Mary Poppins (6)

Mary Poppins (6)

Michael's elbow gave a sharp dig at Jane's ribs.

" And that they give no trouble at all, " continued Mrs Banks uncertainly , as if she herself didn't really believe what she was saying.

They heard the visitor sniff as though she sidn't either. 

" Now, about referencesー" Mrs   Banks went on.

" Oh, I make it a rule never to give references, " said the other firmly.

Mrs Banks stared.

" But I thought it was usual, " she said. " I meanーI understood people always did. "

" A vey old-fashioned idea, to my mind, " Jane and Michael heard the stern voice say.
" Very old-fashioned. Quite out of date, as you might say. "

Now, if there was one thing Mrs Banks did not like, it was to be thought old-fashioned.
She just couldn't bear it.

So she said quickly:
" Very well, then. We won't bother about them.
I only asked, of course, in case youーerーrequired it.
The nursery is upstairsー"

And she led the way towards the staircase, talking all the time, without stopping once.

And because she was doing that Ms Banks did not notice what was happening behind her, but Jane and Michael, watching from the top landing, had an excellent view of the extraordinary thing the visitor now did.

Certainly she followed Mrs Banks upstairs, but not in the usual way.

With her large bag in her hands she slid gracefully up the banisters, and arrived at the landing at the same time as Mrs Banks. 

Such a thing, Jane and Michael knew, had never been done before.
Down, of course, for they had often done it themselves.
But upーnever !

They gazed curiously at the strange new visitor.

(6/14)