East Wind (Восточный ветер / Ветер с Востока) 13 страница

“Oh (о)! Oh!” Michael dropped the compass (Майкл уронил/бросил компас). “Mary Poppins, help me (Мэри Поппинс, помогите мне)!” he screamed (он кричал) and shut his eyes in terror (и закрыл глаза в страхе).

 

guiltily ['gIltIlI] figures ['fIgqz] Macaw [mq'kO:]

 

He moved it.

“North, South, East, West!” he said very quickly, in case anybody should come in before he got well away.

A noise behind the chair startled him and he turned round guiltily, expecting to see Mary Poppins. But instead, there were four gigantic figures bearing down upon him — the bear with his fangs showing, the Macaw fiercely flapping his wings, the Panda with his fur on end, the Dolphin thrusting out her snout. From all quarters of the room they were rushing upon him, their shadows huge on the ceiling. No longer kind and friendly, they were now full of revenge. Their terrible angry faces loomed nearer. He could feel their hot breath on his face.

“Oh! Oh!” Michael dropped the compass. “Mary Poppins, help me!” he screamed and shut his eyes in terror.

 

And then something enveloped him (и затем что-то окутала его). The great creatures (огромные существа) and their greater shadows (и их еще более огромные тени), with a mingled roar (со смешанным ревом) or squawk of triumph (и воплем торжества/победы), flung themselves upon him (бросились на него; to fling). What was it that held him (что было это, что держало его; to hold), soft and warm (мягкое и теплое), in its smothering embrace (в своих тесных объятиях; to smother — душить, вызвать приступ удушья; гасить, тушить; покрывать; окутывать /дымом/; укрывать)? The Polar Bear’s fur coat (шуба полярного медведя)? The Macaw’s feathers (перья ары)? The Panda’s fur (мех панды) he had stroked so gently (который он гладил так нежно)? The mother Dolphin’s flippers (плавники мамы-дельфинихи)? And what was he (и что он) — or it might be she (или, может быть, она) — planning to do to him (собиралась делать с ним)? If only he had been good (если бы только он был хорошим) — if only (если бы только)!

“Mary Poppins!” he wailed (он завопил; to wail — издавать продолжительный скорбный звук; вопить; выть), as he felt himself carried through the air (чувствуя себя несомым по воздуху) and set down in something still softer (и опущенным во что-то /что было/ еще мягче).

“Oh, dear Mary Poppins (о, дорогая Мэри Поппинс)!”

“All right (хорошо), all right (хорошо). I’m not deaf (я не глухая), I’m thankful to say (я есть благодарна/признательна сказать = слава Богу) — no need to shout (нет надобности кричать),” he heard her saying calmly (он услышал ее, говорившую спокойно).

He opened one eye (он открыл один глаз). He could see no sign of the four gigantic figures of the compass (он мог видеть ни одного признака четырех гигантских фигур из компаса). He opened the other eye to make sure (он открыл другой глаз, чтобы удостовериться). No — not a glint of any of them (нет — ни следа: «вспышки» кого-нибудь их них). He sat up (он сел; to sit up — сесть /из лежачего положения/, выпрямиться). He looked round the room (он осмотрел комнату). There was nothing there (там ничего не было).

 

roar [rO:] triumph ['traIqmf] deaf [def]

 

And then something enveloped him. The great creatures and their greater shadows, with a mingled roar or squawk of triumph, flung themselves upon him. What was it that held him, soft and warm, in its smothering embrace? The Polar Bear’s for coat? The Macaw’s feathers? The Panda’s fur he had stroked so gently? The mother Dolphin’s flippers? And what was he — or it might be she — planning to do to him? If only he had been good — if only!

“Mary Poppins!” he wailed, as he felt himself carried through the air and set down in something still softer.

“Oh, dear Mary Poppins!”

“All right, all right. I’m not deaf, I’m thankful to say — no need to shout,” he heard her saying calmly.

He opened one eye. He could see no sign of the four gigantic figures of the compass. He opened the other eye to make sure. No — not a glint of any of them. He sat up. He looked round the room. There was nothing there.

 

Then he discovered (потом он обнаружил) that the soft thing that was round him (что мягкая вещь, которая была вокруг него) was his own blanket (было его собственным одеялом), and the soft thing (и мягкая вещь) he was lying on (на которой он лежал) was his own bed (была его собственная кровать). And oh, the heavy burning thing (и о, тяжелая жгущая вещь) that had been inside him all day (которая была внутри него весь день) had melted and disappeared (растаяла и исчезла). He felt peaceful (он ощутил себя спокойным; peace — мир, спокойствие) and happy (и счастливым), and as if he would like to give everybody he knew a birthday present (и как будто он хотел бы дать всем, кого он знал, подарки на день рожденья).

“What (что) — what happened (что случилось)?” he said rather anxiously to Mary Poppins (он сказал довольно озабоченно Мэри Поппинс).

“I told you (я говорила тебе; to tell) that was my compass (это был мой компас), didn’t I (не правда ли)? Be kind enough not to touch my things (будь добрым достаточно, чтобы не трогать мои вещи = будь так добр, не трогай мои вещи), if you please (пожалуйста),” was all she said (было все, что она сказала) as she stooped and picked up the compass (нагибаясь и поднимая компас) and put it in her pocket (и кладя его в свой карман). Then she began to fold the clothes (затем она начала складывать одежду) that he had thrown down on the floor (которую он сбросил на пол).

“Shall I do it (следует мне это сделать)?” he said.

“No, thank you (нет, спасибо).”

He watched her go into the next room (он смотрел на нее, идущую в следующую комнату/как она пошла в другую комнату), and presently she returned (и некоторое время спустя она вернулась) and put something warm into his hands (и поместила что-то теплое в его руки). It was a cup of milk (это была чашка молока).

Michael sipped it (Майкл потягивал его; to sip — пить маленькими глотками, потягивать, прихлебывать), tasting every drop several times with his tongue (пробуя каждую каплю несколько раз своим языком), making it last as long as possible (заставляя это продолжаться так долго, как это возможно) so that Mary Poppins should stay beside him (так чтобы Мэри Поппинс нужно было бы оставаться рядом с ним).

 

touch [tAt∫] warm [wO:m] possible ['pOsqbl]

 

Then he discovered that the soft thing that was round him was his own blanket, and the soft thing he was lying on was his own bed. And oh, the heavy burning thing that had been inside him all day had melted and disappeared. He felt peaceful and happy, and as if he would like to give everybody he knew a birthday present.

“What — what happened?” he said rather anxiously to Mary Poppins.

“I told you that was my compass, didn’t I? Be kind enough not to touch my things, if you please,” was all she said as she stooped and picked up the compass and put it in her pocket. Then she began to fold the clothes that he had thrown down on the floor.

“Shall I do it?” he said.

“No, thank you.”

He watched her go into the next room, and presently she returned and put something warm into his hands. It was a cup of milk.

Michael sipped it, tasting every drop several times with his tongue, making it last as long as possible so that Mary Poppins should stay beside him.

 

She stood there without saying a word (она стояла там, не говоря ни слова), watching the milk slowly disappear (смотря, как молоко медленно исчезает). He could smell her crackling white apron (он мог чувствовать запах ее хрустящего белого фартука; to crackle — потрескивать, трещать, хрустеть) and the faint flavour of toast (и слабый аромат тоста) that always hung about her so deliciously (который всегда окутывал ее: «висел около нее» так вкусно). But try as he would (но как бы он ни пытался), he could not make the milk last for ever (он не мог заставить молоко длиться вечно), and presently (и некоторое время спустя), with a sigh of regret (со вздохом сожаления), he handed her the empty cup (он протянул ей пустую чашку) and slipped down into the bed (и скользнул вниз в кровать). He had never known it be so comfortable (он никогда не знал, что она настолько уютная), he thought (он подумал). And he thought, too (и он подумал также), how warm he was (как тепло ему есть) and how happy he felt (и каким счастливым он чувствует себя; to feel) and how lucky he was to be alive (и какой везучий он, что остался жив; luck — удача).

“Isn’t it a funny thing (разве это не забавная вещь), Mary Poppins,” he said drowsily (он сказал сонно). “I’ve been so very naughty (я был таким очень непослушным/озорным/скверным) and I feel so very good (и я чувствую себя так очень хорошо).”

“Humph (гм)!” said Mary Poppins as she tucked him in (укладывая его; to tuck in — заправлять; to tuck — делать складки /на платье/; собирать в складки; укрыть одеялом; подоткнуть одеяло; tuck — складка /на платье, драпировке/) and went away to wash up the supper things (и ушла мыть посуду, оставшуюся после ужина: «вещи ужина»)…

 

lucky ['lAkI] alive [q'laIv] drowsily ['drauzIlI]

 

She stood there without saying a word, watching the milk slowly disappear. He could smell her crackling white apron and the faint flavour of toast that always hung about her so deliciously. But try as he would, he could not make the milk last for ever, and presently, with a sigh of regret, he handed her the empty cup and slipped down into the bed. He had never known it be so comfortable, he thought. And he thought, too, how warm he was and how happy he felt and how lucky he was to be alive.

“Isn’t it a funny thing, Mary Poppins,” he said drowsily. “I’ve been so very naughty and I feel so very good.”

“Humph!” said Mary Poppins as she tucked him in and went away to wash up the supper things…

 

Chapter Seven (глава седьмая).
The Bird Woman (птичница)

“Perhaps she won’t be there (возможно, ее не будет там),” said Michael.

“Yes, she will (да, она будет = нет, будет),” said Jane. “She’s always there for ever and ever (она там беспрестанно; for ever /and ever/ — навсегда, навечно; беспрестанно).”

They were walking up Ludgate Hill (они шли вверх по Ладгейт Хилл) on the way to pay a visit to Mr Banks in the City (чтобы по дороге нанести: визит мистеру Бэнксу в Сити). For he had said that morning to Mrs Banks (так как он сказал этим утром миссис Бэнкс):

“My dear (моя дорогая), if it doesn’t rain (если не будет дождя). I think Jane and Michael might call for me at the Office today (я думаю, Джейн и Майкл могут зайти за мной в офис сегодня) — that is (это будет), if you are agreeable (если ты согласна). I have a feeling (у меня чувство) I should like to be taken to Tea (/что/ я бы согласился быть взятым = приглашенным на чай) and Shortbread Fingers (с песочным печеньем) and it’s not often I have a Treat (и не /так уж/ часто у меня бывает пиршество).”

And Mrs Banks had said she would think about it (/что/ она подумает об этом).

But all day long (но в течение всего дня), though Jane and Michael had watched her anxiously (хотя Джейн и Майкл наблюдали за ней с волнением/беспокойством; anxious — озабоченный, беспокоящийся; сильно желающий), she had not seemed to be thinking about it at all (она не казалась думающей об этом вообще). From the things she said (из слов: «вещей», которые она сказала), she was thinking about the Laundry Bill and Michael’s new overcoat (она думала о счете за прачечную и новом пальто Майкла) and where was Aunt Flossie’s address (и где адрес тети Флосси), and why did that wretched Mrs Jackson ask her to tea on the second Thursday of the month (и почему эта несчастная миссис Джексон пригласила ее на чай во второй четверг месяца) when she knew (при том, что она знала) that was the very day (что это тот самый день) Mrs Banks had to go to the Dentist’s (/когда/ миссис Бэнкс должна пойти к зубному врачу)?

 

agreeable [q'grIqbl] Laundry ['lO:ndrI] Aunt [Q:nt]

 

“Perhaps she won’t be there,” said Michael.

“Yes, she will,” said Jane. “She’s always there for ever and ever.”

They were walking up Ludgate Hill on the way to pay a visit to Mr Banks in the City. For he had said that morning to Mrs Banks:

“My dear, if it doesn’t rain I think Jane and Michael might call for me at the Office today — that is, if you are agreeable. I have a feeling I should like to be taken to Tea and Shortbread Fingers and it’s not often I have a Treat.”

And Mrs Banks had said she would think about it.

But all day long, though Jane and Michael had watched her anxiously, she had not seemed to be thinking about it at all. From the things she said, she was thinking about the Laundry Bill and Michael’s new overcoat and where was Aunt Flossie’s address, and why did that wretched Mrs Jackson ask her to tea on the second Thursday of the month when she knew that was the very day Mrs Banks had to go to the Dentist’s?

 

Suddenly (внезапно), when they felt quite sure (когда они чувствовали вполне уверенно = наверняка) she would never think about Mr Banks’ treat (/что/ она вовсе не думала о пиршестве мистера Бэнкса), she said:

“Now, children (теперь, дети), don’t stand staring at me like that (не стойте, уставившись на меня вот так). Get your things on (одевайте свой вещи). You are going to the City to have tea with your Father (вы идете в город пить чай с вашим отцом). Had you forgotten (вы забыли)?”

As if they could have forgotten (как будто они могли бы забыть)! For it was not as though it were only the Tea (поскольку это было не только чаепитие: «не так, как будто это было только чаепитие») that mattered (которое имело значение). There was also the Bird Woman (была также птичница), and she herself was the best of all Treats (и она сама по себе была лучшим из пиршеств).

That is why they were walking up Ludgate Hill (вот почему они шли вверх по Ладгейт Хилл) and feeling very excited (и чувствовали себя очень взволнованными/возбужденными).

Mary Poppins walked between them (Мэри Поппинс шла между ними), wearing her new hat (в своей новой шляпе: «нося = имея надетой свою новую шляпу») and looking very distinguished (и выглядя очень безупречно). Every now and then she would look into the shop window (каждую минуту: «сейчас и потом» она смотрела в витрину) just to make sure (/чтобы/ просто удостовериться) the hat was still there (что шляпа была все еще здесь) and that the pink roses on it had not turned into common flowers like marigolds (и что розовые розы на ней не превратились в обыкновенные цветы, /такие/ как бархатцы/ноготки).

Every time she stopped to make sure (каждый раз, когда она останавливалась, чтобы убедиться), Jane and Michael would sigh (Джейн и Майкл вздыхали), but they did not dare say anything for fear (но они не смели сказать что-либо из-за страха) she would spend even longer looking at herself in the windows (что она проведет даже больше /времени/, глядя на себя в витрины), and turning this way and that to see (и поворачиваясь так и сяк, чтобы посмотреть) which attitude was the most becoming (какая осанка наиболее подобающая; to become — быть к лицу, идти /о предмете, одежде/).

 

suddenly ['sAdnlI] distinguished [dis'tIŋgwI∫t] fear [fIq]

 

Suddenly, when they felt quite sure she would never think about Mr Banks’ treat, she said:

“Now, children, don’t stand staring at me like that. Get your things on. You are going to the City to have tea with your Father. Had you forgotten?”

As if they could have forgotten! For it was not as though it were only the Tea that mattered. There was also the Bird Woman, and she herself was the best of all Treats.

That is why they were walking up Ludgate Hill and feeling very excited.

Mary Poppins walked between them, wearing her new hat and looking very distinguished. Every now and then she would look into the shop window just to make sure the hat was still there and that the pink roses on it had not turned into common flowers like marigolds.

Every time she stopped to make sure, Jane and Michael would sigh, but they did not dare say anything for fear she would spend even longer looking at herself in the windows, and turning this way and that to see which attitude was the most becoming.

 

But at last they came to St Paul’s Cathedral (но наконец они пришли к Собору Святого Павла), which was built a long time ago (который был построен давно: «долгое время назад»; to build — строить) by a man with a bird’s name (человеком с птичьим именем). Wren it was (это был Рен: «Крапивник»; wren — крапивник; любая небольшая певчая птичка), but he was no relation to Jenny (но он не был родственником Дженни). That is why so many birds live near Sir Christopher Wren’s Cathedral (вот почему много птиц жило рядом с Собором сэра Христофера Рена), which also belongs to St Paul (который также относится к Собору Святого Павла), and that is why the Bird Woman lives there, too (и вот почему птичница жила там тоже).

“There she is (вон она)!” cried Michael suddenly (закричал Майкл неожиданно), and he danced on his toes with excitement (и он затанцевал на своих носочках от волнения).

“Don’t point (не показывай пальцем),” said Mary Poppins, giving a last glance at the pink roses in the window of a carpet shop (бросая: «давая» последний взгляд на розовые розы в витрине магазина ковров).

“She’s saying it (она говорит это)! She’s saying it (она говорит это)!” cried Jane (закричала Джейн), holding tight to herself (держа крепко себя) for fear she would break in two with delight (из-за страха, что она разобьется на двое от восторга/удовольствия).

And she was saying it (и она говорила это). The Bird Woman was there (птичница была здесь) and she was saying it (и она говорила это).

“Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)! Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)! Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)!” Over and over again (снова и снова), the same thing (одно и тоже: «ту же вещь»), in a high chanting voice (высоким, монотонным/нараспев голосом; to chant — петь; воспевать, восхвалять; монотонно говорить, говорить с повторениями, говорить нараспев) that made the words seem like a song (который делал слова похожими на песню).

 

Paul [pO:l] carpet ['kQ:pIt] Tuppence ['tApqns]

 

But at last they came to St Paul’s Cathedral, which was built a long time ago by a man with a bird’s name. Wren it was, but he was no relation to Jenny. That is why so many birds live near Sir Christopher Wren’s Cathedral, which also belongs to St Paul, and that is why the Bird Woman lives there, too.

“There she is!” cried Michael suddenly, and he danced on his toes with excitement.

“Don’t point,” said Mary Poppins, giving a last glance at the pink roses in the window of a carpet shop.

“She’s saying it! She’s saying it!” cried Jane, holding tight to herself for fear she would break in two with delight.

And she was saying it. The Bird Woman was there and she was saying it.

“Feed the Birds,Tuppence a Bag! Feed the Birds,Tuppence a Bag! Feed the Birds, Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag, Tuppence a Bag!” Over and over again, the same thing, in a high chanting voice that made the words seem like a song.

 

And as she said it (и когда она говорила это) she held out little bags of breadcrumbs to the passers-by (она протягивала маленькие пакеты хлебных крошек прохожим: «проходящим мимо»).

All round her flew the birds (вокруг нее летали птицы), circling and leaping and swooping and rising (кружа и прыгая, налетая и взлетая). Mary Poppins always called them “sparrers” (Мэри Поппинс всегда называла их «воробушки»; sparrow — воробей) because, she said conceitedly (потому что, /как/ она говорила пренебрежительно; conceit — самомнение, заносчивость, кичливость), all birds were alike to her (все птицы были похожи для нее). But Jane and Michael knew (но Джейн и Майкл знали) that they were not sparrows (что они были не воробышки), but doves and pigeons (но голубки и голуби; dove — голубь /чаще всего о маленьких диких голубях/). There were fussy and chatty grey doves like Grandmothers (там были суетливые и болтливые серые голубки, как бабушки); and brown (и коричневые), rough-voiced pigeons like Uncles (грубоголосые голуби, как дядюшки); and greeny (и зеленоватые), cackling (кудахтающие; to cackle), no-I’ve-no-money-today pigeons like Fathers (голуби-«нет-я-не-имею-денег-сегодня», как Папочки). And the silly (и глупые), anxious (беспокойные), soft blue doves were like Mothers (мягкие голубые голубки были, как Мамочки). That’s what Jane and Michael thought, anyway (вот что Джейн и Майкл думали, во всяком случае).

They flew round and round the head of the Bird Woman (они летали вокруг и вокруг головы птичницы; to fly) as the children approached (когда дети приблизились), and then (и тогда), as though to tease her (как будто чтобы подразнить ее), they suddenly rushed away through the air (они вдруг бросились прочь по воздуху) and sat on the top of St Paul’s (и сели на верхушку Святого Павла), laughing and turning their heads away (смеясь и поворачивая свои головы прочь) and pretending they didn’t know her (и притворяясь, что они не знают ее).

It was Michael’s turn to buy a bag (была Майкла очередь купить пакет). Jane had bought one last time (Джейн купила его прошлый раз). He walked up to the Bird Woman (он подошел к птичнице) and held out four halfpennies (и протянул четыре монеты по полпенни).

“Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)!” said the Bird Woman (сказала птичница), as she put a bag of crumbs into his hand (кладя пакет крошек в его руку) and tucked the money away into the folds of her huge black skirt (пряча деньги подальше внутрь складок своей огромной черной юбки; to tuck — засовывать, прятать).

“Why don’t you have penny bags (почему у вас нет пакетов по пенни = однопенсовых)?” said Michael. “Then I could buy two (тогда я мог бы купить два).”

 

breadcrumbs ['bredkrAms] conceitedly [kqn'si:tIdlI] doves [dAvz]

 

And as she said it she held out little bags of breadcrumbs to the passers-by.

All round her flew the birds, circling and leaping and swooping and rising. Mary Poppins always called them “sparrers” because, she said conceitedly, all birds were alike to her. But Jane and Michael knew that they were not sparrows, but doves and pigeons.There were fussy and chatty grey doves like Grandmothers; and brown, rough-voiced pigeons like Uncles; and greeny, cackling, no-I’ve-no-money-today pigeons like Fathers. And the silly, anxious, soft blue doves were like Mothers. That’s what Jane and Michael thought, anyway.

They flew round and round the head of the Bird Woman as the children approached, and then, as though to tease her, they suddenly rushed away through the air and sat on the top of St Paul’s, laughing and turning their heads away and pretending they didn’t know her.

It was Michael’s turn to buy a bag. Jane had bought one last time. He walked up to the Bird Woman and held out four halfpennies.

“Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag!” said the Bird Woman, as she put a bag of crumbs into his hand and tucked the money away into the folds of her huge black skirt.

“Why don’t you have penny bags?” said Michael. “Then I could buy two.”

 

“Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)!” said the Bird Woman, and Michael knew (и Майкл понял) it was no good asking her any more questions (/что/ было бесполезно задавать ей еще: «какие-либо более» вопросы). He and Jane had often tried (он и Джейн часто пытались), but all she could say (но все, что она могла сказать), and all she had ever been able to say (и все, что она когда-либо была в состоянии сказать), was (было), “Feed the Birds (покормите птиц), Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)!” Just as a cuckoo can only say “Cuckoo (прямо как кукушка умеет только сказать «ку-ку»),” no matter what questions you ask him (и не важно, какие вопросы ты задал ему = ей).

Jane and Michael and Mary Poppins spread the crumbs in a circle on the ground (Джейн и Майкл и Мэри Поппинс раскидали крошки по кругу на земле; to spread — развертывать; распространять), and presently (и через какое-то время), one by one at first (один за одним сначала), and then in twos and threes (а затем по двое и по трое), the birds came down from St Paul’s (птицы спускались со Святого Павла).

“Dainty David (привередливый Давид),” said Mary Poppins with a sniff (сказала Мэри Поппинс с фырканьем), as one bird picked up a crumb (когда одна птица подобрала крошку) and dropped it again from its beak (и уронила ее снова из своего клюва).

But the other birds swarmed upon the food (но другие птицы роем слетали на корм; swarm — рой), pushing and scrambling and shouting (толкаясь, протискиваясь и крича; to scramble — продираться, протискиваться; пробираться с трудом). At last there wasn’t a crumb left (наконец не было крошки оставшейся), for it is not really polite for a pigeon or a dove (так как это невежливо для голубя или голубки) to leave anything on the plate (оставлять что-либо на тарелке). When they were quite certain (когда они были вполне уверенными) that the meal was finished (что еда была закончена) the birds rose with one grand, fluttering movement (птицы поднялись одним большим, трепещущим движением; to rise) and flew round the Bird Woman’s head (и полетели вокруг головы птичницы), copying in their own language the words (повторяя на их собственном языке слова) she said (/которые/ она говорила). One of them sat on her hat (одна из них села на ее шляпу) and pretended (и притворилась) he was a decoration for the crown (что он украшение короны; crown — венок; венец; корона). And another of them mistook Mary Poppins’ new hat for a rose garden (а другая из них приняла Мэри Поппинс новую шляпу за розовый сад; to mistake — ошибаться; неправильно понимать; to mistake for — принять кого-либо за другого или что-либо за другое) and pecked off a flower (и склевала цветок; to peck — отщипывать пищу клювом).

 

cuckoo ['kuku] swarmed [swO:md] language ['læŋgwIG]

 

“Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag!” said the Bird Woman, and Michael knew it was no good asking her any more questions. He and Jane had often tried, but all she could say, and all she had ever been able to say, was, “Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag!” Just as a cuckoo can only say “Cuckoo,” no matter what questions you ask him.

Jane and Michael and Mary Poppins spread the crumbs in a circle on the ground, and presently, one by one at first, and then in twos and threes, the birds came down from St Paul’s.

“Dainty David,” said Mary Poppins with a sniff, as one bird picked up a crumb and dropped it again from its beak.

But the other birds swarmed upon the food, pushing and scrambling and shouting. At last there wasn’t a crumb left, for it is not really polite for a pigeon or a dove to leave anything on the plate. When they were quite certain that the meal was finished the birds rose with one grand, fluttering movement and flew round the Bird Woman’s head, copying in their own language the words she said. One of them sat on her hat and pretended he was a decoration for the crown. And another of them mistook Mary Poppins’ new hat for a rose garden and pecked off a flower.

 

“You sparrer (ты, воробушек)!” cried Mary Poppins (закричала Мэри Поппинс), and shook her umbrella at him (и потрясла своим зонтиком на него). The pigeon (голубь), very offended (очень обиженный), flew back to the Bird Woman (полетел обратно к птичнице), and to pay out Mary Poppins (и чтобы отплатить Мэри Поппинс), stuck the rose in the ribbon of the Bird Woman’s hat (воткнул розу в ленту шляпы птичницы).

“You ought to be in a pie (тебе следует быть в пироге) — that’s where you ought to be (вот где тебе следует быть),” said Mary Poppins to him very angrily (сказала Мэри Поппинс ему очень рассерженно). Then she called to Jane and Michael (затем она окликнула Джейн и Майкла).

“Time to go (время идти),” she said, and flung a parting glance of fury at the pigeon (и метнула прощальный взгляд ярости на голубя; to fling). But he only laughed (но он только смеялся) and flicked his tail (и тряхнул своим хвостом) and turned his back on her (и повернулся своей спиной к ней).

“Goodbye (до свидания),” said Michael to the Bird Woman.

“Feed the Birds (покормите птиц),” she replied, smiling (она ответила, улыбаясь).

“Goodbye (до свидания),” said Jane.

“Tuppence a Bag (два пенса за пакет)!” said the Bird Woman and waved her hand (сказала птичница и помахала своей рукой).