Ходячий замок

           “Hemusthavehadaspeedspellwithhim,”Michaelwhispered,equallydismayed.

           Mrs.Fairfaxcaughtthemup,pantingandtryingtopinbackaloosecoilofherbutteryhair.“Baddog!”shesaidinafiercewhispertothecollie.“I’llputaspellonyouifyoudothatoncemore!”Thedogblinkedandcroucheddown.Mrs.Fairfaxpointedasternfinger.“Intothehouse!Stayinthehouse!”ThecollieshookhimselffreeofMichael’shandsandslunkawayroundthehouseagain.“Thankyousomuch,”Mrs.FairfaxsaidtoMichaelastheyallfollowedit.“HewillkeeptryingtobiteLettie’svisitor.Inside!”sheshoutedsternlyinthefrontgarden,asthecollieseemedtobethinkingofgoingroundthehouseandgettingtheorchardtheotherway.Thedoggaveherawoefullookoveritsshoulderandcrawleddismallyindoorsthroughtheporch.

           “Thatdogmayhavetherightidea,”Sophiesaid.“Mrs.Fairfax,doyouknowwhoLettie’svisitoris?”

           Mrs.Fairfaxchuckled.“TheWizardPendragon,orHowl,orwhateverhecallshimself,”shesaid.“ButLettieandIdon’tletonweknow.Itamusedmewhenhefirstturnedup,callinghimselfSylvesterOak,becauseIcouldseehe’dforgottenme,thoughIhadn’tforgottenhim,eventhoughhishairusedtobeblackinhisstudentdays.”Mrs.Fairfaxbynowhadherhandsfoldedonfrontofherandwasstandingboltupright,preparedtotalkallday,asSophiehadoftenseenherdobefore.“Hewasmyoldtutor’sverylastpupil,youknow,beforesheretired.WhenMr.