Mary Poppins Opens the Door

other.

'Neleus,' she said quietly, 'you have ten minutes more. You can come with us to the Bookstall and back.'

'And then—?' he said, with a questioning look, as he tightened his arms round the Dolphin.

She did not answer. She looked across the sparkling Lake and nodded towards the pedestal.

'Oh, can't he stay longer, Mary Poppins—?' the children began to protest. But the eager question froze on their lips, for Mary Poppins was glaring.

'I said ten minutes,' she remarked. 'And ten minutes is what I meant. You needn't look at me like that, either. I am not a Grisly Gorilla.'

'Oh, don't start arguing!' cried Neleus. 'We mustn't waste a second!' He sprang to his feet and seized Jane's hand. 'Show me the way to the Bookstall!' he said. And drew her away through the spreading sunlight and over the grassy lawns.

Behind them Mary Poppins lifted the Twins into the perambulator and hurried along with Michael.

Lightly across the summer grasses ran Jane and the Marble Boy. His curls flew out on the wind with hers and her hot breath blew on his marble cheeks. Within her soft and living fingers the marble hand grew warmer.

'This way!' she cried, as she tugged at his arm and drew him into the Lime Walk.

At the end of it, by the Far Gate, stood the gaily painted bookstall. A bright sign nailed above it said:

MR. FOLLY

BOOKS PAPERS AND MAGAZINES

YOU WANT THEM

I'VE GOT THEM

A frill of coloured magazines hung round the Bookstall; and as the children raced up, Mr. Folly popped his head through a gap in the frill. He had a round, quiet, lazy face that looked as though nothing in the world could disturb it.

'Well, if it isn't Jane Banks and Friend!' he remarked mildly. 'I think I can guess what you've come for!'

'The Evening News and Lot-o'-Fun,' panted Jane, as she put down the pennies.

Neleus seized the coloured comic and skimmed the pages quickly.

'Does Tiger Tim get away?' cried Michael, as he dashed up, breathless, behind them.

'Yes, he does!' cried Neleus, with a shout of joy. 'Listen! Tiger Tim Escapes Clutches of Uncle Moppsy. His New Adventure with Old Man Dogface. Watch Out For Another Tiger Tim Story Next Week!'

'Hooray!' shouted Michael, peering round the Dolphin's shoulder to get a look at the pictures.

Mr. Folly was eyeing Neleus with interest. 'That's a fine young whale you got there, sonny! Seems almost 'uman. Where did you catch him?'

'I didn't,' said Neleus, glancing up. 'He was given to me as a present.'

'Fancy that! Well, he makes a nice pet! And where do you come from? Where's yer Ma?'

'She's a long way from here,' replied Neleus gravely.

'Too bad!' Mr. Folly wagged his head. 'Dad away, too?' Neleus smiled and nodded.

'You don't say! Goodness, you must be lonely!' Mr. Folly glanced at the marble body. 'And cold as well, I shouldn't wonder, with not a stitch on your bones!' He made a jingling noise in his pocket and thrust out his hand to Neleus.

'There! Get yourself something to wear with that. Can't go around with nothing on. Pneumonia, you know! And chilblains!'

Neleus stared at the silver thing in his hand.

'What is it?' he asked curiously.

'That's a 'Arf-crown,' said Mr. Folly. 'Don't tell me you never saw one!'

'No, I never did,' said Neleus, smiling. And the Dolphin gazed at the coin with interest.

'Well, I declare! You poor little chap! Stark naked and never seen a 'Arf-crown! Someone ought to be taking care of you!' Mr. Folly glanced reproachfully at Mary Poppins. And she gave him an outraged glare.

'Someone is taking care of him, thank you!' she said. As she spoke she unbuttoned her new white jacket and slipped it round Neleus' shoulders.

'There!' she said gruffly. 'You won't be cold now. And no thanks to you, Mr. Folly!'

Neleus looked from the coat to Mary Poppins and his marble eyes grew wider. 'You mean — I can keep it always?' he asked.

She nodded, and looked away.

'Oh, dear sweet Sea Lion — thank you!' he cried, and he hugged her waist in his marble arms. 'Look at me, Jane, in my new white coat! Look at me, Michael, in my beautiful buttons.' He ran excitedly from one to the other to show off his new possession.

'That's right,' said Mr. Folly, beaming. 'Much better be sure than sorry! And the 'Arf-crown will buy you a nice pair of trousers—'

'Not tonight,' interrupted Mary Poppins. 'We're late as it is. Now Best Foot Forward and home we go, and I'll thank you all not to dawdle.'

The sun was swiftly moving westwards as she trundled the pram down the Lime Walk. The Band at the end of the Park was silent. The flowery sunshades had all gone home. The trees stood still and straight in the shadows. The Park Keeper was nowhere to be seen.

Jane and Michael walked on either side of Neleus and linked their hands through his marble arms. A silence was over the human children and over the marble child between them.

'I love you, Neleus,' Jane said softly. 'I wish you could stay with us always.'

'I love you, too,' he answered, smiling. 'But I must go back. I promised.'

'I suppose you couldn't leave the Dolphin?' said Michael, stroking the marble fin.

Jane looked at him angrily.

'Oh, Michael — how can you be so selfish! How would you like to spend your life, all alone up there on a pedestal?'

'I'd like it — if I could have the Dolphin, and call Mary Poppins a Sea Lion!'

'I tell you what, Michael!' said Neleus quickly. 'You can't have the Dolphin — he's part of me. But the Half- crown isn't. I'll give you that.' He pushed the money into Michael's hand. 'And Jane must have the book,' he went on. 'But promise, Jane, and cross your heart, that you'll let me read it over your shoulder. And every week you must come to the bench and read me the new Lot-o'-Fun.'

He gave the book a last long look and tucked it under her arm.

'Oh, I promise, Neleus!' she said faithfully, and crossed her heart with her hand.

'I'll be waiting for you,' said Neleus softly. 'I'll never, never forget.'

'Walk up and don't chatter!' hissed Mary Poppins, as she turned towards the Lake.

The perambulator creaked and groaned as it trundled on its way. But high above the creak of the wheels they could hear a well-known voice. They tip-toed up behind Mary Poppins as she walked to the shadowy water.

'I never done it!' the voice protested. 'And wouldn't — not if you paid me!'

At the edge of the Lake, by the empty pedestal, stood the Lord Mayor with two Aldermen. And before them, waving his arms and shouting, and generally behaving in a peculiar manner, was the Park Keeper.

'It's none of my doing, Your Honour!' he pleaded. 'I can look you straight in the eye!'

'Nonsense, Smith!' said the Lord Mayor sternly. 'You are the person responsible for the Park statues. And only you could have done it!'

'You might as well confess!' advised the First Alderman.

'It won't save you, of course,' the Second added, 'but you'll feel so much better!'

'But I didn't do it, I'm telling you!' The Park Keeper clasped his hands in a