Ходячий замок
Chapter 1
“She’sagoodwoman,Martha.She’llintroduceyoutograndpeoplesheknowsinKingsbury.You’llbeallsetupinlifewhenshe’sdonewithyou.”
“She’sanicelady,”Marthaconceded.“Allright.”
Sophie,listening,feltthatFannyhadworkedeverythingoutjustasitshouldbe.Lettie,astheseconddaughter,wasneverlikelytocometomuch,soFannyhadputherwhereshemightmeetahandsomeyoungapprenticeandlivehappilyeverafter.Martha,whowasboundtostrikeoutandmakeherfortune,wouldhavewitchcraftandrichfriendstohelpher.AsforSophieherself,Sophiehadnodoubtwhatwascoming.ItdidnotsurpriseherwhenFannysaid,“Now,Sophiedear,itseemsonlyrightandjustthatyoushouldinheritthehatshopwhenIretire,beingtheeldestasyouare.SoI’vedecidedtotakeyouonasanapprenticemyself,togiveyouachancetolearnthetrade.Howdoyoufeelaboutthat?”
Sophiecouldhardlysaythatshesimplyfeltresignedtothehattrade.ShethankedFannygratefully.
“Sothat’ssettledthen!”Fannysaid.
ThenextdaySophiehelpedMarthapackherclothesinabox,andthemorningafterthattheyallsawheroffonthecarrier’scart,lookingsmallanduprightandnervous.ForthewaytoUpperFolding,whereMrs.Fairfaxlived,layoverthehillspastWizardHowl’smovingcastle.Marthawasunderstandablyscared.
“She’llbeallright,”saidLettie.Lettierefusedallhelpwiththepacking.
