Ходячий замок
Chapter 14
’Ikeeptrying,”hesaidwithgreatsadness.“ButIbroughtitonmyselfbymakingabargainsomeyearsago,andIknowIshallneverbeabletoloveanyoneproperlynow.”
ThewaterrunningoutofHowl’seyeswasdefinitelytearsnow.Sophiewasconcerned.“Now,youmustn’tcry—”
Therewasapatteringoutside.Sophielookedroundtoseethedog-manoozinghimselfpastthedoorinaneathalf-circle.Shereachedoutandcaughtahandfulofhisredcoat,thinkinghewascertainlycomingtobiteHowl.Butallthedogdidwastoleanagainstherlegs,sothatshehadtostaggerbacktothepeelingwall.
“What’sthis?”saidHowl.
“Mynewdog,”Sophiesaid,hangingontoitscurlyhair.Nowshewasagainstthewall,shecouldseeoutofthebedroomwindow.Itoughttohavelookedoutontheyard,butinsteaditshowedaviewofaneat,squaregardenwithachild’smetalwinginthemiddle.Thesettingsunwasfiringraindropshangingontheswingtoblueandred.AsSophiestoodandstared,Howl’sniece,Mari,camerunningacrossthewetgrass.Howl’ssister,Megan,followedMari.ShewasevidentlyshoutingthatMarishouldnotsitonthewetswing,butnosoundseemedtocomethrough.“IsthattheplacecalledWales?”Sophieasked.
Howllaughedandpoundedonthecoverlet.Dustclimbedlikesmoke.“Botherthatdog!”hecroaked.“IhadabetonwithmyselfthatIcouldkeepyoufromsnoopingoutofthewindowallthetimeyouwereinhere!”
“Didyounow?”saidSophie,andsheletgoofthedog,hopinghewouldbiteHowlhard
