By a stroke of good fortune, Chrestomanci was coming along the gallery on the other side of the staircase, behind a curly marble balustrade. He was wearing a fawn-coloured suit now, instead of the imperial dressing gown, but he looked, if possible, even more elegant. By the look on his face, his thoughts were miles away. Gwendolen ran round the head of the marble staircase and stood herself in front of him. Chrestomanci blinked, and looked vaguely from her to Cat. "Was one of you wanting me?" "Yes. Me," said Gwendolen. "Mr Saunders won't give me witchcraft lessons, and I want you to tell him he must." "Oh, but I can't do that," Chrestomanci said absentmindedly. "Sorry and so on."

From 'Charmed Life' by Dianna Wynne Jones. Text copyright © Dianna Wynne Jones 1977.
Published by Collins 2000.