Mary Poppins (10)

Mary Poppins (10)

He held his breath, shut his eyes and gulped.

A delicious taste ran round his mouth.
He turned his tongue in it.
He swallowed, and a happy smile ran round his face.

" Strawberry ice, " he said ecstatically.
" More, more, more ! "

But the Mary Poppins, her face as stern as before, was pouring out a dose for Jane.

It ran into the spoon, silvery, greeny, yellowy.
Jane tasted it.

" Lime-juice cordial, " she said, sliding her tongue deliciously over her lips.

But when she saw Mary Poppins moving towards the Twins with the bottle Jane rushed at her.

" Oh, noーplease. They're too young. It wouldn't be good for them. Please ! "

Mary Poppins, however, took no notice, but with a warning, terrible grance at Jane, tipped the spoon towards John's mouth.

He lapped at it eagerly, and by the few drops that were spilt on his bib, Jane and Michael could tell that substance in the spoon this time was milk.

Then Barbara had her share, and she gurgled and licked the spoon twice.

Mary Poppins then poured out another dose and solemnly took it herself.

" Rum punch, " she said, smacking her lips and corking the bottle.

(10/14)