Social Ladder
Social niceties, prominence, material possessions… They spoke nothing of the person. Mary had cared for children who slept in the same room as their parents, and she had also spent time with children who had a room each, the family pulled apart in more ways than one. She cared little for their social standing. It hardly mattered when there were more important issues at hand.
Her vocation did not require money and unless the family proved more difficult than she had anticipated, her length of stay was the only reason she ever received her wages. Usually, she was gone before they had chance to thank her. In words and in money.
Those who could afford to do so often complained of how much nannies cost nowadays, as if they could put a price on raising their children. For those who couldn't afford to pay her at all, they tried to be kind. But either way, Mary would insist that it needn't matter. The price she paid was the satisfaction of knowing the job was done.
Yet, the world didn't always agree with her. Children would ask why someone of her standing spoke freely to the milkman, the lamplighter, and the park keeper. Why would Mary Poppins acknowledge the bird woman and the balloon lady when she had stood in the presence of kings, stars, gods.
Mary Poppins never explained why. Actions spoke louder than words.
"A good name is better than riches," she would say mysteriously.
From the looks on their faces, the proverb was lost in meaning. Both parents and children alike were befuddled. More the fool them, she thought. Before her time was done, they would know exactly what she meant without her ever having to say a word.