Diana Wynne Jones

Look at those spiders!

He does love those spiders!

I saw some brooms

Let’s get them

But when she at last put a gray shawl over her gray dress and went out into the street, Sophie did not feel excited. She felt overwhelmed. There were too many people rushing past, laughing and shouting, far too much noise and jostling. Sophie felt as if the past months of sitting and sewing had turned her into an old woman or a semi-invalid.

She read a great deal, and very soon realised how little chance she had of an interesting future.