More about Mary Poppins / И снова о Мэри Поппинз

“Order my coach. I must go to the Barber’s,” he said magnificently.

It was then that he noticed the Red Cow approaching.

He sat down again and took up his sceptre*.

“What have we here, ho*?” he demanded, as the Red Cow danced to the foot of the steps.

“A Cow, your Majesty!” she answered simply.

“I can see that,” said the King. “I still have my eyesight. But what do you want? Be quick, because I have an appointment with the Barber at ten. He won’t wait for me longer than that and I must have my hair cut.

“Quite giddy!” echoed all the Courtiers, staring.

“That’s just my trouble, your Majesty. I can’t stop!” said the Red Cow piteously.

“Can’t stop? Nonsense!” said the King furiously. “Stop at once! I, the King, command you!”

“Stop at once! The King commands you!” cried all the Courtiers.

The Red Cow made a great effort. She tried so hard to stop dancing that every muscle and every rib stood out like mountain ranges all over her. But it was no good. She just went on dancing at the foot of the King’s steps.

“I have tried, your Majesty. And I can’t. I’ve been dancing now for seven days running*. And I’ve had no sleep. And very little to eat. A white-thorn spray or two – that’s all. So I’ve come to ask your advice.

“H’m – very curious,” said the King, pushing the crown on one side and scratching his head.

“Very curious,” said the Courtiers, scratching their heads, too.

“What does it feel like?” asked the King.

“Funny,” said the Red Cow. “And yet,” she paused, as if choosing her words, “it’s rather a pleasant feeling, too. As if laughter were running up and down inside me.”

“Extraordinary,” said the King, and he put his chin on his hand and stared at the Red Cow, pondering on what was the best thing to do.

Suddenly he sprang to his feet and said, “Good gracious!”

“What is it?” cried all the Courtiers.

“Why, don’t you see?” said the King, getting very excited and dropping his sceptre. “What an idiot I was not to have noticed it before. And what idiots you were!” he turned furiously upon the Courtiers.