Mary Poppins in the Park by P. L. Travers Read Free Book Online Page B

of such a thing!"
    The Policeman, mopping up his scratches, gallantly sprang to attention.
    "Very good, Your Honour!" he said smartly, and marched away down the Walk.
    "As for you, Smith, this is all your fault. Your duty is to look after the Park! But what do I find when I pass this way? Wild animals running all over it. You disappoint me again and again. I must mention it to the King."
    The Park Keeper fell on his knees with a groan.
    "Oh,
please
don't mention it, Your Honour! Think of me poor old mother!"
    "You should have thought of her yourself before you let that lion in!"
    "But I never let 'im in, Your Worship! It wasn't my fault 'e came over the wall. If anyone's to blame, it's——" The Park Keeper broke off nervously, but he looked in Mary Poppins' direction.
    So did the Lord Mayor.
    "Aha!" he exclaimed, with a gracious smile. "Charmed to meet you again, Miss—er——?"
    "Poppins," said Mary Poppins politely.
    "Poppins—ah, yes! A charming name! Now, if Smith were only
you,
Miss Poppins, these things would never occur!"
    With a bow, the Lord Mayor turned away and billowed down the Walk. The two Aldermen also bowed, and billowed along behind him.
    "That's all
you
know!" said the Park Keeper, as he watched them disappear. "If I was 'er—ha, ha, that's funny!—
anything
could happen!"
    "If I were
you,
I'd straighten my tie," said Mary Poppins primly. "Get down from that fountain, Jane and Michael!" She glanced at their grimy knees and faces. "You look like a couple of Blackamoors!"
    "We can't all be like you, you know!" the Park Keeper said sarcastically.
    "No," she agreed. "And mores the pity!" She pushed the perambulator forward.
    "But, Mary Poppins——" Michael burst out. He was longing to ask her about the Lion.
    "Butting's for goats—not human beings! Best foot forward, please!"
    "It's no use, Michael," whispered Jane. "You know she never explains."
    But Michael was too excited to heed.
    "Well, if I can't talk about the Lion, will you let me blow your whistle?"
    "Certainly not!" She sauntered on.
    "I wonder, Mary Poppins," he cried, "if you'll ever let me do
anything!
"
    "I wonder!" she said, with a mocking smile.
    Twilight was falling over the Park. People were scrambling out of the trees and hurrying home to safety.
    From the Far Gate came a frightful din. And looking through it the children saw a motionless block of traffic. The lights were red, the horns were hooting and the drivers were shaking their fists.
    The Policeman was calmly surveying the scene. He had been given an order and he was obeying it.
    "Has your brother Albert gone for good?" cried Jane, as he waved to them.
    "No idea," he replied calmly. "And it's no affair of mine!"
    Then round the perambulator swung and they all went back by the Long Walk. The Twins and Annabel, weary of playing with the blue duck, let it drop over the side. Nobody noticed. Jane and Michael were far too busy thinking about the day's adventure. And Mary Poppins was far too busy thinking about Mary Poppins.
    "I wonder where Albert's gone?" murmured Michael, as he strolled along beside her.
    "How should
I
know?" she answered, shrugging.
    "I thought you knew everything!" he retorted. "I meant it politely, Mary Poppins!"
    Her face, which was just about to be fierce, took on a conceited expression.
    "Maybe I do," she said smugly, as she hurried them across the Lane and in through the front gate....
    "Oh, Ellen!" Mrs. Banks was saying, as they all came into the hall. "Would you dust the mantelpiece while you're there? Well, darlings?" She greeted the children gaily.
    Ellen, half-way up the stairs, replied with a loud sneeze. "A-tishoo!" She had Hay Fever. She was carrying mugs of milk on a tray and they rattled each time she sneezed.
    "Oh, go on, Ellen! You're so
slow!
" said Michael impatiently.
    "You hard-hearted—a-tishoo!" she cried, as she dumped the tray on the nursery table.
    Helter-skelter they all ran in, as Ellen took a cloth from her pocket and began to dust