Ходячий замок

           Iwas—herebeforein—”Hebegantodoubleupagainintoadogandhowledwithannoyance.“WithWitchinshop!”hewailed,andfellforwardontohishands,growingagreatdealofgrayandwhitehairashedidso.

           Sophiestaredatthelarge,shaggydogthatstoodthere.“YouwerewiththeWitch!”shesaid.Sherememberednow.Theanxiousginger-hairedmanwhohadstaredatherinhorror.“ThenyouknowwhoIamandyouknowI’munderaspell.DoesLettieknowtoo?”

           Thehuge,shaggyheadnodded.

           “AndshecalledyouGaston,”Sophieremembered.“Oh,myfriend,shehasmadeithardforyou!Fancyhavingallthathairinthisweather!You’dbettergosomewherecool.”

           Thedognoddedagainandshambledmiserablyintotheyard.

           “ButwhydidLettiesendyou?”Sophiewondered.Shefeltthoroughlyputoutanddisturbedbythisdiscovery.ShewentupthestairsandthroughthebroomcupboardtotalktoCalcifer.

           Calciferwasnotmuchhelp.“Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferencehowmanypeopleknowyou’reunderaspell,”hesaid.“Ithasn’thelpedthedogmuch,hasit?”

           “No,but—”Sophiebegan,but,justthen,thecastledoorclickedandopened.SophieandCalciferlooked.Theysawthedoor-knobwasstillsettoblack-down,andtheyexpectedHowltocomethroughit.ItwashardtosaywhichofthemwasmoreastonishedwhenthepersonwhoslidrathercautiouslyroundthedoorturnedouttobeMissAngorian.

           MissAngorianwasequallyastonished.“Oh,Ibegyourpardon!”shesaid.“IthoughtMr.Jenkinsmightbehere.