Ходячий замок
Chapter 15
”
Howlatonceputonhisnoblestexpression.“I’llbeallright,”hecroaked,“aslongasIkeepoutoftheseawind.It’sabitterplace,thePentstemmonestate.Thetreesareallbentsidewaysandthere’snoshelterformiles.”
Sophieknewhewasjustplayingforsympathy.Shesnorted.
“AndwhatabouttheWitch?”Michaelasked.
Howlcoughedpiteously.“Ishallgoindisguise,probablyasanothercorpse,”hesaid,trailingbacktowardthestairs.
“Thenyouneedawindingsheetandnotthissuit,”Sophiecalledafterhim.HowltrailedawayupstairswithoutansweringandSophiedidnotprotest.Shenowhadthecharmedsuitinherhandsanditwastoogoodachancetomiss.Shetookupherscissorsandhackedthegray-and-scarletsuitintosevenjaggedpieces.ThatoughttodiscourageHowlfromwearingit.Thenshegottoworkonthelasttrianglesoftheblue-and-silversuit,mostlylittlefragmentsfromroundtheneck.Itwasnowverysmallindeed.ItlookedasifmightbeasizetoosmallevenforMrs.Pentstemmon’spageboy.
“Michael,”shesaid.“Hurryupwiththatspell.It’surgent.”
“Iwon’tbelongnow,”Michaelsaid.
Halfanhourlaterhecheckedthingsoffonhislistandsaidhethoughthewasready.HecameovertoSophiecarryingatinybowlwithaverysmallamountofgreenpowderinthebottom.“Wheredoyouwantit?”
“Here,”saidSophie,snippingthelastthreads.Shepushedthesleepingdog-manasideandlaidthechild-sizedsuitcarefullyonthefloor.Michael,quiteascarefully,tippedthebowlandsprinkledpowderoneveryinchofit.
