A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)

by Madeleine L'Engle

“When I get this feeling, this compulsion, I always do what it tells me. I can’t explain where it comes from or how I get it, and it doesn’t happen very often. But I obey it. And this afternoon I had a feeling that I must come over to the haunted house. That’s all I know, kid. I’m not holding anything back. Maybe it’s because I’m supposed to meet you. You tell me.” Charles Wallace looked at Calvin probingly for a moment; then an almost glazed look came into his eyes, and he seemed to be thinking at him. Calvin stood very still, and waited. At last Charles Wallace said. “Okay. I believe you. But I can’t tell you. I think I’d like to trust you. Maybe you’d better come home with us and have dinner.” “Well, sure, but—what would your mother say to that?” Calvin asked. “She’d be delighted. Mother’s all right. She’s not one of us. But she’s all right.” “What about Meg?” “Meg has it tough,” Charles Wallace said. “She’s not really one thing or the other.” “What do you mean, one of us?” Meg demanded. “What do you mean I’m not one thing or the other?” “Not now, Meg,” Charles Wallace said. “Slowly. I’ll tell you about it later.” He looked at Calvin, then seemed to make a quick decision. “Okay, let’s take him to meet Mrs Whatsit. If he’s not okay she’ll know.”