John and Barbara's Story

           JaneandMichaelhadgoneofftoaparty,wearingtheirbestclothesandlooking,asEllenthehousemaidsaidwhenshesawthem,"justlikeashopwindow."

           Alltheafternoonthehousewasveryquietandstill,asthoughitwerethinkingitsownthoughts,ordreamingperhaps.

           DowninthekitchenMrs.Brillwasreadingthepaperwithherspectaclesperchedonhernose.RobertsonAywassittinginthegardenbusilydoingnothing.Mrs.Bankswasonthedrawing-roomsofawithherfeetup.Andthehousestoodveryquietlyaroundthemall,dreamingitsowndreams,orthinkingperhaps.

           UpstairsinthenurseryMaryPoppinswasairingtheclothesbythefire,andthesunlightpouredinatthewindow,flickeringonthewhitewalls,dancingoverthecotswherethebabieswerelying.

           "Isay,moveover!You’rerightinmyeyes,"saidJohninaloudvoice.

           "Sorry!"saidthesunlight."ButIcan’thelpit.I’vegottogetacrossthisroomsomehow.Ordersisorders.ImustmovefromEasttoWestinadayandmywayliesthroughthisNursery.Sorry!Shutyoureyesandyouwon’tnoticeme."

           Thegoldshaftofsunlightlengthenedacrosstheroom.ItwasobviouslymovingasquicklyasitcouldinordertoobligeJohn.

           "Howsoft,howsweetyouare!Iloveyou,"saidBarbara,holdingoutherhandstoitsshiningwarmth.

           "Goodgirl,"saidthesunlightapprovingly,andmovedupoverhercheeksandintoherhairwithalight,caressingmovement."Doyoulikethefeelofme?"itsaid,asthoughitlovedbeingpraised.

           "Dee-licious!"saidBarbara,withahappysigh.

           "Chatter,chatter,chatter!Ineverheardsuchaplaceforchatter.