The Palace Library Read Free Page B

question to Great Uncle Jasper.
    “Oh
no, I mean The Library,” said Edgar, without offering more of an
explanation.  “I’m just the Librarian.  But now you’re here and you
should be able to help.  You can go after Harry.  I’m sure he’s gone
through the Great West Door.”
    “But
why couldn’t you go after him?” asked Grace.  “I know he’s older than us,
but he’s still not even a teenager?”
    “I’m
not allowed out of The Palace Library.  When The Witan and the late King
gave me the position, I knew that would be the case.  It’s a great burden
sometimes, but it is my duty.  Never mind.  I have plenty to
read.  You’re here now.  We should still have enough time before the
door closes again, I hope.”
    Eleanor
had been learning about history at school, so she brightly asked:  “The
late King?  Do you mean George VI, the Queen’s father?  We’ve learnt
about him.”
    “No,
no,” said Edgar distractedly. “Not him.  Long before his reign… but
there’s no time to tell you now.  We must get you ready.  I’ve been
thinking about books that might help you on your journey.  Then perhaps
you can take one for Harry too.  He’ll need a different sort of book to
you two girls I think.”
    “Why
do we need books to help us find Harry?” Eleanor asked.
    “Not
to find him.  I hope you won’t have any problem finding Harry. 
You’ll need books to get you ready for going through the door and to help you
all when you get there.  The Library only allows two doors to be open at
the same time at a time of need and it has a way of calling the people who
might be able to help.  That’s clearly why you’re all here, but of course
you don’t know that yet.”
    “Yes
we do,” said Eleanor.  “Great Uncle Jasper told us.  He sent
us.  Harry too.”
    Edgar
looked at them strangely and with a little more respect.  “Did he
now?  That would explain a lot.  I wish he’d told me too, but perhaps
there wasn’t time.  It’s funny.  I spend so long with nothing to do
but read, and then everything happens at once.”
    Suddenly
both girls jumped as a great bell tolled.  It filled the room with sound,
but at the same time seemed very distant, before slowly fading away.  Just
before it finally faded, the same bell rang once more and the girls jumped
again.
    Edgar
looked alert.  “We must hurry before the bells finish ringing. 
Quickly now!”
    In
spite of what he said, Edgar didn’t move.  “I need to call Sophie.”
    “Who’s
Sophie?” the girls asked together.
    “Sophie
will accompany you,” replied Edgar. “She is my companion here and she’ll be
your companion on your journey.  Long ago, Sophie was the gift of a great
Queen, who, like you,” continued Edgar, turning towards the elder of the girls,
“was called Eleanor.  Sophie has great empathy, but be warned, although
she’ll protect you and love you, she won’t suffer fools.”
    “What’s empa ~, empa ~ ?  Oh you
know what I mean,” asked Grace.
    “Empathy
means she will know what you think and feel, often before you know it
yourself.  And you,” said Edgar, this time turning to Grace, “have already
met her.”
    “Have
I?”
    Edgar
did not reply.  Instead he drew a slender silver whistle from inside his
jacket and blew it.  The girls heard nothing but just stared.  A
moment later, silently and as if by magic, Sophie was standing at Edgar’s side
and Grace understood.  Even though she understood, she took a step back
fearfully.  For Sophie was the dog from the carpet and she appeared to be
snarling. 
    But
Eleanor, who had a real fondness for animals, was enchanted.  She realised
that Sophie was smiling, even though most dogs do not smile.  Edgar leant
down to pat the neck of the elegant deerhound. “Eleanor and Grace, don’t be
afraid.  Come and meet Sophie.”  They stepped forward, waiting to be
introduced, since they knew you must always be introduced to dogs first. 
As Grace and