Мэри Поппинс
Christmas Shopping
Theyweretoobusywiththeirownextraordinaryadventure.
"Hereweare!"saidMaia,assheprancedintotheToyDepartment."Now,whatshallwechoose?"
AnAssistant,withastart,bowedrespectfullyassoonashesawher.
"Iwantsomethingforeachofmysisters—sixofthem.Youmusthelpme,please,"saidMaia,smilingathim.
"Certainly,madam,"saidtheAssistantagreeably.
"First—myeldestsister,"saidMaia."She’sverydomestic.Whataboutthatlittlestovewiththesilversaucepans?Yes.Andthatstripedbroom.Wearesotroubledwithstar-dust,andshewilllovehavingthattosweepitupwith."
TheAssistantbeganwrappingthethingsincolouredpaper.
"NowforTaygete.Shelikesdancing.Don’tyouthink,Jane,askipping-ropewouldbejustthethingforher?You’lltiethemcarefully,won’tyou?"shesaidtotheAssistant."Ihavealongwaytogo."
Sheflutteredonamongthetoys,neverstandingstillforamoment,butwalkingwithalightquicksilverstep,asthoughshewerestilltwinklinginthesky.
MaryPoppinsandJaneandMichaelcouldnottaketheireyesoffherassheflickeredfromoneofthemtoanotheraskingtheiradvice.
"Thenthere’sAlcyone.She’sdifficult.She’ssoquietandthoughtfulandneverseemstowantanything.Abook,doyouthink,MaryPoppins?WhatisthisFamily—theSwiss-Robinsons?Ithinkshewouldlikethat.Andifshedoesn’t,shecanlookatthepictures.Wrapitup!"
ShehandedthebooktotheAssistant.
"IknowwhatCelaenowants,"shewenton."Ahoop.
