Ходячий замок

           Shewasputtingeverythingbackintothecupboardwhensomeoneknockedatthedoor.Sophie,asusual,jumpedandhopedtheywouldgoaway.Butthispersonseemedmoredeterminedthanmost.Whoeveritwaswentonknocking—orperhapshurlinghimorherselfatthedoor,forthesoundwasmoreasteadywhump,whump,whump,thanproperknocking.Afterfiveminutestheywerestilldoingit.

           SophielookedattheuneasygreenflickerswhichwereallshecouldseeofCalcifer.“IsittheWitch?”

           “No,”saidCalcifer,muffledamonghislogs.“It’sthecastledoor.Someonemustberunningalongbesideus.We’regoingquitefast.”

           “Isitthescarecrow?”Sophieasked,andherchestgaveatremoratthemereidea.

           “It’sfleshandblood,”Calcifersad.Hisbluefaceclimbedupintothechimney,lookingpuzzled.“I’mnotsurewhatitis,exceptitwantstocomeinbadly.Idon’tthinkitmeansanyharm.”

           Sincethewhump,whumpjustkepton,givingSophieanirritablefeelingofurgency,shedecidedtoopenthedoorandputastoptoit.Besides,shewascuriousaboutwhatitwas.Shestillhadthesecondvelvetcloakinherhandfromturningoutthebroomcupboard,soshethrewitroundhershouldersashewenttothedoor.Calciferstared.Then,forthefirsttimesinceshehadknownhim,hebenthisheaddownvoluntarily.Greatcacklesoflaughtercamefromunderthecurlygreenflames.Wonderingwhatthecloakhadturnedherinto,Sophieopenedthedoor.

           Ahuge,spindlygreyhoundleapedoffthehillsidebetweenthegrindingblackblocksofthecastleandlandedinthemiddleoftheroom.