Ходячий замок
Chapter 16
“DidyoukilltheWitch?”Michaelaskedeagerly,takingoffhiscloakandbecominghimselftoo.
“No,”saidHowl.Heturnedroundandfloppedintothechair,wherehelaylookingverytiredindeed.“Allthatontopofacold!”hecroaked.“Sophie,forpity’ssaketakeoffthathorribleredbeardandfindthebottleofbrandyintheclose—unlessyou’vedrunkitorturneditintoturpentine,ofcourse.”
Sophietookoffhercloakandfoundthebrandyandaglass.Howldrankoneglassoffasifitwerewater.Thenhepouredoutasecondglass,andinsteadofdrinkingit,hedrippeditcarefullyonCalcifer.Calciferflaredandsizzledandseemedtorevivealittle.Howlpouredathirdglassandlaybacksippingit.“Don’tstandstaringatme!”hesaid.“Idon’tknowwhowon.TheWitchismightyhardtocomeat.Shereliesmostlyonherfiredemonandstaysbehindoutoftrouble.ButIthinkwegavehersomethingtothinkabout,eh,Calcifer?”
“It’sold,”Calcifersaidinaweakfizzlefromunderhislogs.“I’mstronger,butitknowsthingsIneverthoughtof.She’shaditahundredyears.Andit’shalfkilledme!”Hefizzledabit,thenclimbedfurtheroutofhislogstogrumble,“Youmighthavewarnedme!”
“Idid,youoldfraud!”Howlsaidwearily.“YouknoweverythingIknow.”
HowllaysippingbrandywhileMichaelfoundbreadandsausageforthemtoeat.Foodrevivedthemall,exceptperhapsthedog-man,whoseemedsubduednowHowlwasbackafterall.Calciferbegantoburnupandlookhisusualblueself.
“Thiswon’tdo!”Howlsaid
