Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO GOBLIN TOWN Binky ran off. The children didn't follow, for they knew that Binky didn't like them to see the fairies, who were very shy. He came back, running fast, his face red with excitement.

'Yes- the fairies saw Big-Ears the goblin pass by here last night- so he must have found the ring and taken it. They said that he seemed very pleased about something.' 'Oh dear! How can we get it back for Mother?' asked Mollie in despair. 'We'll get it back all right. Don't worry,' said Binky. 'As soon as the wishing-chair grows its wings again, we'll go off to old Big-Ears. He'll soon give it back. He's an old coward.' 'Good!' said the children in delight. 'Oh, won't it be fun to have an adventure again! Where does Big-Ears live?' 'Not very far away,' said Binky. 'In Goblin Town. Listen- there's your dinner-bell. You go in to dinner and I'll see if I can get the wishing-chair to grow its wings again. Sometimes a little singing helps it.'

The children ran indoors, bubbling with excitement. What fun if the chair grew its wings that afternoon. After dinner they ran back to their playroom. Binky met them at the door with a grin. 'The chair's grown its wings!' he said. 'It is in a great hurry to get away, so come on!' Peter and Mollie ran into the playroom. The wishing-chair certainly seemed in a great

hurry to go. Its wings were flapping merrily, and it was giving little hops about the floor. 'It thinks it's a bird or something!' said Binky, grinning. 'It will twitter soon!' The children sat down on the seat. Binky climbed on to the back. 'To Goblin Town!' he cried. The chair rose into the air and flew out of the door with such a rush that the children were nearly thrown out of their seats.

'Steady, chair, steady!' said Binky. 'There's not such a dreadful hurry, you know.' The chair flew so high in the air that the children were above the clouds and could see nothing below them but the rolling white mist, like a great dazzling snowfield.

'Where are we now?' asked Mollie, peering down. 'Are we getting near Goblin Town?' 'We must be,' said Binky. 'But we shan't know till the chair dives down through the clouds again. Ah! Here we go!' Down went the chair through the cold white clouds.