As for the tops and ninepins, dominoes and other small fry, they just spun and hopped up and down the road and in and out of the houses, not really playing at anything, but enjoying it all as much as anyone. And the pictures in the story-books took no notice of anybody, but went for long walks in the woods, with their arms round each other’s necks, gossiping.
It really was the best adventure of the lot, Peggy and the Giant agreed, as they sat by their door that afternoon, the Giant smoking and reading a newspaper, and Peggy looking down the busy village street. None of the villagers came back at all, and it really felt as if the whole place was their very own.
“Even that pump looks exciting, because it’s ours,” said Peggy, “and if only Mother was home again everything would be perfect, wouldn’t it?”
“Well, why don’t you wish she was coming?” said the Giant. “You’ve got one more wish left still, and she’ll see you get home without any help from me or the Ring either!”
Peggy jumped to her feet and ran down the road. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? Round the corner she tore, away from everyone’s sight, even the Giant’s, her heart beating fast. Then—“I wish Mummie was coming now!” she said—and at once a little tiny speck appeared far, far away on the white road....
And of course the speck turned into a motor, and of course Mother was inside it.—And directly that happened, the Ring flew right off Peggy’s thumb and completely disappeared—goodness knows where.
“And did you come to meet me!” said Mother, jumping out of the motor and kissing Peggy dozens and dozens of times. “You are a nice Pegtop! Weren’t you frightened all by yourself on the road?”
“O Mummie, this is much the nicest wish of all,” gasped Peggy, as Mother jumped in again with her in her arms, and they whizzed along down the road. “Why!” as they passed through the village, “the Toys are all gone and so is the Giant!”
“You’ve not answered my question yet, my Peggums,” said Mother, pressing her closer.
“Of course I wasn’t frightened, Mummie!” said Peggy, burying her nose in the bunch of violets pinned to Mother’s coat. “You see, I had my Giant with me.”