Ходячий замок

           Howlbentandkissedthemitten,ashewasobviouslysupposedto.Hediditverygracefully,butitwasratherspoiledfromthebackviewbyHowlflappinghisotherhandfuriouslyatMichaelbehindhisback.Michael,alittletooslowly,realizedhewassupposedtostandbythedoorbesidethepageboy.Hebackedthereinahurry,onlytoopleasedtogetasfarawayfromMrs.Pentstemmonashecould.

           “Mrs.Pentstemmon,allowmetopresentmyoldmother,”Howlsaid,wavinghishandatSophie.SinceSophiefeltjustlikeMichael,Howlhadtoflaphishandathertoo.

           “Charmed.Delighted,”saidMrs.Pentstemmon,andsheheldhergoldmittenouttoSophie.SophiewasnotsureifMrs.Pentstemmonmeanthertokissthemittenaswell,butshecouldnotbringherselftotry.Shelaidherownhandonthemitteninstead.Thehandunderitfeltlikeanold,coldclaw.Afterfeelingit,SophiewasquitesurprisedthatMrs.Pentstemmonwasalive.“Forgivemynotstandingup,Mrs.Pendragon,”Mrs.Pentstemmonsaid.“Myhealthisnotsogood.Itforcedmetoretirefromteachingthreeyearsago.Praysitdown,bothofyou.”

           Tryingnottoshakewithnerves,SophiesatgrandlyintheembroideredchairoppositeMrs.Pentstemmon’s,supportingherselfonherstickinwhatshehopedwasthesameelegantway.Howlspreadhimselfgracefullyinachairnexttoit.Helookedquiteathome,andSophieenviedhim.

           “Iameighty-six,”Mrs.Pentstemmonannounced.“Howoldareyou,mydearMrs.Pendragon?

           “Ninety,”Sophiesaid,thatbeingthefirsthighnumberthatcameintoherhead.

           “Soold?”Mrs.