Free The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Page A

today, which was fear. The Prock banked on the fact that we would be afraid. Tomorrow he may use greed, envy, superstition, pride, lust or selfishness. Not only will he play on our vices, he will undoubtedly use our virtues as well."
    "How could he do that?" asked Ben.
    "Oh, by relying on your generosity, or sentimentality, or even your sense of humor."
    "I don't understand any of this," said Lindy. "Lindy, all you have to know is that your greatest weapons are reason and lack of fear."
    "You've been through a lot of this before, haven't you, Professor?" Ben asked.
    "Indeed I have. I have made many excursions into Whangdoodleland and I have faced many dangers, and you can see I'm none the worse for my adventures."
    "Well, there you are, Lindy," said Ben comfortingly. "If the professor can do it, so can we. How about giving it another try?"
    Lindy looked at the professor and the two boys. "Would we see the Whiffle Bird again?" she asked. "Undoubtedly."
    "When should we go to Whangdoodleland again?" Ben wanted to know.
    "As soon as possible. I am sure the Prock is banking on the fact that we've been thoroughly scared. He won't be expecting us to try anything right away. That gives us a great advantage."
    "Won't he know we're there?" said Lindy fearfully.
    "I doubt it. Don't forget, he has a lot to do just being prime minister. I'm certain he only knows where we are when he has time to check."
    "Like he did with me," said Lindy, remembering her walk home from school.
    "Precisely. Now, the best remedy for a bad scare is to turn right around and face whatever frightened you. So are you game for another attempt tomorrow?"
    "Yes," said Ben.
    "Yes," said Tom.
    "Okay," said Lindy.
    "Bravo." The professor beamed. "I have three of the bravest friends in the world. I am tremendously proud of you. Give me your scrappy caps. I don't want you wandering around with those 'on your heads. Go home now. Sleep well. Don't be afraid. I will see you early tomorrow."
    The children wondered how on earth they were going to face their parents. How would they stop themselves from talking about their fantastic adventure? To their surprise it turned out to be much easier than they anticipated.
    When they arrived home they found their mother packing suitcases for the visit to Grandma. Mr. Potter was busy making last-minute phone calls. Ethel was preparing dinner. Nobody paid any particular attention to the children.
    "I want you to start dinner without us," Mrs. Potter said. "Daddy and I still have lots to do."
    "What time do you go, Mummy?" Lindy wanted to know.
    "We're leaving tomorrow morning. We'll be back a week from Sunday."
    "Did you tell Ethel we'd be visiting the professor?" Tom asked.
    Mrs. Potter smiled. "You and your professor. That's all you talk about these days. Yes, I did speak to Ethel. It's perfectly all right."
    The children went downstairs to dinner. They were not very hungry and they toyed with their food as they talked quietly together.
    Mrs. Potter would have been very surprised had she been able to hear the conversation. The children went over every detail of their amazing visit to Whangdoodleland. They talked about the terrible Sidewinders, the "oily" Prock and the beautiful Whiffle Bird. They thought with pleasure of the beautiful flowers and trees, and the incredible singing river. Uppermost in their minds was the fact that tomorrow was the beginning of their school holiday and they were going to visit Whangdoodleland again. Each child wondered what fresh adventures the day would bring.

FOUR
    When the children arrived at his house, the professor wasted no time in getting down to essentials. He put them through a grueling set of warming-up exercises that demanded every ounce of concentration they had. Before giving them the scrappy caps again he spoke once more of the need for caution. "I know that I repeat myself. But please be alert and watchful and stay close to me."
    The children were eager to begin. Forgotten were the terrors