What came first—the chicken or the “idea” chicken ?
Are we born with innate “ideas”? What is the difference between a plant, an
animal, and a human?
Why does it rain?
What does it take to live a good life?
Sophie couldn’t possibly think about these questions right now, but she
assumed they had something to do with the next philosopher. Wasn’t he called
Aristotle?
When she finally saw the hedge after running so far through the woods it was
like swimming ashore after a shipwreck. The hedge looked funny from the other side.
She didn’t look at her watch until she had crawled into the den. It was ten-thirty.
She put the big envelope into the biscuit tin with the other papers and stuffed the note
with the new questions down her tights.
Her mother was on the telephone when she came in. When she saw Sophie she
hung up quickly.
“Where on earth have you been?”
“I... went for a walk ... in the woods,” she stammered.
“So I see.”
Sophie stood silently, watching the water dripping from her dress.
“I called Joanna...”
“Joanna?”
Her mother brought her some dry clothes. Sophie only just managed to hide the
philosopher’s note. Then they sat together in the kitchen, and her mother made some
hot chocolate.
“Were you with him?” she asked after a while.
“Him?”
Sophie could only think about her philosophy teacher.
“With him, yes. Him.... your rabbit!”
Sophie shook her head.
“What do you do when you’re together, Sophie? Why are you so wet?”
Sophie sat staring gravely at the table. But deep down inside she was laughing.
Poor Mom, now she had that to worry about.
She shook her head again. Then more questions came raining down on her.
“Now I want the truth. Were you out all night? Why did you go to bed with
your clothes on? Did you sneak out as soon as I had gone to bed? You’re only
fourteen, Sophie. I demand to know who you are seeing!”
Sophie started to cry. Then she talked. She was still frightened, and when you
are frightened you usually talk.
She explained that she had woken up very early and had gone for a walk in the
woods. She told her mother about the cabin and the boat, and about the mysterious
mirror. But she mentioned nothing about the secret correspondence course. Neither
did she mention the green wallet. She didn’t quite know why, but she had to keep
Hilde for herself.
Her mother put her arms around Sophie, and Sophie knew that her mother
believed her now.
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Sophie sniffed. “It was just something I said because
you were so upset about the white rabbit.”
“And you really went all the way to the major’s cabin ...” said her mother
thoughtfully.