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“Is that your medicine?” enquired Michael, looking very interested.

“No, yours,” said Mary Poppins, holding out the spoon to him. Michael stared. He wrinkled up his nose. He began to protest.

“I don’t want it. I don’t need it. I won’t!”

But Mary Poppins’ eyes were fixed upon him, and Michael suddenly discovered that you could not look at Mary Poppins and disobey her. There was something strange and extraordinary about her—something that was frightening and at the same time most exciting. The spoon came nearer. He held his breath, shut his eyes and gulped. A delicious taste ran round his mouth. He turned his tongue in it. He swallowed, and a happy smile ran round his face.

“Strawberry ice,” he said ecstatically. “More, more, more!”

But Mary Poppins, her face as stern as before, was pouring out a dose for Jane. It ran into the spoon, silvery, greeny, yellowy. Jane tasted it.

“Lime-juice cordial,” she said, sliding her tongue deliciously over her lips. But when she saw Mary Poppins moving towards the Twins with the bottle Jane rushed at her.

“Oh, no—please. They’re too young. It wouldn’t be good for them. Please!”

Mary Poppins, however, took no notice, but with a warning, terrible glance at Jane, tipped the spoon towards John’s mouth. He lapped at it eagerly, and by the few drops that were spilt on his bib, Jane and Michael could tell that the substance in the spoon this time was milk. Then Barbara had her share, and she gurgled and licked the spoon twice.

Mary Poppins then poured out another dose and solemnly took it herself.

“Rum punch,” she said, smacking her lips and corking the bottle.

Okay, there is an authentic Mary Poppins cookbook written by P.L. Travers herself.

However, it’s geared to the 14 and under set. I had an inkling that many of you would be more interested in Mary’s recipe for Rum Punch.

Here it is, totally the figment of my own imagination. Made with honey, of course!  🙂

Yield:  4 cocktails

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup white rum

1/4 cup dark rum

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup orange juice

Orange slices for garnish

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher or small bowl.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Add ice if desired.

Garnish with orange slices.

Drink and then smack your lips a la Mary!!

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• Girl History Month – P.L. Travers, Author And Mystic (romancingthebee.com)