Mary Poppins in the Park

by P. L. Travers

  Jane shook her head a little wistfully. That charming far-away little girl—how much she would like to know her!

  "We shall," said Veritain confidently.

  "But how? You're the children in the story!"

  Florimond laughed and shook his head.

  "You are the children in the story! We've read about you so often, Jane, and looked at the picture and longed to know you. So today—when the book fell open—we simply walked in. We come once into everyone's story—the grand-parents and the grandchildren are all the same to us. But most people take no notice." He sighed. "Or if they do, they forget very quickly. Only a few remember."

  Jane's hand tightened on his sleeve. She felt she would never forget him, not if she lived to be forty.

  "Oh, don't waste time explaining," begged Amor. "We want to explore the picture!"

  "We'll lead the way!" cried Michael eagerly, as he seized Amor by the hand. He hardly cared whether he was a real boy or a boy in a story, so long as the golden dagger lay snugly in his belt.

  "We'll follow!" cried Veritain, running behind them.

  Florimond gave a piercing whistle and tugged at the rein on his arm.

  Immediately, as if from nowhere, the Unicorn appeared at his side. Florimond patted the silky neck and, moving off beside Jane, he glanced about him eagerly.

  "Look, brothers—over there is the Lake! Do you see Neleus with his Dolphin? And that must be Number Seventeen. We never could see it clearly before," he explained to Jane and Michael. "In the picture it's hidden behind the trees."

  "H'm—a very small house," said Amor, gazing.

  "But it's solid and friendly," said Veritain kindly.

  "And the grounds are very extensive." Florimond made a sweeping gesture and bent to sniff at a rose.

  "Now, now! Wot are you doin'!" The Park Keeper, roused from his Forty Winks, sat up and rubbed his eyes.

  "Observe the rules," he grumbled, stretching. "No pickin' of flowers allowed."

  "I wasn't picking. I was just smelling. Though, of course," said Florimond politely, "I would like to have a rose from Jane's garden. As a souvenir, you know!"

  "Jane's garden?" The Park Keeper stared. "This is no garden. It's a Public Park. And it don't belong to Jane. Souveneer, indeed!" he spluttered. "'Oo do you think you are?"

  "Oh, I don't think—I know!" the Prince replied. "I am Florimond, the King's eldest son. These are my brothers—don't you remember? And our task is to fight the Dragon."

  The Park Keeper's eyes nearly dropped from his head.

  "King's eldest——? Dragon? No dragons allowed in the Public Parks. And no horses, neither!" he added, as his eyes fell on the silvery hooves that were lightly pawing the lawn.

  A peal of laughter burst from Amor.

  Jane and Michael giggled.

  "That's not a horse," Veritain protested. "Can't you see? He's a Unicorn!"

  "Now, now!" The Park Keeper heaved to his feet. "I ought to know a Norse when I see one and that's a Norse or I'm a——Lumme!"

  The milk-white creature raised its head.

  "It is! It is a Unycorn! 'Orn and all—just like a picture, I never saw such a thing before—at least——" The Park Keeper wrinkled up his brow as though he were trying to remember something. "No, no," he murmured, "I couldn't have! Not even when I was a boy. A Unycorn! I must make a report. Winkle, where are you? 'Ere, you boys——" He turned to the astonished Princes. "You 'old 'im quiet till I get back. Don't let 'im go woteveryou do!"

  And off he went, leaping over the flower-beds. "'Orn and all!" they heard him shouting, as he darted among the laurels.

  The Princes, their eyes round with surprise, gazed after his disappearing figure.

  "Your gardener seems very excitable," said Florimond to Jane.

  She was just about to explain that the Park Keeper was not their gardener, when a shrill voice interrupted her.

  "Wait! Wait! Not so fast! My arms are nearly out of their sockets. Oh, what shall I do? There goes my scarf!"

  Into the Rose Garden plunged Miss Lark, with the two dogs straining at their leads. Her hat was wobbling dangerously and her hair hung in wisps around her face.

  "Oh, goodness! There they go again! Andrew! Willoughby! Do come back!"

  But the dogs merely laughed. They tugged the leathers from her hands and, bounding gaily towards the Princes, they leapt up at Amor.

  "Oh, Jane! Oh, Michael!" Miss Lark panted. "Do help me, please, to catch the dogs. I don't like them talking to strangers. Look at that queer boy kissing Andrew! He may have a cold and the dogs will catch it. Who are these children? What very odd clothes! And their hair is much too long!"

  "This is Florimond," said Jane politely.

  "This is Veritain," added Michael.

  "And this is Amor!" said Amor, laughing, as he kissed Willoughby's nose.

  "Peculiar names!" exclaimed Miss Lark. "And yet——" Her face had a puzzled expression. "I seem to have heard them before. Where can it have been? In a pantomime?"

  She peered at the Princes and shook her head. "They're foreigners, without a doubt. And what have they got there—a donkey? Gracious!" She gave a shriek of surprise. "It can't be! Yes! No! Yes—it is! A Unicorn—how wonderful!"

  She clasped her hands in ecstasy and trilled away like a lark. "Horn and all! A Unicorn! But why isn't somebody looking after it?"

  "We are looking after him," said Florimond calmly.

  "Nonsense! Ridiculous! Absurd! He should be in charge of responsible people. I shall go myself to the British Museum and find the Chief Professor. Andrew and Willoughby, leave that boy and come along with Mother! Quickly, quickly!" She seized the leads. "We must go at once for help!"

  The two dogs exchanged a wink and dashed away at full speed.

  "Oh, not so quickly as that," cried Miss Lark. "You will have me head-over-heels. Oh, dear, oh, dear—there goes my bracelet! Never mind!" she called over her shoulder, as Veritain stooped to pick it up. "Keep it! I've no time to waste!"

  And off she stumbled behind the dogs with her hair and necklaces flying.

  "Officer!" they heard her calling to the Policeman. "There's a Unicorn in the Rose Garden. Be sure you don't let him escape!"

  "Escape?" said Amor. "But why should he want to! He'd never be happy away from us."

  He smiled lovingly at Michael as the Unicorn thrust his head between them and tickled their cheeks with his mane.

  "A Unicorn!" The Policeman stared. "Miss Lark's gettin' queerer and queerer!" he muttered, as he watched her fluttering down the path. "'Ere! Look where you're going, Mr. Mudge! You can't do that to the Law."

  For a large fat man had bumped into him and was breathlessly hurrying by. The Policeman seized him by the arm.

  "A Unicorn, the old girl said!" Mr. Mudge panted heavily.

  "A Unicorn?" cried the passing strangers. "We don't believe it! We must write to The Times!"

  "Of course, I know there's no sich thing. Somebody's having a bit of a joke." Mr. Mudge mopped his poppy cheeks. "But I thought as I'd go and see."

  "Well, you go quietly," the Policeman advised him. "And treat the Law with respect."

  He released Mr. Mudge's arm and strode on ahead of him.

  "Come, let us go deeper into the picture," Florimond was saying. He took Jane gently by the hand and Veritain came to her other side.

  "Hurry up, Michael! Let's try the swings. And then we can paddle in the Lake." Amor gave a tug to Michael's hand. "But who are all these people?"

  The five children glanced about them. The Park, which had been so quiet before, was now filled with flying figures, all racing towards the Rose Garden and shouting as they came. The Policeman stalked along before them with big important strides.

  As the children turned to leave the garden, his large blue body barred the way.

  He gave one glance at the Unicorn and his eyebrows went up to the edge of his helmet.

  "Miss Lark was right, after all," he muttered. Then he eyed the Princes sternly.
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  "Might I h'ask what you think you're up to—disturbing the peace in a public place? And I'd like to know how you three tinkers got hold of that there animal!"

  "They're not tinkers!" protested Michael. He was shocked at the Policeman's words. Couldn't he see who they were?

  "Gypsies, then. You can tell by their clothes. Too gaudy for respectable people."

  "But don't you remember them?" cried Jane. She was fond of the Policeman and wanted him not to make a mistake.

  "Never saw them before in my life." He took out his notebook and pencil. "Now, I want a few pertick-elers. Honesty's the best policy, lads, so speak up clearly and state the facts. First of all, where do you come from?"

  "Nowhere!" giggled Amor.

  "Everywhere!" said Veritain.

  "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," Florimond added gravely.

  "Now, now! This won't do. I asked a plain question and I want a plain answer. Where do you live? What place on the map?"

  "Oh, it's not on the map," said Florimond. "But it's easy to find if you really want to. You only have to wish."

  "No fixed address," the Policeman murmured, writing in his notebook. "You see! They're gypsies—just like I said. Now then, young man—your father's name!"

  "Fidelio," answered Florimond.

  "Mother's name?" The Law gave his pencil a careful lick.

  "Esperanza," Veritain told him. "With a 'Z'," he added helpfully, for the Policeman, it seemed, was not a good speller.

  "Aunts?" enquired the Policeman again, laboriously writing.

  "Oh, we have hundreds." Amor grinned. "Cinderella, Snow White, Badroulbador, the White Cat, Little-Two-Eyes, Baba Yaga—and, of course, the Sleeping Beauty."

  "Sleeping Beauty——" the Policeman murmured.

  Then he looked at the words he had written and glanced up angrily.

  "You're making a mock of the Law!" he cried. "The Sleeping Beauty wasn't nobody's aunt. She was somebody in a book. Now, see here! Since you boys refuse to give me h'information in h'accordance with the h'regulations, it is my duty to take that animal in charge."

  He stepped forward resolutely.

  The Unicorn gave an angry snort and flung up his hind legs.

  "'Ands off! 'Ands off!" yelled the Park Keeper, as he flung himself across the roses and pushed the Policeman aside.

  "There 'e is, Ben!" he cried in triumph, as the Keeper of the Zoological Gardens, nervously waving his butterfly net, came tip-toeing into the Rose Garden.

  "'Orn and all—just like I told yer!" The Park Keeper reached for the silver bridle and immediately turned a back somersault.

  For the Unicorn had lowered his head and swung his horn against him.

  "E-e-eh! Oh! O-o-o-h!" The Keeper of the Zoological Gardens, with a frightened yelp, took refuge behind the Policeman.

  "Dear me, is he dangerous? Does he bite? That horn looks very sharp!"

  "It's sharp and solid, Benjamin!" The Park Keeper ruefully rubbed his stomach.

  "He's gentle and good," Florimond protested. "But he isn't used to strangers."

  "H'm. Well, you'd better bring him along to the Zoo and settle him down in a cage."

  "A cage! Oh, no," cried Jane and Michael, angrily stamping their feet.

  And the Unicorn, as though in agreement, drummed with his hooves on the lawn.

  "But what would he do in a cage?" asked Amor, his eyes wide with interest.

  "Do?" echoed the Keeper of the Zoological Gardens. "He'd do what the other animals do—just stand there to be looked at!"

  "Oh, he wouldn't like that," put in Veritain quickly. "He's used to being quite free. Besides," he added, smiling politely, "he belongs to us, you know!"

  "Free!" The Policeman shook his fist. "Nobody's free to kick at the Law!"

  "Whoa there!" cried the Keeper of the Zoological Gardens.

  "I won't whoa there!" the Policeman shouted. "I'm only doing what's right!"

  "I was talking to him," murmured Mr. Winkle. And he pointed to the Unicorn who was dancing madly on all four feet.

  "Now then," he cooed, "be a good little Dobbin. And we'll get him some hay and a nice clean house next door to the Hippopotamus!"

  The Unicorn gave his tail a twitch and lashed it at Mr. Winkle. It was quite clear that he had no intention of living anywhere near a hippopotamus.

  "Don't coax 'im, Benjamin, just take 'im!" The Park Keeper gave his friend a push.

  "Oh, no! Not yet! Wait just one minute!"

  Miss Lark's voice sounded shriller than ever as she hurried back to the scene. In one hand she held up her tattered skirt and with the other she dragged along an elderly gentleman in a newspaper hat. He was carrying a large book and a magnifying-glass and looking very bewildered.

  "So fortunate!" Miss Lark panted. "I found the Professor asleep on a bench. There now, Professor——" She flung out her hand. "Do you still say you don't believe me?"

  "Don't believe what?" the Professor mumbled.

  "Tch! Tch! I've told you a dozen times. I've found a Unicorn!"

  "Indeed?" The Professor fumbled in his pockets till at length he found his spectacles and fixed them on his nose.

  "Er—what was it, dear lady, I had to look at?" He seemed to have quite forgotten what he wanted his spectacles for.

  Miss Lark sighed.

  "The Unicorn!" she answered patiently.

  The Professor blinked and turned his head.

  "Well, well! Er—hum! Extraordinary!"

  He leaned forward for a closer look and the Unicorn made a thrust with his head and prodded the Professor with the end of his horn.

  "You're right!" The Professor toppled backwards. "It is—ah—hum—a Unicorn!"

  "Of course it is!" scoffed the Park Keeper. "We don't need nobody in a paper 'at to tell us that bit o' news."

  The Professor took not the slightest notice. He was turning the pages of his book and waving the magnifying-glass.

  "O.P.Q.R.S.T.U. Ah, here it is! Yes. A fabulous beast. Rarely—if ever!—seen by man. Reputed to be worth a city——"

  "A city!" exclaimed the Policeman, staring. "A horse with a bit o' bone on his head!"

  "Distinguishing marks——" the Professor gabbled. "White body, tail of similar hue, and a broad brow from which a horn——"

  "Yes, yes, Professor," Miss Lark broke in. "We know what he looks like. You needn't tell us. The question is—what shall we do with him?"

  "Do?" The Professor looked over the top of his glasses. "There's only one thing to be done, madam. We must arrange to—ah—have him stuffed!"

  "Stuffed?" Miss Lark gave a little gasp. She glanced uneasily at the Unicorn and he gave her a long, reproachful stare.

  "Stuffed!" cried Jane in a horrified voice.

  "Stuffed!" echoed Michael, squeakily. He could hardly bear to think of it.

  The Princes shook their golden heads. Their eyes as they gazed at the Professor were grave and full of pity.

  "Stuffed? Stuff and nonsense!" said a raucous voice, as Mr. Mudge, looking redder than ever, came lumbering into the Rose Garden. "Nobody's going to stuff an animal that might be of use to Mudge. Where is it?" he demanded loudly.

  His bulgy eyes grew bulgier still as they fell on the silver shape.

  "Well, I never!" He whistled softly. "Cleverest dodge I ever saw. Somebody's glued a horn on a horse! My word—what a sideshow this will make! Who's in charge of the beast?"

  "We are," said Florimond, Veritain and Amor.

  Mr. Mudge turned and surveyed the Princes.

  "Out of the Circus, I see!" He grinned. "What are you—acrobats?"

  The Princes smiled and shook their heads.

  "Well, you can come along with the nag. Those velvet jackets are just the thing. Three meals a day and oats for the horse. And I'll bill you as Mudge's Unicorn and his Three Servants. Hey, back up, Neddy—look what you're doing!"

  Mr. Mudge jumped sideways just in time to escape a nip from the Unicorn's teeth.

  "Here, tighten that re
in!" he shouted sharply. "Take care! He's got a nasty temper!"

  "Oh, no he hasn't," said Florimond quickly. "But he doesn't care to be part of a sideshow."

  "And we're not his servants," said Veritain.

  "It's the other way round!" Amor added.

  "Now, I want no sauciness, my lads! Just bring him along and behave yourselves. We've got to get him settled down before the Fair opens."

  The Unicorn tossed his silver mane.

  "Begging your pardon, Mr. Mudge! But that Unicorn belongs to the Zoo!"

  Thump! went the Unicorn's horn on the lawn.

  "Nonsense—er—hum!" the Professor exclaimed. "He must go with me to the British Museum. And stand—ah—hum—on a pedestal for all the world to see."

  "The world can see him in his cage," said Mr. Winkle stubbornly.

  "At the Fair, you mean!" Mr. Mudge insisted. "The Only Unicorn in the World! Money back if not satisfied. Roll up! Roll up! Sixpence a look!"

  "He belongs to the Princes!" shouted Michael.

  But nobody took any notice.

  The Park was ringing with many voices. People came running from all directions, all giving different advice.

  "Get him a halter! Hobble his legs! Bind him! Hold him! Put him in chains!"

  And the Unicorn lashed out with his hooves and swung his horn around like a sword and kept them all at a distance.

  "He belongs to the Law!" the Policeman roared, taking out his baton.

  "To Mudge's Fair!" cried Mr. Mudge. "Children Half-Price! Babies Free!"

  "To the Zoo!" squeaked the Keeper of the Zoological Gardens, waving his net in the air.

  "What's going on—an accident?" Bert, the Match Man, pushed through the crowd and sauntered into the Rose Garden.

  At the sight of his calm and cheerful face, Jane gave a sigh of relief.

  "Oh, help us, please!" She ran to him. "They're trying to take the Unicorn."

  "The what?" said the Match Man, very surprised. He glanced at the little group by the fountain and gave a sudden start. A look of joy spread over his face as he sprang across the lawn.

  "Gently, boy, gently! Easy does it!" He seized the Unicorn by the mane and held out the apple he was munching. The Unicorn lowered his tossing head, sniffed enquiringly at the outstretched hand and then, with a sigh of satisfaction, he gobbled up the core.