More about Mary Poppins / И снова о Мэри Поппинз

But not both, for he couldn’t afford it.

And after Mrs Banks had given the matter some consideration she came to the conclusion that she would rather have Jane, who was the eldest, and Michael, who came next, and John and Barbara, who were Twins and came last of all. So it was settled, and that was how the Banks family came to live at Number Seventeen, with Mrs Brill to cook for them, and Ellen to lay the tables, and Robertson Ay to cut the lawn and clean the knives and polish the shoes and, as Mr Banks always said, “to waste his time and my money.

”

And, of course, besides these there was Katie Nanna*, who doesn’t really deserve to come into the book at all because, at the time I am speaking of, she had just left Number Seventeen.

“Without by your leave* or a word of warning*. And what am I to do?” said Mrs Banks.

“Advertise, my dear,” said Mr Banks, putting on his shoes. “And I wish Robertson Ay would go without a word of warning, for he has again polished one boot and left the other untouched.

I shall look very lopsided.”

“That,” said Mrs Banks, “is not of the least importance. You haven’t told me what I’m to do about Katie Nanna.”

“I don’t see how you can do anything about her since she has disappeared,” replied Mr Banks, “But if it were me – I mean I – well, I should get somebody to put in the Morning Paper* the news that Jane and Michael and John and Barbara Banks (to say nothing of their Mother) require the best possible Nannie* at the lowest possible wage and at once.

Then I should wait and watch for the Nannies to queue up outside the front gate, and I should get very cross with them for holding up the traffic and making it necessary for me to give the Policeman a shilling for putting him to so much trouble. Now I must be off.* Whew, it’s as cold as the North Pole. Which way is the wind blowing?”

And as he said that, Mr Banks popped his head out of the window and looked down the Lane to Admiral Boom’s house at the corner.

This was the grandest house in the Lane, and the Lane was very proud of it because it was built exactly like a ship. There was a flagstaff in the garden*, and on the roof was a gilt weathercock* shaped like a telescope.

“Ha!” said Mr Banks, drawing in his head very quickly. “Admiral’s telescope says East Wind. I thought as much. There is frost in my bones. I shall wear two overcoats.