Ходячий замок

           ShewentandmadesurethatMichaeldidnottalktoanyonebutherselfandSophie.AndLettieignoredMissAngorianandwenttositonthestairswithPercival.

           MissAngorianseemedratherquicklytodecidethatshehadhadenough.Sophiesawheratthedoor,tryingtoopenit.Shehurriedover,feelingveryguilty.Afterall,MissAngorianmusthavefeltstronglyaboutHowltohavecomehereatall.“Pleasedon’tgoyet,”Sophiesaid.“I’llgoandwakeHowlup.”

           “Oh,no,youmustn’tdothat,”MissAngoriansaid,smilingnervously.“I’vegotadayoff,andI’mquitehappytowait.IthoughtI’dgoandexploreoutside.It’sratherstuffyinherewiththatfunnygreenfireburning.”

           ThisseemedtoSophietheperfectwaytogetridofMissAngorianwithoutreallygettingridofher.Shepolitelyopenedthedoorforher.Somehow—maybeithadtodowiththedefensesHowlhadaskedMichaeltokeepup—theknobhadgotturnedroundtopurple-down.Outsidewasamistyblazeofsunandthedriftingbanksofredandpurpleflowers.

           “Whatgorgeousrhododendrons!”MissAngorianexclaimedinherhuskiestandmostthrobbingvoice.“Imustlook!”Shesprangeagerlydownintothemarshygrass.

           “Don’tgotowardthesoutheast,”Sophiecalledafterher.

           Thecastlewasdriftingoffsideways.MissAngorianburiedherbeautifulfaceinaclusterofwhiteflowers.“Iwon’tgofaratall,”shesaid.

           “Goodgracious!”Fannysaid,comingupbehindSophie.“Whateverhashappenedtomycarriage?”

           Sophieexplained,asfarasshecould.