Ah! Jane gave a shout of triumph. It is her!
I knew it! cried Michael, his hands trembling on the winding-stick.
Lumme! said the Park Keeper, gaping and blinking. Lumme!
On sailed the curious figure, its feet neatly clearing the tops of the trees. They could see the face now, and the well-known features coal-black hair, bright blue eyes, and nose turned upwards like the nose of a Dutch doll.
As the last length of string wound itself round the stick, the figure drifted down between the Lime Trees and alighted primly on the grass.
In a flash Michael dropped the stick. Away he bounded, with Jane at his heels.
Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins! they cried, and flung themselves upon her.
Behind them the Twins were crowing like cocks in the morning, and the Park Keeper was opening and shutting his mouth as though he would like to say something but could not find the words.
At last! At last! At last! shouted Michael wildly, clutching at her arm, her bag, her umbrella anything so long as he might touch her and feel that she was really true.
We knew youd come back! We found the letter that said au revoir! cried Jane, flinging her arms round the waist of the blue overcoat.
A satisfied smile flickered for a moment over Mary Poppins face up from the mouth, over the turned-up nose, into the blue eyes. But it died away swiftly.
Ill thank you to remember, she remarked, disengaging herself from their hands, that this is a Public Park and not a Bear Garden. Such goings on! I might as well be at the Zoo. And where, may I ask, are your gloves?
They fell back, fumbling in their pockets.
Humph! Put them on, please!
Trembling with excitement and delight, Jane and Michael stuffed their hands into their gloves and put on their hats.
Mary Poppins moved towards the perambulator. The Twins cooed happily as she strapped them in more securely and straightened the rug. Then she glanced round.
Who put that Duck in the pond? she demanded, in that stern, haughty voice they knew so well.
I did, said Jane. For the Twins. He was going to New York.
Well, take him out, then! said Mary Poppins. He is not going to New York wherever that is but Home to Tea.
And, slinging her carpet bag over the handle of the perambulator, she began to push the Twins towards the gate.
The Park Keeper, suddenly finding his voice, blocked her way.
See here! he said, staring. I shall have to report this. Its against the Regulations. Coming down out of the sky like
that. And where from, Id like to know, where from?
He broke off, for Mary Poppins was eyeing him up and down in a way that made him feel he would rather be somewhere else.
If I was a Park Keeper, she remarked primly, I should put on my cap and button my coat. Excuse me!
And, haughtily waving him aside, she pushed past with the perambulator.
Blushing, the Keeper bent to pick up his hat. When he looked up again, Mary Poppins and the children had disappeared through the gate of Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane.
He stared at the path. Then he stared up at the sky and down at the path again.
He took off his hat, scratched his head, and put it on again.
I never saw such a thing! he said shakily. Not even when I was a boy.
And he went away muttering and looking very upset
Why, its Mary Poppins! said Mrs Banks, as they came into the hall. Where did you come from? Out of the blue?
Yes, began Michael joyfully, she came down on the end
He stopped short, for Mary Poppins had fixed him with one of her terrible looks.
I found them in the Park, maam, she said, turning to Mrs Banks, so I brought them home!
Have you come to stay, then?
For the present, maam.
But, Mary Poppins, last time you were here you left without a Word of Warning. How do I know you wont do it again?
You dont, maam, replied Mary Poppins calmly.
Mrs Banks looked rather taken aback.
But but will you, do you think? she asked uncertainly.
I couldnt say, maam, Im sure.
Oh! said Mrs Banks, because, at the moment, she couldnt think of anything else.
And before she had recovered from her surprise, Mary Poppins had taken her carpet bag and was hurrying the children upstairs.
Mrs Banks, gazing after them, heard the Nursery door shut quietly. Then, with a sigh of relief, she ran to the telephone.
Mary Poppins has come back! she said happily, into the receiver.
Has she, indeed? said Mr Banks at the other end. Then perhaps I will too.
And he rang off.
Upstairs Mary Poppins was taking off her overcoat. She hung it on a hook behind the Night-Nursery door. Then she removed her hat and placed it neatly on one of the bed-posts.
Jane and Michael watched the familiar movements. Everything about her was just as it had always been. They could hardly believe she had ever been away.
Mary Poppins bent down and opened the carpet bag.
It was quite empty except for a large Thermometer.
Whats that for? asked Jane curiously.
You! said Mary Poppins.
But Im not ill! Jane protested. Its two months since I had measles.
Open! said Mary Poppins, in a voice that made Jane shut her eyes very quickly and open her mouth. The Thermometer slipped in.