Chapter 2

           What?”Sophiestaredatthegirlonthestooloppositeher.ShelookedjustlikeLettie.ShewaswearingLettie’ssecond-bestbluedress,awonderfulbluethatsuitedherperfectly.ShehadLettie’sdarkhairandblueeyes.

           “IamMartha,”saidhersister.“WhodidyoucatchcuttingupLettie’ssilkdrawers?InevertoldLettiethat.Didyou?”

           “No,”saidSophie,quitestunned.ShecouldseeitwasMarthanow.TherewasMartha’stilttoLettie’shead,andMartha’swayofclaspingherhandsroundherkneeswithherthumbstwiddling.“Why?”

           “I’vebeendreadingyoucomingtoseeme,”Marthasaid,“becauseIknewI’dhavetotellyou.It’sareliefnowIhave.Promiseyouwon’ttellanyone.Iknowyouwon’ttellifyoupromise.You’resohonorable.”

           “Ipromise,”Sophiesaid.“Butwhy?How?”

           “LettieandIarrangedit,”Marthasaid,twiddlingherthumbs,“becauseLettiewantedtolearnwitchcraftandIdidn’t.Lettie’sgotbrains,andshewantsafuturewhereshecanusethem—onlytrytellingthattoMother!Mother’stoojealousofLettieeventoadmitshehasbrains!”

           SophiecouldnotbelieveFannywaslikethat,butsheletitpass.“Butwhataboutyou?”

           “Eatyourcake,”saidMartha.“It’sgood.Oh,yes,Icanbeclevertoo.ItonlytookmetwoweeksatMrs.Fairfax’stofindthespellwe’reusing.Igotupatnightandreadherbookssecretly,anditwaseasyreally.ThenIaskedifIcouldvisitmyfamilyandMrs.Fairfaxsaidyes.She’sadear.ShethoughtIwashomesick.SoItookthespellandcamehere,andLettiewentbacktoMrs.