Mary Poppins / Мэри Поппинс. Книга для чтения на английском языке

There was a bright п¬Ѓre in the п¬Ѓreplace, and in the centre of the room there was a very large table with four cups, bread and butter, biscuits, chocolates and a very large cake.

“I am very glad to see you,” said a voice. Jane and Michael looked round the room, but saw nobody. Then they saw that Mary Poppins was looking at the ceiling. They looked at the ceiling, too, and to their surprise[22 - to their surprise [sə'praız] – к своему удивлению] they saw a round, fat man, who was hanging in the air.

Mr. Wigg smiled at the children. “My dear,” he said to Mary Poppins, “it is my Birthday today.”

“Oh,” said Mary Poppins.

Mr. Wigg looked at the children again.

“I see you are surprised,” he said. “I think I must explain to you why I am here. You see, I am a very merry man and like to laugh very much. Everything seems funny to me. And I can laugh at everything that I see.”

And Mr. Wigg began to shake with laughter[23 - began to shake with laughter ['lɑ:ftə] – начал трястись от смеха].

“Uncle Albert!” said Mary Poppins, and Mr. Wigg stopped laughing.

“Oh, I am sorry, my dear,” he said to Mary Poppins. “I won’t laugh – if I can.” He turned to the children. “You see,” he said, “when my birthday comes on Friday, it always happens to me.”

“But why —” began Jane.

“But how —” began Michael.

“If my birthday comes on Friday and I laugh on that day, I become filled with Laughing Gas[24 - I become filled with Laughing Gas ['lɑ:fıŋ'ɡæs] – наполняюсь смешливым газом].

The Laughing Gas is very light, and when it fills me[25 - when it fills me – когда он наполняет меня] I simply cannot stand on the ground. As soon as[26 - As soon as – Как только] I begin laughing, or even smiling, I fly up like a balloon. And I can get down only if I think about something serious.” Mr. Wigg began laughing again, but then he looked at Mary Poppins and stopped.

“It is strange, of course,” he said, “but very pleasant. Does it ever happen to you?[27 - Does it ever happen to you? – С вами это когда-нибудь случается?] ” he asked Jane and Michael.

Jane and Michael shook their heads.

“One day,” said Mr.