Ходячий замок

           Shejustcouldnotbeareitherofhersisterstoseeherasanoldwoman.

           MichaelwentoffwithbunchesofspareflowerstoseeMarthaallthetime.SometimesSophiethoughtthatwaswhatwasthematterwithher.Michaelwassocheerful,andshewasleftonherownintheshopmoreandmoreoften.Butthatdidnotseemtobequiteit.Sophieenjoyedsellingflowersonherown.

           SometimesthetroubleseemedtobeCalcifer.Calciferwasbored.Hehadnothingtodoexcepttokeepthecastlegentlydriftingalongthelanesofgrassandroundthevariouspoolsandlakes,andtomakesurethattheyarrivedinanewspot,withnewflowers,everymorning.HisbluefacewasalwaysleaningeagerlyoutofthegratewhenSophieandMichaelcameinwiththeirflowers.“Iwanttoseewhatit’slikeoutthere,”hesaid.Sophiebroughthimtastysmellingleavestoburn,whichmadethecastleroomsmellasstronglyasthebathroom,butCalcifersaidwhathereallywantedwascompany.Theywentintotheshopalldayandlefthimalone.

           SoSophiemadeMichaelserveintheshopforatleastanhoureverymorningwhileshewentandtalkedtoCalcifer.SheinventedguessinggamestokeepCalciferoccupiedwhenshewasbusy.ButCalciferwasstilldiscontented.“WhenareyougoingtobreakmycontractwithHowl?”heaskedmoreandmoreoften.

           AndSophieputCalciferoff.“I’mworkingonit,”shesaid.“Itwon’tbelongnow.”Thiswasnotquitetrue.Sophiehadstoppedthinkingofitunlessshehadto.WhensheputtogetherwhatMrs.