f me a t a l l ? No t a b i t ! She j u s t s a id i n a ho r r i d k ind o f vo i ce : 130'L i t t l e g i r l s shou ld be s een and no t hea rd . ' And she wen t i n to you r house , Moon-Face , and began t o shake a l l t he rugs . "' "We l l ! " s a id Moon-Face , beg inn ing t o be i n a t empe r . "We l l ! To t h ink o f somebody shak ing my rugs ! I hope she f a l l s down the s l i ppe ry - s l i p . ""She won ' t , " s a id S i l ky . "She pee red down i t and s a id : 'Ho ! A coa l -ho l e , I suppose ! How s tup id ! I sha l l have a boa rd made and na i l t ha t up . ' ""We l l , I neve r ! " c r i ed Moon-Face , h i s b ig round f ace ge t t i ng r edde r and r edde r . "Na i l i ng up my love ly s l i ppe ry - s l i p ! Ju s t wa 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 minu t e ! "" I ' l l come wi th you , " s a id Saucepan . "Are you coming , t oo , ch i l d r en?"

"Mothe r , Saucepan and Moon-Face have go t t o go back home , " c a l l ed Jo . "May we go w i th t hem fo r a l i t t l e wh i l e ? We shan ' t be l ong . ""Very we l l , " s a id Mothe r . Moon-Face and Saucepan wen t t o s ay good -bye t o he r and t hank he r f o r hav ing t hem. Then t hey and t he fou r ch i l d r en and S i l ky sped o f f t o t he Enchan t ed Wood ." I ' l l t e l l t ha t O ld Woman a f ew th ings ! " c r i ed Moon-Face . " I ' l l t e ach he r t o shake my rugs ! Does she suppose she i s go ing t o l i ve i n my 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 Shoe , I suppose ! "The ch i l d r en cou ldn ' t he lp f e e l i ng r a the r exc i t ed a s t hey r an t o t he T ree . They c l imbed up i t qu i ck ly and a t l a s t c ame t o Moon-Face ' s doo r . I t was shu t . Moon-Face banged on i t so l oud ly t ha t t he doo r shook .The doo r f l ew open and a c ro s s - f aced o ld woman g l a r ed ou t ."Do you wan t t o b r eak my doo r down?" she c r i ed ," 'T i sn ' t you r doo r ! " shou t ed Moon-Face . " I t ' s m ine . ""We l l , I ' v e t aken t h i s house now," s a id t he O ld Woman . " I 'm t i r ed o f a l l t hose naugh ty ch i l d r en , and I don ' t wan t t o l i ve i n a shoe any more . I 'm go ing t o l i ve by myse l f and have a good t ime . Dame Washa lo t i s an o ld f r i end o f m ine and she and I w i l l have l o t s o f cha t s abou t o ld t imes . " She s l ammed the doo r i n t he f a ce s o f eve ryone .Moon-Face pee red i n a t t he w indow. He g roaned . "She ' s na i l ed up t he S l i ppe ry -S l i p , " he s a id . "She ' s pu t my bed ac ros s t he boa rd she ' s na i l ed t he r e . Wha t eve r am I t o do?"" I ' l l s e e i f I c an do some th ing , " s a id t he o ld Saucepan Man unexpec t ed ly . "You ' r e a good f r i end o f m ine , Moon-Face , and I ' d l i ke t o do some th ing fo r you . "Saucepan began t o c l a sh h i s pans t oge the r and make a f e a r fu l no i s e . He 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 Woman! Come ou t and l e t Moon-Face have h i s house ! Your ch i l d r en a r e hung ry ! "Now he was mak ing such a t r emendous no i s e t ha t he d idn ' t no t i c e o ld Dame Washa lo t co rn ing up t he t r e e l ook ing a s b l ack a s t hunde r . She g l a r ed a t t he l i t t l e company ou t s i de Moon-Face ' s house . She was sho r t - s i gh t ed and she d idn ' t s e e who t hey we re . She t hough t t ha t t hey we re s even o f t he O ld Woman ' s ch i l d r en who had come down f rom the Land above and we re mak ing t hemse lve s a nu i s ance ." I ' l l t e ach you t o shou t and s c r eam l i ke t ha t ! " s a id Dame Washa lo t i n a f i e r ce vo i ce - and be fo re anyone qu i t e knew wha t was happen ing t hey we re a l l t aken up one by one i n Dame Washa lo t ' s s t r ong a rms and f l ung r i gh t up t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud i n to t he Land o f t he O ld Woman Who L ived i n a Shoe !And t he r e t hey we re , i n a new and s t r ange l and aga in , ou t o f b r ea th and mos t a s t on i shed . How they s t a r ed round i n su rp r i s e !19 .The Land o f t he O ld Woman .

The ch i l d r en and t he o the r s we re mos t su rp r i s ed a t be ing t h rown up t he l adde r , t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud and i n to such a funny l and .I t was qu i t e sma l l , no t much l a rge r t han a b ig ga rden . I t had a h igh wa l l a l l r ound t o p r even t t he ch i l d r en 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 was a mos t pecu l i a r t h ing ." I t ' s t he Shoe ! " s a id Jo . "Go l ly ! I neve r imag ined such a b ig one , d id you?"Eve ryone s t a r ed a t t he Shoe . I t was a s b ig a s an o rd ina ry house , and had been made ve ry c l eve r l y i ndeed i n to a co t t age . Windows we re l e t i n to t he s i de , and a doo r had been cu t ou t . A roo f had been pu t on , and ch imneys smoked f rom i t . A ro set r ee c l imbed abou t i t , and honeysuck l e cove red one s i de ."So t ha t ' s t he Shoe whe re t hose naugh ty ch i l d r en l i ve?" s a id Bes s i e , qu i t e exc i t ed . " I neve r t hough t i t wou ld be qu i t e l i ke t ha t . Howeve r d id t he O ld Woman ge t such a b ig one?""Wel l , i t once be longed t o a g i an t , you know," s a id S i l ky . "The O ld Woman d id h im a good t u rn , and a sked h im fo r an o ld boo t . She had so many ch i l d r en t ha t she cou ldn ' t ge t an o rd ina ry house . So t he g i an t gave he r one o f h i s b igges t boo t s , and she 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 hose ch i l d r en ! " s a id Moon-Face . "They ' r e no t ve ry we l l behaved ! "Abou t twen ty boys and g i r l s we re p l ay ing round t he house . They shou t ed and s c r eamed , and t hey fough t and punched one ano the r ." I don ' t wonde r t he O ld Woman wou ldn ' t a l l ow them b read w i th t he i r soup , and wh ipped t hem and s en t t hem to bed , " s a id S i l ky . "They de se rved i t ! "The ch i l d r en sudden ly s aw Jo and t he o the r s and r an up t o t hem. They pu l l ed Bes s i e ' s ha i r . They t ugged a t Saucepan ' s ke t t l e s . They made fun o f Moon-Face ' s r ound f ace . They dug Jo i n t he midd l e and pu l l ed D ick ' s e a r s . They we re ve ry naugh ty and unk ind ."Now ju s t you s t op a l l t h i s , " s a id Moon-Face , l ook ing f i e r ce . " I f you don ' t , I ' l l f e t ch t he O ld Woman . ""She i sn ' t he r e , she i sn ' t he r e ! " shou t ed t he naugh ty ch i l d r en , danc ing round i n de l i gh t . "Shesays she ' s go ing t o go r i gh t away and l e ave u s , and we ' r e g l ad , g l ad , GLAD! Now we sha l l have b r ead w i th ou r soup - and we ' 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 we ' l l go t o t he wa rd robe and t ake ou t t he O ld Woman ' s be s t c l o the s t o d r e s s up i n ! ""Wha teve r wou ld she s ay t o t ha t ? " s a id Bes s i e i n ho r ro r , t h ink ing wha t he r own mo the r wou ld s ay i f she wen t t o he r cupboa rd and d r e s sed up i n he r Sundav f rocks !"Oh , she wou ld be S IMPLY FURIOUS!" c r i ed t he ch i l d r en . "Bu t she ' s gone , so she won ' t know. Oh , we ' l l have a g r and t ime now!"One o f t he ch i l d r en i n t he Shoe ca l l ed t o t he o the r s . "H ie ! I ' v e opened a t i n o f p ineapp l e ! Come and t a s t e i t ! I t ' s l ove ly ! "Wi th s c r eams o f j oy t he ch i l d r en ru shed t o t he Shoe . Jo 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

Old Woman abou t t he ch i l d r en d r e s s ing up i n he r be s t c l o the s? She migh t r u sh back he re t hen t o ge t he r p r ec ious c lo the s , and we cou ld s l i p down the l adde r , go t o Moon-Face ' s house and bo l t t he doo r on t he i n s ide . ""Tha t ' s a r e a l l y good i dea , " s a id S i l ky . " Jo , you go down and t e l l he r . "Jo was r a the r ne rvous abou t i t . Nobody r ea l l y wan t ed t o go and s ee t he f i e r ce o ld l ady aga in . A t l a s t D ick s a id he wou ld . He bad ly wan t ed t o make up fo r a l l t he s i l l y t h ings he had done a f ew days be fo re ." I ' l l go , " he s a id . And down the l adde r he wen t . He banged ha rd a t Moon-Face ' s doo r . The O ld Woman opened i t ."O ld Woman , do you wan t you r be s t c l o the s?" began D ick . "Because i f . . . ""My bes t c l o the s ! I ' d f o rgo t t en a l l abou t t hem!" c r i ed t he O ld Woman . "Those ch i l d r en w i l l be mess ing abou t w i th t hem. Boy , go t o my wa rd robe , ge t ou t a l l my c lo the s and b r i ng t hem down he re . You sha l l have a swee t i f you do . ""We l l , I t h i nk . . . " began D ick . Bu t t he O ld Woman wou ldn ' t l i s t en t o h im . She pushed h im away and c r i ed , "Go now! Don ' t s t op t o a rgue w i th me . Go a t once ! "Dick r an up t he l adde r . He wa i t ed t he r e a m inu t e o r two , h i s head s t i ck ing ou t i n to t he Land above . He s aw the naugh ty ch i l d r en coming ou t o f t he Shoe d r e s sed up i n t he O ld Woman ' s c l o the s , squea l i ng w i th l augh t e r , and how funny t hey l ooked d r e s sed up i n l ong sk i r t s and shawl s and bonne t s ! D ick g r i nned t o h imse l f and s l i pped down the l adde r aga in . He banged a t t he doo r ."We l l , have you b rough t my c lo the s?" a sked t he O ld Woman , open ing t he doo r . "You naugh ty boy , you haven ' t . ""P l ea se , O ld Woman , I cou ldn ' t b r i ng t hem," s a id D ick i n h i s mos t po l i t e vo i ce . "You see , you r ch i l d r en have go t t hem a l l ou t o f you r wa rd robe and t hey ' r e danc ing abou t , wea r ing t hem-and t hey ' ve opened you r t i n s o f p ineapp l e - 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 t he r e - and . . . ""Oh! Oh! The bad , naugh ty c r ea tu r e s ! " c r i ed t he O ld Woman .She ga the red up he r b l ack sk i r t s and c l imbed t he l adde r a t t op speed . She appea red i n t he Land above and s aw a t once he r naugh ty ch i l d r en danc ing abou t i n he r be s t Sunday c lo the s . She b roke a s t i ck f rom a nea rby t r e e and r an a f t e r t he su rp r i s ed ch i l d r en ."So you t hough t you cou ld do wha t you l i ked , d id you?" she c r i ed . "You t hough t I wou ld neve r come back? We l l , he r e I am , and I ' l l s oon show you how to be so r ry ! "She was so ang ry t ha t she ru shed round l i ke a wh i r lw ind . The ch i l d r en d r agged o f f t he c l o the s i n f r i gh t , and r an away l i ke ha r e s . The O ld Woman r an a f t e r t hem, so ang ry t ha t she d idn ' t no t i c e t ha t Jo and t he o the r s we re no t he r own ch i l d r en . They go t wh i r l ed i n t o t he Shoe w i th t he o the r s . The re t hey a l l we re , abou t twen ty - f i ve o r s i x o f t hem.The re was a b ig s aucepan s immer ing on t he k i t chen f i r e . I t sme l t o f b ro th . "Ge t t he soup -p l a t e s , " o rde red t he O ld Woman . "No b read

fo r any o f you t o -n igh t ! Mary ! Joan ! B i l l ! s e rve ou t t he p l a t e s and t hen come t o me one by one fo r you r suppe r ! "Jo and t he o the r s had p l a t e s g iven t o t hem too .They d idn ' t da r e t o s ay any th ing . They wen t up fo r b ro th i n t he i r t u rn . The O ld Woman l ad l ed i t ou t o f t he b ig s aucepan . She s t a r ed a t t he O ld Saucepan Man when he came up ."You bad boy ! "     she     s a id .     "You 've p l ayed agame wi th my ke t t l e s and s aucepans , I s e e ! Wa i t t i l l you ' ve f i n i shed you r b ro th and I ' l l g i ve you a good wh ipp ing . "Poo r o ld Saucepan t r emb led so much t ha t h i s pans c l a shed t oge the r a s l oud ly a s a t hunde r s to rm! He ru shed back t o h i s p l ace a t once , sp i l l i ng h i s soup a s he wen t ." I wan t some b read , " wa i l ed a l i t t l e boy . Bu t he d idn ' t ge t any . Eve ryone a t e t he i r b ro th , wh ich was r ea l l y ve ry good ."And now you w i l l a l l go t o bed -bu t f i r s t you know wha t happens t o naugh ty ch i l d r en , " s a id t he O ld Woman , and she t ook up he r s t i ck . A l l t he ch i l d r en began t o howl and c ry :"We ' r e so r ry we we re naugh ty , O ld Woman! We d idn ' t mean t o d r e s s up i n you r c l o the s ! ""Oh , ye s , you d id , " s a id t he O ld Woman . She beckoned t o D ick . "Come he re , you bad boy ! "Dick go t up . He wh i spe red t o t he o the r s . "Look , I ' l l l e t he r spank me , and wh i l s t she ' s do ing i t you c r eep ou t and run t o t he l adde r . Hur ry ! I ' l l j o i n you a s soon a s I c an . "Dick wen t bo ld ly up t o t he O ld Woman ."Ho ld ou t you r hands ! " she s a id .Spank , spank ! Poo r D ick , he d idn ' t l i ke i t a t a l l . He began t o howl a s l oud ly a s he cou ld so t ha t t he o the r s cou ld c r eep away w i thou t be ing hea rd . One by one t hey s l i pped ou t o f t he doo r and ru shed t o t he ho l e , l ook ing fo r t he l adde r t ha t l ed down to t he Fa raway T ree ." I s ay ! I be l i eve t h i s Land i s j u s t abou t t o move ! " s a id Moon-Face , l ook ing round . A 138pecu l i a r w ind had j u s t go t up and was b lowing round t hem. Ve ry o f t en when t he s t r ange Lands a t t he t op o f t he t r e e began t o move away , t h i s quee r w ind b l ew ."Wel l , qu i ck , l e t ' s ge t down the l adde r ! " c r i ed S i l ky . "We don ' t wan t t o l i ve i n t he Land o f t he O ld Woman! I shou ld j u s t ha t e t ha t ! "They a l l s c r amb led down the l adde r , g l ad t o be on t he b road b r anch a t t he bo t t om. When t hey we re s a f e ly t he r e Bes s i e began t o c ry ."Poo r D ick w i l l be l e f t beh ind , " she sobbed .Eve ryone l ooked ve ry s ad . The Land above t he c loud began t o make a s t r ange no i s e ." I t ' s mov ing on , " s a id Moon-Face . "We ' l l neve r s ee D ick aga in . "Bu t j u s t a t t ha t momen t someone came s l i pp ing and s l i d ing down the l adde r -bump! bump! BUMP! And , hey p r e s to , t he r e was good o ld D ick , i n such a hu r ry t o ge t down be fo re t he Land moved r i gh t away t ha t he had mi s sed h i s f oo t i ng and s l i d down the l adde r f rom top t o bo t t om!

"Dick ! D ick ! We ' r e so g l ad t o s ee you ! " c r i ed eve ryone . "Wha t happened?""Wel l , t he O ld Woman spanked me , a s you s aw , " g r i nned D ick . "And t hen when I wen t t o t ake my p l ace she s aw you we re a l l gone and s en t me a f t e r you . I t o r e ou t - and she came , t oo . Bu t I go t t o t he l adde r f i r s t , and now the Land ha s moved on , so we ' r e s a f e ! "Moon-Face wen t i n to h i s house , and t hey hea rd h im bang ing abou t l oud ly . They wen t t o s ee wha t he was do ing ."He ' s t ak ing up t he boa rd t ha t na i l ed up t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p , " g igg l ed Jo . "Good o ld Moon-Face ! I 'm g l ad he ' s go t h i s house back aga in fo r h imse l f . Come on -we 'd be t t e r go home . We p romi sed Mothe r we wou ldn ' t be l ong . I t ' s a good t h ing we can u se t he s l i ppe ry -s l i p ! "And down i t t hey wen t , t he i r " ha i r s t r e aming ou t a s t hey f l ew down on t he i r cu sh ions . Wha t exc i t i ng t imes t hey do have , t o be su r e !20 .The Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s .Fo r a f ew days t he ch i l d r en had no t ime even t o t h ink o f go ing t o t he i r f r i ends i n t he Fa raway T ree . The i r mo the r was i n bed i l l , and t he doc to r c ame each day ." Jus t l e t he r l i e i n bed and keep he r wa rm, ' he s a id t o t he two g i r l s . "G ive he r wha t she l i ke s t o e a t , and don ' t l e t he r wor ry abou t any th ing . "The ch i l d r en we re upse t . They l oved t he i r mo the r , and i t was s t r ange t o s ee he r l y ing i n bed ."The re ' s a l l t ha t wash ing t ha t I had t o do fo r Mrs . Jones , " she s a id . "No , 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 much fo r you . "Moon-Face and S i l ky came t o v i s i t t he ch i l d r en one morn ing , and we re ve ry so r ry t o hea r t ha t t he ch i l d r en ' s mo the r was i l l ."She wor r i e s so abou t t he wash ing , " s a id Bes s i e . 140"She won ' t l e t u s two g i r l s do i t . I don ' t know wha t t o do abou t i t ! ""Oh , we can manage t ha t f o r you , " s a id S i l ky a t once . "O ld Dame Washa lo t w i l l do i t f o r no th ing . I t ' s t he j oy o f he r l i f e t o wash , wash , wash ! I be l i eve i f she ' s go t no th ing d i r t y t o wash , she washes c l e an t h ings . She even washes t he l e aves on t he Fa raway T ree i f she ' s go t no th ing e l s e t o wash . I s t ha t t he ba ske t ove r t he r e? Moon-Face and I w i l l t ake i t up t he t r e e now, and b r i ng i t back when i t ' s f i n i shed . ""Oh , t hank you , S i l ky da r l i ng , " s a id Bes s i e g r a t e fu l l y . "Mothe r w i l l be so p l ea sed when I t e l l he r . She ' l l s t op wor ry ing abou t t ha t . "S i l ky and Moon-Face wen t o f f w i th t he ba ske t . They t ook i t t o Dame Washa lo t , and how he r f a ce shone w i th j oy when she s aw such a l o t o f wash ing t o be done !"My , t h i s i s good o f you ! " she s a id , t ak ing ou t t he d i r t y t h ings and t h rowing t hem in to he r eno rmous wash - tub o f soapy wa t e r . "Now th i s i s wha t I r e a l l y en joy ! I ' l l h ave t hem a l l washed and i r oned by t o -n igh t . "S i l ky was p l ea sed . She knew how beau t i fu l l y Dame Washa lo t washed and i r oned . She wen t up t o Moon-Face ' s house t o have d inne r w i th h im .

" I do so w i sh we cou ld he lp make t he ch i l d r en ' s mo the r be t t e r , " she s a id . "She i s such a da r l i ng , i sn ' t she? And t he ch i l d r en l ove he r so much . Moon-Face , c an ' t you pos s ib ly t h ink o f any th ing?""Wel l , I don ' t suppose To f f ee Shocks wou ld beany good , do you?" s a id Moon-Face . " I ' v e go t some o f t hose . ""Of cou r se no t , s i l l y , " s a id S i l ky . " I t ' s med i c ine we wan t - p i l l s o r some th ing -bu t a s nobody i s i l l i n t he Fa raway T ree t he r e ' s no shop t o buy t hem f rom."Tha t n igh t t hey wen t t o s ee i f Dame Washa lo t had f i n i shed t he wash ing . She had . I t was washed and mos t beau t i fu l l y i r oned , done up i n t he ba ske t , r e ady t o be t aken away ." I ' ve had a f i ne t ime , " s a id t he o ld dame , beaming a t S i l ky . "My the wa t e r I ' v e pou red down the t r e e t o -day . ""Yes , I ' v e hea rd t he Angry P ix i e shou t i ng l i ke any th ing because he go t soaked a t l e a s t f ou r t imes , " s a id Moon-Face w i th a g r i n . "He ' s go t p lums g rowing on t he t r e e j u s t ou t s i de h i s house and he was p i ck ing t hem fo r j am-and each t ime he wen t ou t t o p i ck t hem he go t soaked w i th you r wa t e r . You be ca r e fu l he doesn ' t come up and shou t a t you . "" I f he does I ' l l pu t h im in to my nex t wash - tub o f d i r t y wa t e r and emp ty h im down the t r e e w i th i t , " s a id Dame Washa lo t ."Oooh , I w i sh I cou ld s ee you do t ha t , " s a id S i l ky , t y ing a rope t o t he ba ske t o f wash ing , so t ha t she migh t l e t i t down the t r e e t o t he bo t t om, "We l l , Dame Washa lo t , t hank you ve ry much . The pe r son who usua l l y does t h i s wash ing i s i l l i n bed and can ' t s e em to ge t be t t e r . I t ' s such a p i t y . I w i sh I cou ld make he r we l l . ""Why , S i l ky , t he Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s i s coming t o -mor row, " s a id t he o ld dame . "You cou ld ge t any med i c ine you l i ked t he r e , and you r f r i end wou ld soon be be t t e r . Why don ' t you v i s i t t he Land and ge t some?""Tha t ' s an awfu l l y good i dea ! " s a id S i l ky j oy fu l l y , l e t t i ng down the ba ske t b i t by b i t . Moon-Face had gone t o t he bo t t om o f t he t r e e t o c a t ch i t . " I ' l l t e l l Moon-Face , and maybe he and I cou ld go and ge t some med ic ine .She s l i pped down the t r e e and t o ld Moon-Face wha t t he o ld dame had s a id . Moon-Face pu t t he ba ske t o f wash ing on h i s shou lde r and beamed a t S i l ky ."Tha t ' s good news fo r t he ch i l d r en , " he s a id . "Come on , we ' l l hu r ry and t e l l t hem."The ch i l d r en we re de l i gh t ed t o have t he wash ing back so qu i ck ly , a l l washed and i r oned . D ick s e t o f f w i th i t t o Mrs . Jones . Bes s i e r an t o t e l l he r mo the r t ha t she needn ' t wor ry any more abou t i t .S i l ky t o ld Jo and Fanny abou t t he Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s coming t he nex t day t o t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree . They l i s t ened i n su rp r i s e ."We l l , I vo t e we go t he r e , " s a id Jo a t once . " I ' d made up my mind we 'd none o f u s go wh i l s t Mo the r was i l l - bu t i f t he r e ' s a chance o f ge t t i ng some th ing t o make he r be t t e r , we ' l l c e r t a i n ly go ! One o f t he g i r l s mus t s t ay beh ind w i th Mothe r and t he r e s t o f u s w i l l go . "

So i t was a r r anged t ha t Jo , D ick and Bes s i e shou ld mee t a t Moon-Face ' s house ea r l y t he nex t morn ing . Then t hey wou ld go up t o t he s t r ange Land and s ee wha t t hey cou ld f i nd fo r t he i r mo the r .Fanny was qu i t e w i l l i ng t o s t ay w i th he r mo 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 s a id goodbye t o Jo , D ick and Bes s i e soon a f t e r b r eak fa s t t he nex t day , and p romi sed t o wash up t he b r eak fa s t t h ings c a r e fu l l y , and t o s i t w i t h he r mo the r un t i l t he r e s t o f t hem came back .They s e t o f f and a r r i ved ou t s i de Moon-Face ' s house a t t he t op o f t he t r e e ve ry soon a f t e rwa rds . Moon-Face and S i l ky we re wa i t i ng fo r t hem. " I s o ld Saucepan coming?" a sked Jo ."H ie , Saucepan , do you wan t t o come?" shou t ed Moon-Face , l e an ing down the t r e e . 144Saucepan was w i th Wa tz i sname . Fo r a wonde r he hea rd wha t Moon-Face s a id and shou t ed back :"Yes , I ' l l come . Bu t whe re t o? ""Up the l adde r ! " ye l l ed Moon-Face . "Hur ry ! "So Saucepan came wi th t hem and i n a l i t t l e wh i l e t hey a l l s t ood i n t he Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s . I t was j u s t a s pecu l i a r a s eve ry l and t ha t c ame t o t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree !I t d idn ' t s e em to be a l and a t a l l ! When t he ch i l d r en had c l imbed up t he l adde r t o t he t op , t hey found t hemse lve s i n wha t l ooked l i ke a g r ea t b ig f a c to ry -a p l ace whe re a l l k i nds o f p i l l s , med i c ine s , bandages and so on we re made . Gob l in s and gnomes , p ix i e s and f a i r i e s we re a s busy a s cou ld be , s t i r r i ng g r ea t po t s ove r cu r i ous g r een f i r e s , pou r ing med i c ine s i n to sh in ing bo t t l e s , and coun t i ng ou t p i l l s t o pu t i n to co lou red p i l l - boxes .In one co rne r a gob l i n was s t i r r i ng a pu rp l e m ix tu r e i n a ye l l ow bas in . Bes s i e l ooked a t i t ." I t ' s a k ind o f o in tmen t , " she s a id t o t he o the r s . " I wonde r wha t i t ' s f o r . "" I t ' s t o make c rooked l egs s t r a i gh t , " s a id t he gob l i n , s t i r r i ng ha rd . "Do you wan t some?""Wel l , I don ' t know anyone w i th c rooked l egs , " s a id Bes s i e . "Thank you a l l t he s ame . I f I d id I ' d l ove t o have some , because i t wou ld be s imp ly marve l l ous t o make somebody ' s c rooked l egs be t t e r . "A p ix i e nea r by was pou r ing some spa rk l i ng g r een med i c ine i n to bo t t l e s shaped l i ke bubb l e s , The ch i l d r en and t he o the r s wa t ched . I t made a funny s i ng ing no i s e a s i t wen t i n ."Wha t ' s t ha t f o r ? " a sked Jo ."Whoeve r t ake s t h i s w i l l a lways have sh in ing eyes , " s a id t he P ix i e . "Sh in ing , smi l i ng eyes a r e t he l ove l i e s t eye s i n t he wor ld . I s i t t h i s med i c ine you have come fo r ? ""Wel l , no , no t exac t l y , " s a id Jo . " I ' d l i ke t o have some , t hough . ""Oh , you r eye s a r e smi l ey eyes , " s a id t he p ix i e , l ook ing a t h im . "Th i s i s f o r s ad peop l e , whose eyes have become du l l . Come to me when you a r e an o ld man and you r eye s c anno t s ee ve ry we l l . I w i l l g i ve you p l en ty t hen . ""Oh , " s a id Jo . "We l l , I shan ' t be he r e t hen ! I ' v e on ly j u s t come on a sho r t v i s i t ! "

Dick ca l l ed t o t he o the r s . " I s ay , l ook ! " he c r i ed . "He re ' s some s imp ly marve l l ous p i l l s ! Wa tch t hem be ing made ! "Eve ryone wa t ched . I t was mos t a s t on i sh ing t o s ee . F i r s t o f a l l t he p i l l s we re eno rmous - a s l a rge a s foo tba l l s . A gob l i n b l ew on t hem wi th a pa i r o f be l l ows ou t o f wh ich came g reen smoke , and t hey a t once wen t down to t he s i z e o f a c r i cke t -ba l l . He t hen sp l a shed t hem wi th wha t l ooked l i ke moon l igh t f rom a wa t e r i ng -can . They wen t a s sma l l a s ma rb l e s .Then he b l ew on t hem gen t l y - and t hey wen t a s sma l l a s g r een pea s , and each one j umped i n to a p i l l - box w i th a p ing -p ing -p ing t i l l t he box was fu l l ,"Wha t a r e t hey fo r ? " a sked D ick ."To make sho r t peop l e t a l l , " s a id t he gob l i n . "Some peop l e 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 ig t h ings - t he shadow o f a moun ta in - t he he igh t o f a t r e e - t he c r a sh o f a t hunde r s to rm- th ings l i ke t ha t - and t hey have t he power o f mak ing any th ing o r anyone g row. ""Cou ld I have some?" a sked D ick eage r ly ."Take a box fu l , " s a id t he gob l i n , D ick t ook i t . He r ead wha t was wr i t t en on t he l i d ."GROWING PILLS . ONE TO BE TAKEN THREE TIMES A DAY."Now Dick was no t ve ry t a l l f o r h i s age and he had a lways wan t ed t o be b ig . He l ooked l ong ing ly a t t he p i l l s . I f he t ook t h r ee a t once , maybe he wou ld g row t a l l e r . Tha t wou ld be f i ne !He popped t h r ee o f t he p i l l s i n to h i s mou th . He sucked t hem. They t a s t ed so ho r r i d t ha t he swa l l owed t hem a l l i n a hu r ry !And goodnes s , WHAT a su rp r i s e when t he o the r s t u rned t o speak t o D ick . He was t a l l e r t han t he i r f a t he r ! He was a s t a l l a s t he c e i l i ng i n t he i r co t t age ! He t owered above t hem, l ook ing down on t hem in a l a rm , fo r he hadn ' t expec t ed t o g row qu i t e so much , o r qu i t e so qu i ck ly !"Dick ! You 've been t ak ing t hose Growing P i l l s ! " c r i ed Jo . " Ju s t t he so r t o f s t up id t h ing you wou ld do ! You ' r e eno rmous ! How in t he wor ld do you t h ink you ' l l eve r ge t down the ho l e i n t he c l oud?""Oh , do some th ing t o he lp me ! " begged D ick , who r ea l l y was f r i gh t ened t o be so eno rmous . Eve ryone e l s e l ooked so sma l l . " Jo , Moon-Face -wha t c an I do? I 'm s t i l l g rowing ! I ' l l bu r s t ou t o f t he roo f i n a m inu t e ! "The gob l i n s and p ix i e s a round sudden ly no t i c ed how f a s t D ick was g rowing . They began t o shou t and squea l ."He ' l l b r eak t h rough t he roo f ! He ' l l b r i ng i t down on t op o f u s ! Qu ick , s t op h im g rowing ! "21 . Some Pecu l i a r Adven tu re s .D ick was eno rmous ly t a l l . He had t o bend down so t ha t h i s head wou ldn ' t t ouch t he roo f . The l i t t l e peop l e i n t he med i c ine f a c to ry ru shed abou t , ye l l i ng and shou t i ng ."Fe t ch a l adde r ! C l imb up i t and g ive h im some Go-Away P i l l s ! Qu ick , qu i ck ! "Somebody go t a l adde r and l e aned i t up aga in s t poo r D ick .

A p ix i e r an up i t on l i gh t f e e t . He ca r r i ed a box o f p i l l s . He shou t ed t o D ick :"Open you r mou th ! "Dick opened h i s mou th . The p ix i e mean 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 emen t he t h r ew the who le box . D ick swa l l owed i t !And a t once he began t o g row sma l l aga in ! Down he wen t and down and down . He go t t o h i s own s i z e and g r i nned w i th de l i gh t . Bu t he d idn ' t s t op t he r e . He wen t sma l l e r and sma l l e r and sma l l e r - and a t l a s t he cou ldn ' t be s een ! I t was a t e r r i b l e shock t o eve ryone ."He ' s gone ! " s a id Bes s i e i n ho r ro r . "He ' s so sma l l t ha t he c an ' t be s een ! D ick ! D ick ! Where a r e you?"A t i ny squeak answered he r f rom unde r a b ig cha i r . Bes s i e ben t down and l ooked t he r e . She cou ldn ' t s e e a t h ing ."L i s t en , D ick , " she s a id . " I ' v e go t a p i l l box he re . Come runn ing ove r t o me and pu t you r se l f i n i t . Then we sha l l a t l e a s t know whe re you a r e , even i f we can ' t s e e you . And maybe we can ge t you r i gh t i f on ly we 've go t you s a f e ly somewhere . "A t i ny squeak ing sound came f rom the p i l l box a f t e r a m inu t e , so Bes s i e knew tha t D ick had done a s he had been t o ld and go t i n to t he box . Bu t she cou ldn ' t s e e anyone t he r e a t a l l . She pu t on t he l i d , a f r a id t ha t D ick migh t f a l l ou t .She s t ood up and s t a r ed round a t t he wonde r ing l i t t l e f o lk t he r e . "Wha t c an we do fo r someone gone t oo sma l l ? " she a sked . "Haven ' t you any med i c ine fo r t ha t ? "" I t w i l l have t o be ve ry spec i a l l y made , " s a id a P ix i e . "We can ' t g i ve h im the Grow-Fas t Mix tu re because he ' s r e a l l y t oo sma l l f o r t ha t . We ' l l have t o p r epa re a spec i a l l i t t l e ba th o f power fu l med i c ine , and ge t h im to go i n to i t . Then maybe he w i l l g row back t o h i s own s i z e . Bu t he shou ldn ' t have medd l ed w i th ou r mag i c med i c ine . I t ' s dange rous . ""Dick ' s so s i l l y , " s a id Jo . "He a lways s eems t o ge t h imse l f and o the r peop l e i n to t r oub l e ! I do hope you can make h im r i gh t aga in . I wou ldn ' t wan 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 hel 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 mos t pecu l i a r t h ings t o make t he ba th fo r D ick ."The wh i sk o f a mouse ' s t a i l ! " c r i ed one ."The sneeze o f a f rog ! " c r i ed ano the r ."The b r ea th o f t he summer w ind ! " c r i ed a t h i rd . And a s t he ch i l d r en wa t ched sma l l gob l i n s c ame runn ing w i th l i t t l e boxes and t i n s ."Wha t quee r t h ings t he i r med i c ine s a r e made o f ! " s a id Jo . "We l l , l e t ' s l e ave t hem to i t , s ha l l we? I ' d l i ke t o wande r round t h i s b ig f a c to ry a b i t more . Come on , Saucepan . "Saucepan was ve ry dea f because t he r e was such a no i s e go ing on a l l t he t ime . F i r e s we re s i z z l i ng unde r b ig po t s . Med ic ine s we re be ing pou red i n to bo t t l e s w i th gu rg l e s and sp l a shes . Pans we re be ing s t i r r ed w i th a c l a t t e r . Saucepan cou ldn ' t hea r a word t ha t was s a id -and i t was because o f t ha t t ha t he made h i s g r ea t m i s t ake .

He s topped by a gob l i n who was pou r ing a beau t i fu l b lue l i qu id i n to a l i t t l e j a r . I t shone so b r i gh t l y t ha t i t c augh t Saucepan ' s eye a t once ."Tha t ' s l ove ly" he s a id t o t he gob l i n . "Wha t ' s i t f o r ? ""To make a nose g row, " s a id t he gob l i n ."To make a ro se g row!" s a id Saucepan i n de l i gh t . "Oh , I ' d l i ke some o f t ha t . I f I had t ha t I cou ld make ro se s g row on t he Fa raway T ree a l l r ound Mis t e r Wa tz i sname ' s b r anch . He wou ld l i ke t ha t ! "" I s a id t o make a NOSE g row!" s a id t he gob l i n ." I hea rd you t he f i r s t t ime , " s a id Saucepan . 150" I t wou ld be l ove ly t o be ab l e t o g row ro se s . Do I have t o d r i nk i t ? ""Yes - i f you wan t you r nose t o g row, " s a id t he gob l i n , l ook ing a t Saucepan ' s nose .Saucepan kep t on hea r i ng h im wrong . He f e l t qu i t e c e r t a i n t ha t t he beau t i fu l med i c ine was t o make ro se s g row. He t hough t t ha t i f he d r ank i t he wou ld be ab l e t o make ro se s g row anywhe re ! Tha t wou ld be marve l l ous . So he t ook a j a r o f t he med i c ine and d r ank i t a l l up be fo re t he gob l i n cou ld s t op h im ."Now I ' l l make t he ro se s g row ou t o f my ke t t l e s and pans ! " s a id Saucepan , p l ea sed . "Grow, ro se s , g row!"Bu t t hey d idn ' t g row , o f cou r se . I t was h i s poo r o ld nose t ha t g r ew: I t sudden ly sho t ou t , l ong and p ink , and Saucepan s t a r ed a t i t i n su rp r i s e .The o the r s l ooked a t h im in amazemen t ."Saucepan ! Wha t ha s happened t o you r nose?" c r i ed Jo . " I t ' s a s b ig a s an e l ephan t5s t r unk ! ""He wou ld d r i nk i t ! " s a id t he gob l i n i n d i smay , showing t he ch i l d r en t he emp ty j a r . " I t o ld h im i t was t o make a nose g row -bu t he kep t on s ay ing i t was t o g row ro se s , no t nose s . He ' s qu i t e mad . ""No , he ' s j u s t dea f , " s a id Jo . "Oh , poo r o ld Saucepan ! He ' l l have t o t i e h i s nose round h i s wa i s t soon . I t ' s down to h i s f e e t a l r e ady ! "" I c an cu re i t , " s a id t he gob l i n w i th a g r i n . " I ' v e go t a d i s appea r ing med i c ine . I ' l l j u s t r ub h i s nose w i th i t t i l l i t d i s appea r s back t o t he r i gh t s i z e . I t h i nk you ough t t o wa t ch h im a b i t , i f he goes abou t hea r i ng t h ings a l l wrong goodnes sknows wha t may happen t o h im!"Saucepan was c ry ing t e a r s t ha t r o l l ed down h i s f unny l ong nose . The gob l i n t ook a box o f b lue o in tmen t and began t o rub t he end o f Saucepan ' s nose w i th i t . I t d i s appea red a s soon a s t he o in tmen t t ouched i t . The gob l i n worked ha rd , r ubb ing g r adua l l y a l l up t he l ong nose un t i l t he r e was no th ing l e f t bu t Saucepan ' s own po in t ed nose . Then he s t opped rubb ing ."Chee r up ! " he s a id . " I t ' s gone , and on ly you r own nose i s l e f t . My , you d id l ook quee r ! I ' v e neve r s een anyone d r i nk a who le bo t t l e o f t ha t nose med i c ine be fo re ! "A shou t c a rne f rom beh ind t he wa t ch ing ch i l d r en . "Where ' s t ha t t i ny boy i n t he p i l l box? We 've go t t he ba th r e ady fo r h im now."

Eve ryone ru shed t o whe re t he r e was a t i ny ba th f i l l ed w i th s t e aming ye l l ow wa te r t ha t sme l t o f che r r i e s . Bes s i e t ook t he p i l l box f rom he r pocke t and opened i t .A squeak ing came f rom the box a t once . D ick was s t i l l t he r e , t oo sma 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 red , o r t he o the r s wou ld neve r have known i f he was t he r e o r no t !"Ge t i n to t h i s ba th , D ick , " s a id Bes s i e . "You wi l l soon be a l l r i gh t aga in t hen . "The re c ame t he t i n i e s t sp l a sh i n t he ye l l ow wa te r . I t changed a t once t o p ink . A squeak ing came f rom the ba th and bubb l e s ro se t o t he su r f ace . Then sudden ly t he ch i l d r en cou ld s ee D ick ! A t f i r s t i t was a b i t m i s ty and c loudy , t hen g r adua l l y t he mi s t t h i ckened and t ook t he shape o f a ve ry , ve ry sma l l boy ."He ' s coming back , he ' s coming back ! " c r i ed Jo . "Look , he ' s ge t t i ng b igge r ! "As D ick g r ew b igge r , t he ba th g r ew , t oo . I t was mos t a s t on i sh ing t o wa t ch . Soon t he ba th was a s b ig a s an o rd ina ry ba th , and t he r e s t ood D ick i n i t , h i s own s i z e aga in , h i s c l o the s soaked w i th t he p ink wa t e r . He g r i nned a t t hem th rough t he s t e am." Jus t t he s ame o ld chee r fu l D ick ! " s a id Bes s i e g l ad ly . "Oh , D ick , you gave u s such a f r i gh t ! ""S t ep ou t o f t he ba th , qu i ck ! " c r i ed t he p ix i e nea rby . "You ' r e r e ady t o be d r i ed ! "Dick j umped ou t o f t he ba th - j u s t i n t ime , t oo , f o r i t sudden ly fo lded i t s e l f up , g r ew a pa i r o f w ings , and d i s appea red ou t o f a b ig w indow nea r by !"Dry h im!" c r i ed t he p ix i e , and t h r ew some s t r ange t owe l s t o t he ch i l d r en and Moon-Face . They s eemed t o be a l i ve and we re ve ry wa rm. They rubbed t hemse lve s a l l ove r D ick , squeez ing h i s c l o the s a s t hey rubbed , un t i l i n a f ew minu t e s he was pe r f ec t l y d ry . Bu t h i s c l o the s we re r a t he r a cu r i ous p ink co lou r ."Tha t c an ' t be he lped , " s a id t he p ix i e . "Tha t a lways happens . ""We l l , I suppose I l ook a b i t f unny , bu t I don ' t m ind , " s a id D ick . "Go l ly , t ha t was a quee r adven tu re . ""A b i t t oo quee r f o r me ! " s a id Jo . "Now see you don ' t ge t i n to any more t r oub l e , D ick , o rI ' l l n eve r b r i ng you i n to any s t r ange l and aga in . I neve r knew anyone l i ke you fo r do ing t h ings you shou ldn ' t . Now, l ook he re eve ryone - I vo t e we t ry and ge t some med ic ine fo r Mothe r , and t hen we ' l l go . Fanny i s wa 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 we 'd be t t e r go be fo re D ick o r Saucepan do any th ing funny aga in , ""Wha t med i c ine do you wan t ? " a sked a gob l i n k ind ly . "Wha t i s wrong w i th you r mo the r? ""Wel l , we r ea l l y don ' t know," s a id D ick . "She j u s t l i e s i n bed and l ooks wh i t e and weak , and she wor r i e s d r ead fu l l y abou t eve ry th ing . ""Oh , we l l , I shou ld j u s t t ake a bo t t l e o f Ge t -We l l Med 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 ing . "

" I t sounds f i ne , " s a id Jo . The gob l i n pou red a bubb l i ng ye l l ow l i qu id i n to a b ig bo t t l e and gave i t t o Jo . He pu t i t c a r e fu l l y i n to h i s pocke t ."Thank you , " he s a id . "Now, come a long eve ryone . We ' r e go ing . ""Oh , Jo - t he r e ' s a med i c ine he r e fo r mak ing t e e th pea r l y , " s a id Saucepan , pu l l i ng a t Jo ' s a rm . " Jus t l e t me t ake some . ""Saucepan , t ha t ' s f o r mak ing ha i r CURLY!" s a id Jo . "You 've hea rd wrong aga in . Don ' t t r y i t . Do you wan t cu r l s g rowing down to you r f e e t ? Now t ake my a rm and don ' t l e t go t i l l we ' r e s a f e ly back i n t he T ree . I f I don ' t l ook a f t e r you , you 'd have a nose l i ke an e l ephan t ' s , cu r l y ha i r down to you r t oe s , and goodnes s knows wha t e l s e ! "They we re no t ve ry f a r f r om the ho l e i n t he c l oud , and t hey we re soon c l imb ing down thel adde r , l e av ing beh ind t hem the S t r ange Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s . Jo was ve ry ca r e fu l o f t he bo t t l e i n h i s pocke t ."Now we ' l l go s t r a i gh t home , " he s a id . " I 'm s imp ly LONGING to g ive dea r o ld Mothe r a dose o f t h i s mag i c med i c ine . I t w i l l be so l ove ly t o s ee he r l ook ing we l l aga in and ru sh ing round t he house a s she a lways d id ! "22 .Wa tz i sname Has Some Quee r News .Fanny was de l i gh t ed t o s ee Jo , Bes s i e and D ick back . "Mothe r doesn ' t s e em qu i t e so we l l , " she s a id . "She s ays she ha s such a bad headache . D id you ge t some med ic ine fo r he r , Jo?""Yes , I d id , " s a id Jo , showing Fanny t he b ig bo t t l e . " I t ' s a Ge t -We l l med i c ine . Le t ' s g ive Mothe r some now. I t sme l l s o f p lums , so i t shou ld be r a the r n i ce . "They wen t i n to Mothe r ' s bed room and Jo t ook a g l a s s and pou red ou t two t e a spoonfu l s o f t he s t r ange med i c ine ."We l l , I hope i t ' s a l l r i gh t , Jo dea r , " s a id Mothe r , ho ld ing ou t he r hand fo r i t . " I mus t s ay i t sme l l s mos t de l i c i ous - l i ke p lum t a r t s cook ing i n t he oven ! "I t t a s t ed s imp ly l ove ly , t oo , Mo the r s a id . She l ay back on he r p i l l ows and smi l ed a t t he ch i l d r en . "Yes , I do be l i eve I f e e l be t t e r a l r e ady ! " shesa id .       "My         head         i sn ' t         a ch ing         s o         b ad ly . "We l l , t ha t med i c ine was s imp ly marve l l ous . By t he t ime t he even ing came Mothe r was s i t t i ng up kn i t t i ng . By t he nex t morn ing she was ea t i ng a huge b r eak fa s t and l augh ing and j ok ing w i th eve ryone . Fa the r was ve ry p l ea sed ."We ' l l soon have he r up now!" he s a id . And he was r i gh t ! By t he t ime t he bo t t l e o f Ge t -We l l Med ic ine was on ly ha l f - f i n i shed , Mo the r was up and abou t aga in , s i ng ing mer r i l y a s she washed and i r oned . I t was l ove ly t o hea r he r ."We ' l l pu t t he r e s t o f t he bo t t l e o f mag i c med i c ine away , " she s a id . " I don ' t need i t any more -bu t i t wou ld be ve ry u se fu l i f anyone e l s e i s i l l . "A who le week wen t by and t he ch i l d r en hea rd no th ing o f t he i r f r i ends i n t he Fa raway T ree . They we re ve ry busy he lp ing t he i r

pa ren t s , and t hey wonde red some t imes wha t l and was a t t he t op o f t he T ree now." I f i t was a ve ry n i ce Land S i l ky and Moon-Face wou ld be su r e t o l e t u s know," s a id Jo . "So I don ' t expec t i t ' s any th ing exc i t i ng . "One even ing , when t he ch i l d r en we re i n bed , t hey hea rd a l i t t l e r a t t l i ng sound aga in s t t he i r w indows . They s a t up a t once ." I t ' s S i l ky       and      Moon-Face ! " wh i spe red     Jo ."They 've come t o s ay t he r e ' s a l ove ly Land a t t he t op o f t he T ree , " s a id D ick , exc i t ed . The boys wen t i n to t he g i r l s ' r oom to s ee i f t hey we re awake . They we re l ook ing ou t o f t he w indow." I t i sn ' t S i l ky o r Moon-Face , " wh i spe red Bes s i e . " I t h ink i t ' s o ld Wa tz i sname!""Grac ious ! Wha teve r ha s he come fo r ! " c r i ed Jo ."Sh ! " s a id Fanny . "You ' l l wake Mothe r . Whoeve r i t i s doesn ' t s e em to wan t t o come any nea re r . Le t ' s c r eep down and s ee i f i t i s Wa tz i sname . "So t hey pu t on t he i r d r e s s ing -gowns and c r ep t downs t a i r s . They wen t i n to t he ga rden and wh i spe red l oud ly : "Who ' s t he r e? Wha t i s i t ? "" I t ' s me , Wa tz i sname , " s a id a vo i ce , and Mis t e r Wa tz i sname came nea re r t o t hem. He l ooked t e r r i b ly wor r i ed ."Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " a sked Jo ."Have you s een S i l ky , Moon-Face o r Saucepan l a t e l y?" a sked Wa tz i sname ."No t s i nce we a l l wen t t o t he Land o f Mag ic Med ic ine s , " s a id Jo . "Why? Aren ' t t hey i n t he Fa raway T ree?""They 've d i s appea red , " s a id Wa tz i sname . " I haven ' t s e en t hem fo r days . They wen t - and neve r even s a id good -bye t o me ! ""Oh , Wa tz i sname! Bu t wha t cou ld have happened t o t hem?" a sked Bes s i e . "They mus t have gone up i n to some Land , t ha t moved away f rom the t op o f t he T ree - and t ha t ' s why you haven ' t s e en t hem.""No , t ha t ' s no t i t , " s a id Wa tz i sname . "The s ame Land ha s been t he r e eve r s i nce t he Land o f Med ic ine s moved away . I t ' s t he Land o f Tempe r s . I 'm qu i t e su r e t ha t Moon-Face and t he o the r s wou ldn ' t v i s i t i t , b ecause i t ' s we l l known tha t eve ryone t he r e i s a lways i n a bad t empe r . No- they ' ve gone -van i shed -d i s appea red . And I DO so mi s s dea r o ld Saucepan . I t makes me ve ry , ve ry s ad . ""Oh , Wa tz i sname , t h i s i s ve ry wor ry ing , " s a id Bes s i e , f e e l i ng upse t . "Wha teve r c an we do?"" I suppose you wou ldn ' t come back t o t he Fa raway T ree w i th me , wou ld you , and he lp me t o l ook fo r t hem?" a sked Wa tz i sname . " I f e e l so l one ly t he r e . And , you know, somebody e l s e ha s t aken Moon-Face ' s house and S i l ky ' s house , t oo . They have come f rom the Land o f Tempe r s , and I 'm so f r i gh t ened o f t hem tha t I j u s t s imp ly don ' t da r e t o go nea r t hem.""Good g rac ious ! Th i s i s ve ry bad news , " s a id Jo . "Somebody e l s e i n Moon-Face ' s n i ce l i t t l e house -and someone i n S i l ky ' s house , t oo ! Mos t ex t r ao rd ina ry ! I 'm su rp r i s ed you d idn ' t hea r any th ing , Wa tz i sname . You know, I 'm su re Moon-Face wou ld have made an

awfu l f u s s and bo the r i f anyone had t u rned h im ou t o f h i s house . Are you su re you d idn ' t hea r any th ing?""No t a t h ing , " s a id Wa tz i sname , g loomi ly . "You know how I sno re , don ' t you? I expec t I was f a s t a s l e ep a s u sua l , and I shou ldn ' t even have hea rd i f t hey had ca l l ed t o me fo r he lp . ""We l l , l i s t en , Wa tz i sname , we can ' t pos s ib ly come t o -n igh t , " s a id Jo . "Mothe r l i ke s u s t o ge t t he b r eak fa s t , and s i nce she ha s been i l l we make he r have he r b r eak fa s t i n bed . Bu t we w i l l come j u s t a s soon a s eve r we can a f t e r b r eak fa s t . Wi l l t ha t do?""Oh , ye s , " s a id Wa tz i sname , g r a t e fu l l y . "Tha t ' s ma rve l l ous . I shan ' t go back t o t he T ree t o -n igh t . I t ' s t oo l one ly w i thou t t he o the r s . May I s l e ep i n t ha t shed ove r t he r e?""You can s l e ep on t he so f a downs t a i r s , " s a id Jo . "Come in w i th u s . I ' l l g e t you a rug . Then we can a l l s t a r t o f f t oge the r t o -mor row morn ing . "So t ha t n igh t o ld Wa tz i sname s l ep t on t he so f a . He sno red r a the r , and Mothe r woke up once and wonde red wha t i n t he w ide wor ld t he no i s e was . Bu t she t hough t i t mus t be t he c a t , and soon wen t o f f t o s l e ep aga in .Nex t morn ing t he ch i l d r en a sked i f t hey migh t go o f f w i th Wa tz i sname . They exp l a ined wha t had happened ."We l l , I don ' t know tha t I l i ke you go ing o f f i f some th ing ho r r i d ha s happened , " s a id Mothe r . " I don ' t wan t any th ing t o happen t o you . "" I ' l l l ook a f t e r eve ryone , " s a id Jo . "You cant ru s t me , Mothe r ; r e a l l y you can . We ' l l be back soon . "So Mothe r s a id t hey migh t go . They s e t o f f t o t he Enchan t ed Wood wi th Wa tz i sname , f e e l i ng r a the r exc i t ed . Wha t eve r cou ld have happened t o S i l ky and t he o the r s?They c l imbed up t he Fa raway T ree . I t was g rowing peaches t ha t day , and t hey we re r e a l l y mos t de l i c i ous . D ick a t e f a r more t han t he o the r s , o f cou r se , and nea r l y go t l e f t beh ind .They came t o S i l ky ' s house . I t was shu t . F rom in s ide came a s t amp ing and a roa r i ng ."Tha t ' s one o f t he peop l e f rom the Land o f Bad Temper s , " s a id Wa tz i sname i n a wh i spe r . "They ' r e a lways l o s ing t he i r t empe r s , you know, wheneve r any th ing goes wrong . I j u s t s imp ly DAREN'T knock a t t he doo r and a sk whe re S i l ky i s . ""We l l , l e t ' s go on up t o Moon-Face ' s , " s a id Jo , f e e l i ng t ha t he d idn ' t r e a l l y wan t t o go knock ing a t t he doo r e i t he r .So up t hey wen t , and a t l a s t c ame t o Moon-Face ' s doo r . Tha t was shu t , t oo , and f rom in s ide came a bang ing and shou t i ng ."Go l ly , t hey have go t bad t empe r s , haven ' t t hey ! " s a id Jo . " I 'm qu i t e c e r t a i n I shan ' t go v i s i t i ng t he Land o f Tempe r s ! Le t ' s peep i n a t t he w indow and s ee who ' s t he r e . "So t hey peeped i n , and s aw a round , f a t l i t t l e man , w i th l a rge ea r s , a shock o f b l ack ha i r , f i e r ce eye s , and a ve ry bad - t empe red l ook on h i s f a ce . He was l ook ing fo r some th ing on t he f l oo r .

"Where ' s i t gone?" he shou t ed . "You bad , w icked bu t t on ! Where d id you ro l l t o? Don ' t you know tha t I wan t t o pu t you on my coa t aga in? I ' l l s t amp you i n to a hund red b i t s when I f i nd you ! "Jo g igg l ed . " I f he does t ha t i t won ' t be much good t ry ing t o s ew i t on h i s coa t ! " he s a id .Ju s t t hen t he b l ack -ha i r ed man l ooked up and s aw the fou r ch i l d r en pee r i ng i n a t h im . He go t up i n a r age , f l ew to t he doo r and f l ung i t open ."How da re you p ry and peep ! " he ye l l ed , s t amp ing f i r s t one foo t a t t hem and t hen t he o the r . "How da re you l ook i n to my window!"" I t i sn ' t you r w indow," s a id Jo . "Th i s house be longs t o a f r i end o f ou r s , c a l l ed Moon-Face . You 'd be t t e r ge t ou t o f i t be fo re he comes back , o r he w i l l be ve ry ang ry . ""Pooh! you don ' t know wha t you ' r e t a l k ing abou t ! " c r i ed t he bad -t empe red man . " I 'm S i r S t amp-a -Lo t , and t h i s i s my house . My cous in , Lady Ye l l -Around , ha s t aken t he house a b i t l owe r down . We 've come t o l i ve i n t h i s t r e e . ""Bu t don ' t you be long t o t he Land o f Tempe r s? " a sked Jo . "Are you a l l owed t o l e ave you r own l and?""Mind you r own bus ine s s , " s a id S i r S t amp-a -Lo t . "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!""Wel l , i t i s my bus ine s s t o f i nd ou t wha t you a r e do ing i n my f r i end ' s house , " s a id Jo f i rm ly . "Now, you j u s t t e l l me wha t ha s happened t o Moon-Face -ye s , and S i l ky and t he o ld Saucepan Man , t oo . ""Moon-Face s a id I cou ld have h i s house wh i l s t he wen t t o l i ve fo r a wh i l e i n t he Land o f Tempe r s , " s a id S i r S t amp-a -Lo t , do ing a b i t more s t amp ing . "And S i l ky s a id t he s ame . The o ld Saucepan Man wen t w i th t hem.""Wel l , I j u s t don ' t be l i eve you , " s a id Wa tz i sname sudden ly . "Moon-Face t o ld me t ha t t he Land o f Tempe r s had come , and he s a id no th ing i n t he wor ld wou ld make h im go t he r e . So you a r e t e l l i ng f i b s . "Tha t s en t S i r S t amp-a -Lo t i n to such a r age t ha t he nea r l y s t amped t he ba rk o f f t he t r e e b r anch he s t ood on ! "How da re you t a l k t o me l i ke t ha t ? " he c r i ed . " I ' l l pu l l you r ha i r s ou t ! I ' l l p i nch you r nose s ! I ' l l s c r a t ch you r e a r s ! ""Wha t a n i ce , k ind , p l ea san t pe r son you a r e , " s a id Jo . "Wha t a beau t i fu l na tu r e you have ! Wha t a swee t , cha rming f r i end you wou ld make ! "Th i s made S i r S t amp-a -Lo t so ang ry t ha t he k i cked ha rd a t Jo , who dodged . S t amp-a -Lo t l o s t h i s ba l ance and f e l l . He f e l l down th rough t he t r e e , ye l l i ng l oud ly ."Qu ick ! " s a id Jo . "He ' l l be back i n a m inu t e ; bu t we migh t j u s t have t ime t o pop i n to Moon-Face ' s house and s ee i f t he r e i s any message f rom h im!"They a l l c rowded i n to t he l i t t l e r ound house and hun t ed ha rd . Whereve r cou ld t he i r t h r ee f r i ends be? I t was t oo puzz l i ng fo r words !23 .

The Land o f Tempe r s .The fou r ch i l d r en and Mis t e r Wa tz i sname hun t ed i n eve ry co rne r o f Moon-Face ' s house , bu t t he r e was no message anywhe re f rom the i r f r i ends ." I s ay - tha t ' s o ld S t amp-a -Lo t coming back , " s a id Fanny . " I c an hea r h im shou t i ng . Le t ' s ge t ou t , qu i ck ! ""We can go down the S l i ppe ry - s l i p , " s a id Jo . Bu t he was wrong ! The S l i ppe ry - s l i p was s t u f f ed up w i th a l l k i nds o f t h ings - cush ions , boughs , c a rpe t s , l e aves - and nobody cou ld pos s ib ly ge t down i t . The ch i l d r en we re a l l s t a r i ng a t i t , puzz l ed , when S i r S t amp-a -Lo t c ame back .And , my goodnes s me , wha t a r age he was i n ! He had bumped h i s head and h i s back i n f a l l i ng down the t r e e , and he had a t r emendous b ru i s e on h i s l e f t cheek . He came i n be l l owing l i ke a bu l l !"How da re you go i n to my house ! " he s t o rmed . "How da re you p ry i n to my bus ine s s ! I ' l l t h row you ou t ! I ' l l t h row you ou t ! "He t r i ed t o ge t ho ld o f Fanny , bu t Joe and D ick s t opped h im . "We ' r e f i ve t o one , " s a id Jo . "You migh t a s we l l keep you r t empe r , o r we may do a b i t o f t h rowing ou t , t oo . We ' r e go ing because we can on ly ge t f i b s ou t o f you , and i t ' s qu i t e p l a in 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 so r ry fo r you r se l f when we do f i nd ou r f r i ends and we a l l come back t o t e l l you wha t we t h ink ! "S t amp-a -Lo t was fu r i ous . He began t o t h rowth ings a f t e r t he ch i l d r en and Wa tz i sname a s soon a s t hey had gone ou t o f t he house . C ra sh ! Tha t was t he c lock . C l a t t e r ! Tha t was a p i c tu r e . Bang ! Tha t was a cha i r !"Oh , dea r ! Poo r Moon-Face won ' t f i nd a s i ng l e t h ing i n h i s house when he ge t s home , " s a id Jo , dodg ing a soup p l a t e t ha t c ame f l y ing pa s t h i s head . "Now, wha t sha l l we do nex t ? Pe rhaps we had be t t e r go down to S i l ky ' s house and s ee i f we can f i nd ou t any th ing f rom Lady Ye l l -Around o r wha t eve r he r name i s . "Nobody r ea l l y wan t ed t o s ee Lady Ye l l -Around-bu t t hey s aw he r be fo re t hey expec t ed t o . As t hey c l imbed down to whe re Dame Washa lo t l i ved , t hey hea rd a f i e r ce qua r r e l go ing on ."You emp t i ed you r d i r t y wa t e r down on me j u s t a s I was go ing shopp ing ! " ye l l ed an ang ry vo i ce . "You d id , you d id , you d id ! "Then came Dame Washa lo t ' s vo i ce . " I d id , I d id , I d id , d id I ? We l l , I 'm g l ad ! I f peop l e c an ' t l ook ou t f o r my wash ing wa t e r , i t ' s t he i r own f au l t ! ""Look how we t I am; l ook a t me ! " c ame t he o the r vo i ce ." I don ' t wan t t o l ook a t you , you ' r e a mos t unp l ea san t pe r son , " s a id Dame Washa lo t . "Now, l ook ou t - he r e comes some more wa t e r ! "The re was a sound o f sp l a sh ing - and t hen squea l s and s c r eams a s Lady Ye l l -Around go t t he who le l o t on t op o f he r . The ch i l d r en began t o g igg l e . They c l imbed down to whe re Dame Washa lo t was s t and ing by he r emp ty t ub , g r i nn ing a s she l ooked down the t r e e . Lady Ye l l -Around was hu r r i ed ly c l imb ing down , d r i pp ing we t , he r shopp ing ba ske t s t i l l i n he r hand ."Dame Washa lo t -have you hea rd any th ing abou t S i l ky and t he o the r s? " a sked Bes s i e .

"No t a t h ing , " s a id t he o ld dame , "A l l I know i s t ha t t ha t bad -t empe red c r ea tu r e who ca l l s he r s e l f Lady Ye l l -Around ha s t aken S i l ky ' s house and s ays t ha t S i l ky s a id she migh t have i t , b ecause she , S i l ky , wan t ed t o go and l i ve fo r a wh i l e i n t he Land o f Tempe r s - a t h ing I don ' t be l i eve a t a l l , f o r a swee t e r - t empe red pe r son t han l i t t l e S i l ky you cou ld neve r f i nd ! "" I t ' s awfu l l y funny , " s a id Jo , f r own ing . "S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan d i s appea red and t he se two awfu l peop l e t ake t he i r p l a ce s . The re ' s on ly one t h 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 Tempe r s t o s ee i f by any chance t hey have gone t he r e . ""We l l , t ha t ' s dange rous , " s a id Dame Washa lo t . "Once you l o se you r t empe r up t he r e you have t o l i ve t he r e fo r a lways . And you migh t e a s i l y l o se you r t empe r w i th t he c ro s s l o t o f peop l e who 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 two have been ab l e t o l e ave . "" I t does sound dange rous , " s a id Jo . "Bu t I t h ink we cou ld a l l keep ou r t empe r s , you know, i f we knew we had t o . Anyway , I s imp ly don ' t know wha t e l s e t o do . Pe rhaps i t wou ld be be s t i f I j u s t wen t by myse l f - t hen t he o the r s wou ldn ' t have t o r i sk ge t t i ng i n to dange r . "Bu t t he o the r s wou ldn ' t hea r o f Jo go ing by h imse l f . "We sha re i n t h i s , " s a id D ick . " I f you can go t o t he Land o f Tempe r s and keep you r t empe r , we can , t oo . We need on ly go up and a sk i f S i l ky and t he o the r s a r e t he r e . I f t hey ' r e no t , we can a t once come away . ""Wel l , t hen , we 'd be t t e r go now," s a id Jo .So up t he T ree t hey wen t , and t hen up t he l adde r t h rough t he ho l e i n t he c l oud - and i n to t he Land o f Tempe r s .We l l , i t was a funny Land ! The re was such a l o t o f shou t i ng and qua r r e l l i ng go ing on - such a smash ing o f w indows by peop l e t h rowing s t ones i n a r age - such a s t amp ing and ye l l i ng !"Goodnes s ! I vo t e we don ' t s t ay he r e l ong ! " s a id Jo , dodg ing t o m i s s a s t one t ha t someone had t h rown . "Look! Le t ' s a sk t ha t man ove r t he r e i f he ha s s een S i l ky o r t he o the r s . "So he a sked h im . Bu t he g l a r ed a t t hem and answered rude ly ."Don ' t come bo the r i ng me w i 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 pushed Jo rough ly , and t he l i t t l e boy a t once f e l t ang ry . He was j u s t abou t t o push t he man rough ly t oo when Fanny wh i spe red t o h im:" Jo ! Don ' t l o se you r t empe r ! Smi l e , qu i ck ly , smi l e ! "So Jo made h imse l f smi l e , f o r he knew tha t no one can r ea l l y l o se h i s t empe r when he i s smi l i ng . The man g l a r ed a t h im and wen t away ."We l l , I c an s ee t ha t i t wou ld be j o l l y d i f f i cu l t t o l i ve he r e w i thou t ge t t i ng ang ry a lmos t eve ry minu t e o f t he day , " s a id Jo . "H ie , t he r e -do you know any th ing abou t ou r f r i ends , S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan?"The boy he was ca l l i ng t o s t opped and pu t ou t h i s t ongue a t Jo . "Yah! " he s a id . "Do you suppose I 'm he re t o answer you r ques t i ons , f unny - f ace?"

"No , I don ' t , " s a id Jo . "Bu t I t hough t pe rhaps you migh t be po l i t e enough t o he lp me . "The boy made a l o t o f r ude f ace s a t a l l o f t hem and t hen pu l l ed Fanny ' s ha i r ve ry sha rp ly be fo re he r an o f f .D ick and Jo f e l t ang ry , because t hey s aw the t e a r s come i n to Fanny ' s eye s . They began t o run a f t e r t he boy , shou t i ng ."Dick ! Jo ! Come back ! " c r i ed Wa tz i sname . "You a r e l o s ing you r t empe r s aga in . ""So we a r e , " s a id t he boys , and t hey s t opped and made t hemse lve s l ook p l ea san t .Wa tz i sname wen t t o mee t t hem, and a s he wen t two naugh ty 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 Wa tz i sname t r i pped ove r i t , b ang , on h i s nose . The boys s t ood and l aughed t i l l t hey c r i ed .Wa tz i sname go t up , h i s f a ce one b ig f rown . " I ' l l t e ach you t o t r i p me up ! " he c r i ed . " I ' l l . . . ""Smi l e , Wa tz i sname , smi l e ! " c r i ed Bes s i e . "Don ' t l ook l i ke t ha t . You ' r e l o s ing you r t empe r . Smi l e ! "And Wa tz i sname had t o smi l e , bu t i t was ve ry , ve ry d i f f i cu l t . The two bad boys r an o f f . The ch i l d r en wen t wa lk ing on , t e l l i ng t hemse lve s t ha t t hey MUST r emember , wha t eve r happened , no t t o l o se t he i r t empe r s .They me t a ve ry g r and - look ing f e l l ow , wea r ing a go ld cha in abou t h i s shou lde r s . They t hough t he mus t be one o f t he head men o f t he Land o f Tempe r s , and nobody l i ked t o speak t o h im . Bu t sudden ly Fanny ca l l ed t o h im ."Do you know whe re S i r S t amp-a -Lo t and Lady Ye l l -Around a r e? " she s a id . The haugh ty - l ook ing man s t opped i n su rp r i s e ."No , I don ' t , " he s a id . "They have d i s appea red , and I am ve ry ang ry abou t i t . Do you know whe re t hey a r e? ""Yes , I do , " s a id Fanny bo ld ly ."Where a r e t hey , t hen?" a sked t he g r and man ." I ' l l t e l l you t he answer t o you r ques t i on i f you ' l l an swer one o f m ine , " s a id Fanny ."Ve ry we l l , " s a id t he man ."Have ou r f r i ends , S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan come t o l i ve he r e fo r a wh i l e ? " a sked Fanny ."Ce r t a in ly no t , " s a id t he man . " I ' v e neve r hea rd o f t hem. No one i s a l l owed t o l i ve he r e un l e s s t hey f i r s t l o se t he i r t empe r s and t hen ge t pe rmi s s ion f rom me t o t ake a house . And now- t e l l me whe re S t amp-a -Lo t and Ye l l -Around a r e . ""They have e scaped f rom you r Land and a r e l i v ing i n t he Fa raway T ree , " s a id Fanny ."Bu t t hey a r e no t a l l owed t o do t ha t ! " c r i ed t he head man . "How da re t hey? I d idn ' t even know we we re nea r t he Fa raway T ree . Wa i t t i l l I c a t ch t hem! I ' l l s hake t hem 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 sh ive r l i ke j e l l i e s . ""We l l , t ha t wou ld be ve ry n i ce , " s a id Fanny . "Good-bye . We ' r e go ing . "

The o the r s j o ined he r a s she r an t owards t he ho l e i n t he c l oud . "How b rave and c l eve r you a r e , Fanny ! " s a id Jo . " I shou ld neve r have t hough t o f a l l t ha t ! I 'm qu i t e , qu i t e su r e t ha t S i l ky and t he o the r s a r en ' t up he r e . "" I was awfu l l y a f r a id o f t ha t head man , " s a id Fanny . " I j u s t cou ldn ' t speak a word more t o h im . Hur ry up - l e t ' s ge t back t o t he T ree . S i l ky i sn ' t he r e . I c an ' t imag ine whe re t hey a l l a r e . The re ' s some th ing ve ry , ve ry mys t e r i ous abou t i t . "They a l l c l imbed down the l adde r t o t he T ree , t hank fu l t o l e ave beh ind t he ho r r i d Land o f Tempe r s . They wen t down to S i l ky ' s house and peeped i n a t t he w indow. Lady Ye l l -Around wasn ' t t he r e ." I vo t e we go i n and have a l ook round , " s a id Jo . Bu t t he doo r was l ocked and t he key had been t aken . Bo the r !"We l l , I 'm su re I don ' t know WHAT to do , " s a id Jo . "Bu t we s imp ly mus t do SOMEth ing ! "24 .A Mos t Exc i t i ng T ime .As t he ch i l d r en s t ood g loomi ly ou t s i de S i l ky ' s house , a vo i ce c a l l ed t o t hem f rom f a r t he r down ." I s t ha t you , Wa tz i sname? Any news o f ou r m i s s ing f r i ends?""Tha t ' s t he Angry P ix i e , " s a id Jo . "Le t ' s go down and t a l k t o h im . "The Angry P ix i e was l ook ing ve ry mi se r ab l e ." I c an ' t unde r s t and a l l t h i s mys t e ry , " he s a id . " I s aw S i l ky and t he o the r s a f ew days ago -and t hen t hey sudden ly d i s appea r l i ke smoke w i thou t a c ry o r a ye l l . I t ' s f unny . ""We 've j u s t been up i n t he Land o f Tempe r s , " s a id Fanny . "Bu t t hey ' r e no t t he r e . "" I t hough t o f go ing up t he r e t o s ee , " s a id t he Angry P ix i e , "bu t I was so a f r a id I ' d l o se my t empe r and have t o s t ay t he r e a lways . You know wha t a t empe r I ' v e go t . ""Yes , " s a id Jo . "You ce r t a i n ly mus tn ' t d r eam o f go ing up t he r e . You 'd neve r come back . "They s a t t he r e , l ook ing a t one ano the r and t hen t hey a l l p r i cked up t he i r e a r s . They cou ld hea r a ve ry pecu l i a r no i s e .Boom, boom, boom! Knock , knock , knock ! Boom, boom, boom!"Wha teve r ' s t ha t ? " s a id Fanny , l ook ing a l l r ound . "And whe re i s i t coming f rom?"" I c an ' t imag ine , " s a id t he Angry P ix i e . " I keep on hea r i ng i t . I hea rd i t ye s t e rday and l a s tn igh t and t h i s morn ing . I t j u s t goes on and on . "Eve ryone l i s t ened . The no i s e s t opped and t hen wen t on aga in . Boom, boom, boom! Knock , knock , knock !"Where does i t come f rom?" s a id Bes s i e ."F rom the i n s ide o f t he t r e e , " s a id Wa tz i sname , l i s t en ing ha rd . " I 'm su re o f t ha t ! ""Do you suppose -do you pos s ib ly suppose - t ha t i t m igh t be S i l ky and t he o the r s - somewhere i n s ide t he t r e e?" s a id Fanny sudden ly .Boom,     boom,       boom!      Knock ,     knock ,       knock !The re i t was aga in !

" I be l i eve Fanny ' s r i gh t . I t h i nk S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan a r e p r i sone r s i n s ide t he s l i ppe ry - s l i p . S t amp-a -Lo t mus t have pushed t hem down the r e , and t hen s t u f f ed up t he ho l e w i th a l l t hose t h ings , " s a id Wa tz i sname ."Bu t t hey wou ld have sho t ou t o f t he t r ap -doo r a t t he bo t t om," s a id D ick ."We ' l l go down and open i t and s ee i f any th ing ha s been pu t t he r e t o s t u f f t ha t up , t oo , " s a id Jo . "Come on , eve ryone . "So t hey a l l wen t down to t he t r e e t o whe re t he t r ap -doo r was a t t he bo t t om. Jo opened i t . He l ooked i n s ide and t hen gave a shou t ."Th i s end i s a l l s t u f f ed up , t oo ! These two ho r r i d peop l e f rom the Land o f Tempe r s have go t S i l ky and t he o the r s i n t he r e , I 'm su re . Look- the r e ' s a l l k i nds o f t h ings s t u f f ed i n he r e . The poo r t h ings c an ' t ge t up o r down . They ' r e t r apped ! ""Wel l , l e t ' s pu l l eve ry th ing ou t and s e t t hem f r ee ! " s a id D ick , and he t ugged a t a g r ea t ba l l o fmoss .    Bu t       i t      wou ldn ' t      move !Eve ryone had a t u rn a t t ugg ing and pu l l i ng -bu t i t was no u se a t a l l . No t a t h ing wou ld move ."They 've s t u f f ed eve ry th ing i n and t hen pu t a spe l l on i t t o make i t s t ay whe re i t i s , " s a id Wa tz i sname a t l a s t . " I t ' s no good . We ' l l neve r be ab l e t o move a t h ing . Look- the r e ' s Lady Ye l l -Around coming back f rom he r shopp ing . We ' l l j u s t s ee i f we can ' t make he r do some th ing abou t t h i s ! "Bu t t ha t wasn ' t any good e i t he r . Lady Ye l l -Around p re t ended t ha t she d idn ' t know any th ing abou t t he s t opped -up ho l e ."Wha t ' s t he good o f shou t i ng a t me and a sk ing me some th ing I don ' t know any th ing abou t ? " she s a id . "You go and a sk o ld S t amp-a -Lo t . He ' l l t e l l you wha t you wan t t o know.""No , he won ' t , " s a id Jo . "He ' s j u s t a s b ig a f i bbe r a s you a r e . "Anyway , no one wan t ed t o s ee S t amp-a -Lo t aga in . He was such a bad - t empe red pe r son . They a l l c l imbed back t o t he Angry P ix i e ' s house , s a t down , and l ooked g loomi ly a t e ach o the r ."Can ' t ge t i n a t t he t op o f t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p , and can ' t ge t i n a t t he bo t t om," s a id Jo . "How in t he wor ld c an we r e scue poo r S i l ky and t he o the r s? I t ' s s imp ly d r ead fu l . ""They ' l l be s t a rv ing ! " s a id Fanny , beg inn ing t o c ry . "Oh , Jo , do t h ink o f some th ing ! "Bu t nobody cou ld t h ink o f any th ing a t a l l . I t was on ly when t he woodpecke r f l ew by t o go t o h i s ho l e i n t he t r e e t ha t any i dea came - and t hen Jo j umped up w i th h i s eye s sh in ing ." I know! I know!" he c r i ed . "Le t ' s a sk t he woodpecke r t o he lp u s . ""Bu t how cou ld a b i rd he lp?" s a id D ick ."We l l , a woodpecke r pecks ho l e s i n wood t o make h i s ne s t , " s a id Jo . " I ' v e s een t hem peck ing ha rd w i th t he i r s t r ong beaks . They make a k ind o f d rumming no i s e , and can peck ou t qu i t e a b ig ho l e i n no t ime . I f we a sked h im , I 'm su re t he woodpecke r cou ld peck a ho l e a t t he back o f t h i s r oom, r i gh t i n to t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p - and t hen we cou ld pu l l S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan t h rough t he ho l e . "

"Oh , t ha t r e a l l y does sound a ma rve l l ous i dea ! " s a id Fanny , beaming . "Le t ' s c a l l h im now."So t hey wen t ou t s i de on t o a b ig b r anch o f t he Fa raway T ree and ca l l ed t o t he woodpecke r ."Woodpecke r ! Come     he r e     a m inu t e ! "The woodpecke r s t a r ed round i n su rp r i s e . He was c l e an ing h i s w ing f ea the r s by runn ing each one ca r e fu l l y t h rough h i s beak . He was a l ove ly b i rd w i th h i s b r i gh t , r ed - sp l a shed head . He sp read h i s w ings and f l ew down ."Wha t ' s t he ma t t e r ? " he a sked .Jo t o ld h im . The b i rd l i s t ened w i th h i s head on one s i de and h i s b r i gh t eye s sh in ing ."Do you t h ink you cou ld pos s ib ly he lp u s t o r e scue S i l ky and t he o the r s by peck ing a ho l e a t t he back o f t he Angry P ix i e ' s house?" s a id Jo , when he came t o t he end o f h i s s t o ry . "You have such a s t r ong beak . ""Yes , I know I have , " s a id t he woodpecke r . "The on ly t h ing i s I gene ra l l y on ly peck ro t t en wood- tha t ' s e a sy t o peck away , you know. I t j u s t f a l l s t o p i ece s . Bu t good , g rowing wood l i ke t he t r unk o f t he Fa raway T ree -we l l , t ha t ' s d i f f e r en t . Tha t ' s ve ry ha rd , i ndeed . I t wou ld t ake me ages t o peck a l a rge ho l e t h rough t ha t . ""Oh , dea r ! " s i ghed Jo . " I 'm so d i s appo in t ed . We da ren ' t l e t S i l ky and t he o the r s s t ay i n t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p t oo l ong i n c a se t hey s t a rve . The re ' s no th ing t o e a t down the r e , you know. Wha teve r a r e we t o do?"Eve rybody t hough t ha rd . I t was t he woodpecke r who had an i dea f i r s t ." I know!" he s a id . " I cou ld f e t ch my cous in s who l i ve i n t he Enchan t ed Wood i n ano the r t r e e - and maybe i f t he r e we re t h r ee o r f ou r o f u s a l l peck ing ha rd t oge the r we cou ld make a good ho l equ i t e qu i ck ly . I know I cou ldn ' t make one by myse l f w i thou t t ak ing two o r t h r ee days -bu t a l o t o f u s work ing t oge the r m igh t do i t e a s i l y . ""Oh , good ! " c r i ed eve ryone . "Go and ge t you r cous in s , t he r e ' s a dea r . Hur ry ! "The woodpecke r f l ew o f f . Eve ryone wa i t ed impa t i en t l y . They hea rd t he no i s e f rom the i n s ide o f t he T ree aga in . Boom, boom, boom! Knock , knock , knock !"Poor t h ings ! " s a id Bes s i e , t e a r s i n he r eye s . " I t mus t be so d r ead fu l i n s ide t he r e i n t he da rk , w i th no th ing t o e a t o r d r i nk . "Af t e r abou t t en minu t e s t he woodpecke r c a rne back , and w i th h im he b rough t f i ve o the r s ! They we re a l l woodpecke r s , w i th b r i gh t , r ed - sp l a shed heads , s t r ong - look ing b i rd s w i th power fu l beaks ."Oh , sp l end id ! " c r i ed Jo , and he t ook t hem a l l i n to t he Angry P ix i e ' s l i t t l e house . "Peck away a t t he back , he r e . "The s i x b i rd s s t ood i n a r ow and began t o peck a s c l o se t o one ano the r a s t hey cou ld . Peck , peck , peck ! They pecked so ha rd and so ve ry f a s t t ha t t hey made a cu r i ous d rumming no i s e t ha t e choed t h rough t he l i t t l e house . 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 pecked ha rd fo r abou t an hou r and t hen s t opped fo r a r e s t . Jo p r e s sed c lo se t o s ee how they we re ge t t i ng on . To h i s j oy he s aw tha t a sma l l ho l e had been pecked r i gh t t h rough i n to t he S l i ppe ry -s l i p . He a sked t he Angry P ix i e fo r a t o r ch and shone i t t h rough t he ho l e . Yes - t he r e was no doub t abou t i t , t he woodpecke r s had go tr i gh t t h rough t he t r e e t r unk j u s t t he r e ."Now you 've on ly go t t o make t he ho l e b igge r ! " c r i ed Jo j oy fu l l y . "Peck away , woodpecke r s , peck away! You a r e do ing marve l l ous ly ! "25 .Eve ry th ing Comes R igh t .Af t e r a good r e s t t he s i x woodpecke r s s e t t o work aga in a t t he ho l e t hey had made . R - r - r - r - r - r - r ! wen t t he i r s t r ong beaks , d rumming away a t t he wood . Eve ryone wa t ched t o s ee t he ho l e ge t t i ng b igge r and b igge r . Then a vo i ce f l oa t ed up , s i ng ing a mourn fu l song :"Two ke t t l e s f o r S i l ky , Two saucepans fo r me , Two d i she s fo r Moon-Face , We ' r e s ad a s c an be ! ""Tha t ' s t he o ld Saucepan Man!" s a id 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 hey a r e a l l t he r e . Move a s ide a b i t , woodpecke r s , and l e t me ca l l t o t hem."The woodpecke r s made room fo r Jo by t he ho l e . He s t uck h i s head t h rough i t and ye l l ed l oud ly : "S i l ky ! Moon-Face ! Saucepan ! We ' r e go ing t o r e scue you . We ' l l pu l l you t h rough a ho l e we 've made a t t he back o f t he Angry P ix i e ' s r oom."The re was a squea l o f de l i gh t f r om S i l ky , ashou t f rom Moon-Face , and a c l a t t e r o f pans f rom Saucepan ."We ' r e coming , we ' r e coming ! " ye l l ed Moon-Face . "We 've go t a r ope t o come up by . We shan ' t be l ong . I s t he ho l e b ig enough t o squeeze t h rough?""No t ye t , " shou t ed back Jo . "Bu t t he woodpecke r s a r e j u s t go ing t o s e t t o work aga in , and t hey ' l l soon have made i t b i gge r . ""R- r - r - r - r - r - r ! R - r - r - r - r - r - r ! " wen t t he woodpecke r s ' s t r ong beaks , and t he ho l e g r ew l a rge r and l a rge r . A t l a s t i t r e a l l y was b ig 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 sh in ing i n to t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p . He s aw a l i gh t g l eaming a l i t t l e way down , and no t i c ed a rope shak ing nea r by , a s i f someone was ho ld ing on t o i t ."They ' r e coming up , " he s a id t o t he o the r s . "They 've go t a l i gh t o f some so r t , t oo . Oh! I t ' s a c and l e . I c an s ee Moon-Face now. He ' s t he f i r s t . And he ' s he lp ing S i l ky up . The o ld Saucepan Man i s beh ind . They ' l l soon be he r e ! Angry P ix i e , pu t on a ke t t l e t o bo i l some wa t e r . I expec t t hey wou ld l i ke some ho t cocoa o r some th ing . And have you go t any th ing t o e a t ? " ' " I ' v e go t Pop B i scu i t s and Goog le Buns , " s a id t he Angry P ix i e , l ook ing i n to a t i n . "They ' l l l i ke t hose . "Moon-Face a t l a s t hau l ed h imse l f r i gh t up t o t he ho l e . H i s r ound f ace l ooked wh i t e and r a the r wor r i ed -bu t he gave Joe a g r i n a s u sua l . "He lp S i l ky t h rough f i r s t , " he s a id .Jo and D ick pu l l ed S i l ky t h rough t he ho l e . She l ooked pa l e , t oo , bu t how g l ad she was t o s ee a l l he r f r i ends ! She f l ung he r a rms

round Bes s i e and Fanny , and t hey a l l c r i ed t e a r s o f j oy down one ano the r . Then Moon-Face squeezed t h rough t he ho l e , and l a s t o f a l l t he o ld Saucepan Man , t hough he had t o t ake o f f a f ew pans be fo re he cou ld ge t t h rough !"We neve r , neve r t hough t we 'd be r e scued ! " s a id Moon-Face . "We 'd qu i t e g iven up hope . We kep t knock ing and bang ing , hop ing someone wou ld hea r u s . ""Yes , we d id hea r you , " s a id Jo . "Tha t ' s wha t made u s t h ink you migh t be t r apped i n t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p . Bu t Moon-Face , how d id you ge t t he r e? Wha t happened?""Wai t a m inu t e - l e t t hem have some th ing t o e a t and d r i nk f i r s t , " s a id Wa tz i sname . "They mus t be t e r r i b ly hung ry , no t hav ing had any th ing t o e a t and d r i nk fo r so l ong . ""Oh , we had p l en ty , " s a id Moon-Face . "We d idn ' t s t a rve . Bu t I ' l l t e l l you a l l abou t i t . "Eve ryone s e t t l ed down to hea r h i s s t o ry ."You see , one morn ing t h i s week S i l ky , Saucepan and I we re s i t t i ng up i n my house t a l k ing , " began Moon-Face , " and sudden ly we s aw two peop l e f rom the Land o f Tempe r s l ook ing i n a t u s . ""Yes -S i r S t amp-a -Lo t and Lady Ye l l -Around! " s a id Jo . " 'We know them!""Wel l , t hey l ooked ve ry f i e r ce ly a t u s , " s a id Moon-Face , " and t hey t o ld u s t ha t t hey wan t ed t o l e ave t he Land o f Tempe r s because t he head -man was ve ry ang ry w i th t hem abou t some th ing . I t h ink t hey had b roken h i s w indows i n a t empe r . We l l , t hey had e scaped , and t hey mean t t o l i ve i n t he Fa raway T ree . They had found ou t by acc iden t t ha t t he i r Land was ove r i t , you s ee . ""And t hey wan t ed you r house ! " c r i ed D ick ."Yes , " s a id Moon-Face . "They had been down the t r e e and s een t ha t S i l ky ' s house was emp ty , because S i l ky was up he re w i th me , and had t aken t ha t f o r t hemse lve s . A t l e a s t Ye l l -Around mean t t o have i t f o r he r s e l f . And S t amp-a -Lo t mean t t o have mine . ""And t hey s a id t hey had s t opped up t he t r apdoo r a t t he bo t t om," s a id S i l ky , " and t hey mean t t o push u s down the S l i ppe ry - s l i p , and t hen s t op up t he ho l e i n Moon-Face ' s r oom, so t ha t we wou ld be p r i sone r s i n t he s l i de ! ""Wel l , you can gues s how f r i gh t ened we we re ! " s a id Moon-Face . "O ld Saucepan hea rd i t a l l because S t amp-a -Lo t shou t ed so l oud ly . And t he c l eve 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 aucepans w i th food f rom my l a rde r , and some cand l e s , t oo , and ma tches - and a rope . I cou ldn ' t t h i nk wha t he was do ing ! ""So , o f cou r se , when we we re pushed i n to t he S l i ppe ry - s l i p we had p l en ty o f f ood ! " s a id S i l ky , pu t t i ng he r a rm round Saucepan and hugg ing h im . "A l l because Saucepan was so c l eve r . ""He managed t o t i e t he rope on t o some th ing so t ha t we had t ha t t o c l imb up and down on i f we wan t ed t o , " s a id Moon-Face , " and we found al i t t l e so r t o f cubby -ho l e ha l f -way down whe re we cou ld s i t and ea t and d r i nk . We l i gh t ed a c and l e , and t hen S i l ky t hough t o f knock ing

and bang ing somewhere nea r t o t he Angry P ix i e ' s house j u s t i n c a se you migh t be t he r e and hea rd i t ""Oh , we we re so wor r i ed abou t you , " s a id Jo . "We ju s t s imp ly d idn ' t know WHAT to do ! I 'm so g l ad we t hough t o f t he woodpecke r s . So you ' r e r e a l l y no t ve ry hung ry o r t h i r s t y a f t e r a l l ? ""No , no t ve ry , " s a id Moon-Face . "Bu t some o f t he c ake we b rough t go t r a t he r s t a l e . Woodpecke r s , wou ld you l i ke i t ? "I t was a t r e a t f o r t he woodpecke r s and t hey pecked up t he s t a l e c ake eage r ly be fo re t hey f l ew o f f . They had been ve ry p l ea sed t o he lp ."And now wha t a r e we go ing t o do abou t t u rn ing S t amp-a -Lo t and Ye l l -Around ou t o f ou r house s?" s a id S i l ky . "We can ' t a l l l i ve w i th t he Angry P ix i e . H i s house i s t oo sma l l . "Ju s t a s she s a id t ha t t he r e c ame t he sound o f shou t i ng and ye l l i ng some way up t he t r e e . Eve ryone l i s t ened ."Tha t ' s Ye l l -Around , I 'm su re , " s a id S i l ky . "Le t ' s go and s ee wha t ' s happen ing . "We l l , qu i t e a l o t was happen ing ! Abou t e i gh t peop l e f rom the Land o f Tempe r s , w i th t he headman l e ad ing t hem, had come down the t r e e t o c ap tu r e S t amp-a -Lo t and Ye l l -Around! The head -man had r emembered wha t Fanny had s a id , and had come t o f i nd t he two e scaped peop l e . They had ea s i l y found S t amp-a -Lo t , f o r he was a s l e ep i n Moon-Face ' s house , wh ich was no t f a r be low the l adde r l e ad ing up t o t he Land o f Tempe r s .Bu t Ye l l -Around had no t been so ea s i l y c ap tu r ed . She had s een t he head -man c l imb ing down the t r e e and had t r i ed t o e scape . She had f a l l en , and had hung by one foo t f rom a b r anch , ye l l i ng and squea l i ng , because she was so a f r a id o f f a l l i ng . And t he head -man p i cked he r up by he r f oo t and d r agged he r up t he T ree l i ke t ha t , bumping he r a s he wen t .Eve ryone wa t ched i n s i l ence . Ye l l -Around was squea l i ng l oud ly i n a t e r r i b l e r age , bu t nobody t ook any no t i c e ." I won ' t go back t o t he Land o f Tempe r s ! " she ye l l ed . " I won ' t , I won ' t ! "Bu t she had t o ! Up t he l adde r she was ca r r i ed , ups ide down , and S t amp-a -Lo t was pushed up , t oo ."Se rves t hem r i gh t , " s a id Moon-Face . "Tak ing ou r house s f rom us and t r app ing 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 house . "They a l l wen t up . Moon-Face was s ad t o s ee h i s house so un t i dy and so many o f h i s t h ings b roken . Eve ryone he lped h im to pu t i t r i gh t . Then t hey a l l l ooked a t t he s t u f f ed -up S l i ppe ry - s l i p ."The spe l l pu t on i t w i l l be gone now tha t t hose two ho r r i d peop l e have gone , " s a id Moon-Face . "We can pu l l eve ry th ing ou t . "So i t wasn ' t l ong be fo re t he ho l e was 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-Face shook ou t h i s cu sh ions and g r i nned a t t he ch i l d r en ."We l l , eve ry th ing ' s a l l r i gh t aga in , " he s a id ." I 'm so happy , I t ' s l ove ly t o have good f r i ends l i ke you . "

"We 'd be t t e r ge t home now," s a id Jo . "We 've been away a l ong t ime . ""We can ' t s l i de down the S l i ppe ry - s l i p because i t ' s a l l s t u f f ed up a t t he bo t t om," s a id Fanny ."We l l , I ' l l s end a message down to t he r ed squ i r r e l t o c l e a r i t , " s a id Moon-Face . He wh i s t l ed t o a spa r row s i t t i ng on a nea rby b r anch ."Hey , l i t t l e b rown b i rd ! F ly down to t he r ed squ i r r e l and t e l l h im to open t he t r ap -doo r a t t he bo t t om o f t he t r e e , and c l ea r t he s l i de t he r e , w i l l you? ' he a sked . "Te l l h im to do i t a t once . "The spa r row f l ew o f f . Moon-Face handed round a t i n o f To f f ee -Shocks , and eve ryone t ook one . " Ju s t t ime t o have one wh i l s t t he squ i r r e l i s c l e a r i ng ou t t he mess , " he s a id . "Ha rk ! I c an hea r t he Land o f Tempe r s mov ing o f f . "Su re enough t he r e c ame t he no i s e o f t he Land mov ing away - t he cu r i ous c r eak ing , g roan ing no i s e t ha t t he s t r ange l ands a lways made when t hey wen t ."Wha t Land w i l l come nex t , I wonde r? " s a id Jo ." I know wha t i t w i l l be , " s a id Wa tz i sname . " I hea rd t he head -man o f t he Land o f Tempe r s s ay t ha t t he Land o f P re sen t s was due t o -mor row. ""Oooooh! " s a id Moon-Face , h i s eye s sh in ing . "We mus t a l l go t o THAT! The Land o f P re sen t s ! Tha t ' s a ma rve l l ous l and ! We can a l l go and ge t a s many p re sen t s a s we 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, w i l l you? We ' l l a l l go ! I c an ge t some new ca rpe t s and t h ings . S t amp-a -Lo t spo i l t so many o f my be long ings . ""We ' l l come!" s a id Jo a s he s l i d down the S l i ppe ry - s l i p on a ye l l ow cush ion . "We ' l l a l l come! RATHER!"26 .The Land o f P re sen t s .Nex t day a l l t he fou r ch i l d r en woke up f ee l i ng exc i t ed . I t was so l ove ly when a r e a l l y n i ce Land was a t t he t op o f t he Fa raway T ree . They had been t o t he Land o f B i r t hdays be fo re , and t he Land o f Take -Wha t -You-Wan t . The Land o f Good i e s had been n i ce , and t he Land o f Do-As -You-P l ea se . The Land o f P re sen t s sounded j u s t a s exc i t i ng !" I wonde r who g ive s t he p r e sen t s - and i f you can choose t hem," s a id Fanny . 'Td l i ke a neck l ace o f b lue beads . ""And I ' d l i ke an eno rmous box o f choco l a t e s , " s a id D ick ."You wou ld ! " s a id Jo . "Any th ing t o e a t , and you ' r e happy ! I ' d l i ke a t oy ae rop l ane t ha t wou ld f l y f rom my hands and come back t o t hem."" I sha l l b r i ng some th ing home fo r Mothe r , " s a id Bes s i e . "She wan t s a new pu r se . When can we s t a r t , Jo? I 'm a l l r e ady . "They s e t o f f abou t e l even o ' c l ock , when t hey had done a l l t he i r work . They we re ve ry exc i t ed .I t was so l ove ly t o t h ink t ha t S i l ky , Moon-Face and Saucepan we re s a f e aga in and coming t o en joy t he Land o f P re sen t s w i th t hem. Pe rhaps Wa tz i sname , Saucepan and t he Angry P ix i e wou ld come , t oo .

Wel l , eve ryone i n t he Fa raway T ree had hea rd t ha t t he Land o f P re sen t s was a t t he t op o f t he T ree t ha t day ; and , dea r me , wha t a l o t o f peop l e we re s t e ad i l y c l imb ing up t ha t morn ing ! B rown ie s f rom the wood be low , p ix i e s and e lve s , even r abb i t s f r om the i r ho l e s . The Angry P ix i e ' s house was emp ty . He had gone a l r e ady . The owl had gone , t oo , f o r he was no t a s l e ep i n h i s l i t t l e house a s u sua l . Dame Washa lo t was gone , and no wa t e r c ame pou r ing down the T ree a s t he ch i l d r en c l imbed up ."Wha t a c rowd the r e ' l l b e ! " s a id Jo happ i l y . " I hope we a r en ' t t oo l a t e . I hope t he r e w i l l be some p re sen t s l e f t f o r u s ! ""Oh , goodnes s ! Le t ' s hu r ry ! " s a id D ick i n a l a rm . He d idn ' t wan t t o l o se t he b ig box o f choco l a t e s he wan t ed !Moon-Face , S i l ky and Saucepan we re wa i t i ng mos t impa t i en t l y fo r t hem. "Hur ry , hu r ry ! " c r i ed S i l ky . "The Land o f P re sen t s goes i n an hou r ! I t neve r s t ays l ong ! Qu ick ! Qu ick ! "Up the l adde r t hey a l l wen t , t a l k ing and l augh ing i n exc i t emen t . And , my goodnes s me , wha t a wonde r fu l Land i t was !The re we re Chr i s tmas t r e e s hung w i th p r e sen t s o f a l l k i nds ! The re we re b r an - tubs fu l l o f exc i t i ng pa r ce l s . You had t o d ip i n you r hand fo r t hose . 184The re we re t ab l e s sp r ead w i 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 i ng t ha t wen t on a s peop l e chose t he i r p r e sen t s and wen t o f f w i th t hem!Dick marched up t o a Chr i s tmas T ree because he s aw hang ing on i t a mos t wonde r fu l box o f choco l a t e s . A gob l i n was i n cha rge o f t he T ree , and he smi l ed a t D ick ." I wan t t ha t box o f choco l a t e s , " s a id D ick ."Who i s i t f o r ? " a sked t he gob l i n , ge t t i ng ou t some sc i s so r s t o cu t down the box ."Fo r myse l f , " s a id D ick .The gob l i n pu t away h i s s c i s so r s and shook h i s head g r ave ly . "Th i s i s t he Land o f P re sen t s , " he s a id , "No t t he Land o f Take -Wha t -You-Wan t . You can on ly ge t t h ings he r e t o g ive t o o the r peop l e . I 'm so r ry . Th i s i sn ' t a s e l f i sh l and a t a l l . "D ick l ooked ve ry g loomy . He moved away . How s tup id ! He cou ldn ' t ge t any th ing fo r h imse l f , t hen -and he had so much wan t ed t he choco l a t e s !He s aw a l ove ly b lue neck l ace hang ing on ano the r t r e e , and he t hough t o f Fanny . She had bad ly wan t ed a neck l ace o f b lue beads t o go w i th he r be s t b lue f rock . He wen t up t o t he gob l i n i n cha rge o f t he t r e e ."May I have t ha t b lue neck l ace t o g ive t o Fanny?" he a sked ."Where i s she?" s a id t he gob l i n , ge t t i ng ou t h i s s c i s so r s . "Ca l l he r . ""Fanny , Fanny , come he re ! " c r i ed D ick . " I ' v e go t some th ing fo r you ! "Fanny came runn ing up . The gob l i n handedDick t he b lue neck l ace and he gave i t t o Fanny .

"Pu t i t r ound my neck fo r me and do up t he c l a sp , " she s a id . "Oh , D ick , t hank you ! I t ' s l ove ly ! Now-wha t p r e sen t wou ld you l i ke me t o ge t f o r you r"Oh , Fanny - I ' d l i ke t ha t b ig box o f choco l a t e s , " s a id D ick , beaming a l l ove r h i s f a ce . "Wou ld you l i ke t o ge t i t f o r me?"Fanny a t once a sked t he gob l i n t he r e fo r i t and gave i t t o D ick . He und id t he box and o f f e r ed i t t o Fanny . "Have a choco l a t e? " he s a id .We l l , a s soon a s t he ch i l d r en knew how to s e t abou t ge t t i ng t he p r e sen t s , t hey had a mos t wonde r fu l t ime . A l l excep t dea r o ld Saucepan , who wou ld keep on ge t t i ng t he wrong p re sen t s f o r eve ryone , because he kep t hea r i ng t h ings a l l wrong ."Wha t wou ld you l i ke fo r a p r e sen t ? " he a sked Bes s i e ."Oh , Saucepan , I ' d so l i ke a f rock ! " s a id Bes s i e .We l l , Saucepan t hough t she s a id " c lock" , and o f f he wen t t o f i nd t he b igges t one i n t he Land . He managed t o ge t one a t l a s t and pu t i t on h i s back . I t was a g r and fa the r c l ock and so l a rge t ha t i t qu i t e ben t h im in two wi th i t s we igh t . Eve ryone s t a r ed i n su rp r i s e a s o ld Saucepan came up w i th i t ."He re you a r e , Bes s i e dea r -he re ' s you r c l ock , " s a id Saucepan , beaming a t he r ."Saucepan , I s a id FROCK, no t a c l ock , " s a id Bes s i e , t r y ing no t t o l augh . "A FROCK!"Poor Saucepan . He s imp ly d idn ' t know wha tt o do w i th t he c lock a f t e r t ha t , and i n t he end he l e f t i t i n a f i e l d , s t r i k ing a l l by i t s e l f ve ry so l emn ly .Then he a sked Dame Washa lo t wha t she wou ld l i ke fo r a p r e sen t ."We l l , I need a new i ron , " s a id t he o ld dame ." I ' l l g e t you one , " s a id Saucepan . Bu t , you know, he had hea rd qu i t e wrong . He t hough t Dame Washa lo t s a id " l i on" , t hough i f he had s t opped t o t h ink one momen t he wou ld have known tha t she d idn ' t wan 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 was d i f f i cu l t t o f i nd a l i on i n t he Land o f P re sen t s . Bu t a s t he ru l e t he r e was t ha t wha t eve r anyone wan t ed t hey mus t have , t he gob l i n s managed t o p roduce one somehow.He go t a co l l a r and a l e ad fo r i t and t ook i t back t o Dame Washa lo t and t he o the r s . They a l l s t a r ed a t h im in amazemen t ."Wha t ha s Saucepan go t a l i on fo r ? " s a id Jo ."Dame Washa lo t , he r e i s t he l i on you wan t ed , " s a id Saucepan , beaming ; and he pu t t he l e ad i n Dame Washa lo t ' s hand . She d ropped i t a t once and backed away ."Saucepan ! Don ' t p l ay t h i s k ind o f j oke on me . You know I 'm sca r ed o f l i ons . ""Then why d id you a sk me t o ge t you a l i on?" a sked Saucepan , a s t on i shed ." I s a id an IRON, no t a L ION," s a id Dame Washa lo t qu i t e snapp i l y ."We l l , t hen , wou ldn ' t you l i ke t o pu t i t i n t o you r wash - tub and wash i t c l e an?" s a id Saucepan .Bu t no th ing wou ld make Dame Washa lo t t akethe l i on , so i n t he end Saucepan had t o t ake i t i n t o t he f i e l d whe re t he c lock was , and l e t i t l oose .

"Pe rhaps i t w i l l e a t t he g r a s s and be happy , " s a id Saucepan ."Oh , Saucepan - l i ons don ' t e a t g r a s s , " s a id Jo w i th a l augh . "Now t e l l me -wha t do you wan t f o r a p r e sen t ? ""Some more ke t t l e s and s aucepans , " s a id t he o ld Saucepan Man a t once .So Jo wen t t o a b r an - tub and s a id wha t he wan t ed . He pu t i n h i s hand and d r ew ou t f ou r l a rge , knobb ly pa r ce l s - two sh in ing ke t t l e s and two f i ne s aucepans . The Saucepan Man was ve ry p l ea sed i ndeed . He pu t one o f t he new saucepans on fo r a ha t .We l l , i t was fun i n t he Land o f P re sen t s . Eve ryone wen t r ound ge t t i ng some th ing fo r t he o the r s . D i ck go t a t oy swee t shop fo r Bes s i e . She was de l i gh t ed . She go t a f i ne a e rop l ane fo r Jo t ha t f l ew f rom h i s hand and c l eve r l y c ame back t o i t e ach t ime i t f l ew . Jo go t a new ha t f o r Wa tz i sname wi th a ye l l ow f ea the r i n i t . Wa tz i sname go t a pa i r o f s i l ve r shoes fo r S i l ky , and she pu t t hem on a t once ."Are we a l l owed t o t ake any th ing home fo r ou r mo the r and f a the r ? " Jo a sked Moon-Face ."Of cou r se , so l ong a s you s ay i t i s f o r t hem and no one e l s e , " s a id Moon-Face . So Jo wen t t o whe re a Chr i s tmas T ree was hung w i th p ipe s and t obacco and go t a g r and new p ipe and a t i n o f t obacco fo r h i s f a t he r . And Bes s i e go t a l a rge new pu r se fo r he r mo the r .Sudden ly Jo l ooked a t h i s wa t ch . " I t ' s a lmos t twe lve o ' c l ock , " he s a id . "The Land o f P re sen t s w i l l be mov ing o f f i n a m inu t e . We 'd be t t e r go . Anyway , we r ea l l y c an ' t c a r ry any th ing more ! Go l ly , wha t a l ove ly l o t o f t h ings we 've a l l go t ! "So t hey l e f t t he l ove ly Land o f P re sen t s and wen t down the l adde r t o t he Fa raway T ree . They s a id good -bye t o Moon-Face and t he o the r s , and s a t c a r e fu l l y down on cush ions , t he i r p r e sen t s on t he i r knees so t ha t t hey wou ldn ' t b r eak . And one by one t hey sho t o f f down the S l i ppe ry - s l i p and ou t o f t he f ron t doo r .They hea rd a cu r i ous roa r a s t hey l anded on t he moss ou t s i de t he t r e e . Jo l ooked up i n to t he b r anches ."Do you know, I be l i eve t ha t f unny o ld l i on fo l l owed us down the l adde r ! " he s a id . "Wha teve r w i l l Dame Washa lo t do w i th h im i f he won ' t l e ave he r ! I gues s she w i l l wash h im eve ry day i n he r wash -tub ! ""Wel l , he ' l l w i sh he hadn ' t l e f t t he Land o f P re sen t s t hen ! " s a id Bes s i e w i th a g igg l e . "Come on - l e t ' s go home to Mothe r . Wha t a l ove ly adven tu re ! I hope i t won ' t be t he l a s t . "I t won ' t , b ecause t he Fa raway T ree i s s t i l l t he r e . Bu t we mus t l e ave t hem now to have t he i r adven tu re s by t hemse lve s , f o r t he r e i s no t ime t o t e l l you any more . The re t hey a l l go t h rough t he Enchan t ed Wood , c a r ry ing t he i r l ove ly p r e sen t s -wha t a l ucky l o t o f ch i l d r en t hey a r e , t o be su r e !THE END.