Mrs Whichs voice rolled formidably across the hall. Ssilencce, cchilldd!
But Meg could not be silent. She pressed closely against Aunt Beast, but Aunt Beast did not put the protecting tentacles around her. I cant go! Meg cried. I cant! You know I cant!
Ddidd annybbodyy asskk yyou ttoo? The grim voice made Megs skin prickle into gooseflesh.
She burst into tears. She started beating at Aunt Beast like a small child having a tantrum. Her tears rained down her face and spattered Aunt Beasts fur. Aunt Beast stood quietly against the assault.
All right, Ill go! Meg sobbed. I know you want me to go!
We want nothing from you that you do without grace, Mrs Whatsit said, or that you do without understanding.
Megs tears stopped as abruptly as they had started. But I do understand. She felt tired and unexpectedly peaceful. Now the coldness that, under Aunt Beasts ministrations, had left her body had also left her mind. She looked towards her father and her confused anger was gone and she only felt love and pride. She smiled at him, asking forgiveness, and then pressed up against Aunt Beast. This time Aunt Beasts arm went round her.
Mrs Whichs voice was grave. Wwhatt ddoo yyou unndderrsstanndd?
That it has to be me. It cant be anyone else. I dont understand Charles, but he understands me. Im the one whos closest to him. Fathers been away for so long, since Charles Wallace was a baby. They dont know each other. And Calvins only known Charles for such a little time. If it had been longer then he would have been the one, but oh, I see, I see, I understand, it has to be me. There isnt anyone else.
Mr Murry, who had been sitting, his elbows on his knees, his chin on his fists, rose. I will not allow it!
Wwhyy? Mrs Which demanded.
Look, I dont know what or who you are, and at this point I dont care. I will not allow my daughter to go alone into this danger.
Wwhyy?
You know what the outcome will probably be! And shes weak, now, weaker than she was before. She was almost killed by the Black Thing. I fail to understand how you can even consider such a thing.
Calvin jumped down. Maybe IT is right about you! Or maybe youre in league with IT. Im the one to go if anybody goes! Why did you bring me along at all? To take care of Meg! You said so yourself!
But you have done that, Mrs Whatsit assured him.
I havent done anything! Calvin shouted. You cant send Meg! I wont allow it! Ill put my foot down! I wont permit it!
Dont you see that youre making something that is already hard for Meg even harder? Mrs Whatsit asked him.
Aunt Beast turned tentacles towards Mrs Whatsit. Is she strong enough to tesser again? You know what she has been through.
If Which takes her she can manage, Mrs Whatsit said.
If it will help I could go too, and help her. Aunt Beasts arm around Meg tightened.
Oh, Aunt Beast Meg started.
But Mrs Whatsit cut her off. No.
I was afraid not, Aunt Beast said humbly. I just wanted you to know that I would.
Mrs uh Whatsit. Mr Murry frowned and pushed his hair back from his face. Then he shoved with his middle finger at his nose as though he were trying to get spectacles closer to his eyes. Are you remembering that she is only a child?
And shes backward, Calvin bellowed.
I resent that, Meg said hotly, hoping that indignation would control her trembling. Im better than you at math and you know it.
Do you have the courage to go alone? Mrs Whatsit asked her.
Megs voice was flat. No. But it doesnt matter. She turned to her father and Calvin. You know its the only thing to do. You know theyd never send me alone if
How do we know theyre not in league with IT? Mr Murry demanded.
Father!
No, Meg, Mrs Whatsit said. I do not blame your father for being angry and suspicious and frightened. And I cannot pretend that we are doing anything but sending you into the gravest kind of danger. I have to acknowledge quite openly that it may be a fatal danger. I know this. But I do not believe it. And the Happy Medium doesnt believe it, either.
Cant she see whats going to happen? Calvin asked.
Oh, not in this kind of thing. Mrs Whatsit sounded surprised at his question. If we knew ahead of time what was going to happen wed be wed be like the people on Camazotz, with no lives of our own, with everything all planned and done for us. How can I explain it to you? Oh, I know. In your language you have a form of poetry called the sonnet.
Yes, yes, Calvin said impatiently. Whats that got to do with the Happy Medium?
Kindly pay me the courtesy of listening to me. Mrs Whatsits voice was stern, and for a moment Calvin stopped pawing the ground like a nervous colt. It is a very strict form of poetry, is it not?
Yes.
There are fourteen lines, I believe, all in iambic pentameter. Thats a very strict rhythm or metre, yes?
Yes. Calvin nodded.
And each line has to end with a rigid rhyme pattern. And if the poet does not do it exactly this way, it is not a sonnet, is it?
No.
But within this strict form the poet has complete freedom to say whatever he wants, doesnt he?
Yes. Calvin nodded again.
So, Mrs Whatsit said.
So what?
Oh, do not be stupid, boy! Mrs Whatsit scolded. You know perfectly well what Im driving at!
You mean youre comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it?
Yes, Mrs Whatsit said. Youre given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.
Please, Meg said. Please. If Ive got to go I want to go and get it over with. Each minute you put it off makes it harder.
Sshee iss rrightt, boomed Mrs Whichs voice. Itt iss ttime.
You may say goodbye. Mrs Whatsit was giving her not permission, but a command.
Meg curtsied clumsily to the beasts. Thank you all. Very much. I know you saved my life. She did not add what she could not help thinking: Saved it for what? So that IT could get me?
She put her arms about Aunt Beast, pressed up against the soft, fragrant fur. Thank you, she whispered. I love you.
And I, you, little one. Aunt Beast pressed gentle tendrils against Megs face.
Cal Meg said, holding out her hand.
Calvin came to her and took her hand, then drew her roughly to him and kissed her. He didnt say anything, and he turned away before he had a chance to see the surprised happiness that brightened Megs eyes.
At last she turned to her father. Im Im sorry, Father.
He took both her hands in his, bent down to her with his short-sighted eyes. Sorry for what, Megatron?
Tears almost came to her eyes at the gentle use of the old nickname. I wanted you to do it all for me. I wanted everything to be all easy and simple So I tried to pretend that it was all your fault because I was scared, and I didnt want to have to do anything myself
But I wanted to do it for you, Mr Murry said. Thats what every parent wants. He looked into her dark, frightened eyes. I wont let you go, Meg. I am going.
No. Mrs Whatsits voice was sterner than Meg had ever heard it. You are going to allow Meg the privilege of accepting this danger. You are a wise man, Mr Murry. You are going to let her go.
Mr Murry sighed. He drew Meg close to him. Little Megaparsec. Dont be afraid to be afraid. We will try to have courage for you. That is all we can do. Your mother