Мэри Поппинс
John and Barbara's Story
Icanalwayscomfortthem.Quitegood,quitegood,"saidMrs.Banks,asthoughsheweresingingalullaby."Andtheteethwillsoonbethrough."
"Yes,ma’am,"saidMaryPoppinsquietly;andsmilingtotheTwins,Mrs.Bankswentoutandclosedthedoor.
ThemomentshehaddisappearedtheStarlingburstintoapealofrudelaughter.
"Excusemesmiling!"hecried."Butreally—Ican’thelpit.Whatascene!Whatascene!"
Johntooknonoticeofhim.HepushedhisfacethroughthebarsofhiscotandcalledsoftlyandfiercelytoBarbara:
"Iwon’tbeliketheothers.ItellyouIwon’t.They,"hejerkedhisheadtowardstheStarlingandMaryPoppins,"cansaywhattheylike.I’llneverforget,never]"
MaryPoppinssmiled,asecret,I-know-better-than-yousortofsmile,alltoherself.
"NorI,"answeredBarbara."Ever."
"Blessmytail-feathers—listentothem!"shriekedtheStarling,asheputhiswingsonhishipsandroaredwithmirth."Asiftheycouldhelpforgetting!Why,inamonthortwo—threeatthemost—theywon’tevenknowwhatmynameis—sillycuckoos!Silly,half-grown,featherlesscuckoos!Ha!Ha!Ha!"Andwithanotherloudpealoflaughterhespreadhisspeckledwingsandflewoutofthewindow….
Itwasnotverylongafterwardsthattheteeth,aftermuchtrouble,camethroughasallteethmust,andtheTwinshadtheirfirstbirthday.
ThedayafterthebirthdaypartytheStarling,whohadbeenawayonholidayatBournemouth,camebacktoNumberSeventeen,Cherry-TreeLane.
