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Copyright 1943 by P. L . Travers Copyright renewed 1971 by P. L . Travers

A l l rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage a n d retrieval

system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission to make copies of a n y part of the w o r k should be submitted online at www.harcourt.com/contact or mailed

to the following address: Permissions Department, H a r c o u r t , Inc., 6277 S e a H a r b o r D r i v e , Orlando, F l o r i d a 32887-6777.

w w w . H a r c o u r t B o o k s . c o m

F i r s t H a r c o u r t Y o u n g Classic/Odyssey C l a s s i c editions 1997 F i r s t published 1943

T h e L i b r a r y of Congress has cataloged a n earlier edition as follows: Travers, P. L . , 1899-1996.

M a r y Poppins opens the door/P. L . Travers. p. cm.

S u m m a r y : M a r y Poppins returns to the B a n k s family in a rocket a n d involves the B a n k s children i n more magical adventures,

including those with Peppermint Horses, the M a r b l e Boy, a n d the C a t T h a t L o o k e d at the K i n g .

[1. F a n t a s y ] I. Shepard, Mary, 1 9 0 9 - ill. I I . Sims, Agnes. I I I . Title. P Z 7 - T 6 8 9 M a t i o 1997

[ F i c ] 7S-30697

ISBN-13: 978-0-15-201722-4 I S B N - I O : 0-15-201722-4

Text set in O l d Style 7

Display type hand-lettered by G e o r g i a D e a v e r Designed by A p r i l W a r d

Printed in the United States of A m e r i c a

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I

T H E F I F T H O F N O V E M B E R *

I

T WAS one of those bleak and chilly mornings that r e m i n d you w i n t e r is coming. Cherry-Tree Lane was quiet and still. The mist hung over the Park like a shadow. A l l the houses looked exactly alike as the grey fog wrapped them round. A d m i r a l Boom's flagstaff, w i t h the telescope at the top of i t , had en-tirely disappeared.

The M i l k m a n , as he turned into the Lane, could hardly see his way.

" M i l k Belooow!" he called, outside the A d m i -ral's door. A n d his voice sounded so queer and hol-low that i t gave h i m quite a fright.

" I ' l l go 'ome till the fog lifts," he said to himself. " ' E r e ! L o o k where you're goin'!" he went on, as a shape loomed suddenly out of the mist and b u m p e d against his shoulder.

" B u m b l e , bumble, bum-bur-um-bumble," said a gentle, muffled voice.

*See opposite page.

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2 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

" O h , it's you!" said the M i l k m a n , w i t h a sigh of relief.

" B u m b l e , " remarked the Sweep again. H e was holding his brushes i n front of his face to keep his moustache dry.

" O u t early, aren't you?" the M i l k m a n said. The Sweep gave a j e r k of his black t h u m b to-wards Miss L a r k ' s house.

" H a d to do the chimbley before the dogs had break-fast. I n case the soot gave them a cough," he explained.

The M i l k m a n laughed rudely. For that was w h a t everybody d i d when Miss L a r k ' s t w o dogs were men-tioned.

The mist w e n t wreathing t h r o u g h the air. There was not a sound i n the Lane.

" U g h ! " said the M i l k m a n , shivering. " T h i s quiet gives me the 'Orrors!"

A n d as he said that, the Lane woke up. A sudden roar came f r o m one of the houses and the sound of stamping feet.

"That's N u m b e r Seventeen!" said the Sweep. "Ex-cuse me, old chap. I t h i n k I ' m needed." H e cautiously felt his w a y to the gate and w e n t up the garden path. . . .

Inside the house, M r . Banks was marching up and d o w n , k i c k i n g the hall furniture.

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" I ' v e had about all I can stand!" he shouted, wav-ing his arms wildly.

" Y o u keep on saying that," M r s . Banks cried. " B u t you w o n ' t tell me what's the matter." She looked at M r . Banks anxiously.

"Everything's the matter!" he roared. " L o o k at this!" H e waggled his right foot at her. "And this!" he went on, as he waggled his left.

M r s . Banks peered closely at the feet. She was rather short-sighted and the hall was misty.

" I — e r — d o n ' t see a n y t h i n g w r o n g , " she began timidly.

" O f course you don't!" he said, sarcastically. " I t ' s only imagination, of course, that makes me t h i n k Robertson Ay has given me one black shoe and one b r o w n ! " A n d again he waggled his feet.

" O h ! " said M r s . Banks hurriedly. For n o w she saw clearly w h a t the trouble was.

" Y o u may well say ' O h ! ' So w i l l Robertson A y when I give h i m the sack tonight."

" I t ' s not his fault, Daddy!" cried Jane, f r o m the stairs. " H e couldn't see—because of the fog. Besides, he's not strong."

"He's strong enough to make m y life a misery!" said M r . Banks angrily.

" H e needs rest, Daddy!" M i c h a e l reminded h i m , h u r r y i n g d o w n after Jane.

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4 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

" H e ' l l get i t ! " promised M r . Banks, as he snatched up his bag. " W h e n I t h i n k of the things I could have done i f I hadn't gone and got married! L i v e d alone i n a Cave, perhaps. O r I m i g h t have gone R o u n d the W o r l d . "

" A n d w h a t w o u l d we have done, then?" asked Michael.

" Y o u w o u l d have h a d to fend for yourselves. A n d serve you right! Where's m y overcoat?"

" Y o u have i t on, George," said M r s . Banks, meekly.

"Yes!" he retorted. " A n d only one button! B u t any-thing 's good enough for me\ I'm only the m a n w h o Pays the Bills. I shall not be home for dinner."

A w a i l of protest w e n t up f r o m the children. " B u t it's G u y Fawkes' Day," wheedled M r s . Banks. " A n d you so good at letting off rockets."

" N o rockets for me!" cried M r . Banks. " N o t h i n g b u t trouble f r o m m o r n i n g t i l l night!" H e shook M r s . B a n k s ' h a n d f r o m his a r m and dashed out of the house.

"Shake, sir!" said the Sweep i n a friendly voice as M r . Banks knocked into h i m , " I t ' s lucky, you know, to shake hands w i t h a Sweep."

"Away, away!" said M r . Banks wildly. " T h i s is not m y lucky day!"

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The Sweep looked after h i m for a moment. T h e n he smiled to himself and rang the door-bell. . . . "He doesn't mean i t , does he, Mother? H e will come home for the fireworks!" Jane and Michael rushed at M r s . Banks and tugged at her skirt.

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6 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

sighed, as she looked at her face i n the front hall mirror.

A n d she thought to herself—Yes, I ' m getting t h i n -ner. One of m y dimples has gone already and soon I shall lose the second. N o one w i l l look at me any more. A n d it's all her fault!

B y her, M r s . Banks meant M a r y Poppins, w h o had been the children's nurse. As long as M a r y Pop-pins was i n the house, everything had gone smoothly. B u t since t h a t day w h e n she had left t h e m — s o sud-denly and w i t h o u t a W o r d of W a r n i n g — t h e f a m i l y had gone f r o m B a d to Worse.

Here am I , thought M r s . Banks miserably, w i t h five w i l d children and no one to help me. I ' v e adver-tised. I ' v e asked m y friends. B u t nothing seems to happen. A n d George is getting crosser and crosser; and Annabel's teething; and Jane and Michael and the Twins are so naughty, not to mention that a w f u l Income Tax

She watched a tear r u n over the spot where the dimple had once been.

" I t ' s no good," she said, w i t h sudden decision. " I shall have to send for Miss Andrew."

A cry w e n t up f r o m all four children. A w a y i n the Nursery, Annabel screamed. For Miss A n d r e w had once been their Father's governess and they knew how frightful she was.

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" I w o n ' t speak to her!" shouted Jane, i n a rage. " I ' l l spit on her shoes i f she comes!" threatened Michael.

"No, no!" wailed John and Barbara miserably. Mrs. Banks clapped her hands to her ears. " C h i l -dren, have mercy!" she cried i n despair.

"Beg pardon, m a ' a m , " said Ellen the housemaid, as she tapped M r s . Banks on the shoulder. "The Sweep is 'ere for the D r a w i n g - r o o m Chimbley. B u t I w a r n you, ma'am, it's m y Day Out! A n d I can't clean up after ' i m . So there!" She blew her nose w i t h a t r u m p e t i n g sound.

"Excuse me!" said the Sweep cheerfully, as he dragged i n his bags and brushes.

' " O o ' s that?" came the voice of M r s . B r i l l as she hurried up from the kitchen. "The Sweep? O n Bak-ing Day? N o , you don't! I ' m sorry to give you notice, ma'am. B u t i f that H o t t e n t o t goes into the chimney, / shall go out of the door."

M r s . Banks glanced r o u n d desperately.

" I d i d n ' t ask h i m to come!" she declared. " I don't even k n o w i f the chimney wants sweeping!"

"A chimbley's always glad of a brush." The Sweep stepped calmly into the D r a w i n g - r o o m and began to spread out his sheet.

M r s . Banks looked nervously at M r s . B r i l l . "Per-haps Robertson Ay could h e l p — " she began.

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8 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

"Robertson is asleep i n the pantry, w r a p p e d i n your best lace shawl. A n d nothing w i l l wake h i m , " said M r s . B r i l l , " b u t the sound of the Last Trombone. So, i f you please, I ' l l be packing m y bag. ' O w ! L e t me go, you H i n d o o ! "

For the Sweep had seized M r s . B r i l l ' s hand and was shaking i t vigorously. A reluctant smile spread over her face.

" W e l l — j u s t this once!" she remarked cheerfully. A n d she went d o w n the kitchen stairs.

T h e Sweep t u r n e d to Ellen w i t h a grin.

" D o n ' t touch me, you black heathen!" she screamed in a terrified voice. B u t he took her hand i n a firm grip and she, too, began to smile. "Well, no messing u p the carpet!" she w a r n e d h i m , and h u r r i e d off to her w o r k .

"Shake!" said the Sweep, as he turned to the chil-dren. " I t ' s sure to b r i n g you luck!" H e left a black m a r k on each of their palms and they all felt suddenly better.

T h e n he put out his hand to M r s . Banks. A n d as she took his w a r m black fingers her courage came flowing back.

"We must make the best of things, darlings," she said. " I shall advertise for another nurse. A n d per-haps something good w i l l happen."

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Jane and Michael sighed w i t h relief. A t least she was not going to send for Miss Andrew.

" W h a t do you do when yon need luck?" asked Jane, as she followed the Sweep to the Drawing-room.

"Oh, I j u s t shake 'ands w i t h meself," he said, cheerfully, pushing his brush up the chimney.

A l l day long the children watched h i m and argued over w h o should h a n d h i m the brushes. N o w and again M r s . Banks came i n , to complain of the noise and h u r r y the Sweep.

A n d all day long, beyond the windows, the mist crept t h r o u g h the Lane. E v e r y sound was muffled. The birds were gone. Except for an old and m o u l t i n g Starling w h o kept on peering through the cracks i n the blinds as i f he were looking for someone.

A t last the Sweep crept out of the chimney and smiled at his h a n d i w o r k .

"So k i n d of you!" said M r s . Banks hurriedly. "Now, I ' m sure you must w a n t to pack up and go home "

"/'m i n no ' U r r y , " remarked the Sweep. " M e Tea isn't ready t i l l six o'clock and I ' v e got an hour to fill in "

"Well, you can't fill i t i n here!" M r s . Banks shrieked. " I have to tidy up this room before m y hus-band comes home!"

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i o M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

" I tell you w h a t — " the Sweep said calmly. " I f you've got a rocket or t w o about you, I could take them children into the Park and show 'em a few fire-works. I t ' d give you a rest a n d meself a TVeat. I ' v e always been very partial to rockets, ever since a b o y — a n d before!"

A yell of delight went up f r o m the children. Michael r a n to a w i n d o w and lifted the b l i n d .

" O h , look what's happened!" he cried i n t r i u m p h . For a change had come to Cherry-TVee Lane. The chill grey mist had cleared away. T h e houses were l i t w i t h w a r m soft lights. A n d away i n the West shone a glimmer of sunset, rosy and clear and bright.

"Remember your coats!" cried M r s . Banks, as the children darted away. T h e n she r a n to the cupboard under the staircase and brought out a nobbly parcel. "Here y o u are!" she said breathlessly to the Sweep. "And, m i n d , be careful of sparks!"

"Sparks?" said the Sweep. "Why, sparks is m y 'Obby. T h e m and the soot w o t comes after!"

The children leapt like puppies about h i m as he went d o w n the garden path. M r s . Banks sat d o w n for t w o minutes' rest on one of the sheet-covered chairs. The Starling looked i n at her for a moment. T h e n he shook his head disappointedly and flew away a g a i n . . . .

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Daylight was fading as they crossed the road. B y the Park railings Bert, the M a t c h m a n , was spreading out his tray. H e l i t a candle w i t h one of his matches and began to d r a w pictures on the pavement. He nodded gaily to the children as they hurried t h r o u g h the Gates.

" N o w , all we need," the Sweep said fussily, "is a clear patch of grass "

" W h i c h you w o n ' t get!" said a voice behind them. "The Park is closed at 5:30."

O u t f r o m the shadows came the Park Keeper, looking very belligerent.

" B u t it's Guy Fawkes' D a y — t h e F i f t h of Novem-ber!" the children answered quickly.

"Orders is orders!" he retorted, "and all days are alike to me."

"Well, where can we let off the fireworks?" Michael demanded impatiently.

A greedy look leapt to the Keeper's eyes.

"You got some fireworks?" he said hungrily. "Well, w h y not say so before!" A n d he snatched the parcel from the Sweep and began to untie the string. " M a t c h e s — t h a t ' s w h a t we need!" he went on, pant-ing w i t h excitement.

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M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

followed the children into the Park and was standing behind t h e m w i t h his lighted candle.

The Park Keeper opened a bundle of Squibs. "They're ours, you k n o w ! " M i c h a e l reminded h i m . "Ah, let me help y o u — d o ! " said the Keeper. " I ' v e never 'ad fun on G u y Fawkes' D a y — n e v e r since I was a boy!"

A n d w i t h o u t w a i t i n g for permission, he l i t the Squibs at the Matchman's candle. The hissing streams of fire poured out, and pop, pop, pop, went the crackers. The Park Keeper seized a Catherine Wheel and stuck i t on a branch. The rings of light began to t u r n and sparkled on the air. A n d after that he was so excited that nothing could stop h i m . He went on lighting fuse after fuse as though he had gone mad.

Flower Pots streamed f r o m the dewy grass and Golden Rain flowed d o w n through the darkness. Top Hats burned for a bright short moment; Balloons went floating up to the branches; and Firesnakes w r i t h e d i n the shadows. The children j u m p e d and squeaked and shouted. The Park Keeper ran about among t h e m like a large frenzied dog. A n d a m i d the noise and the sparkling lights the M a t c h m a n waited quietly. The flame of his candle never wavered as they l i t their fuses f r o m i t .

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" N o w ! " cried the Keeper, w h o was hoarse w i t h shouting. " N o w we come to the rockets!"

A l l the other fireworks had gone. N o t h i n g re-mained i n the nobbly parcel except three long black sticks.

"No you don't!" said the Sweep, as the Keeper snatched them. "Share and share. That's fair!" He gave the Keeper one rocket and kept the others for himself and the children.

" M a k e way, make way!" said the Keeper impor-tantly, as he l i t the fuse at the candle flame and stuck the stick i n the ground.

Hissing and guttering, the spark ran d o w n like a little golden thread. T h e n — w h o o p ! went the stick as it shot away. U p i n the sky the children heard a small faraway bang. A n d a s w i r l of red-and-blue stars broke out and rained upon the Park.

"Oh!" cried the children. A n d " O h ! " cried the Sweep. For that is the only w o r d anyone can say when a rocket's stars break out.

T h e n i t was the Sweep's t u r n . The candle-light gleamed on his black face as he l i t the fuse of his rocket. T h e n came a whoop and another bang and white-and-green stars spread over the sky like the ribs of a b r i g h t umbrella. A n d again the watchers all cried " O h ! " and sighed for sheer joy.

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M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

" I t ' s our t u r n now!" cried Jane and M i c h a e l . A n d their fingers trembled as they l i t the fuse. T h e y pressed the stick d o w n into the earth a n d stepped back to watch. T h e thread of golden fire ran d o w n . Whe-e-e-ew! U p w e n t the stick w i t h a singing sound, up to the very top of the sky. A n d Jane and M i c h a e l held their breath as they w a i t e d for i t to burst.

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A t last, far away and very faint, they heard the little bang.

N o w for the stars, they thought to themselves. B u t — a l a s ! — n o t h i n g happened.

"Oh!" said everyone a g a i n — n o t for j o y this time, but for disappointment. For no stars broke f r o m the t h i r d rocket. There was nothing b u t darkness and the empty sky.

" T r i c k s y — t h a t ' s w h a t they are!" said the Sweep. "There are some as j u s t doesn't go off! Well, come on home, all. There's no good staring. N o t h i n g w i l l come d o w n now!"

"Closing T i m e ! Everyone out of the Park!" cried the Park Keeper importantly.

B u t Jane and M i c h a e l took no notice. T h e y stood there watching, hand i n hand. For their hopeful eyes had noticed something that nobody else had seen. U p in the sky a tiny spark hovered and swayed i n the darkness. W h a t could i t be? N o t the stick of the rocket, for that must have fallen long ago. A n d cer-tainly not a star, they thought, for the little spark was moving.

"Perhaps it's a special k i n d of rocket that has only one spark," said Michael.

"Perhaps," Jane answered quietly, as she watched the tiny light.

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16 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

T h e y stood together, gazing upwards. Even i f there was only one spark they w o u l d w a t c h t i l l i t w e n t out. B u t , strangely enough, i t d i d not go out. I n fact, i t was g r o w i n g larger.

"Let's get a move on!" urged the Sweep. A n d again the Park Keeper cried:

"Closing T i m e ! "

B u t still they waited. A n d still the spark grew ever larger and brighter. T h e n suddenly Jane caught her breath. A n d M i c h a e l gave a gasp. O h , was i t pos-sible—? C o u l d i t b e — ? they silently asked each other.

D o w n came the spark, g r o w i n g longer and wider. A n d as i t came, i t took on a shape that was strange and also familiar. O u t of the glowing core of light emerged a curious figure—a figure i n a black straw hat and a blue coat t r i m m e d w i t h silver b u t t o n s — a figure that carried i n one hand something that looked like a carpet bag, and i n the o t h e r — o h , could it be t r u e ? — a parrot-headed umbrella.

B e h i n d them the M a t c h m a n gave a cry and ran through the Park Gates.

T h e curious figure was d r i f t i n g n o w to the tops of the naked trees. Its feet touched the highest bough of an oak and stepped d o w n daintily t h r o u g h the branches. I t stood for a moment on the lowest bough and balanced itself neatly.

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Jane and Michael began to r u n and their breath broke f r o m them i n a happy shout.

" M a r y Poppins! M a r y Poppins! M a r y Poppins!" Half-laughing, half-weeping, they flung themselves upon her.

" Y o u ' v e ccome bback, at llast!" stammered M i -chael excitedly, as he clutched her neatly shod foot. I t was w a r m and bony and quite real and i t smelt of Black Boot-polish.

"We knew y o u ' d come back. We trusted you!" Jane seized M a r y Poppins' other foot and dragged at her cotton stocking.

M a r y Poppins' m o u t h crinkled w i t h the ghost of a smile. T h e n she looked at the children fiercely.

" I ' l l t h a n k you to let go m y shoes!" she snapped. " I am not an object i n a Bargain Basement!"

She shook them off and stepped d o w n from the tree, as John and Barbara, mewing like kittens, rushed over the grass towards her.

"Hyenas!" she said w i t h an angry glare, as she loosened their clutching fingers. " A n d what, may I ask, are you all d o i n g — r u n n i n g about i n the Park at night and looking like Blackamoors?"

Q u i c k l y they pulled out handkerchiefs and began to r u b their cheeks.

" M y fault, Miss Poppins," the Sweep apologised. " I been sweeping the D r a w i n g - r o o m chimbley."

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18 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

"Somebody w i l l be sweeping you, i f you don't look out!" she retorted.

" B u t - b u t ! Glog-glog! E r - r u m p h ! Glug-glug!" Speechless w i t h astonishment, the Park Keeper blocked their path.

" O u t of m y way, please!" said M a r y Poppins, haughtily brushing h i m aside as she pushed the chil-dren i n front of her.

"This is the Second T i m e ! " he gasped, suddenly finding his voice. " F i r s t it's a Kite and n o w it's a — Y o u can't do things like this, I tell you! I t ' s against the Law. A n d , furthermore, it's all against N a t u r e . "

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(22)

20 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

He flung out his hand i n a w i l d gesture and M a r y Poppins popped into i t a small piece of cardboard.

"Wot's this?" he demanded, t u r n i n g i t over. " M y Return Ticket," she calmly replied.

A n d Jane and M i c h a e l looked at each other and nodded wisely together.

" T i c k e t — w o t ticket? Buses have tickets and so do trains. B u t you came d o w n on I-don't-know-what! Where d i d you come from? ' O w d i d you get 'ere? That's w h a t I w a n t to k n o w ! "

"Curiosity K i l l e d a Cat!" said M a r y Poppins primly. She pushed the Park Keeper to one side and left h i m staring at the little green ticket as though i t were a ghost.

The children danced and leapt about her as they came to the Park Gates.

" W a l k quietly, please," she t o l d them crossly. "You are not a School of Porpoises! A n d w h i c h of you, I ' d like to know, has been playing w i t h lighted candles?"

T h e M a t c h m a n scrambled u p f r o m his knees. " I l i t i t , M a r y , " he said eagerly. " I wanted to write you a " He waved his hands. A n d there on the pavement, not quite finished, was the one w o r d

W E L C O M

M a r y Poppins smiled at the coloured letters. "That's a lovely greeting, Bert," she said softly.

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The M a t c h m a n seized her black-gloved hand, and looked at her eagerly. "Shall I see you on Thursday, M a r y ? " he asked.

She nodded. "Thursday, Bert," she said. T h e n she flung a w i t h e r i n g look at the children. " N o d a w d l i n g , if you please!" she commanded, as she hurried them across the Lane to N u m b e r Seventeen.

U p i n the Nursery Annabel was screaming her head off. M r s . Banks was r u n n i n g along the hall, calling out soothing phrases. As the children opened the F r o n t Door, she gave one look at M a r y Poppins, and collapsed upon the stairs.

"Can i t be you, M a r y Poppins?" she gasped. " I t can, m a ' a m , " M a r y Poppins said calmly. " B u t — w h e r e d i d you spring from?" M r s . Banks cried.

"She sprang right out of a " Michael was just about to explain when he felt M a r y Poppins' eyes upon h i m . H e knew very well w h a t that look meant. He stammered and was silent.

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22 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

" I came f r o m the Park, m a ' a m , " said M a r y Pop-pins, w i t h the patient air of a martyr.

" T h a n k goodness!" breathed M r s . Banks f r o m her heart. T h e n she remembered all that had happened since M a r y Poppins had left them. I mustn't seem too pleased, she thought. O r she'll be more uppish than ever!

"You left me W i t h o u t a W o r d , M a r y Poppins," she said w i t h an air of dignity. " I t h i n k you m i g h t tell me when you're coming and going. I never k n o w where I a m . "

" N o b o d y does, m a ' a m , " said M a r y Poppins, as she calmly unbuttoned her gloves.

" D o n ' t you, M a r y Poppins?" asked M r s . Banks, i n a very wistful voice.

" O h , she knows," Michael answered daringly. M a r y Poppins gave h i m an angry glare.

"Well, you're here now, anyway!" M r s . Banks cried. She felt extremely relieved. For n o w she need neither advertise nor send for Miss Andrew.

"Yes, ma'am. Excuse me," said M a r y Poppins. A n d she neatly stepped past M r s . Banks and p u t her carpet bag on the bannisters. I t slid up swiftly w i t h a w h i s t l i n g sound and bounced into the N u r s -ery. T h e n she gave the umbrella a little toss. I t spread its black silk wings like a b i r d and flew up after the carpet bag w i t h a parrot-like squawk.

(25)

The children gave an astonished gasp and t u r n e d to see i f their M o t h e r had noticed.

B u t M r s . Banks had no thought for a n y t h i n g b u t to get to the telephone.

"The D r a w i n g - r o o m chimney has been cleaned. We are having L a m b Chops and peas for dinner. A n d M a r y Poppins is back!" she cried, breathlessly.

" I don't believe i t ! " crackled M r . Banks' voice. " I shall come and see for myself!"

M r s . Banks smiled happily as she h u n g up the receiver. . . .

M a r y Poppins w e n t p r i m l y up the stairs and the chil-dren tore past her into the Nursery. There on the hearth lay the carpet bag. A n d standing i n its usual corner was the parrot-headed umbrella. T h e y had a settled, satisfied air as though they had been there for years. I n the cradle, Annabel, blue i n the face, was tying herself into knots. She stared i n surprise at M a r y Poppins, and smiled a toothless smile. T h e n she p u t on her Innocent Angel look and began to play tunes on her toes.

" H u m p h ! " said M a r y Poppins grimly, as she p u t her straw hat i n its paper bag. She took off her coat and h u n g i t up on the hook behind the door. T h e n she glanced at herself i n the Nursery m i r r o r and stooped to unlock the carpet bag.

(26)

24 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

I t was quite empty except for a curled-up Tape Measure.

"What's that for, M a r y Poppins?" asked Jane. "To measure you," she replied quickly. "To see how you've g r o w n . "

"You needn't bother," M i c h a e l i n f o r m e d her. "We've all g r o w n t w o inches. D a d d y measured us." "Stand straight, please!" M a r y Poppins said calmly, ignoring the remark. She measured h i m f r o m his head to his feet and gave a loud sniff.

" I m i g h t have k n o w n i t ! " she said, snorting. "You've g r o w n Worse and Worse."

Michael stared. "Tape Measures don't tell words, they tell inches," he said, protestingly.

"Since when?" she demanded haughtily, as she thrust i t under his nose. There on the Tape were the tell-tale words i n big blue letters:

W - O R - S - E A - N - D W - O - R - S - E

"Oh!" he said, i n a horrified whisper.

" H e a d up, please!" said M a r y Poppins, stretching the Tape against Jane.

"Jane has g r o w n into a W i l f u l , Lazy, Selfish child," she read out i n t r i u m p h .

(27)

I haven't, M a r y Poppins!" she cried. For, funnily enough, she only remembered the times w h e n she had been good.

M a r y Poppins slipped the Tape r o u n d the Twins. "Quarrelsome" was their measurement. " F r e t f u l and Spoilt," was Annabel's.

" I thought so!" M a r y Poppins said, sniffing. " I ' v e only got to t u r n m y back for you to become a Menagerie!"

She drew the Tape r o u n d her o w n waist; and a satisfied smile spread over her face.

"Better T h a n Ever. Practically Perfect," her o w n measurement read.

" N o more than I expected," she preened. A n d added, w i t h a furious glare, " N o w , spit-spot into the B a t h r o o m ! "

T h e y hurried eagerly to obey her. For n o w that M a r y Poppins was back, everything went w i t h a swing. T h e y undressed and bathed i n the w i n k of an eye. N o b o d y d a w d l e d over Supper, nobody left a c r u m b or a drop. T h e y pushed i n their chairs, folded their napkins and scrambled into bed.

U p and d o w n the Nursery went M a r y Poppins, tucking them all i n . They could smell her old famil-iar smell, a m i x t u r e of toast and starchy aprons. They could feel her o l d familiar shape, solid and real

(28)

26 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

beneath her clothes. T h e y watched her i n adoring si-lence, d r i n k i n g her i n .

Michael, as she passed his bed, peered over the edge and under i t . There was n o t h i n g there except dust and slippers. T h e n he peeped under Jane's bed. N o t h i n g there, either.

" B u t where are you going to sleep, M a r y Pop-pins?" he enquired curiously.

As he spoke, she touched the door of the clothes cupboard. I t burst open noisily and out of i t , w i t h a graceful sweep, came the old camp bed. I t was made up, ready to be slept i n . A n d u p o n i t , i n a neat pile, were M a r y Poppins' possessions. There were the Sun-light Soap a n d the hairpins, the bottle of scent, the folding armchair, the toothbrush and the lozenges. T h e nightgowns, cotton, and flannel as w e l l , were tidily laid on the pillow. A n d beside them were the boots and the dominoes, and the bathing-caps and the postcard a l b u m .

The children sat up i n a gaping row.

" B u t h o w d i d i t get i n there?" demanded Michael. "There wasn't a sign of i t today. I know, 'cos I h i d there f r o m Ellen!"

H e dared not go on w i t h his questions, however, for M a r y Poppins looked so haughty that the words froze on his lips. W i t h a sniff, she turned away f r o m h i m and unfolded a flannel n i g h t g o w n .

(29)

Jane and Michael looked at each other. A n d their eyes said all that their tongues could not: I t ' s no good expecting her to explain, they told each other silently. They watched her comical scarecrow movements as she undressed beneath the nightgown. C l i p , c l i p — the buttons flew apart. O f f went her petticoat—swish, swish, swish! A peaceful feeling stole into the chil-dren. A n d they knew that i t came from M a r y Pop-pins. Dreamily w a t c h i n g the w r i g g l i n g n i g h t g o w n , they thought of all that had happened. H o w she had first arrived at the house, b l o w n by the West W i n d . H o w her umbrella had carried her off when the w i n d went r o u n d to the East. They thought how she had come back to them on the day when they flew the Kite; and how she had ridden away once more and left them lonely for her comforting presence.

Well, n o w — t h e y sighed h a p p i l y — s h e was back again, a n d j u s t the same as ever. Here she was, settling d o w n i n the Nursery, as calmly as though she had never left it. The thoughts he was t h i n k i n g rose up i n Michael like bubbles i n soda water. A n d before he could stop them, they burst right out.

" O h , M a r y Poppins," he cried, eagerly, "it's been just a w f u l w i t h o u t you!"

H e r lip quivered. I t seemed as though a smile m i g h t break out. B u t i t changed its m i n d and didn't.

(30)

28 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

house is nothing b u t a Bear Garden. I wonder anyone stays i n i t ! "

" B u t you w i l l , w o n ' t you?" he said wheedlingly. " W e ' l l be good as gold, i f only y o u ' l l stay!" Jane promised solemnly.

She looked f r o m one to the other calmly, seeing right d o w n inside their hearts a n d understanding everything.

" I ' l l stay " she said, after a little pause. " I ' l l stay t i l l the door opens." A n d as she spoke she gazed thoughtfully at the door of the Nursery.

Jane gave a little anxious cry. " O h , don't say that, M a r y Poppins!" she wailed. " T h a t door is always opening!"

M a r y Poppins glared.

" I meant the Other Door," she said, as she but-toned up her nightgown.

" W h a t can she mean?" Jane whispered to Michael. " I k n o w w h a t she means," he answered cleverly. "There isn't any other door. A n d a door t h a t isn't there, can't open. So she's going to stay forever." H e hugged himself happily at the thought.

Jane, however, was not so sure. I wonder, she thought to herself.

B u t M i c h a e l w e n t on cheerfully babbling.

(31)

" I t brought us w o n d e r f u l luck. Perhaps he'll do the Nursery next and shake hands w i t h you, M a r y Poppins!"

"Pooh!" she replied, w i t h a toss of her head. " I don't need any luck, t h a n k you!"

" N o , " he said thoughtfully, " I suppose you don't. Anyone w h o can come out of a rocket—as you d i d to-n i g h t — m u s t be b o r to-n lucky. I m e a to-n — e r — o h , doto-n't

look at me!"

He gave a little beseeching cry, for M a r y Poppins was glaring at h i m i n a way that made h i m shudder. Standing there i n her flannel nightgown, she seemed to freeze h i m i n his cosy bed.

" I wonder i f I heard you correctly?" she enquired in an icy voice. " D i d I understand you to mention

Me—in connection w i t h a Rocket?" She said the

w o r d "Rocket" i n such a way as to make i t seem quite shocking.

I n terror, M i c h a e l glanced about h i m . B u t no help came f r o m the other children. A n d he knew he w o u l d have to go through w i t h i t .

" B u t you d i d , M a r y Poppins!" he protested bravely. "The rocket went pop! and there you were, coming out of i t d o w n the sky!"

She seemed to grow larger as she came towards h i m .

(32)

30 M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

"Pop?" she repeated, furiously. " I p o p p e d — a n d came out of a rocket?"

H e shrank back feebly against the pillow. " W e l l — that's w h a t i t looked l i k e — d i d n ' t i t , Jane?"

" H u s h ! " whispered Jane, w i t h a shake of her head. She knew i t was no good arguing.

" I have to say i t , M a r y Poppins! We saw you!" Michael wailed. " A n d i f you d i d n ' t come out of the rocket, w h a t d i d ! There weren't any stars!"

"Pop!" said M a r y Poppins again. " O u t of a rocket w i t h a pop! You have often insulted me, Michael Banks, but this is the Very Worst. I f I hear any more about P o p s — o r Rockets " She d i d not tell h i m w h a t she w o u l d do but he knew i t w o u l d be dreadful.

"Wee-twee! Wee-twee!"

A small voice sounded f r o m the w i n d o w - s i l l . A n old Starling peered into the N u r s e r y and flapped his wings excitedly.

M a r y Poppins bounded to the window.

"Be off, y o u sparrer!" she said fiercely. A n d as the Starling darted away she switched out the light and pounced into bed. T h e y heard her angrily m u t t e r i n g "Pop!" as she pulled the blankets up.

T h e n silence settled over them like a soft comfort-ing cloud. I t had almost folded t h e m to sleep when the faintest m u r m u r came f r o m Jane's bed.

(33)

"Michael!" she said, i n a careful whisper.

H e sat u p cautiously and looked i n the direction of her p o i n t i n g finger.

F r o m the corner by the fireplace came a little glow of light. A n d they saw t h a t the folds of the par-rot u m b r e l l a were full of coloured s t a r s — t h e k i n d of stars you expect to see w h e n a rocket breaks i n the sky. T h e i r eyes grew wide w i t h astonishment as the parrot's head bent d o w n . T h e n , one by one, its beak plucked the stars f r o m the silken folds and threw t h e m on the floor. T h e y gleamed for a mo-ment, gold and silver, then faded a n d w e n t out. T h e n the p a r r o t head straightened u p o n the handle, a n d M a r y Poppins' black u m b r e l l a stood stiff and still i n its corner.

(34)

M A R Y P O P P I N S O P E N S T H E D O O R

T h e children looked at each other and smiled. B u t they said nothing. T h e y could only wonder and be silent. T h e y knew there were not enough words i n the Dictionary for the things that happened to M a r y Poppins.

"Tick-tock!" said the clock on the mantelpiece. "Go to sleep, children! T i c k , tock, tick!"

T h e n they closed their eyes on the happy day and the clock kept time w i t h their quiet breathing. M r . Banks sat and snored i n his study w i t h a news-paper over his face.

M r s . Banks was sewing new black buttons on his old overcoat.

"Are you still t h i n k i n g w h a t you m i g h t have done i f you hadn't got married?" she asked.

" E h , what?" said M r . Banks, w a k i n g up. "Well, no. It's much too much trouble. A n d n o w that M a r y Pop-pins is back, I shan't have to t h i n k about anything."

"Good," said M r s . Banks, sewing briskly. " A n d I ' l l t r y and teach Robertson Ay."

"Teach h i m what?" M r . Banks said, sleepily. " N o t to give you one black a n d one b r o w n , of course!"

" Y o u ' l l do nothing of the k i n d , " M r . Banks i n -sisted. "The m i x t u r e was m u c h a d m i r e d at the Office. I shall always wear them that w a y i n future."

(35)

"Indeed?" said M r s . Banks, smiling happily. O n the whole, she felt glad M r . Banks had married. A n d now that M a r y Poppins was back, she w o u l d tell h i m so more often. . . .

Downstairs i n the kitchen sat M r s . B r i l l . T h e Police-man had j u s t brought Ellen home and was staying for a C u p of Tea.

" T h a t M a r y Poppins!" he said, sipping. "She's 'ere today and gone tomorrer, j u s t like them Willy-the-Wisps!"

" O w ! D o n ' t say that!" said Ellen, sniffling. " I thought she was come to stay."

The Policeman gave her his handkerchief.

"Maybe she w i l l ! " he told her fondly. "You never can tell, y o u know."

"Well, I ' m sure I hope so," sighed M r s . B r i l l . "This 'ouse is a M o d e l Residence whenever she's i n i t . "

" I hope so, too. I need a rest," said Robertson A y to the brooms. A n d he snuggled d o w n under M r s . Banks' shawl and went to sleep again.

B u t w h a t M a r y Poppins hoped, none of them knew. For M a r y Poppins, as everyone knows, never told anyone anything. . . .

References

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