Ходячий замок
Chapter 15
Sophiemighthavegone,exceptthedog-mangotinthewaywhenshetried.Thiswasanotherpartofhisoddbehavior.HedidnotlikeSophietodoanythingforHowl.Sophiefeltthiswasfairlyreasonable.Shebeganonhereighty-fifthtriangle.
Michaelcamecheerfullydownandworkedonhisspell.HewassohappythathewasjoininginCalcifer’ssaucepansongandchattingtotheskulljustasSophiedid,whileheworked.“We’regoingtoliveinMarketChipping,”hetoldtheskull.“”IcangoandseemyLettieeveryday.”
“IsthatwhyyoutoldHowlabouttheshop?”Sophieasked,threadingherneedle.Bythistimeshewasonhereighty-ninthtriangle.
“Yes,”Michaelsaidhappily.“Lettietoldmeaboutitwhenwewerewonderinghowwe’deverseeoneanotheragain.Itoldher—”
HewasinterruptedbyHowl,trailingdownstairsinhisquiltagain.“Thisispositivelymylastappearance,”Howlcroaked.“IforgottosaythatMrs.PentstemmonisbeingburiedtomorrowonherestatenearPorthavenandIshallneedthissuitcleaned.”Hebroughtthegray-and-scarletsuitoutfrominsidehiscoverletanddroppeditonSophie’slap.“You’reattendingtothewrongsuit,”hetoldSophie.“ThisistheoneIlike,butIhaven’ttheenergytocleanitmyself.”
“Youdon’tneedtogotothefuneral,doyou?”Michaelsaidanxiously.
“Iwouldn’tdreamofstayingaway,”saidHowl.“Mrs.PentstemmonmademethewizardIam.Ihavetopaymyrespects.”
“Butyourcold’sworse,”saidMichael.
“He’smadeitworse,”saidSophie,“bygettingupandchasingaround.
