Mary Poppins--the Complete Collection by P.L. Travers

Author:P.L. Travers
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2013-09-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

THE MARBLE BOY

“AND DON’T FORGET to buy me an evening paper!” said Mrs Banks, as she handed Jane two pennies and kissed her goodbye.

Michael looked at his Mother reproachfully.

“Is that all you’re going to give us?” he asked. “What’ll happen if we meet the Ice Cream Man?”

“Well,” said Mrs Banks reluctantly. “Here’s another sixpence. But I do think you children get too many treats. I didn’t have Ices every day when I was a little girl.”

Michael looked at her curiously. He could not believe she had ever been a little girl. Mrs George Banks in short skirts and her hair tied up with ribbons? Impossible!

“I suppose,” he said smugly, “you didn’t deserve them!”

And he tucked the sixpence carefully into the pocket of his sailor suit.

“That’s fourpence for the Ice Creams,” said Jane. “And we’ll buy a Lot-o’-Fun with the rest.”

“Out of my way, Miss, if you please!” said a haughty voice behind her.

As neat and trim as a fashion-plate, Mary Poppins came down the steps with Annabel. She dumped her into the perambulator and pushed it past the children.

“Now, Quick March into the Park!” she snapped. “And no meandering!”

Down the path straggled Jane and Michael, with John and Barbara at their heels. The sun spread over Cherry Tree Lane like a bright enormous umbrella. Thrushes and blackbirds sang in the trees. Down at the corner Admiral Boom was busily mowing his lawn.

From the distance came sounds of martial music. The Band was playing at the end of the Park. Along the walks went the flowery sunshades and beneath them sauntered gossiping ladies, exchanging the latest news.

The Park Keeper, in his summer suit – blue with a red stripe on the sleeve – was keeping an eye on everyone as he tramped across the lawns.

“Observe the Rules! Keep Off the Grass! All Litter to be Placed in the Baskets!” he shouted.

Jane gazed at the sunny, dreamy scene. “It’s just like Mr Twigley’s box,” she said with a happy sigh.

Michael put his ear to the trunk of an oak.

“I believe I can hear it growing!” he cried. “It makes a small, soft, creeping sound—”

“You’ll be creeping in a minute! Right back home, unless you hurry!” Mary Poppins warned him.

“No Rubbish Allowed in the Park!” shouted the Keeper as she swept along the Lime Walk.

“Rubbish yourself!” she retorted briskly, with a haughty toss of her head.

He took off his hat and fanned his face as he stared at her retreating back. And you knew from the way Mary Poppins smiled that she knew quite well he was staring. How could he help it, she thought to herself. Wasn’t she wearing her new white jacket, with the pink collar and the pink belt and the four pink buttons down the front?

“Which way are we going today?” asked Michael.

“That remains to be seen!” she answered him priggishly.

“I was only enquiring—” Michael argued.

“Don’t, then!” she advised, with a warning sniff.

“She never lets me say anything!” he grumbled under his hat to Jane. “I’ll go dumb

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