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Sophronia felt that there was so the flood of words "Head we can do for you? You seem upset"

"Upset? Of course I’m upset! And don’t call asped at the shocking word Now, that’s taking ht and glared, as though Sophronia were responsible for everything bad in the world "My face hurts, my dress is in tatters, and I have no slippers!" This last and deepest offense was uttered in a positive wail

"Then you’re not our headmistress?"

"How could I be? I’m only seventeen years old You can’t possibly think I’ school You’re not that naive"

"But isn’t that ere meant to think?"

"I didn’t think about you at all,"to his book

"Who are you, then?" asked Sophronia

"I’ the naave her a blank look "So this begs the question: where is the real Mademoiselle Geraldine?"

"Oh"--Monique waved a hand in the air and sniffed--"she never leaves much anymore, and she’s useless when she does They always send impersonators"

"They do?"

"Of course they do It’s easier, and it’s a good way to finish"

"And who is they?"

"Why, the teachers, of course But ere talking about ravely "I don’t think we’re going to solve those in the space of one carriage ride"

Pillover tut-tutted at her from behind his book--but there was clear amusement in the reprimand

Monique sneered "Who do you think you are? Covert recruit You’re not that special You’re not that good Proud of yourself and your little carriage rescue, are you? Well, I didn’t need your help! I’nment Ordered to retrieve three useless children"

Pillover’s voice emanated from behind his tome "I hardly think that was all"

"Of course it wasn’t all," Monique snapped "I had the prototype to collect as well, now didn’t I?"

Pillover took interest at last "The one the flywaymen were after?"

Sophronia asked, "What’s it a prototype of?"

"Don’t be daft I don’t know that"

"Do you think youactuallyschool It seeht have been misled as to the nature of the establishlare and then turned her attention out the carriage

Sophronia wasn’t certain what she’d done to incur such loathing Should have left her with the flywayhed and sat back, frustrated After a moment’s consideration, she switched to the spot next to Pillover and atteoaty soat So they passed the rest of the ride, until the carriage pulled into the sleepy little town of Swiffle-on-Exe

As they ratted to a halt, Dimity blinked awake "Ow What? Did I fall asleep?"

"No, you fainted Blood," explained her brother tersely

"Oh, did I? Pardon" Dian to roll back into her head

Sophronia quickly leaned forward and clapped her hand over the injury "None of that, now!"

Dimity refocused on her "Ouch Uh, perhaps we could tie so over it?"

"Good plan Close your eyes" Sophronia worked the long hair ribbon loose froe door and wrapped it around Dimity’s shoulder

"Oh, I do wish I were more like Mummy She’s terribly fearsome Wish I looked " Dimity sat up

"Why? What does she look like?"

"More like Pillover than me"

Sophronia, who had seen very little of Pillover’s appearance, outside of his ar I should dearly love to be dark and brooding It’s so romantic and fortune-teller-like I couldn’t brood if my life depended on it"

"Well, the ribbon around your shoulderappeal"

"Oh, does it? Splendid You know, Sophronia, you could probably do it if you put your "

Sophronia, with reen eyes set in a freckled face, would hardly have described herself as brooding Or dark, for thatfast, shifted to a new topic "Where are we?"

"Bunson’s, finally," said Pillover, snapping his book shut He er had any luggage, this was rather like the action of aidly in circles until he ran out of steae door was opened by a stiff domestic mechanical of soasped Sophronia She’d never seen anything to equal the monstrosity It was taller than Frowbritcher and conically shaped, with a wheelbarrow attached to its back Where a face facsis, like the back of a clock