Mary Poppins Opens the Door Read Online Free Page A

staying for a Cup of Tea.
    "That Mary Poppins!" he said, sipping. "She's 'ere today and gone tomorrer, just like them Willy-the-Wisps!"
    "Ow! Don't say that!" said Ellen, sniffling. "I thought she was come to stay."
    The Policeman gave her his handkerchief.
    "Maybe she will!" he told her fondly. "You never can tell, you know."
    "Well, I'm sure I hope so," sighed Mrs. Brill. "This 'ouse is a Model Residence whenever she's in it."
    "I hope so, too. I need a rest," said Robertson Ay to the brooms. And he snuggled down under Mrs. Banks' shawl and went to sleep again.
    But what Mary Poppins hoped, none of them knew. For Mary Poppins, as everyone knows, never told anyone anything....

CHAPTER 2
MR. TWIGLEY'S WISHES
    O H, DO come on, Mary Poppins!" said Michael impatiently, as he danced up and down on the pavement.
    Mary Poppins took no notice. She was standing in the Lane admiring her reflection in the brass plate on Dr. Simpson's gate.
    "You look quite tidy!" Jane assured her.
    "Tidy!" Mary Poppins snorted. Tidy in her new black hat with the blue bow? Tidy indeed! Handsome, she thought, would be nearer the mark. Tossing her head, she strode on quickly and they had to run to keep up with her.
    The three of them were walking through the fine May afternoon to find Mr. Twigley. For the Drawing-room piano was out of tune and Mrs. Banks had asked Mary Poppins to find a piano-tuner.
    "There's my cousin, Ma'am, Mr. Twigley. Just three blocks from here." Mary Poppins had announced. And when Mrs. Banks said she had never heard of him, Mary Poppins, with her usual sniff, had reminded Mrs. Banks that
her
relatives were composed of the Very Best People.
    And now Jane and Michael, who had already met two members of Mary Poppins' family, were wondering what Mr. Twigley would be like.
    "I think he will be tall and thin, like Mr. Thrvy," said Michael.
    "I think he will be round and fat, like Mr. Wigg," said Jane.
    "I never knew such a pair for thinking!" said Mary Poppins. "You'll wear your brains out. Turn here, please!"
    They hurried along and turned a corner and found themselves standing in a narrow street lined with small, old-fashioned houses.
    "Why, what street is this? I never saw it before! And I've been here lots of times!" cried Jane.
    "Well, don't blame
me!
" Mary Poppins snapped. "You don't suppose I put it there!"
    "I shouldn't wonder if you did!" said Michael, as he gazed at the strange little houses. Then he added, with a flattering smile, "You're so very clever, you know!"
    "Humph!" she said tartly, though her mouth took on a conceited look. "Clever is as clever does. And it's more than you are, anyway!" And, sniffing, she led them down the street and rang the bell of one of the houses.

    "Pang!" said the bell loudly. And at the same moment an upstairs window swung open. A large head, with a knob of hair at the back, popped out like a Jack-in-the-Box.
    "Well, what's the matter now?" a harsh voice cried. Then the woman looked down and spied Mary Poppins. "Oh, it's you, is it?" she said angrily. "Well, you can just turn round and go back to wherever you came from. He isn't in!" The window swung to and the head disappeared.
    The children felt very disappointed.
    "Perhaps we can come again tomorrow," said Jane anxiously.
    "Today—or Never. That's my motto!" snapped Mary Poppins. And she rang the bell again.
    This time it was the front door that burst open. The owner of the head stood before them glowering. She wore large black boots, a blue-and-white checked apron and a black shawl round her shoulders. Jane and Michael thought she was the ugliest person they had ever seen. And they felt very sorry for Mr. Twigley.
    "What—you again!" the huge woman shouted. "I told you he wasn't in. And in he is not, or my name's not Sarah Clump!"
    "Then you aren't Mrs. Twigley!" exclaimed Michael, with relief.
    "Not
yet,
" she remarked, with an ominous smile. "Here! Down you come, all of you!" she added. For Mary Poppins, with the speed of a serpent,