Ходячий замок

           HetookSophietoaglovedattendanthimselfandhandedheroverwithmuchbowingandsmiling.Sophiewashandedtoanotherattendant,thenanother,justasbefore,andeventuallyhobbledherwaydowntothestairsguardedbythesoldiers.

           Michaelwasnotthere.NeitherwasHowl,butthatwasasmallrelieftoSophie.Shethoughtshemighthaveguesseditwouldbelikethis!TheCountofCatterackwasobviouslyapersonwhonevergotathingright,andshewasanotherherself.Itwasprobablyluckyshehadevenfoundthewayout.BynowshewassotiredandhotanddejectedthatshedecidednottowaitforMichael.ShewantedtositdowninthefiresidechairandtellCalciferthemessshehadmadeofthings.

           Shehobbleddownthegrandstaircase.Shehobbleddownagrandavenue.Shestumpedalonganother,wherespiresandtowersandgildedroofscircledroundingiddyprofusion.Andsherealizeditwasworsethanshehadthought.Shewaslost.Shehadabsolutelynoideahowtofindthedisguisedstablewherethecastleentrancewas.Sheturnedupanotherhandsomethoroughfareatrandom,butshedidnotrecognizethateither.BynowshedidnotevenknowthewaybacktothePalace.Shetriedaskingpeopleshemet.Mostofthemseemedashotandtiredasshewas.“WizardPendragon?”theysaid.“Whoishe?”

           Sophiehobbledonhopelessly.Shewasneargivingupandsittingonthenextdoorstepforthenight,whenshepassedtheendofthenarrowstreetwhereMrs.Pentstemmon’shousewas.Ah!shethought.Icangoandaskthefootman.HeandHowlweresofriendlythathemustknowwhereHowllives.