Ill fly the Kite for them, said Michael. Look, children, look!
He held up the beautiful green-and-yellow Kite and began to unwind the string. The Twins eyed it tearfully and without interest. He lifted the Kite above his head and ran a little way. It flapped along the air for a moment and then collapsed hollowly on the grass.
Try again! said Jane encouragingly.
You hold it up while I run, said Michael.
This time the Kite rose a little higher. But, as it floated, its long, tasselled tail caught in the branches of a Lime Tree and the Kite dangled limply among the leaves.
The Twins howled lustily.
Oh, dear, said Jane. Nothing goes right nowadays.
Hullo, hullo, hullo! Whats all this? said a voice behind them.
They turned and saw the Park Keeper, looking very smart in his uniform and peaked cap. He was prodding up stray pieces of paper with the sharp end of his walking-stick.
Jane pointed to the Lime Tree. The Keeper looked up. His face became very stern.
Now, now, youre breaking the rules! We dont allow Litter here, you know not on the ground nor in the trees neither. This wont do at all!
It isnt Litter. Its a Kite, said Michael.
A mild, soft, foolish look came over the Keepers face. He went up to the Lime Tree.
A Kite? So it is. And I havent flown a Kite since I was a boy! He sprang up into the tree and came down holding the Kite tenderly under his arm.
Now, he said excitedly, well wind her up and give her a run and away shell go! He put out his hand for the winding-stick.
Michael clutched it firmly.
Thank you, but I want to fly it myself.
Well, but youll let me help, wont you? said the Keeper humbly. Seeing as I got it down and I havent flown a Kite since I was a boy.
All right, said Michael, for he didnt want to seem unkind.
Oh, thank you, thank you! cried the Keeper gratefully. Now, I take the Kite and walk ten paces down the green. And when I say Go! you run! See?
The Keeper walked away, counting his steps out loud.
Eight, nine, ten.
He turned and raised the Kite above his head.
Go!
Michael began to run.
There was a tug at the string as the winding-stick turned in his hand.
Shes afloat! cried the Keeper.
Michael looked back. The Kite was sailing through the air, plunging steadily upwards. Higher and higher it dived, a tiny wisp of green-and-yellow bounding away into the blue. The Keepers eyes were popping.
I never saw such a kite. Not even when I was a boy, he murmured, staring upwards.
A light cloud came up over the sun and puffed across the sky.
Its coming towards the Kite, said Jane in an excited whisper.
Up and up went the tossing tail, darting through the air until it seemed but a faint, dark speck on the sky. The cloud moved slowly towards it. Nearer, nearer
Gone! said Michael, as the speck disappeared behind the thin grey screen.
Jane gave a little sigh. The Twins sat quietly in the perambulator. A curious stillness was upon them all. The taut string running up from Michaels hand seemed to link them all to the cloud, and the earth to the sky. They waited, holding their
breaths, for the Kite to appear again.
Suddenly Jane could bear it no longer.
Michael, she cried. Pull it in! Pull it in!
Michael turned the stick and gave a long, strong pull. The string remained taut and steady. He pulled again, puffing and panting.
I cant, he said. It wont come.
Ill help! said Jane. Now pull!
But, hard as they tugged, the string would not give, and the Kite remained hidden behind the cloud.
Let me! said the Keeper importantly. When I was a boy we did it this way.
And he put his hand on the string, just above Janes, and gave it a short, sharp jerk. It seemed to give a little.
Now all together pull!
The Keeper tossed off his hat, and planting their feet firmly on the grass, Jane and Michael pulled with all their might.
Its coming! panted Michael.
Suddenly the string slackened, and a small whirling shape shot through the grey cloud and came floating down.
Wind her up! the Keeper spluttered, glancing at Michael.
But the string was already winding round the stick of its own accord.
Down, down came the Kite, turning over and over in the air, wildly dancing at the end of the jerking string.
Jane gave a little gasp.
Somethings happened, she cried. Thats not our Kite! Its quite a different one!
They stared.
It was quite true. The Kite was no longer green-and-yellow. It had turned colour and was not navy-blue. Down it came, tossing and bounding.
Suddenly Michael gave a shout.
Jane! Jane! It isnt a Kite at all. It looks like oh, it looks like
Wind, Michael, wind quickly! gasped Jane. I can hardly wait!
For now, above the tallest trees, the shape at the end of the string was clearly visible. There was no sign of the green-and-yellow Kite, but in its place danced a figure that seemed at once strange and familiar, a figure wearing a blue coat with silver buttons and a straw hat trimmed with daisies. Tucked under its arm was an umbrella with a parrots head for a handle, a brown carpet bag dangled from one hand, while the other held firmly to the end of the shortening string.