Ходячий замок
Chapter 11
Michael’sblushingfacelitupassoonashelookedatit.“It’sthespell!Oh,Icandothisone—it’senlargement,isn’tit?”
“That’swhatIthought,”MissAngoriansaidratheraccusingly.“I’dliketoknowwhatyouweredoingwithsuchathing.”
“MissAngorian,”saidHowl,“ifyouhaveheardallthosethingsaboutme,youmustknowIwrotemydoctoralthesisoncharmsandspells.Youlookasifyoususpectmeofworkingblackmagic!Iassureyou,Ineverworkedanykindofspellinmylife.”Sophiecouldnotstopherselfmakingasmallsnortatthisblatantlie.“Withmyhandonmyheart,”Howladded,givingSophieanirritatedfrown,“thisspellisforstudypurposesonly.It’sveryoldandrare.That’swhyIwanteditback.”
“Well,youhaveitback,”MissAngoriansaidbriskly.“Beforeyougo,wouldyoumindgivingmemyhomeworksheetinreturn?Photocopiescostmoney.”
Howlbroughtoutthegraypaperwillinglyandhelditjustoutofreach.“Thispoemnow,”hesaid.“It’sbeenbotheringme.Silly,really!-butIcan’tremembertherestofit.ByWalterRaleigh,isn’tit?”
MissAngoriangavehimawitheringlook.“Certainlynot.It’sbyJohnDonneandit’sverywellknownindeed.Ihavethebookwithitinhere,ifyouwanttorefreshyourmemory.”
“Please,”saidHowl,andfromthewayhiseyesfollowedMissAngorianasshewenttoherwallofbooks,SophierealizedthatthiswastherealreasonwhyHowlhadcomeintothisstrangelandwherehisfamilylived.ButHowlwasnotabovekillingtwobirdswithonestone.
