Chapter Three.
" Where to miss," Asked the driver?
" Could you take me to The Senator George Vaughn's house," She said.
' Right it is miss just sit back and relax,' He said taking off. Maria watched the scenery go by, New York was one of her most favorite places to visit. On her days off she planned to spend them in the city.
She must have fallen asleep because there was a light tap on her shoulder waking her up.
"Miss we are at The Senators." Said the cabby. Pulling out some money she told the man to keep the change. He tipped his hat as he drove off leaving her in front of a very large gate.
Picking up Mary, she took a deep breath and opened the large Iron Gate to find the prettiest driveway she had ever seen. IT was a circle drive and all cobblestones with a fountain in the middle .The house were huge and very high up. Maria made her way across the driveway and walked up the steps to the white front doors pressing the doorbell she waited taking in the sights as she did.
The door opened and a man wearing a butler's uniform opened the door looking at her.
" May I help you Miss." He asked?
" Yes I am the new governess for the Vaughn Children is the Senator here." She asked.
" Come in The Senator will be right with you wait here." Maria 's mouth dropped open as she saw the entryway to the mansion. IT was almost like the one in The Sound Of Music. Setting Mary down Maria took off her blue coat and gloves and laid them by her bags and went to inspect one of the paintings in the room.
" You must be the new body guard." Said a voice right behind her. Spinning around Maria saw a man older than her. He had brown hair with specks of gray in them and he had cold blue eyes.
" Senator I prefer to be called by my name at all times it might give my position away.'' She said.
" What is your name then. The Senator asked glaring at her.
" Agent Maria Augusta of The F.B.I." she said holding her hand out.
" How old are you."
" I don't give out my age Senator and I will not ask yours." She snapped.
The Senator was quite taken by this young woman he watched as she walked to her bags and was surprised when he saw her let a cat out.
" Senator I hope you don't mind that I let Mary Poppins out she is a very well behaved cat." She said.
Maria walked back down to The Senator handing him a file. " These are my personal references now I should like to meet the children now if you don't mind." She said looking at him.
" Right the children." He said reaching in his pocket to Maria's humor he pulled out a whistle. Trying not to laugh Maria watched as The Senator blew his whistle several time. All the sudden there were sounds of doors slamming and children's feet running. Looking up at the second floor Maria saw six children wearing matching uniforms at the sound of their father's whistle they began to march to the beat coming down in front of them.
They stopped at the bottom of the stairs and a girl with black hair came from another room reading a book. Maria smiled " That must be Briana
." She thought watching as Briana handed the book to her father who gave her a light tap on the bottom as she took her place.
" Children this is your new governess Miss Maria when I sound your signal say your name. Miss Maria listen carefully to their signals." Said The Senator.
One by one the children said their names except the smallest one Ginny.
" Now Miss Maria if I want you this is what you will here----- " Excuse me Senator but I could never answer to a whistle and if you don 't mind I 'l call the children by their names such lovely ones." Said Maria.
" Miss Maria this is a very large house and I would prefer the children not to yell." Said the Senator glaring at her.
Before she could say anything
Frank the Butler came out " Sir you have a phone call."
The senator nodded and as he turned to leave Maria blew the whistle " I am sorry sir but I don't know your signal." She said trying not to laugh. " You may call me Senator." He said turning his back to her and left.
Smiling Maria turned to the children who were giggling and all the sudden jumped back into order.
" At ease children." Said Maria as they relaxed. " Now once more with out the whistle tell me your names." She said looking at them.
"I am Leslie and I am sixteen and---
" I know you don't need a governess we will be just friends then." Said Maria.
One by one they said their names when they got to Mary she came up to Maria.
" I am turning seven and I want a pink parasol.' She said.
" Pink is my favorite color too I also have a cat that is named Mary Poppins." Said Maria, The Children laughed.
All the sudden the smallest one came up a pulled on Maria's coat " Yes you are Ginny and you are five my partially a lady." said Maria.
" All right Children I have a few rules first I have had experiences being a nanny and Louisa could you take that frog from behind your back." She said. The Children looked at her.
" Now you may find me to be agreeable and strict if you do as I say then we will get along well." Said Maria.
All the sudden an older woman came down the stair " Children time for your walk father's orders." Maria motioned for Louisa to hand her the frog on their way out.
Miss Maria I am Mrs. Smith the house keeper I will show you to your room." She said.
Following her up Maria opened the door and let the frog out.
" You are very smart with the last one it was a snake. " said Mrs. Smith.
" Oh dear good thing that I caught that before something happened." Thought Maria as she followed Mrs. Smith up the stairs.
They walked up the stairs and came to a huge door near the nursery. Miss Maria this will be your living space I hope you find everything to your liking." She said opening the door. Maria's mouth dropped open as she entered the room. There was a huge living area and off to each side there were three hallways.
' You have three bedroom and a bathroom. There is also a kitchen but you will not have to use it unless you want to and we have prepared a room for your cat." She said.
" Also you have your own view of the lake and the grounds out side and new drapes will be ordered.." She said walking over to them and pulled them back.
' Really I don't need new ones –
" Never the less the new ones have been ordered." She said.
" Now dinner will be at 7:00pm sharp I will bring some towels later." Said Mrs. Smith leaving the room.
Maria walked to the middle of the