Ходячий замок

           HewouldnevertellSophiewhichsuittheblackonereallywas.“I’minmourningforMrs.Pentstemmon,”wasallhewouldsay.AndifSophieorMichaelaskedwhyHowlwasalwaysawayatthattime,Howlwouldlookinjuredandsay,“Ifyouwanttotalktoaschoolteacher,youhavetocatchherbeforeschoolstarts.”Thenhewoulddisappearintothebathroomforthenexttwohours.

           MeanwhileSophieandMichaelputontheirfineclothesandopenedtheshop.Howlinsistedonthefineclothes.Hesaiditwouldattractcustom.Sophieinsistedtheyallworeaprons.Andafterthefirstfewdays,whenthepeopleofMarketChippingsimplystaredthroughthewindowanddidnotcomeintotheshop,theshopbecameverypopular.WordhadgoneroundthatJenkinshadflowerslikenoflowerseverseenbefore.PeopleSophiehadknownallherlifecameandboughtflowersbythebundle.Noneofthemrecognizedher,andthatmadeherfeelveryodd.TheyallthoughtshewasHowl’soldmother.ButSophiehadhadenoughofbeingHowl’soldmother.“I’mhisaunt,”shetoldMrs.Cesari.ShebecameknowasAuntJenkins.

           BythetimeHowlarrivedintheshop,inablackaprontomatchhissuit,heusuallyfounditquitebusy.Hemadeitbusierstill.ThiswaswhenSophiebegantobesurethattheblacksuitwasreallythecharmedgray-and-scarletone.AnyladyHowlservedwassuretogoawaywithatleasttwicethenumberofflowerssheaskedfor.MostofthetimeHowlcharmedthemintobuyingtentimesasmuch.Beforelong,SophienoticedladiespeeringinanddecidingnottocomeintotheshopwhentheysawHowlthere.