Ходячий замок

           Thentheybothwaited,ratheranxiously.

           Amomentpassed.Michaelsighedwithrelief.Thesuitwasgentlyspreadingoutlarger.Theywatcheditspread,andspread,untilonesideofitpiledupagainstthedog-manandSophiehadtopullitfurtherawaytogiveitroom.

           AfteraboutfiveminutestheybothagreedthatthesuitlookedHowl’ssizeagain.Michaelgathereditupandcarefullyshooktheexcesspowderoffintothegrate.Calciferflaredandsnarled.Thedog-manjumpedinhissleep.

           “Watchit!”saidCalcifer.“Thatwasstrong.”

           Sophietookthesuitandhobbledupstairsntiptoewithit.Howlwasasleeponhisgraypillows,withhisspidersbusilymakingnewwebsaroundhim.Helookednobleandsadinhissleep.Sophiehobbledroundtoputtheblue-and-silversuitontheoldchestbythewindow,tryingtotellherselfthatthesuithadgotnolargersinceshepickeditup.“Still,ifitstopsyougoingtothefuneral,that’snoloss,”shemurmuredasshetookalookoutofthewindow.

           Thesunwaslowacrosstheneatgarden.Alarge,darkmanwasoutthere,enthusiasticallythrowingaredballtowardsHowl’snephew,Neil,whowasstandingwithalookofpatientsuffering,holdingabat.SophiecouldseethemanwasNeil’sfather.

           “Snoopingagain,”Howlsaidsuddenlybehindher.Sophieswungroundguiltily,tofindthatHowlwasonlyhalfawakereally.Hemayhaveeventhoughtitwasthedaybefore,becausehesaid,“‘Teachmetokeepoffenvy’sstinging’—that’sallpartofpastyearsnow.IloveWales,butitdoesn’tloveme.