Ходячий замок
Chapter 14
Ikeepwaitingfortheresttohappen.”
Sophiethoughtbacktothepuzzlingverse.“Whatthings?‘Tellmewhereallthepastyearsare’?”
“Oh,Iknowthat,”saidHowl.“Myown,oranyoneelse’s.They’reallthere,justwheretheyalwayswere.IcouldgoandplaybadfairyatmyownchristeningifIwanted.MaybeIdidandthat’smytrouble.No,thereareonlythreethingsI’mwaitingfor:themermaids,themandrakeroot,andthewindtoadvanceanhonestmind.AndwhetherIgetwhitehairs,Isuppose,onlyI’mnotgoingtotakethespellofftosee.There’sonlyaboutthreeweeksleftforthemtocometruein,andtheWitchgetsmeassoonastheydo.ButtheRugbyClubReunionisMidsummerEve,soIshallgettothatatleast.Therestallhappenedlongago.”
“Youmeanthefallingstarandneverbeingabletofindawomantrueandfair?”saidSophie.“I’mnotsurprised,thewayyougoon.Mrs.Pentstemmontoldmeyouweregoingtothebad.Shewasright,wasn’tshe?”
“Imustgotoherfuneralifitkillsme,”Howlsaidsadly.“Mrs.Pentstemmonalwaysthoughtfartoowellofme.Iblindedherwithmycharm.”Waterranoutofhiseyes.Sophiehadnoideaifhewasreallycrying,orwhetheritwassimplyhiscold.Butshenoticedhewasslitheringoutagain.
“Iwastalkingaboutthewayyoukeepdroppingladiesassoonasyou’vemadethemloveyou,”shesaid.“Whydoyoudoit?”
Howlpointedashakyhanduptowardthecanopyofhisbed.“That’swhyIlovespiders.‘Ifatfirstyoudon’tsucceed,try,try,try,again.
