Ходячий замок
Chapter 14
Sneezesmixedwiththemoansandthecoughs,andthesoundsrosetoacrescendoinwhichHowlseemedtobemanagingtocough,groan,blowhisnose,sneeze,andwailgentlyallatthesametime.Thedoorsrattled,thebeamsintheceilingshook,andoneofCalcifer’slogsrolledoffontothehearth.
“Allright,allright,Igetthemessage!”Sophiesaid,dumpingthelogbackintothegrate.“It’llbegreenslimenext.Calcifer,makesurethatdogstayswhereitis.”Andsheclimbedthestairs,mutteringloudly,“Really,thesewizards!You’dthinknoonehadeverhadacoldbefore!Well,whatisit?”sheasked,hobblingthroughthebedroomdoorontothefilthycarpet.
“I’mdyingofboredom,”Howlsaidpathetically.“Ormaybejustdying.”
Hewaslyingproppedondirtygraypillows,lookingquitepoorly,withwhatmighthavebeenapatchworkcoverletoverhimexceptthatitwasallonecolorwithdust.Thespidersheseemedtolikesomuchwerespinningbusilyinthecanopyabovehim.
Sophiefelthisforehead.“Youdohaveabitofafever,”sheadmitted.
“I’mdelirious,”saidHowl.“Spotsarecrawlingbeforemyeyes.”
“Thosearespiders,”saidSophie.“Whycan’tyoucureyourselfwithaspell?”
“Becausethereisnocureforacold,”Howlsaiddolefully.“Thingsaregoingroundandroundinmyhead—ormaybemyheadisgoingroundandroundinthings.IkeepthinkingofthetermsoftheWitch’scurse.Ihadn’trealizedshecouldlaymebarelikethat.It’sabadthingtobelaidbare,eventhoughthethingsthataretruesofarareallmyowndoing.
