Мэри Поппинс
Laughing Gas
Wiggsighed,too.Agreat,long,heavysigh.
"Well,isn’tthatapity?"hesaidsoberly."It’sverysadthatyou’vegottogohome.Ineverenjoyedanafternoonsomuch—didyou?"
"Never,"saidMichaelsadly,feelinghowdullitwastobedownontheearthagainwithnoLaughingGasinsidehim.
"Never,never,"saidJane,asshestoodontip-toeandkissedMr.Wigg’swithered-applecheeks."Never,never,never,never…!"
TheysatoneithersideofMaryPoppinsgoinghomeintheBus.Theywerebothveryquiet,thinkingoverthelovelyafternoon.PresentlyMichaelsaidsleepilytoMaryPoppins:
"HowoftendoesyourUnclegetlikethat?"
"Likewhat?"saidMaryPoppinssharply,asthoughMichaelhaddeliberatelysaidsomethingtooffendher.
"Well—allbouncyandboundyandlaughingandgoingupintheair."
"Upintheair?"MaryPoppins’svoicewashighandangry."Whatdoyoumean,pray,upintheair?"
Janetriedtoexplain.
"Michaelmeans—isyourUncleoftenfullofLaughingGas,anddoesheoftengorollingandbobbingaboutontheceilingwhen—"
"Rollingandbobbing!Whatanidea!Rollingand
Creptclosertoherandfellasleep
bobbingontheceiling!You’llbetellingmenexthe’saballoon!"MaryPoppinsgaveanoffendedsniff.
"Buthedid!"saidMichael."Wesawhim."
"What,rollandbob?Howdareyou!I’llhaveyouknowthatmyuncleisasober,honest,hard-workingman,andyou’llbekindenoughtospeakofhimrespectfully.Anddon’tbiteyourBusticket!Rollandbob,indeed—theidea!"
MichaelandJanelookedacrossMaryPoppinsateachother
