Mrs Banks was patting her children gently, first one and then the other, and murmuring words that were meant to be reassuring. Suddenly John stopped crying. He had very good manners, and he was fond of his Mother and remembered what was due to her. It was not her fault, poor woman, that she always said the wrong thing. It was just, he reflected, that she did not understand. So, to show that he forgave her, he turned over on his back, and very dolefully, sniffing back his tears, he picked up his right foot in both hands and ran his toes along his open mouth.
“Clever One, oh, Clever One,” said his Mother admiringly. He did it again and she was very pleased.
Then Barbara (затем Барбара), not to be outdone in courtesy (дабы не быть превзойденной в вежливости/любезности), came out of her pillow (вылезла из своих подушек) and with her tears still wet on her face (и со слезами все еще мокрыми на своем лице), sat up (села) and plucked off both her socks (и стянула оба своих носка).
“Wonderful girl (чудесная девочка),” said Mrs Banks proudly (сказала миссис Бэнкс гордо), and kissed her (и поцеловала ее).
“There (ну вот), you see (вы видите), Mary Poppins! They’re quite good again (они в полном порядке снова: «вполне хорошие»). I can always comfort them (я могу всегда утешить их). Quite good (вполне хорошие), quite good (вполне хорошие),” said Mrs Banks, as though she were singing a lullaby (как если бы она пела колыбельную). “And the teeth will soon be through (а зубы скоро прорежутся;
“Yes, ma’am (да, мадам),” said Mary Poppins quietly (сказала Мэри Поппинс тихо); and smiling to the Twins (и улыбнулась близнецам;
The moment she had disappeared (в момент, когда она исчезла) the Starling burst into a peal of rude laughter (скворец зашелся взрывом грубого смеха;
“Excuse me smiling (извините за то, что улыбаюсь)!” he cried (он прокричал). “But really (но действительно) — I can’t help it (я ничего не могу поделать). What a scene (что за сцена)! What a scene (
John took no notice of him (Джон не обратил внимания на него). He pushed his face through the bars of his cot (он просунул свое лицо через решетки своей кроватки;
“I won’t be like the others (я
Mary Poppins smiled (Мэри Поппинс улыбнулась), a secret (таинственным), I-know-better-than-you sort of smile (я-знаю-лучше-чем ты видом улыбки), all to herself (полностью для себя = своим мыслям).
“Nor I (я тоже),” answered Barbara (ответила Барбара). “Ever (никогда).”
outdone [aut'dAn] lullaby ['lAlqbai] jerked [Gq:kt]
Then Barbara, not to be outdone in courtesy, came out of her pillow and with her tears still wet on her face, sat up and plucked off both her socks.
“Wonderful girl,” said Mrs Banks proudly, and kissed her.
“There, you see, Mary Poppins! They’re quite good again. I can always comfort them. Quite good, quite good,” said Mrs Banks, as though she were singing a lullaby. “And the teeth will soon be through.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Mary Poppins quietly; and smiling to the Twins, Mrs Banks went out and closed the door.
The moment she had disappeared the Starling burst into a peal of rude laughter.
“Excuse me smiling!” he cried. “But really — I can’t help it. What a scene! What a scene!”
John took no notice of him. He pushed his face through the bars of his cot and called softly and fiercely to Barbara:
“I won’t be like the others. I tell you I won’t. They,” he jerked his head towards the Starling and Mary Poppins, “can say what they like. I’ll never forget, never!”
Mary Poppins smiled, a secret, I-know-better-than-you sort of smile, all to herself.
“Nor I,” answered Barbara. “Ever.”
“Bless my tail-feathers (благослови = черт возьми мои перья из хвоста;