Ходячий замок

           Ittroubledhertorealizehowveryenjoyableithadbeen.

           Sophiehadnotimetorecover.Therewasthesoundofwheelsandhorsehoofsandacarriagedarkenedthewindow.Theshopbellclangedandthegrandestcustomershehadeverseensailedin,withasablewrapdroopingfromherelbowsanddiamondswinkingalloverherdenseblackdress.Sophie’seyeswenttothelady’swidehatfirst—realostrichplumedyedtoreflectthepinksandgreensandblueswinkinginthediamondsandyetstilllookblack.Thiswasawealthyhat.Thelady’sfacewascarefullybeautiful.Thechestnutbrownhairmadeherseemyoung,but…Sophie’seyestookintheyoungmanwhofollowedtheladyin,aslightlyformless-facedpersonwithreddishhair,quitewelldressed,butpaleandobviouslyupset.HestaredatSophiewithakindofbeseechinghorror.Hewasclearlyyoungerthanthelady.Sophiewaspuzzled.

           “MissHatter?”theladyaskedinamusicalbutcommandingvoice.

           “Yes,”saidSophie.Themanlookedmoreupsetthanever.Perhapstheladywashismother.

           “Ihearyousellthemostheavenlyhats,”saidthelady.“Showme.”

           Sophiedidnottrustherselftoanswerinherpresentmood.Shewentandgotouthats.Noneofthemwereinthislady’sclass,butshecouldfeeltheman’seyesfollowingherandthatmadeheruncomfortable.Thesoonerthatladydiscoveredthehatswereallwrongforher,thesoonerthisoddpairwouldgo.ShefollowedFanny’sadviceandgotoutthewrongestfirst.

           Theladybeganrejectinghatsinstantly.