The Day Out

           EverythirdThursday,"saidMrs.Banks."Twotillfive."

           MaryPoppinseyedhersternly."Thebestpeople,ma’am,"shesaid,"giveeverysecondThursday,andonetillsix.AndthoseIshalltakeor—"MaryPoppinspaused,andMrs.Banksknewwhatthepausemeant.Itmeantthatifshedidn’tgetwhatshewantedMaryPoppinswouldnotstay.

           "Verywell,verywell,"saidMrs.Bankshurriedly,thoughshewishedMaryPoppinsdidnotknowsoverymuchmoreaboutthebestpeoplethanshedidherself.

           SoMaryPoppinsputonherwhiteglovesandtuckedherumbrellaunderherarm—notbecauseitwasrainingbutbecauseithadsuchabeautifulhandlethatshecouldn’tpossiblyleaveitathome.Howcouldyouleaveyourumbrellabehindifithadaparrot’sheadforahandle?Besides,MaryPoppinswasveryvainandlikedtolookherbest.Indeed,shewasquitesurethatsheneverlookedanythingelse.

           JanewavedtoherfromtheNurserywindow.

           "Whereareyougoing?"shecalled.

           "Kindlyclosethatwindow,"repliedMaryPoppins,andJane’sheadhurriedlydisappearedinsidetheNursery.

           MaryPoppinswalkeddownthegardenpathandopenedthegate.OnceoutsideintheLane,shesetoffwalkingveryquicklyasifshewereafraidtheafternoonwouldrunawayfromherifshedidn’tkeepupwithit.Atthecornersheturnedtotherightandthentotheleft,noddedhaughtilytothePoliceman,whosaiditwasaniceday,andbythattimeshefeltthatherDayOuthadbegun.