Мэри Поппинс
Christmas Shopping
Maiaturnedthen,andwithherhandlightlytouchedthecheeksofJaneandMichael.Andforamomenttheyallstoodinaringatthewindycornergazingateachotherasthoughtheywereenchanted.
"I’vebeensohappy,"saidMaiasoftly,breakingthesilence."Don’tforgetme,willyou?"
"’Ere!Comedown!Wecan’t’avethiskindofthing!"
Theyshooktheirheads.
"Good-bye,"saidMaia.
"Good-bye,"saidtheothers,thoughitwasthelastthingtheywantedtosay.
ThenMaia,standingpoisedontip-toe,liftedupherarmsandsprangintotheair.Shebegantowalkupit,stepbystep,climbingeverhigher,asthoughtherewereinvisiblestairscutintothegreysky.Shewavedtothemasshewent,andthethreeofthemwavedback.
"Whatonearthishappening?"somebodysaidcloseby.
"Butit’snotpossible!"saidanothervoice.
"Preposterous!"criedathird.ForacrowdwasgatheringtowitnesstheextraordinarysightofMaiareturninghome.
APolicemanpushedhiswaythroughthethrong,scatteringthepeoplewithhistruncheon.
"Naow,naow.Wot’sallthis?ANaccidentorwot?"
Helookedup,hisgazefollowingthatoftherestofthecrowd.
"’Ere!"hecalledangrily,shakinghisfistatMaia."Comedown!Wotyoudoingupthere?’Oldingupthetrafficandall.Comedown!Wecan’t’avethiskindofthing—notinapublicplace.’Tisn’tnatural!"
FarawaytheyheardMaialaughingandsawsomethingbrightdanglingfromherarm.Itwastheskipping-rope.Afterall,theparcelhadcomeundone.
Foramomentlongertheysawherprancinguptheairystair,andthenabankofcloudhidherfromtheireyes
