Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR WHAT A SURPRISE! 'This is George's house,' said Peter eagerly, as the chair flew down on to a sloping roof. It was so sloping that they all had to hold on to the nearest chimney. 'Can't we go down with you, Santa?' Santa nodded, so Mollie tried to get into the chimney. But she stuck fast and couldn't go down! Then Peter tried, but he stuck fast too, and so did Binky. Santa Claus laughed softly.

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'Ah! You don't know my trick! I could never get down some of these narrow chimneys if I didn't use some magic oil to make the chimney slippery! In the old days chimneys were very wide and there was no difficulty, but nowadays the chimneys are narrow and small. Stand back, Binky, and I'll pour a little of my oil down.' Santa Claus tipped a small bottle up, and a few drops fell down the chimney. 'Now try, Mollie,' said Santa. So Mollie tried again, and this time she slid down the chimney quite easily, and crept out of the bottom into George's bedroom!

It did seem strange! There was George in bed, and he was snoring very gently, so Mollie knew he must be asleep. Then Peter slid down, then Binky, and last of all Santa Claus. 'You can fill George's stocking if you like,' he whispered to Peter. 'You're a friend of George's, aren't you? I know you like him very much.'

'Yes, he's a fine boy,' said Peter, and he took the books, the fruit, and the box of small motor- cars that Santa gave him. Soon George's stocking was full to the top! 'It's fun playing at being Santa Claus!' said Peter. Then they all crept up the chimney again, but Binky had a dreadful time trying not to sneeze, because the soot got up his nose and tickled it. 'A-tishoo!' he said, when he stood on the roof again, holding firmly to a chimney. 'A-tishoo!' 'Sh!' said Santa in alarm. 'Don't do that!' 'A-tishoo!' said poor Binky. 'I can't help it. A-tishoo!' Santa Claus bundled him into the chair and they all flew off to another house. 'Now this must be the last house you visit with me,'

said Santa Claus, seeing Mollie yawning and rubbing her eyes. 'You must be fresh and lively on Christmas Day, or people will wonder what is the matter with you. You may come down the chimney here, and then I shall fly back to your own house with you, and go on my journey by myself!' The children and Binky were disappointed, but they knew Santa was right. They really were beginning to feel very sleepy. They slipped down the chimney with Santa, and Mollie filled Angela's stocking herself with all kinds of exciting things. Mollie wondered