Ходячий замок
Chapter 2
Butshesaidtoherself,“ThewayIamnow,it’sscarcelyworthworryingabout,”andfeltinhersewingpocketforherscissors.Shereachedintothehedgewiththescissorsandsawedawayattheropearoundthedog’sneck.
Thedogwasverywild.Itflinchedawayfromherandgrowled.ButSophiesawedbravelyon.“You’llstarveorthrottletodeath,myfriend,”shetoldthedoginhercrackedoldvoice,“unlessyouletmecutyouloose.Infact,Ithinksomeonehastriedtothrottleyoualready.Maybethataccountsforyourwildness.”Theropehadbeentiedquitetightlyaroundthedog’sneckandthestickhadbeentwistedviciouslyintoit.Ittookalotofsawingbeforetheropepartedandthedogwasabletodragitselfoutfromunderthestick.
“Wouldyoulikesomebreadandcheese?”Sophieaskeditthen.Butthedoggrowledather,forceditswayoutthroughtheoppositesideofthehedge,andslunkaway.“There’sgratitudeforyou!”Sophiesaid,rubbingherprickledarms.“Butyouleftmeagiftinspiteofyourself.”Shepulledthestickthathadtrappedthedogoutofthehedgeandfounditwasaproperwalkingstick,welltrimmedandtippedwithiron.Sophiefinishedherbreadandcheeseandsetoffwalkingagain.Thelanebecamesteeperandsteeperandshefoundthestickagreathelp.Itwasalsosomethingtotalkto.Sophiethumpedalongwithawill,chattingtoherstick.Afterall,oldpeopleoftentalktothemselves.
“There’stwoencounters,”shesaid,“andnotascrapofmagicalgratitudefromeither.Still,you’reagoodstick.I’mnotgrumbling.
