Mary Poppins Comes Back

  The five swings groaned as they swung together. The afternoon faded and the Park grew grey as it tilted beneath their feet. But Jane and Michael took no notice. They were wrapped in a dream with Mary Poppins, a dream that swung them up and down between the earth and the sky, a rocking, riding, lulling dream that would never come to an end.

  But come to an end it did, at last. The sun went down and the dream went with it. As the last rays spread across the Park, Mary Poppins put her foot to the ground and her swing stopped with a jerk.

  “It is time to go,” she said quietly. And because her voice, for once, had no sternness, they stopped their swings immediately and obeyed without protesting. The perambulator gave its familiar groan as she dumped the Twins and Annabel into it. Jane and Michael walked quietly beside her. The earth was still swaying beneath their feet. They were happy and calm and silent.

  Creak, creak! went the perambulator along the path.

  Trip, trip, went Mary Poppins’ shoes.

  Michael glanced up as the last light fell on the faint green leaves of the Cherry Trees.

  “I believe,” he said dreamily to Jane, “that Nellie-Rubina’s been here!”

  “Here today and gone tomorrow – that’s me!” cried a tinkling voice.

  And they turned to find Nellie-Rubina herself rolling along on her wooden disc. And behind her came the wheeling shape of Uncle Dodger.

  “What a roll I’ve had!” cried Nellie-Rubina. “I’ve looked for you everywhere!” she panted. “How are you all? Doing nicely, I hope! I wanted to see you, dear Miss Poppins, to give you a—”

  “And also,” said Uncle Dodger eagerly, “to wish you a very good—”

  “Uncle Dodger!” said Nellie-Rubina, with a warning glint in her eye.

  “Oh, excuse me! Begging your pardon, my dear!” the old man answered quickly.

  “Just a Little Something to remember us by,” Nellie-Rubina went on. A smile spread over her wooden face. Then, thrusting out her wooden arm, she popped a small white object into Mary Poppins’ hand.

  “It’s a Conversation!” Michael exclaimed.

  Jane peered at the letters in the fading light. “‘Fare Thee Well, my Fairy Fay!’” she read out. “Are you going away, then, Nellie-Rubina?”

  “Oh, dear me, yes! Tonight’s the night!” Nellie-Rubina gave a tinkling laugh as she glanced at Mary Poppins.

  “You can keep it to eat on the way, Mary Poppins!” Uncle Dodger nodded at the Conversation.

  “Uncle Dodger!” cried Nellie-Rubina.

  “Oh, my! Oh, my! Out of turn again! I’m too old, that’s what it is, my dear. And begging your pardon, of course.”

  “Well, it’s very kind of you both, I’m sure,” said Mary Poppins politely. You could see she was pleased by the way she smiled. Then she tucked the Conversation into her pocket and gave the pram a push.

  “Oh, do wait a minute, Mary Poppins!” cried a breathless voice behind them. A patter of steps came along the path and the children turned quickly.

  “Why, it’s Mr and Mrs Turvy!” cried Michael, as a tall, thin shape and a round, fat one came forward, hand in hand.

  “We now call ourselves the Topsy-Turvies. We think it sounds better.” Mr Turvy looked down at them over his glasses as his wife shook hands all round.

  “Well, Mary,” he went on, in his gloomy voice, “we thought we’d drop in, just for a moment – to say So Long, you know.”

  “And not too long, we hope, dear Mary!” added Mrs Turvy, smiling. Her round, fat face shook like a jelly and she looked extremely happy.

  “Oh, thank you kindly, Cousin Arthur! And you too, Topsy!” said Mary Poppins, as she shook them both by the hand.

  “What does it mean – So Long?” asked Jane as she leant against Mary Poppins. Something – perhaps it was the darkness – made her suddenly want to be very close to that warm and comforting figure.

  “It means my daughters!” a small voice screeched, as a shape emerged from the shadows. “So long, so wide, so huge, so stupid – the great Gallumping Giraffes.”

  And there on the path stood Mrs Corry with her coat all covered with threepenny-bits. And behind her Fannie and Annie stalked, like a pair of mournful giants.

  “Well, here we are again!” shrieked Mrs Corry, as she grinned at the staring children. “H’m! Growing up fast, aren’t they, Mary Poppins? I can see that they won’t need you much longer!”

  Mary Poppins gave a nod of agreement as Michael, with a cry of protest, rushed to her side.

  “We’ll always need her – always!” he cried, hugging Mary Poppins’ waist so tightly that he felt her strong hard bones.

  She glared at him like an angry panther.

  “Kindly do not crush me, Michael! I am not a Sardine in a tin!” she said wrathfully, as she gave him a little push.

  “Well, I just came to have a word with you,” Mrs Corry cackled on. “An old word, Mary, and one that is best said quickly. As I used to tell Solomon when he was making that fuss about the Queen of Sheba – if you’ve got to say it sometime, why not now?” Mrs Corry looked searchingly at Mary Poppins. Then she added softly, “Goodbye, my dear!”

  “Are you going away too?” Michael demanded as she stared at Mrs Corry.

  She gave a merry shriek of laughter. “Well – yes, I am, in a manner of speaking! Once one goes they all go – that’s the way of it. Now, Fannie and Annie,” she glanced around, “what have you idiots done with those presents?”

  “Here, Mother!” the sisters answered nervously. And the huge hands dropped into Mary Poppins’ palm two tiny pieces of gingerbread. One was shaped like a heart and the other like a star.

  Mary Poppins gave a cry of delight.

  “Why, Mrs Corry! What a surprise! This is a Treat as well as a Pleasure!”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a Souvenir.” Mrs Corry airily waved her hand, and her little elastic-sided boots danced along beside the perambulator.

  “All your friends seem to be here tonight!” remarked Michael to Mary Poppins.

  “Well, what do you think I am – a Hermit? I suppose I can see my friends when I like!” she said with a toss of her head.

  “I was only remarking—” he began, when a glad shriek interrupted him.

  “Why, Albert – if it isn’t you!” cried Mrs Corry gaily. And she ran to meet a roly-poly figure that was hurrying towards them. The children gave a shout of joy as they recognised Mr Wigg.

  “Well, Bless my boots. It’s Clara Corry!” cried Mr Wigg, shaking her hand affectionately.

  “I didn’t know you knew each other!” exclaimed Jane, looking very surprised.

  “What you don’t know would fill a Dictionary,” Mary Poppins broke in with a snort.

  “Know each other? Why, we were children together – weren’t we, Albert?” cried Mrs Corry.

  Mr Wigg chuckled. “Ah, the good old days!” he answered cheerily. “Well, how are you, Mary, my girl?”

  “Nicely, thank you, Uncle Albert. Mustn’t complain,” replied Mary Poppins.

  “I thought I’d step up for One Last Word. Pleasant trip and all that. It’s a nice night for it.” Mr Wigg glanced round at the clear blue dusk that was creeping through the Park.

  “A nice night for what?” demanded Michael. He hoped Mary Poppins would not be lonely with her friends going off like this. But, after all, he thought to himself – she’s still got me and what more could she want?

  “A nice night to go sailing – that’s what it’s for!” roared Admiral Boom in his rollicking voice. He was striding through the trees towards them, singing as he came:

  “Sailing, sailing, over the Bounding Main,

  And many a stormy Wind shall blow

  Till we come home again!

  Sailing, sailing,—

  Ahoy there, lubbers! Hoist the mainsail! Up with the anchor and let her go. For away I’m bound to go – oho! – ’cross the wide Missouri!” He blew his nose with a sound like a foghorn and looked at Mary Poppins.

  “
All aboard?” he enquired gruffly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “All aboard, sir,” she answered primly, and she gave him a curious look.

  “Hrrrrrrrrmph! Well –

  “I’ll be true to my love,

  If my Love will be tru-ue to me!”

  he sang, in a voice that was almost gentle. “Here—” he broke off. “Port and Starboard! Cockles and Whelks! You can’t do that to a Sailor!”

  “Balloons and Balloons!” cried a high-pitched voice as a little shape went whizzing past and knocked off the Admiral’s hat.

  It was the Balloon Woman. One small balloon flew from her hand. It bounced her upon the end of its string and swept her away through the shadows.

  “Goodbye and Goodbye, my Dearie Duck!” she called as she disappeared.

  “There she goes – off like a streak of lightning!” cried Jane, gazing after her.

  “Well, she’s certainly not a creeping Snail, like some people I could mention! Kindly walk up!” said Mary Poppins. “I haven’t all night to waste!”

  “I should think not!” Mrs Corry said, grinning.

  They walked up. For once they were eager to do anything she told them. They put their hands on the perambulator beside her black-gloved fingers. And the blue duck lapped them round like a river as they hurried along with the chattering group.

  They were nearly at the Park Gates now. The Lane stretched darkly in front of them and from it came a strain of music. Jane and Michael looked at each other. What could it be? said their upraised brows. Then their curiosity got the better of them. They wanted to stay with Mary Poppins but they also wanted to see what was happening. They gave one glance at her dark blue figure and then began to run.

  “Oh, look!” cried Jane, as she reached the Gate. “It’s Mr Twigley with a Hurdy-gurdy!”

  And Mr Twigley it was indeed, drawing a sweet wild tune from the box as he busily turned the handle. Beside him stood a small bright figure that was vaguely familiar.

  “And all of them made of the Finest Sugar,” it was saying gaily to Mr Twigley as the children crossed the road. Then, of course they knew who it was.

  “Stare, stare,

  Like a Bear,

  Then you’ll know me

  Everywhere!”

  chanted Miss Calico cheerfully, as she waved her hand towards them.

  “Could you move your feet a bit, please, kids! You’re standing on one of my roses!”

  Bert, the Match Man, crouched on the pavement, right at their own front gate. He was drawing a large bouquet of flowers in coloured chalks on the asphalt. Ellen and the Policeman were watching him. And Miss Lark and her dogs were listening to the music as they stood outside Next Door.

  “Wait a minute,” she cried to Mr Twigley, “while I run in and get you a shilling!”

  Mr Twigley smiled his twinkly smile and shook his head gently.

  “Don’t bother, ma’am,” he advised Miss Lark. “A shilling would be no use to me. I’m doing it All for Love.” And the children saw him lift his eyes and exchange a look with Mary Poppins as she strode out of the Park. He wound the handle with all his might and the tune grew louder and quicker.

  “One Forget-me-not – and then it’s finished,” the Match Man murmured to himself as he added a flower to the bunch.

  “That’s dainty, Bert!” said Mary Poppins admiringly. She had pushed the perambulator up behind him and was gazing at the picture.

  He sprang to his feet with a little cry and, plucking the bouquet from the pavement, he pressed it into her hand.

  “They’re yours, Mary,” he told her shyly. “I drew them all for you!”

  “Did you really, Bert?” she said with a smile. “Well, I just don’t know how to thank you!” She hid her blushing face in the flowers and the children could smell the scent of roses.

  The Match Man looked at her glowing eyes and smiled a loving smile.

  “It’s tonight – isn’t it, Mary?” he said.

  “Yes, Bert,” she said, nodding, as she gave him her hand. The Match Man looked at it sadly for a moment. Then he bent his head and kissed it.

  “Goodbye, then, Mary!” they heard him whisper.

  And she answered softly, “Goodbye, Bert!”

  “What is all this about tonight?” said Michael inquisitively. You would think there had never been a night before, the fuss everyone was making!

  “Tonight is the happiest night of my life!” said Miss Lark as she listened to the Hurdy-gurdy. “I never heard such beautiful music. It makes my feet simply twinkle!”

  “Well, let ’em twinkle with mine!” roared the Admiral. He snatched Miss Lark away from her gate and polka-ed along the Lane.

  “Oh, Admiral!” they heard her cry, as he swung her round and round.

  Mr Wigg turned to Mrs Corry. “Clara, I hope I may have the honour!” Mrs Corry gave a whoop of delight and flung herself into his arms.

  “Lovey-dovey-cat’s-eyes!” cooed Mrs Turvy. And Mr Turvy, looking very embarrassed, allowed her to dance him round. Her wide skirts whirled about his feet and her curls sprang out in every direction.

  “Wot about it – eh?” the Policeman smirked, and before Ellen had time to blow her nose, he had whirled her into the dance.

  One, two, three! One, two, three! High and sweet, the music flowed from the Hurdy-gurdy. The street lamps blazed with sudden brightness and speckled the Lane with light and shadow. One, two, three, went Miss Calico’s feet, as she danced along beside Mr Twigley. It was such a wild and merry tune that Jane and Michael could stand still no longer. Off they darted and one, two, three, their feet went tapping on the echoing road.

  “’Ere! Wot’s all this? Observe the Rules! We can’t ’ave dancing in Public Places! Move on, now, don’t obstruct the traffic!” The Park Keeper, goggling as usual, came threading his way through Cherry Tree Lane.

  “Mercy me and a Jumping Bean! You’re just the man I want!” shrieked Miss Calico. And before the Park Keeper knew where he was, she had swung him into the mazy dance where he gulped and gaped and twirled.

  “Round we go, Clara!” cried Mr Wigg, swinging past with Mrs Corry.

  “I used to do this with Henry the Eighth – and oh, what a time we had!” she shrieked. “Get along, clumsies! Keep your feet to yourselves!” she added, in a different voice, to Fannie and Annie who were dancing together like a pair of mournful elephants.

  “I’ve never been so happy before!” came Miss Lark’s excited cry.

  “You should go to sea, my dear Lucinda! Everyone’s happy at sea!” roared the Admiral, as he polka-ed madly along.

  “I do believe I will,” she replied.

  And her two dogs looked at each other aghast and hoped she would change her mind.

  Deeper and deeper grew the dusk as the dancers whirled in a ring. And there in the centre stood Mary Poppins with her flowers clasped in her hands. She rocked the perambulator gently and her foot beat time with the music. The Match Man watched her from the pavement. And the couples, as they polka-ed past, gave her a little quick touch on the shoulder as though they were saluting her.

  Straight and stiff she stood there, smiling, and her eyes went roving from one to the other – Miss Lark and the Admiral; the Topsy-Turvies; the two Noahs rolling around on their discs; Miss Calico clutching the Park Keeper; Mrs Corry in the arms of Mr Wigg; and Mrs Corry’s big daughters. Then her bright glance fell on the two young children who were dancing round in the ring. She looked at them for a long, long moment, watching their bright enchanted faces and their arms going out to each other.

  And suddenly, as though they felt that look upon them, they stopped in the middle of their dance and ran to her, laughing and breathless.

  “Mary Poppins!” they both cried, pressing against her. Then they found they had nothing else to say. Her name seemed to be enough.

  She put her arms about their shoulders and looked into their eyes. It was a long, deep, searching look that plunged right down to their very hearts and saw what w
as there. Then she smiled to herself and turned away. She took her parrot-headed umbrella from the perambulator and gathered Annabel into her arms.

  “I must go in now, Jane and Michael! You two can bring the Twins later.”

  They nodded, still panting from the dance.

  “Now, be good children!” she said quietly. “And remember all I have told you.”

  They smiled at her reassuringly. What a funny thing to say, they thought. As if they would dare forget!

  She gave the Twins’ curls a gentle rumple; she buttoned up Michael’s coat at the neck and straightened Jane’s collar.

  “Now, spit-spot and away we go!” she cried gaily to Annabel.

  Then off she tripped through the garden gate, with the baby, the flowers and the parrot umbrella held lightly in her arms. Up the steps went the prim, trim figure, walking with a jaunty air as though she was thoroughly pleased with herself.

  “Farewell, Mary Poppins!” the dancers cried, as she paused at the Front Door.

  She glanced back over her shoulder and nodded. Then the Hurdy-gurdy gave a loud sweet peal and the Front Door closed behind her.

  Jane shivered as the music ceased. Perhaps it was the frost in the air that made her feel so lonely.

  Michael reached out and tucked the rug more tightly round the Twins.

  “We’ll wait till all the people leave and then we’ll go in,” said Jane.

  She glanced around at the group of dancers. They were standing still upon the pavement and seemed to be waiting for something. For every face was gazing upwards at Number Seventeen.

  “What can they be looking at?” said Michael, as he craned his own head backwards.

  Then a glow appeared at the Nursery windows and a dark shape moved across it. The children knew it was Mary Poppins, lighting the evening fire. And presently the flames sprang up. They sparkled on the window-panes and shone through the darkening garden. Higher and higher leapt the blaze, brighter and brighter the windows gleamed. Then suddenly they saw the Nursery reflected upon Miss Lark’s side wall. There it gleamed, high above the garden, with its sparkling fire and the mantelpiece and the old armchair and—