Ходячий замок

           Cesariseizedtherackfromtheminbothmassivearms,yellinginstructions,andalineofpeoplerushedawaypastMarthatofetchmore.Sophieyelledgoodbyeandslippedawayinthebustle.ItdidnotseemrighttotakeupmoreofMartha’stime.Besides,shewantedtobealonetothink.Sheranhome.Therewerefireworksnow,goingupfromthefieldbytheriverwheretheFairwas,competingwiththebluebangsfromHowl’scastle.Sophiefeltmorelikeaninvalidthanever.

           Shethoughtandthought,andmostofthefollowingweek,andallthathappenedwasthatshebecameconfusedanddiscontented.Thingsjustdidnotseemtobethewayshethoughttheywere.ShewasamazedatLettieandMartha.Shehadmisunderstoodthemforyears.ButshecouldnotbelieveFannywasthekindofwomanMarthasaid.

           Therewasalotoftimeforthinking,becauseBessiedulylefttobemarriedandSophiewasmostlyaloneintheshop.Fannydidseemtobeoutalot,gaddingornot,andtradewasslackafterMayDay.AfterthreedaysSophiepluckedupenoughcouragetoaskFanny,“Shouldn’tIbeearningawage?”

           “Ofcourse,mylove,withallyoudo!”Fannyansweredwarmly,fixingonarose-trimmedhatinfrontoftheshopmirror.“We’llseeaboutitassoonasI’vedonetheaccountsthisevening.”ThenshewentoutanddidnotcomebackuntilSophiehadshuttheshopandtakenthatday’shatsthroughtothehousetotrim.

           SophieatfirstfeltmeantohavelistenedtoMartha,butwhenFannydidnotmentionawage,eitherthateveningoranytimelaterthatweek,SophiebegantothinkthatMarthahadbeenright.