Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE MISTER CUBB'S STRANGE ARMY Binky saw the children peeping in. He got up from the sofa and called them. 'Hallo! I'm so glad you've come. Come along in. I've got an old friend here, and I want you to meet him? The old friend stood up - and what do you think he was? He was a tall teddy bear, so old that his hair had turned grey! He was not as tall as they were, but a bit taller than Binky. 'This is Mister Cubbs, the ruler of Teddy Bear Village,' said Binky. The teddy bear bowed politely, and shook hands.

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'I've been telling Mister Cubbs about your toys that Mister Grim has got, and won't give you back,' said Binky. 'I think Mister Grim should be forced to give them up to you,' said Mister Cubbs earnestly. 'I propose that I raise a little army from Toyland and march on the school.' Peter and Mollie gazed at him in wonder and astonishment. It all sounded like a dream to them- but a very exciting and interesting

dream. An army from Toyland! Good gracious -whoever heard of such a thing? 'Mister Cubbs has very great influence in Toyland, explained Binky. 'In fact, he has now ruled over it for nearly a hundred years.' 'Are you really a hundred years old!' asked Mollie, amazed. 'One hundred and fifty-three, to be exact,' said Mister Cubbs, with a polite little bow. 'Now, what I suggest is this. I will send to the wooden soldiers, the clockwork animals and the sailor dolls- and also my teddies, of course, and tell them to meet me at a certain place. They will make a very fine army.' 'And you'll march on the school, I suppose?' said Binky. 'And when you have defeated Mister Grim you will rescue Rosebud, the doll, and the other toys?'

'Exactly,' said Mister Cubbs. 'Can we come, too?' said Peter, excited. 'I'd simply love to see all this.' 'I'll send you word when we mean to march, said the teddy bear. 'It will probably be tomorrow evening. Well, I must go now. Thank you for a very pleasant evening, Mister Binky.' They went back to bed, hoping that the wishing-chair would grow its wings the next night if the teddy bear gathered together his curious little army. They raced downstairs as soon as they could and were met by a very excited Binky. 'I'm so glad you've come. The wishing-chair has grown little buds of wings already— they'll sprout properly in a minute! And the teddy bear has sent to say that his army is on the march!'

'Oh- what a bit of luck!' cried the children, and ran to the chair. Just as they got to it the knoblike buds on its legs burst open- and out spread the lovely green and yellow wings again! They began to flap at once and made quite a wind. 'Come on,' said Peter, sitting in the chair. 'Let's go! And, Binky, don't let's forget to take Winks away from that horrid school, if we can. He can live with you here in the playroom if he hasn't got a home to go to.'