Mary Poppins: Chapters 10–12

“Oh no,” said Michael reproachfully. “It’s for myself. I’m saving.”

“One more question from you—and spit-spot, to bed you go!” she said, and began to tidy the Nursery so busily that she looked more like a whirlwind in a cap and apron than a human being.

“That’s all right!” said a deep, gruff voice from within. “Special Visitors allowed in free tonight. Push the wheel, please!”

It was a bitter, angry voice, and looking down they saw that it came from a small black Seal who was leering at them from a moonlit pool of water.

“Dee-lighted!” said the Lion in rather a mincing voice, and he offered her his arm.

The great hall was thronged with animals.

In a third cage three elderly ladies in raincoats and galoshes were imprisoned.

Every time he came near the bars a tiger prodded him gently with a stick and this made Admiral Boom swear dreadfully.

The older children snatched sponge-cakes and dough-nuts from the forks and began to eat ravenously.

Presently, as the keepers passed down the line of cages, a great commotion was heard.

“Blast my vitals—call that a meal? A skimpy little round of beef and a couple of cabbages! What—no Yorkshire pudding? Outrageous! Up with the anchor! And where’s my port? Port, I say! Heave her over! Below there, where’s the Admiral’s port?”

“Well,” said the Lion, as the noise in the hall grew less uproarious. “That appears to be the end. And I’m afraid, if you’ll excuse me, I must be getting along. See you later at the Grand Chain, I hope. I’ll look out for you.”

And, leading them to the door, he took his leave of them, sidling away, swinging his curled mane, his golden body dappled with moonlight and shadow.

“Hairy,” said Michael brightly.
“H’m. Not poetic enough,” observed the Penguin.
“What about wary’?” said Jane.

“Well——” The Penguin appeared to be considering it. “It’s not very good, is it?” he said forlornly.

“Be seated, friends!” he said, bowing graciously to the other snakes who, at that word, slid reverently to the floor again, coiled themselves up, and gazed steadily at the Hamadryad and Mary Poppins.

“The Lord of the Jungle,” hissed all the snakes in unison, as though the question and the answer were part of a well-known ceremony.

And he ran his tail very quickly along his thrown skin, deftly bent the golden sheath into a circle, and diving his head through this as though it were a crown, offered it graciously to Mary Poppins.

And he ran his tail very quickly along his thrown skin, deftly bent the golden sheath into a circle, and diving his head through this as though it were a crown, offered it graciously to Mary Poppins.

Past their feet they could feel all the snakes slipping and writhing as they hurried from the Snake House.

Mary Poppins bowed towards the Hamadryad very ceremoniously, and without a backward glance at the children went running towards the huge green square in the centre of the Zoo.

“You may leave us,” said the Hamadryad to the Brown Bear who, after bowing humbly, ran off with his cap in his hand to where all the other animals were congregating round Mary Poppins.

“But how can tree be stone? A bird is not me. Jane is not a tiger,” said Michael stoutly.

Backwards and forwards went the swaying crowd, keeping time together,
swinging like the pendulum of a clock.

The cries of the swaying animals dwindled and became fainter.

“Ah do, Mary Poppins! You look so nice in your new gloves,” said Michael wilily.
But Mary Poppins, though she appreciated the remark, was not taken in by it.

“She’s very domestic. What about that little stove with the silver saucepans? Yes. And that striped broom. We are so troubled with stardust, and she will love having that to sweep it up with.”

She fluttered on among the toys, never standing still for a moment, but walking with a light quicksilver step, as though she were still twinkling in the sky.

Then Maia, standing poised on tip-toe, lifted up her arms and sprang into the air.

“What on earth is happening?” somebody said close by.
“But its not possible!” said another voice.
“Preposterous!” cried a third.

A Policeman pushed his way through the throng, scattering the people with his truncheon.

Mr. Banks gave her such a hurt look that she wished she had been less tactless and had said she had put it there herself.

“Westerly weather. Bright and balmy. I won’t take an overcoat.”

Mary Poppins gave them their supper and cleared away the things, stacking them neatly and methodically.

The wind was blowing wildly about her, tugging at her skirt, tilting her hat rakishly to one side.