Ходячий замок

           Inthedistancestoodagrandstonegatewaywithstatuesonit.“Whereisthis?”saidHowl.

           “Anemptymansionattheendofthevalley,”Calcifersaidratherdefensively.“It’sthenicehouseyoutoldmetofind.It’squitefine.”

           “I’msureitis,”Howlsaid.“Isimplyhopetherealownerswon’tobject.”Heshutthedoorandturnedtheknobroundtopurple-down.“Nowforthemovingcastle,”hesaidasheopeneditagain.

           Itwasnearlyduskoutthere.Awarmwindfullofdifferentscentsblewin.Sophiesawabankofdarkleavesdriftby,loadedwithbigpurpleflowersamongtheleaves.Itspunslowlyawayanditsplacewastakenbyastandofdimwhiteliliesandaglimpseofsunsetonwaterbeyond.ThesmellwassoheavenlythatSophiewashalfwayacrosstheroombeforeshewasaware.

           “No,yourlongnosestaysoutofthereuntiltomorrow,”Howlsaid,andheshutthedoorwithasnap.“Thatpart’srightontheedgeoftheWaste.Welldone,Calcifer.Perfect.Anicehouseandlotsofflowers,asordered.”Heflungtheshoveldownandwenttobed.Andhemusthavebeentired.Therewerenogroans,noshouts,andalmostnocoughing.

           SophieandMichaelweretiredtoo.Michaelfloppedintothechairandsatstrokingthedog-man,staring.Sophieperchedonthestool,feelingstrange.Theyhadmoved.Itfeltthesame,butdifferent,quiteconfusingly.