Мэри Поппинс
East Wind
Andthatshewasthin,withlargefeetandhands,andsmall,ratherpeeringblueeyes.
Holdingherhatonwithonehandandcarrying
abagintheother
"You’llfindthattheyareverynicechildren,"Mrs.Bankswassaying.
Michael’selbowgaveasharpdigatJane’sribs.
"Andthattheygivenotroubleatall,"continuedMrs.Banksuncertainly,asifsheherselfdidn’treallybelievewhatshewassaying.Theyheardthevisitorsniffasthoughshedidn’teither.
"Now,aboutreferences—"Mrs.Bankswenton.
"Oh,Imakeitarulenevertogivereferences,"saidtheotherfirmly.Mrs.Banksstared.
"ButIthoughtitwasusual,"shesaid."Imean—Iunderstoodpeoplealwaysdid."
"Averyold-fashionedidea,tomymind,"JaneandMichaelheardthesternvoicesay."Veryold-fashioned.Quiteoutofdate,asyoumightsay."
Now,iftherewasonethingMrs.Banksdidnotlike,itwastobethoughtold-fashioned.Shejustcouldn’tbearit.Soshesaidquickly:
"Verywell,then.Wewon’tbotheraboutthem.Ionlyasked,ofcourse,incaseyou—er—requiredit.Thenurseryisupstairs—"Andsheledthewaytowardsthestaircase,talkingallthetime,withoutstoppingonce.AndbecauseshewasdoingthatMrs.Banksdidnotnoticewhatwashappeningbehindher,butJaneandMichael,watchingfromthetoplanding,hadanexcellentviewoftheextraordinarythingthevisitornowdid.
CertainlyshefollowedMrs.Banksupstairs,butnotintheusualway.Withherlargebaginherhandssheslidgracefullyupthebanisters,andarrivedatthelandingatthesametimeasMrs.Banks.
