The Bird Woman

           Perhapsshewon’tbethere,"saidMichael.

           "Yes,shewill,"saidJane."She’salwaysthereforeverandever."

           TheywerewalkingupLudgateHillonthewaytopayavisittoMr.BanksintheCity.ForhehadsaidthatmorningtoMrs.Banks:

           "Mydear,ifitdoesn’trainIthinkJaneandMichaelmightcallformeattheOfficetoday—thatis,ifyouareagreeable.IhaveafeelingIshouldliketobetakenouttoTeaandShortbreadFingersandit’snotoftenIhaveaTreat."

           AndMrs.Bankshadsaidshewouldthinkaboutit.

           Butalldaylong,thoughJaneandMichaelhadwatchedheranxiously,shehadnotseemedtobethinkingaboutitatall.Fromthethingsshesaid,shewasthinkingabouttheLaundryBillandMichael’snewovercoatandwherewasAuntFlossie’saddress,andwhydidthatwretchedMrs.JacksonaskhertoteaonthesecondThursdayofthemonthwhensheknewthatwastheverydayMrs.BankshadtogototheDentist’s?

           Suddenly,whentheyfeltquitesureshewouldneverthinkaboutMr.Banks’streat,shesaid:

           "Now,children,don’tstandstaringatmelikethat.Getyourthingson.YouaregoingtotheCitytohaveteawithyourFather.Hadyouforgotten?"

           Asiftheycouldhaveforgotten!ForitwasnotasthoughitwereonlytheTeathatmattered.TherewasalsotheBirdWoman,andsheherselfwasthebestofallTreats.

           ThatiswhytheywerewalkingupLudgateHillandfeelingveryexcited.

           MaryPoppinswalkedbetweenthem,wearinghernewhatandlookingverydistinguished.