Мэри Поппинс
John and Barbara's Story
There’salwayssomebodytalkinginthisroom,"saidashrillvoiceatthewindow.
JohnandBarbaralookedup.
ItwastheStarlingwholivedonthetopofthechimney.
"Ilikethat,"saidMaryPoppins,turningroundquickly."Whataboutyourself?Alldaylong—yes,andhalfthenight,too,ontheroofsandtelegraphpoles.Roaringandscreamingandshouting—you’dtalkthelegoffachair,youwould.Worsethananysparrer,andthat’sthetruth."
TheStarlingcockedhisheadononesideandlookeddownatherfromhisperchonthewindow-frame.
"Well,"hesaid,"Ihavemybusinesstoattendto.Consultations,discussions,arguments,bargaining.Andthat,ofcourse,necessitatesacertainamountof—er—quietconversation—"
"Quiet!"exclaimedJohn,laughingheartily.
"AndIwasn’ttalkingtoyou,youngman,"saidtheStarling,hoppingdownontothewindow-sill."Andyouneedn’ttalk—anyway.IheardyouforseveralhoursonendlastSaturdayweek.Goodness,Ithoughtyou’dneverstop—youkeptmeawakeallnight."
"Thatwasn’ttalking,"saidJohn."Iwas—"Hepaused."Imean,Ihadapain."
"Humph!"saidtheStarling,andhoppedontotherailingofBarbara’scot.Hesidledalongituntilhecametotheheadofthecot.Thenhesaidinasoft,wheedlingvoice:
"Well,BarbaraB.,anythingfortheoldfellowtoday,eh?"
Barbarapulledherselfintoasittingpositionbyholdingontooneofthebarsofhercot.
"There’stheotherhalfofmyarrowrootbiscuit,"shesaid,andhelditoutinherround,fatfist.
