Мэри Поппинс
Christmas Shopping
Sowithasighshewrenchedherselfawayfromhergloriousreflection.
"Nowwewillgoin,"shesaid,andannoyedJaneandMichaelverymuchbylingeringattheHaberdasherycounterandtakinggreattroubleoverthechoiceofareelofblackcotton.
"TheToyDepartment,"Michaelremindedher,"isinthatdirection."
"Iknow,thankyou.Don’tpoint,"shesaid,andpaidherbillwithaggravatingslowness.
ButatlasttheyfoundthemselvesalongsideFatherChristmas,whowenttothegreatesttroubleinhelpingthemchoosetheirpresents.
"ThatwilldonicelyforDaddy,"saidMichael,selectingaclockworktrainwithspecialsignals."IwilltakecareofitforhimwhenhegoestotheCity."
"IthinkIwillgetthisforMother,"saidJane,pushingasmalldoll’sperambulatorwhich,shefeltsure,herMotherhadalwayswanted."Perhapsshewilllendittomesometimes."
Afterthat,MichaelchoseapacketofhairpinsforeachoftheTwinsandaMeccanosetforhisMother,amechanicalbeetleforRobertsonAy,apairofspectaclesforEllenwhoseeyesightwasperfectlygood,andsomebootlacesforMrs.Brillwhoalwaysworeslippers.
Jane,aftersomehesitation,eventuallydecidedthatawhitedickeywouldbejustthethingforMr.Banks,andsheboughtRobinsonCrusoefortheTwinstoreadwhentheygrewup.
"Untiltheyareoldenough,Icanreaditmyself,"shesaid."Iamsuretheywilllendittome."
MaryPoppinsthenhadagreatargumentwithFatherChristmasoveracakeofsoap.
"WhynotLifebuoy?"saidFatherChristmas,tryingtobehelpfulandlookinganxiouslyatMaryPoppins,forshewasbeingrathersnappy.
