Ходячий замок

           Thecrookedblackshapeofthecastlewasdriftingpeacefullynearby.Calciferwasamusinghimselfblowingblacksmokeringsfromoneturret.Sophiesawthatmuchbeforehershoecaughtintheheatherandshestumbledforwardagain.

           Zip!Zip!ThistimeSophievisitedinrapidsuccessiontheMarketSquareofMarketChippingandthefrontlawnofaverygrandmansion.“Blow!”shecried.“Drat!”Onewordforeachplace.AndshewasoffagainwithherownmomentumandanotherZip!rightdownattheendofthatvalleyonafieldsomewhere.Alargeredbullraiseditsringednosefromthegrassandthoughtfullylowereditshorns.

           “I’mjustleaving,mygoodbeast!”Sophiecried,hoppingherselfroundfrantically.

           Zip!Backtothemansion.Zip!toMarketSquare.Zip!andtherewasthecastleyetagain.Shewasgettingthehangofit.Zip!HerewasUpperFolding—buthowdidyoustop?Zip!

           “Oh,confoundit!”Sophiecried,almostinMarshFoldingagain.

           Thistimeshehoppedroundverycarefullyandtrodwithgreatdeliberation.Zip!andfortunatelythebootlandedinacowpatandshesatdownwithathump.MichaelsprintedupbeforeSophiecouldmoveanddraggedthebootoffherfoot.“Thankyou!”Sophiecriedbreathlessly.“ThereseemednoreasonwhyIshouldeverstop!”

           Sophie’sheartpoundedabitastheywalkedacrossthecommontoMrs.Fairfax’shouse,butonlyinthewayheart’sdowhenyouhavedonealotratherquickly.ShefeltverygratefulforwhateverHowlandCalciferhaddone.

           “Niceplace,”MichaelremarkedashehidthebootsinMrs.Fairfax’shedge.

           Sophieagreed.