West Wind

           ItwasthefirstdayofSpring.

           JaneandMichaelknewthisatonce,becausetheyheardMr.Bankssinginginhisbath,andtherewasonlyonedayintheyearwhenhedidthat.

           Theyalwaysrememberedthatparticularmorning.Foronething,itwasthefirsttimetheywereallowedtocomedownstairsforbreakfast,andforanotherMr.Bankslosthisblackbag.Sothatthedaybeganwithtwoextraordinaryhappenings.

           "WhereismyBAG?"shoutedMr.Banks,turningroundandroundinthehalllikeadogchasingitstail.

           Andeverybodyelsebeganrunningroundandroundtoo—EllenandMrs.Brillandthechildren.EvenRobertsonAymadeaspecialeffortandturnedroundtwice.AtlastMr.Banksdiscoveredthebaghimselfinhisstudy,andherushedintothehallwithit,holdingitaloft.

           "Now,"hesaid,asthoughheweredeliveringasermon,"mybagisalwayskeptinoneplace.Here.Ontheumbrella-stand.Whoputitinthestudy?"heroared.

           "Youdid,mydear,whenyoutooktheIncomeTaxpapersoutofitlastnight,"saidMrs.Banks.

           Mr.Banksgavehersuchahurtlookthatshewishedshehadbeenlesstactlessandhadsaidshehadputitthereherself.

           "Humph—Urrumph!"hesaid,blowinghisnoseveryhardandtakinghisovercoatfromitspeg.Hewalkedwithittothefrontdoor.

           "Hullo,"hesaidmorecheerfully,"theParrotTUlipsareinbud!"Hewentintothegardenandsniffedtheair."H’m,wind’sintheWest,Ithink."HelookeddowntowardsAdmiralBoom’shousewherethetelescopeweathercockswung."Ithoughtso,"hesaid."Westerlyweather.Brightandbalmy.Iwon’ttakeanovercoat.