August 15, 1916

Some street in London

Mother,

I miss you. Coming here has been absolutely terrifying, but I trust that you had a good reason to send me here, of all places. However, this world is so new to me, and I do not know how to stomach the changes my life has gone through. I tried to ask someone if they knew where an inn was, but they just scoffed at me and told me that they "had no time to converse with the lower class," How extremely rude! I certainly do not dress like someone from the lower class! I know that the people back home are not perfect, but the people of London seem not to care about what anybody else thinks! Why in the world do they have such erratic attitudes? I apologize, there has been enough complaining on my part. How are things in William Hollow? Is the war still raging as it was when I left? I dearly hope not; the towns were nearly destroyed, houses burned, statues melted, such horrible anarchy! I am terribly sorry to be depressing. I would like to end on a happy note, so I will wish you love and hope you are all well.

With love,

Your daughter, Mary Poppins

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From Mary to her Mother

August 17, 1916

The Silver Bird Inn

Mother,

I have found a place to stay (as I was wandering through the city before). It is a small inn, which is the perfect size for my needs. I tried to give the manager two gold bits for my room, but she just looked at me in confusion. She told me that she would take it, but I needed to go and get some real money. Real money? Do they use different currency here? You never told me that when I left. I thought I knew everything I needed to know when I got here! How wrong I was! Thank goodness they at least speak our language!

Love,

Your daughter, Mary

P.S. I am sorry for how dramatic my last letter was, it was written during a bout of anxiety.

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From Mrs. Poppins to Mary

August 18, 1916

William Hollow

Mary,

Dear, dear Mary, I am very glad to hear that you have found a place to stay. I should have found you one before we sent you off. I didn't realize they used different currency! I am very sorry, it has been at least a thousand years since I visited Earth. They were a lot different back then. But I have been keeping up on their weekly news, which is how I knew they spoke our language. The news there is much happier than our news. William Hollow is the same as ever, though not quite as chaotic as it was when you left. Thankfully, the war has died down, though it is still raging where your sister lives. I fear for her every day. I love you very much, Mary, please stay safe in London, and try to find some kind of pastime while you wait for us. Maybe you can get a job, or something like that. I've heard they let people try for jobs they want, instead of assigning them out like they do here. Maybe you could be an artist or a governess (do they still have those there?). Please enjoy your life, and do not worry about your father or me.

All my love,

Your mother, Adelaide Poppins

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From Mary to her sister

August 18, 1916

The Silver Bird Inn

Emma,

How are you? How is your sweet little family? Mother told me that the war is worse where you live, and I am afraid for you. I will write to you about everything that is going on here, so that I may hopefully bring some joy into your heart. I have been in London, England for about a month now, and it is a wonderfully confusing place to be. Everything is smashed together, and you can hardly walk anywhere. The streets are not even big enough for a carriage, and yet they are full of them. There are always at least three on the road. And people, my goodness, people. They are everywhere. There are shops lining the streets, which are full of them, houses stacked on top of one another, which are all being used by them, and tiny little sidewalks covered with them. They look very much like us, but they seem to age quite a bit faster. So many of them have grey hair and wrinkled faces. And you would know, on Ondera we live for ages. Their way of life is very peculiar as well. They have no magic to help them. They must do it all themselves. I know we were taught about humans on Ondera, but they are still so surprising to me. I really should not be so obvious about using the more effective ways to go about my day, I do not want to get caught. You see, just yesterday, I was sliding up the railing for the stairs (as we would often do at home) and one of the other residents of the Inn gave me a funny look. I am absolutely not going to walk up the stairs, but I will make sure no one is watching next time. I love you so much Emma, and please send my regards to your husband and dear little Eddie, I adore him.

Love, love, love,

Your sister, Mary

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From Emma to Mary

August 19, 1916

Peter's Ridge

Mary,

Thank you so much for the letter! We are all right, just a little lonely. We have been hiding in a huge, abandoned mansion, because our house was bombed. Do not worry for our house, it was always very drab. I rather like this mansion we found. It is very grand, and all the furnishings are expensive. I cannot, for the life of me, explain why the family left. Their portraits are still hanging on the walls, and they seem like nice people, maybe a little snobby. They are wearing the latest fashions, and they didn't even try to smile. What silly person wants to look angry in their portrait? Anyway, little Eddie is doing well, he has the other little children to play with. Oh, did I mention that there are two other families staying in the mansion with us? It is so big that we are all able to live there, and still hardly see each other at all! My husband is as dashing as ever, and why are you calling him "your husband"? Are you being overly formal again, like you were when you went through that silly phase. I am laughing now, you were so funny then! You would call everyone Miss and Mrs. and Mr. but you used to call them by their first names. How amusing it was to see their reactions! But back to the point. Have you forgotten his name? I highly doubt it, as you can remember sweet Eddie's name. Please explain, Mary.

Love,

Your sister, Emma Throckery (Remember, that's my husband's last name?)

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