There he came, lolloping over the grass, sticking out his tongue. Andrew, who was as well-bred as Willoughby was common, tripped gracefully after him. And Miss Lark herself followed breathlessly.
"Just out for a spin before Tea!" she trilled. "Such a beautiful day and the dogs insisted—Good gracious, what is that I see?"
She broke off, panting, and stared at Neleus. Her face, already red, grew redder, and she looked extremely indignant.
"You naughty, wicked boy!" she cried. "What are you doing to that poor fish? Don't you know it will die if it stays out of water?"
Neleus raised a marble eyebrow. The Dolphin swung its tail over its mouth to hide a marble smile.
"You see?" said Miss Lark. "It's writhing in agony! You must put it back into water this minute!"
"Oh, I couldn't do that," said Neleus quickly. "I'm afraid he'd be lonely without me." He was trying to be polite to Miss Lark. But the Dolphin was not. He flapped his tail and wriggled and grinned in a very discourteous manner.
"Don't answer me back! Fish are never lonely! You are just making silly excuses."
Miss Lark made an angry gesture towards the green bench.
"I do think, Mary Poppins," she said, "you might keep an eye on the children! This naughty boy, whoever he is, must put that fish back where he got it!"
Mary Poppins favoured Miss Lark with a stare. "I'm afraid that's quite impossible, ma'am. He'd have to go too far."
"Far or near—it doesn't matter. He must put it back this instant. It's cruelty to animals and it shouldn't be allowed. Andrew and Willoughby—come with me! I shall go at once and tell the Lord Mayor!"
Away she bustled, with the dogs at her heels. Willoughby, as he trotted by, winked rudely at the Dolphin.
"And tell him to put his clothes on! He'll get sunburnt, running about like that!" shrieked Miss Lark, as she hurried off.
Neleus gave a little spurt of laughter and flung himself down on the grass.
"Sunburnt!" he choked. "Oh, Mary Poppins, does nobody guess I'm made of marble?"
"Humph!" replied Mary Poppins, snorting. And Neleus tossed her a mischievous smile.
"That's what the Sea Lions say!" he said, "They sit on the rocks and say 'Humph!' to the sunset!"
"Indeed?" she said tartly. And Jane and Michael waited, trembling, for what was surely coming. But nothing happened. Her face had an answering look of mischief and the blue eyes and the marble eyes smiled gently at each other.
"Neleus," she said quietly, "you have ten minutes more. You can come with us to the Bookstall and back."
"And then——?" he said, with a questioning look, as he tightened his arms round the Dolphin.
She did not answer. She looked across the sparkling Lake and nodded towards the pedestal.
"Oh, can't he stay longer, Mary Poppins——?" the children began to protest. But the eager question froze on their lips, for Mary Poppins was glaring.
"I said ten minutes," she remarked. "And ten minutes is what I meant. You needn't look at me like that, either. I am not a Grisly Gorilla."
"Oh, don't start arguing!" cried Neleus. "We mustn't waste a second!" He sprang to his feet and seized Jane's hand. "Show me the way to the Bookstall!" he said. And drew her away through the spreading sunlight and over the grassy lawns.
Behind them Mary Poppins lifted the Twins into the perambulator and hurried along with Michael.
Lightly across the summer grasses ran Jane and the Marble Boy. His curls flew out on the wind with hers and her hot breath blew on his marble cheeks. Within her soft and living fingers the marble hand grew warmer.
"This way!" she cried, as she tugged at his arm and drew him into the Lime Walk.
At the end of it, by the Far Gate, stood the gaily painted bookstall. A bright sign nailed above it said:
MR. FOLLY
BOOKS PAPERS AND MAGAZINES
YOU WANT THEM
I'VE GOT THEM
A frill of coloured magazines hung round the Bookstall; and as the children raced up, Mr. Folly popped his head through a gap in the frill. He had a round, quiet, lazy face that looked as though nothing in the world could disturb it.
"Well, if it isn't Jane Banks and Friend!" he remarked mildly. "I think I can guess what you've come for!"
"The Evening News and Lot-o'-Fun," panted Jane, as she put down the pennies.
Neleus seized the coloured comic and skimmed the pages quickly.
"Does Tiger Tim get away?" cried Michael, as he dashed up, breathless, behind them.
"Yes, he does!" cried Neleus, with a shout of joy. "Listen! Tiger Tim Escapes Clutches of Uncle Moppsy. His New Adventure with Old Man Dogface. Watch Out For Another Tiger Tim Story Next Week!"
"Hooray!" shouted Michael, peering round the Dolphin's shoulder to get a look at the pictures.
Mr. Folly was eyeing Neleus with interest. "That's a fine young whale you got there, sonny! Seems almost 'uman. Where did you catch him?"
"I didn't," said Neleus, glancing up. "He was given to me as a present."
"Fancy that! Well, he makes a nice pet! And where do you come from? Where's yer Ma?"
"She's a long way from here," replied Neleus gravely.
"Too bad!" Mr. Folly wagged his head. "Dad away, too?" Neleus smiled and nodded.
"You don't say! Goodness, you must be lonely!" Mr. Folly glanced at the marble body. "And cold as well, I shouldn't wonder, with not a stitch on your bones!" He made a jingling noise in his pocket and thrust out his hand to Neleus.
"There! Get yourself something to wear with that. Can't go around with nothing on. Pneumonia, you know! And chilblains!"
Neleus stared at the silver thing in his hand.
"What is it?" he asked curiously.
"That's a 'Arf-crown," said Mr. Folly. "Don't tell me you never saw one!"
"No, I never did," said Neleus, smiling. And the Dolphin gazed at the coin with interest.
"Well, I declare! You poor little chap! Stark naked and never seen a 'Arf-crown! Someone ought to be taking care of you!" Mr. Folly glanced reproachfully at Mary Poppins. And she gave him an outraged glare.
"Someone is taking care of him, thank you!" she said. As she spoke she unbuttoned her new white jacket and slipped it round Neleus' shoulders.
"There!" she said gruffly. "You won't be cold now. And no thanks to you, Mr. Folly!"
Neleus looked from the coat to Mary Poppins and his marble eyes grew wider. "You mean—I can keep it always?" he asked.
She nodded, and looked away.
"Oh, dear sweet Sea Lion—thank you!" he cried, and he hugged her waist in his marble arms. "Look at me, Jane, in my new white coat! Look at me, Michael, in my beautiful buttons." He ran excitedly from one to the other to show off his new possession.
"That's right," said Mr. Folly, beaming. "Much better be sure than sorry! And the 'Arf-crown will buy you a nice pair of trousers——"
"Not tonight," interrupted Mary Poppins. "We're late as it is. Now Best Foot Forward and home we go, and I'll thank you all not to dawdle."
The sun was swiftly moving westwards as she trundled the pram down the Lime Walk. The Band at the end of the Park was silent. The flowery sunshades had all gone home. The trees stood still and straight in the shadows. The Park Keeper was nowhere to be seen.
Jane and Michael walked on either side of Neleus and linked their hands through his marble arms. A silence was over the human children and over the marble child between them.
"I love you, Neleus," Jane said softly. "I wish you could stay with us always."
"I love you, too," he answered, smiling. "But I must go back. I promised."
"I suppose you couldn't leave the Dolphin?" said Michael, stroking the marble fin.
Jane looked at him angrily.
"Oh, Michael—how can you be so selfish! How would you like to spend your life, all alone up there on a pedestal?"
"I'd like it—if I could have the Dolphin, and call Mary Poppins a Sea Lion!"
"I tell you what, Michael!
" said Neleus quickly. "You can't have the Dolphin—he's part of me. But the Half-crown isn't. I'll give you that." He pushed the money into Michael's hand. "And Jane must have the book," he went on. "But promise, Jane, and cross your heart, that you'll let me read it over your shoulder. And every week you must come to the bench and read me the new Lot-o'-Fun."
He gave the book a last long look and tucked it under her arm.
"Oh, I promise, Neleus!" she said faithfully, and crossed her heart with her hand.
"I'll be waiting for you," said Neleus softly. "I'll never, never forget."
"Walk up and don't chatter!" hissed Mary Poppins, as she turned towards the Lake.
The perambulator creaked and groaned as it trundled on its way. But high above the creak of the wheels they could hear a well-known voice. They tip-toed up behind Mary Poppins as she walked to the shadowy water.
"I never done it!" the voice protested. "And wouldn't—not if you paid me!"
At the edge of the Lake, by the empty pedestal, stood the Lord Mayor with two Aldermen. And before them, waving his arms and shouting, and generally behaving in a peculiar manner, was the Park Keeper.
"It's none of my doing, Your Honour!" he pleaded. "I can look you straight in the eye!"
"Nonsense, Smith!" said the Lord Mayor sternly. "You are the person responsible for the Park statues. And only you could have done it!"
"You might as well confess!" advised the First Alderman.
"It won't save you, of course," the Second added, "but you'll feel so much better!"
"But I didn't do it, I'm telling you!" The Park Keeper clasped his hands in a frenzy.
"Stop quibbling, Smith. You're wasting my time!" The Lord Mayor shook his head impatiently. "First, I have to go looking for a naked boy who I hear is maltreating some wretched fish. A salmon, Miss Lark said—or was it a halibut? And now, as if this wasn't enough, I find the most valuable of our statues is missing from its pedestal. I am shocked and disgusted. I trusted you, Smith. And look how you repay me!"
"I am looking. I mean, I don't have to look! Oh, I don't know what I'm saying, Your Grace! But I do know I never touched that statchew!"
The Keeper glanced round wildly for help and his eye fell on Mary Poppins. He gave a cry of horrified triumph and flung out his hand accusingly.
"Your Worship, there's the guilty party! She done it or I'll eat me 'At!"
The Lord Mayor glanced at Mary Poppins and back to the Park Keeper.
"I'm ashamed of you, Smith!" he shook his head sorrowfully. "Putting the blame on a perfectly respectable, innocent young woman taking her charges for an afternoon airing! How could you?"
He bowed courteously to Mary Poppins, who returned the bow with a lady-like smile.
"Innocent! 'Er!" the Park Keeper screamed. "You don't know what you're sayin', my Lord! As soon as that girl comes into the Park, the place begins to go crosswise. Merry-go-rounds jumpin' up in the sky, people coming down on kites and rockets, the Prime Minister bobbing round on balloons—and it's all your doing—you Caliban!" He shook his fist wildly at Mary Poppins.
"Poor fellow! Poor fellow! His mind is unhinged!" said the First Alderman sadly.
"Perhaps we'd better get some handcuffs," the Second whispered nervously.
"Do what you like with me! 'Ang me, why don't yer? But it wasn't me wot done it!" Overcome with misery, the Park Keeper flung himself against the pedestal and sobbed bitterly.
Mary Poppins turned and beckoned to Neleus. He ran to her side on marble feet and leaned his head gently against her.
"Is it time?" he whispered, glancing up.
She nodded quickly. Then bending she took him in her arms and kissed his marble brow. For a moment Neleus clung to her as though he could never let her go. Then he broke away, smothering a sob.
"Good-bye, Jane and Michael. Don't forget me!" He pressed his chilly cheek to theirs. And before they could even say a word he had darted away among the shadows and was running towards his pedestal.
"I never 'ad no luck!" wailed the Keeper. "Never since I was a boy!"
"And you won't have any now, my man, unless you put back that statue." The Lord Mayor fixed him with an angry eye.
But Jane and Michael were looking neither at the Park Keeper nor the Lord Mayor. They were watching a curly head appear at the far side of the pedestal.
Up scrambled Neleus, over the ledge, dragging the Dolphin after him. His marble body blazed white and bright in a fading shaft of sunlight. Then with a gesture, half-gav, half-sad, he put up a little marble hand and waved them all farewell. As they waved back he seemed to tremble, but that may have been the tears in their eyes. They watched him draw the Dolphin to him, so close that its marble melted to his. Then he smoothed his curls with a marble hand and bent his head and was still. Even Mary Poppins' pink-and-white jacket seemed turned to lifeless marble.
"I can't put it back if I never took it!" the Park Keeper went on sobbing and shouting.
"Now, see here, Smith——" the Lord Mayor began. Then he gave a gasp and staggered sideways with his hand clasped to his brow. "My Jumping Giraffes! It's come back——" he cried. "And there's something different about it!"
He peered more closely at the statue and burst into roars of delighted laughter. He took off his hat
The Park Keeper flung himself against the pedestal
and waved it wildly and slapped the Park Keeper on the back.
"Smith—you rogue! So that was your secret! Why didn't you tell us at first, my man? It certainly is a splendid surprise! Well, you needn't go on pretending now——"
For the Park Keeper, speechless with amazement, was goggling up at Neleus.
"Gentlemen!" The Lord Mayor turned to the Aldermen. "We have sadly misjudged this poor fellow. He has proved himself not only an excellent servant of the community—but an artist as well. Do you see what he has done to the statue? He has added a little marble coat with collar and cuffs of pink. A great improvement, to my mind, Smith! I never approved of naked statues."
"Nor I!" the First Alderman shook his head.
"Certainly not!" said the Second.
"Never fear, my dear Smith. You shall have your reward. From today your wages will be raised one shilling and an extra stripe will be sewn on your sleeve. Furthermore, I shall speak of you to His Majesty when I make my next report."
And the Lord Mayor, with another ceremonious bow to Mary Poppins, swept majestically away, humbly followed by the two Aldermen.
The Park Keeper, looking as though he were not sure if he were on his head or his heels, stared after them. Then he turned his popping eyes to the statue and stared again at that. The Marble Boy and his marble fish gazed thoughtfully down at the Lake. They were as still and quiet and silent as they had always been.
"Now home again, home again, jiggety-jog!" Mary Poppins raised a beckoning finger and the children followed without a word. The Half-crown lay in Michael's palm, burning and bright and solid. And cold as the marble hand of Neleus was the book beneath Jane's arm.
Along the Walk they marched in silence thinking their secret thoughts. And presently, on the grass behind them, there came the thud of feet. They turned to find the Park Keeper running heavily towards them. He had taken off his coat and was waving it, like a blue-and-red flag, at the end of his walking stick. He pulled up, panting, beside the perambulator and held out the coat to Mary Poppins.
"Take it!" he said breathlessly. "I just been looking at that Boy back there. He's wearin' yours—with the four pink buttons. And you'll need one when it gets chilly."
Mary Poppins calmly took the coat and slipped it over her shoulders. Her own reflection smiled conceitedly at her from the polished brass buttons.
"Thank you," she said primly, to the Park Keeper.
He stood before her in his shirt-sleeves, shaking his head like a puzzled dog.
"I suppose you understand what it all means?" he said wistfully.
"I suppose I do," she replied smugly.
And wit
hout another word, she gave the perambulator a little push and sent it bowling past him. He was still staring after her, scratching his head, as she passed through the gate of the Park.
Mr. Banks, on his way home from the Office, whistled to them as they crossed the Lane.
"Well, Mary Poppins!" he greeted her. "You're very smart in your blue-and-red jacket! Have you joined the Salvation Army?"
"No, sir," she replied, primly. And the look she gave him made it quite clear she had no intention of explaining.
"It's the Park Keeper's coat," Jane told him hurriedly.
"He gave it to her just now," added Michael.
"What—Smith? He gave her the jacket of his uniform? Whatever for?" exclaimed Mr. Banks.
But Jane and Michael were suddenly silent. They could feel Mary Poppins' gimlet eyes making holes in the backs of their heads. They dared not go on with the story.
"Well, never mind!" said Mr. Banks calmly. "I suppose she did something to deserve it!"
They nodded. But they knew he would never know what she had done, not even if he lived to be fifty. They walked up the garden path beside him, clasping the coin and the book.
And as they went they thought of the child who had given them those gifts, the Marble Boy who for one short hour had danced and played in the Park. They thought of him standing alone on his pedestal, with his arm flung lovingly round his Dolphin—forever silent, forever still and the sweet light gone from his face. Darkness would come down upon him and the stars and the night would wrap him round. Proud and lonely he would stand there, looking down upon the waters of the little Lake, dreaming of the great sea and his home so far away....
CHAPTER 5
PEPPERMINT HORSES
HI!" shouted Mr. Banks, angrily, as he rattled the umbrellas in the Elephant's Leg that stood in the front hall.
"What is it now, George?" called Mrs. Banks, from the foot of the kitchen stairs.
"Somebody's taken my walking sticks!" Mr. Banks sounded like a wounded tiger.
"Here they are, Sir!" said Mary Poppins, as she tripped down from the Nursery. In one hand she carried a silver-headed ebony cane. From the other swung a grey ash stick with a curved nobbly handle. Without another word, and looking very superior, she handed the sticks to Mr. Banks.