Mary Poppins (9)

Mary Poppins (9)

" What do you meanーnothing ? " demanded Mary Poppins, drawing herself up and looking as though she had been insulted.

" Nothing in it, did you say ? "

And with that she took out from the empty bag a starched white apron and tied it round her waist.

Next she unpacked a larg cake of Sunlight Soap, a toothbrush, a packet of hairpins, a bottle of scent, a small folding armchair and a box throat lozenges.

Jane and Michael stared.

" But I saw, " whispered Michael.
" I'm sure it was empty. "

"Hush, " said Jane, as Mary Poppins took out a large bottle labelled " One Tea-Spoon to be Taken at Bed-Time. "
        
A spoon was attached to the neck of the bottle, and into this Mary Poppins poured a dark crimson fluid.

"Is that your medicine ? " inquired Michael, looking very interested.

" No, yours, " said Mary Poppins, holding out the spoon to him.

Michael stared.
He wrinkledup his nose.
He began to protest.
" I don't want it. I don't need it. I won't ! "

But Mary Poppins's eye were fixed upon him, and Michael suddenly discevered that you could not look at Mary Poppins and disobey her.

THere was something strange and extraordinary about herーsometing that was frightening and at the same time most exciting.

The spoon came nearer.

(9/14)