Ходячий замок

           “I’vebeendoingsumsbackandfrontandsideways,andtheonlywayIcanseetokeepthebusinessgoingandtakecareofthethreeofyouistoseeyouallsettledinapromisingapprenticeshipsomewhere.Itisn’tpracticaltohaveyouallintheshop.Ican’taffordit.SothisiswhatI’vedecided.Lettiefirst—”

           Lettielookedup,glowingwithhealthandbeautywhichevensorrowandblackclothescouldnothide.“Iwanttogoonlearning,”shesaid.

           “Soyoushall,love,”saidFanny.“I’vearrangedforyoutobeapprenticedtoCesari’s,thepastrycookinMarketSquare.They’veanamefortreatingtheirlearnerslikekingsandqueens,andyoushouldbeveryhappythere,aswellaslearningausefultrade.Mrs.Cesari’sagoodcustomerandagoodfriend,andshe’sagreedtosqueezeyouinasafavor.”

           Lettielaughedinawaythatshowedshewasnotatallpleased.“Well,thankyou,”shesaid.“Isn’titluckythatIlikecooking?”

           Fannylookedrelieved.Lettiecouldbeawkwardlystrong-mindedattimes.“NowMartha,”shesaid.“Iknowyou’refullyoungtogooutandwork,soI’vethoughtaroundforsomethingthatwouldgiveyoualong,quietapprenticeshipandgoonbeingusefultoyouwhateveryoudecidetodoafterthat.YouknowmyoldschoolfriendAnnabelFairfax?”

           Martha,whowasslenderandfair,fixedherbiggrayeyesonFannyalmostasstrong-mindedlyasLettie.“Youmeantheonewhotalkssuchalot,”shesaid.“Isn’tsheawitch?”

           “Yes,withalovelyhouseandclientsallovertheFoldingValley,”Fannysaideagerly.