Мэри Поппинс
Christmas Shopping
Shecanbowlitacrosstheskyintheday-timeandmakeacircleofittospinaboutheratnight.She’lllovethatredandblueone."TheAssistantbowedagainandbegantowrapupthehoop.
"Nowthereareonlythetwolittleonesleft.Michael,whatwouldyouadviseforSterope?"
"Whataboutatop?"saidMichael,givingthequestionhisearnestconsideration.
"Ahumming-top?Whatagoodidea!Shewilllovetowatchitgowaltzingandsingingdownthesky.AndwhatdoyouthinkforMerope,thebaby,Jane?"
"JohnandBarbara,"saidJaneshyly,"haverubberducks!"
Maiagaveadelightedsqueakandhuggedherself.
"Oh,Jane,howwiseyouare!Ishouldneverhavethoughtofthat.ArubberduckforMerope,please—ablueonewithyelloweyes."
TheAssistanttieduptheparcels,whileMaiaranroundhim,pushingatthepaper,givingatugtothestringtomakesurethatitwasfirmlyknotted.
"That’sright,"shesaid."Yousee,Imustn’tdropanything."
Michael,whohadbeenstaringsteadilyathereversinceshefirstappeared,turnedandsaidinaloudwhispertoMaryPoppins:
"Butshehasnopurse.Whowillpayforthetoys?"
"Noneofyourbusiness,"snappedMaryPoppins."Andit’srudetowhisper."Butshebegantofumblebusilyinherpocket.
"Whatdidyousay?"demandedMaiawithround,surprisedeyes."Pay?Nobodywillpay.Thereisnothingtopay—isthere?"
SheturnedhershininggazeupontheAssistant.
"Nothingatall,madam,"heassuredher,asheputtheparcelsintoherarmsandbowedagain.
"Ithoughtnot.
