Chapter 17

           Howlsettoworkashardasifhehadjusthadaweek’srest.IfSophiehadnotseenhimfightagruelingmagicbattleanhourago,shewouldneverhavebelievedit.HeandMichaeldashedabout,callingmeasurementstooneanotherandchalkingstrangesignsintheplaceswheretheyhadearlierputupmetalbrackets.Theyseemedtohavechalkoneverycorner,includingthebackyard.Sophie’scubbyholeunderthestairsandtheodd-shapedplaceinthebathroomceilinggavethemquiteabitoftrouble.Sophieandthedog-manwerepushedthiswayandthat,andthenpushedasidecompletelysothatMichaelcouldcrawlaboutchalkingafive-pointedstarinsideacircleonthefloor.

           MichaelhaddonethisandwasbrushingdustandchalkoffhiskneeswhenHowlcameracinginwithpatchesofwhitewashalloverhisblackclothes.Sophieandthedog-manwerepushedasideagainsothatHowlcouldcrawlaboutwritingsignsinandaroundbothstarandcircle.Sophieandthedog-manwenttositonthestairs.Thedog-manwasshivering.Thisdidnotseemtobemagicheliked.

           HowlandMichaelracedoutintotheyard.Howlracedback.“Sophie!”heshouted.“Quickly!Whatarewegoingtosellinthatshop?”

           “Flowers,”Sophiesaid,thinkingofMrs.Fairfaxagain.

           “Perfect,”saidHowl,andhurriedovertothedoorwithapotofpaintandasmallbrush.Hedippedthebrushinthepotandcarefullypaintedtheblueblobyellow.Hedippedagain.Thistimethebrushcameoutpurple.Hepaintedthegreenblobwithit.Atthethirddipthepaintwasorange,andtheorangewentovertheredblob.