Мэри Поппинс
Mrs. Corry
Atlastitwasover.MaryPoppinsshookoutherbasketandshowedMrs.Corrythattherewasnothingleftinit.Thentheycamedownfromtheladdersandtheprocessionstarteddownthehillagain,MissFannieshoulderingtheladders,MissAnniejanglingheremptypailofglue.Atthecornertheystoodtalkingforamoment;thenMaryPoppinsshookhandswiththemallandhurrieduptheLaneagain.Mrs.Corry,dancinglightlyinherelastic-sidedbootsandholdingherskirtsdaintilywithherhands,disappearedintheotherdirectionwithherhugedaughtersstumpingnoisilybehindher.
Thegarden-gateclicked.Footstepscreakedonthepath.Thefrontdooropenedandshutwithasoftclangingsound.PresentlytheyheardMaryPoppinscomequietlyupthestairs,tip-toepastthenurseryandgoonintotheroomwhereshesleptwithJohnandBarbara.
Asthesoundofherfootstepsdiedaway,JaneandMichaellookedateachother.Thenwithoutawordtheywenttogethertothetopleft-handdrawerandlooked.
TherewasnothingtherebutapileofJane’shandkerchiefs.
"Itoldyouso,"saidMichael.
Nexttheywenttothewardrobeandlookedintotheshoe-box.Itwasempty.
"Buthow?Butwhy?"saidMichael,sittingdownontheedgeofhisbedandstaringatJane.
Janesaidnothing.Shejustsatbesidehimwithherarmsroundherkneesandthoughtandthoughtandthought.Atlastsheshookbackherhairandstretchedherselfandstoodup.
"WhatIwanttoknow,"shesaid,"isthis:Arethestarsgoldpaperoristhegoldpaperstars?"
Therewasnoreplytoherquestionandshedidnotexpectone
