Ходячий замок

           Sophiedroppedthecloakandbackedawayhurriedly.Shehadalwaysbeennervousofdogs,andgreyhoundsarenotreassuringtolookat.Thisoneputitselfbetweenherandthedoorandstaredather.SophielookedlonginglyatthewheelingrocksoutsideandwonderedwhetheritwoulddoanygoodtoyellforHowl.

           Thedogbentitsalreadybentbackandsomehowhoisteditselfontoitsleanhindlegs.ThatmadeitalmostastallasSophie.Ithelditsfrontlegsstifflyoutandheavedupwardagain.Then,asSophiehadhermouthopentoyelltoHowl,thecreatureputoutwhatwasobviouslyanenormouseffortandsurgedupwardintotheshapeofamaninacrumpledbrownsuit.Hehadgingerishhairandapale,unhappyface.

           “CamefromUpperFolding!”pantedthisdog-man.“LoveLettie—Lettiesentme—Lettiecryingandveryunhappy—sentmetoyou—toldmetostay—”Hebegantodoubleupandshrinkbeforehehadfinishedspeaking.Hegaveadoghowlofdespairandannoyance.“Don’ttellWizard!”hewhinedanddwindledawayinsidereddishcurlyhairintoadogagain.Adifferentdog.Thistimeheseemedtobearedsetter.TheredsetterwaveditsfringedtailandstaredearnestlyatSophiefrommelting,miserableeyes.

           “Oh,dear,”saidSophieassheshutthedoor.“Youdohavetroubles,myfriend.Youwerethatcolliedog,weren’tyou?NowIseewhatMrs.Fairfaxwastalkingabout.ThatWitchwantsslaying,shereallydoes!ButwhyhasLettiesentyouhere?Ifyoudon’twantmetotellWizardHowl—”

           Thedoggrowledfaintlyatthename.Butitalsowaggeditstailandstaredappealingly.