Read Mary Poppins Opens the Door for Free Online

curious thing was happening.
    Slowly, on the spot where she stood, Mrs. Clump began to revolve. She had no musical box, no platform, she simply went round and round on the floor. The boards gave a loud protesting creak as the huge shape turned upon them.
    "Well, that's fixed
you!
" cried Mr. Twigley.
"Try and jump
Dear Mrs. Clump!"
    he advised her, with a gleeful shriek.
    A shudder of horror shook Mrs. Clump as she tried to move her large black boots. She struggled. She writhed. She wriggled her body. But her feet were firmly glued to the floor.
    "Clever girl, Mary! I'd never have thought of it!" Mr. Twigley smiled at Mary Poppins with pride and admiration.
    "This is your doing—you wilful, wicked, cold-hearted Varmint!" Mrs. Clump gave an angry shout as she tried to clutch at Mary Poppins. "But I'll get even with you yet—or my name's not Sarah Clump!"
    "It'll never be Twigley, anyway!" shrieked Mr. Twigley joyously.
    "I want to go home! I want the Police Station!" wailed the Policeman, spinning madly.
    "Well, nobody's keeping
you,
I'm sure!" said Mary Poppins, sniffing. As she spoke the Policeman's box came to a standstill and he stumbled off it, panting.
    "Scotland Yard!" he cried, staggering to the door. "I must see the Chief! I must make a Report." And, blowing a frantic peal on his whistle, he fled downstairs and out of the house.
    "Come back, you Villain!" screamed Mrs. Clump. "He's gone!" she went on, as the front door banged. "Oh, what shall I do? Help! Murder! Fire!"
    Her face grew red as she tried to free herself. But it was no good. Her feet were firmly fixed to the floor, and she flung out her arms with a cry of anguish.
    "Mr. Twigley!" she begged. "Please help me, Sir! I've always cooked you tasty meals. I've always kept you clean and tidy. You won't have to marry me, I promise. If you'll only wish something to set me free!"
    "Be careful, Fred!" warned Mary Poppins, as she twirled in a dignified manner.
    "A Wish in Time saves Nine! Now, let me think!" murmured Mr. Twigley.
    He pressed his fingers to his eyes. Jane and Michael could see he was making an effort to wish Something Really Useful. For a moment he spun round, deep in thought. Then he looked up, smiling, and clapped his hands.
    "Mrs. Clump," he cried gaily. "You
shall
be free! I wish for you a Golden Palace and Peacock Pie every day for dinner. But—" he winked across at Mary
    Poppins, "
my
kind of palace, Mrs. Clump! And
my
kind of pie!"
    A roll of drums boomed through the attic.
    Mrs. Clump looked at Mary Poppins and smiled a smile of triumph.
    "Aha!" she said smugly. "What did I tell you?"
    But even as she spoke the proud smile faded. It changed to a look of purest terror.
    For Mrs. Clump was no longer a large fat woman. Her buxom body was rapidly shrinking. Her feet as they spun on the creaking floor grew smaller with every turn.
    "What's this?" she panted. "Oh, what can it be?" Her arms and her legs grew short and skinny as her figure dwindled to half its size.
    "Police! Fire! Murder! S.O.S." Her voice grew thinner as she shrank.
    "Oh, Mr. Twigley! What have you done? Police! Police!" squeaked the tiny voice.
    As she spoke the floor gave an angry heave and flung her, spinning, into the air. She bounced back with a frantic shriek and stumbled away across the room. And as she ran she grew smaller than ever and her movements more and more jerky. One moment she was the size of a kitten and the next no bigger than a small-sized mouse. Away she went, stumbling and bouncing and tripping, till at the end of the attic she dashed into a tiny golden palace that had suddenly appeared.
    "Oh, why did I speak to him? What has he done?" Mrs. Clump cried out in a tinny voice.
    And looking through one of the golden windows, the children saw her collapse on a chair before a small tin pie. She began to cut it with jerky movements as the palace door closed with a bang.
    At that moment the boxes ceased to spin. The music stopped and the attic was silent.
    Down from