Ходячий замок

           Bythetimehetouchedthefloor,hewasacurlyredsetter,justlikethedog-man.

           Thedog-manwastakencompletelybysurpriseandhisinstinctsgotthebetterofhim.Hishacklescameup,hisearslowered,andhegrowled.Howlplayedup—orelsehefeltthesame.Thetwoidenticaldogswalkedroundoneanother,glaring,growling,bristling,andgettingreadytofight.

           Sophiecaughtthetailoftheoneshethoughtwasthedog-man.MichaelgrabbedfortheonehethoughtwasHowl.Howlratherhastilyturnedhimselfback.SophiefoundatallblackpersonstandinginfrontofherandletgoofthebackofHowl’sjacket.Thedog-mansatdownonMichael’sfeet,staringtragically.

           “Good,”saidHowl.“IfIcandeceiveanotherdog,Icanfooleveryoneelse.Nooneatthefuneralisgoingtonoticeastraydogliftingitslegagainstthegravestones.”Hewenttothedoorandturnedtheknobblue-down.

           “Waitamoment,”saidSophie.“Ifyou’regoingtothefuneralasaredsetter,whytakeallthetroubleofgettingyourselfupinblack?”

           Howlliftedhischinandlookednoble.“RespecttoMrs.Pentstemmon,”hesaid,openingthedoor.“Shelikedonetothinkofallthedetails.”HewentintothestreetofPorthaven.