Chapter 15

           Thedog-mancurledupheavilyonSophie’stoeswhenshewentbacktohersewing.Perhapshewashopingshewouldmanagetoliftthespellifhestayedclosetoher.Whenabig,red-beardedmanburstintotheroom,carryingaboxofthings,andshedhisvelvetcloaktobecomeMichael,stillcarryingaboxofthings,theman-dogroseupandwaggedhistail.HeletMichaelpathimandrubhisears.

           “Ihopehestays,”Michaelsaid.“I’vealwayswantedadog.”

           HowlheardMichael’svoice.Hearriveddownstairswrappedinthebrownpatchworkcoveroffhisbed.Sophiestoppedsewingandtookacarefulgriponthedog.ButthedogwascourteoustoHowltoo.HedidnotobjectwhenHowlfetchedahandoutofthecoverletandpattedhim.

           “Well?”Howlcroaked,dispersingcloudsofdustasheconjuredsomemoretissues.

           “Igoteverything,”saidMichael.“Andthere’sarealpieceofluck,Howl.There’sanemptyhatshopforsaledowninMarketChipping.Itusedtobeahatshop.Doyouthinkwecouldmovethecastlethere?”

           HowlsatonatallstoollikearobedRomansenatorandconsidered.“Itdependsonhowmuchitcosts,”hesaid.“I’mtemptedtomovethePorthavenentrancethere.Thatwon’tbeeasy,becauseitwillmeanmovingCalcifer.PorthaveniswhereCalciferactuallyis.Whatdoyousay,Calcifer?”

           “Itwilltakeaverycarefuloperationtomoveme,”Calcifersaid.Hehadbecomeseveralshadespaleratthethought.“IthinkyoushouldleavemewhereIam.”

           SoFannyissellingtheshop,Sophiethoughtastheotherthreewentondiscussingthemove.