Ходячий замок

           Thehousewasthebiggestinthevillage.Itwasthatched,withwhitewallsbetweentheblackbeams,and,andSophierememberedfromvisitsasachild,youwalkeduptotheporchthroughagardencrowdedwithflowersandhummingwithbees.Overtheporchhoneysuckleandawhiteclimbingrosewerecompetingastowhichcouldgivemostworktothebees.Itwasaperfect,hotsummermorningdownhereinUpperFolding.

           Mrs.Fairfaxansweredthedoorherself.Shewasoneofthoseplump,comfortableladies,withswathesofbutter-coloredhaircoiledroundherhead,whomadeyoufeelgoodwithlifejusttolookather.SophiefeltjustthetiniestbitenviousofLettie.Mrs.FairfaxlookedfromSophietoMichael.ShehadseenSophielastayearagoasagirlofseventeen,andtherewasnoreasonforhertorecognizeherasanoldwomanofninety.“Goodmorningtoyou,”shesaidpolitely.

           Sophiesighed.Michaelsaid,“ThisisLettieHatter’sgreat-aunt.IbroughthertoseeLettie.”

           “Oh,Ithoughtthefacelookedfamiliar!”Mrs.Fairfaxexclaimed.“There’squiteafamilylikeness.Docomein.Lettie’slittlebitbusyjustnow,buthavesomesconesandhoneywhileyouwait.”

           Sheopenedherfrontdoorwider.InstantlyalargecolliedogsqueezedpastMrs.Fairfax’sskirts,bargedbetweenSophieandMichael,andranacrossthenearestflowerbed,snappingoffflowersrightandleft.

           “Oh,stophim!”Mrs.Fairfaxgasped,flyingoffinpursuit.“Idon’twanthimoutjustnow!”

           Therewasaminuteorsoofhelter-skelterchase,inwhichthedogranhitherandthither,whininginadisturbedway,andMrs.