Ходячий замок
Chapter 13
True,hesatwithonelegthrustoutinakinglysortofmanner,andhewashandsomeinaplump,slightlyvagueway,buttoSophieheseemedquiteyouthfulandjustatouchtooproudofbeingaking.Shefeltheought,withthatface,tohavebeenmoreunsureofhimself.
Hesaid,“Well,whatdoesWizardHowl’smotherwanttoseemeabout?”
AndSophiewassuddenlyoverwhelmedbythefactthatshewasstandingtalkingtotheKing.Itwas,shethoughtdizzily,asifthemansittingthereandthehuge,importantthingwhichwaskingshipweretwoseparatethingsthatjusthappenedtooccupythesamechair.Andshefoundshehadforgotteneverywordofthecareful,delicatethingsHowlhadtoldhertosay.Butshehadtosaysomething.
“Hesentmetotellyouhe’snotgoingtolookforyourbrother,”shesaid.“YourMajesty.”
ShestaredattheKing.TheKingstaredback.Itwasadisaster.
“Areyousure?”askedtheKing.“TheWizardseemedquitewillingwhenItalkedtohim.”
TheonethingSophiehadleftinherheadwasthatshewasheretoblackenHowl’sname,soshesaid,“Heliedaboutthat.Hedidn’twanttoannoyyou.He’saslitherer-outer,ifyouknowwhatImean,YourMajesty.”
“AndhehopestoslitheroutoffindingmybrotherJustin,”saidtheKing.“Isee.Won’tyousitdown,sinceIseeyouarenotyoung,andtellmetheWizard’sreasons?”
TherewasanotherplainchairratheralongwayfromtheKing.SophiecreakedherselfdownintoitandsatwithherhandsproppedonhersticklikeMrs.Pentstemmon,hopingthatwouldmakeherfeelbetter.
