Ходячий замок

           FannycouldnotwaittotellSophieaboutMr.SacheverellSmith.ShelaunchedintoalongandexcitedaccountofhowshehadmetMr.SmiththeveryweekSophiehadleft,andmarriedhimbeforetheweekwasout.Sophiewatchedherasshetalked.BeingoldgaveheranentirelynewviewofFanny.Shewasaladywhowasstillyoungandpretty,andshehadfoundthehatshopasboringasSophiedid.Butshehadstuckwithitanddoneherbest,bothwiththeshopandthethreegirls—untilMr.Hatterdied.ThenshehadsuddenlybeenafraidshewasjustlikeSophie:old,withnoreason,andnothingtoshowforit.

           “Andthen,withyounotbeingtheretopassitonto,thereseemednoreasonnottoselltheshop,”Fannywassaying,whentherewasaclatteroffeetinthebroomcupboard.

           Michaelcamethrough,saying,“We’veshuttheshop.Andlookwho’shere!”HewasholdingMartha’shand.

           Marthawasthinnerandfairerandalmostlookedlikeherselfagain.SheletgoofMichaelandrushedatSophie,shouting,“Sophie,youshouldhavetoldme!”whilesheflungherarmsroundher.ThensheflungherarmsroundFanny,justasifshehadneversaidallthosethingsabouther.

           Butthiswasnotall.LettieandMrs.FairfaxcamethroughthecupboardafterMartha,carryingahamperbetweenthem,andafterthemcamePercival,wholookedlivelierthanSophiehadeverseenhim.“Wecameoverbycarrieratfirstlight,”Mrs.Fairfaxsaid,“andwebrought—Blessme!It’sFanny!”shedroppedherendofthehamperandrantohugFanny.LettiedroppedherendandrantohugSophie.