East Wind

           IfyouwanttofindCherry-TreeLaneallyouhavetodoisaskthePolicemanatthecross-roads.Hewillpushhishelmetslightlytooneside,scratchhisheadthoughtfully,andthenhewillpointhishugewhite-glovedfingerandsay:"Firsttoyourright,secondtoyourleft,sharprightagain,andyou’rethere.Good-morning."

           Andsureenough,ifyoufollowhisdirectionsexactly,youwillbethere—rightinthemiddleofCherry-TreeLane,wherethehousesrundownonesideandtheParkrunsdowntheotherandthecherry-treesgodancingrightdownthemiddle.

           IfyouarelookingforNumberSeventeen—anditismorethanlikelythatyouwillbe,forthisbookisallaboutthatparticularhouse—youwillverysoonfindit.Tobeginwith,itisthesmallesthouseintheLane.Andbesidesthat,itistheonlyonethatisratherdilapidatedandneedsacoatofpaint.ButMr.Banks,whoownsit,saidtoMrs.Banksthatshecouldhaveeitheranice,clean,comfortablehouseorfourchildren.Butnotboth,forhecouldn’taffordit.

           AndafterMrs.BankshadgiventhemattersomeconsiderationshecametotheconclusionthatshewouldratherhaveJane,whowastheeldest,andMichael,whocamenext,andJohnandBarbara,whowereTwinsandcamelastofall.Soitwassettled,andthatwashowtheBanksfamilycametoliveatNumberSeventeen,withMrs.Brilltocookforthem,andEllentolaythetables,andRobertsonAytocutthelawnandcleantheknivesandpolishtheshoesand,asMr.Banksalwayssaid,"towastehistimeandmymoney.