Мэри Поппинс
Bad Tuesday
Then,ahugePolarBearleaptoutand,standingonhishindlegs,proceededtohugMaryPoppins.
"Iwasafraidyoumightbetrappers,"hesaid."WelcometotheNorthPole,allofyou."
Heputoutalongpinktongue,roughandwarmasabathtowel,andgentlylickedthechildren’scheeks.
Theytrembled.DidPolarBearseatchildren,theywondered?
"You’reshivering!"theBearsaidkindly."That’sbecauseyouneedsomethingtoeat.Makeyourselvescomfortableonthisiceberg."Hewavedapawatablockofice."Now,whatwouldyoulike?Cod?Shrimps?Justsomethingtokeepthewolffromthedoor."
"I’mafraidwecan’tstay,"MaryPoppinsbrokein."We’reonourwayroundtheworld."
"Well,doletmegetyoualittlesnack.Itwon’ttakemeajiffy."
Hesprangintotheblue-greenwaterandcameupwithaherring."Iwishyoucouldhavestayedforachat."HetuckedthefishintoMaryPoppins’shand."Ilongforabitofgossip."
"Anothertimeperhaps,"shesaid."Andthankyouforthefish."
"South!"shesaidtothecompass.
ItseemedtoJaneandMichaelthenthattheworldwasspinningroundthem.Astheyfelttheairgettingsoftandwarm,theyfoundthemselvesinaleafyjunglefromwhichcameanoisysoundofsquawking.
"Welcome!"shriekedalargeHyacinthMacawwhowasperchedonabranchwithoutstretchedwings."You’rejustthepersonweneed,MaryPoppins.Mywife’soffgadding,andI’mlefttositontheeggs.Dotakeaturn,there’sagoodgirl.Ineedalittlerest."
Heliftedaspreadwingcautiously,disclosinganestwithtwowhiteeggs.
"Alas,thisisjustapassingvisit.
