Ходячий замок

           Therewerefourpetalssproutingfromaplumppinkmiddle,twopointingdownwardandtwomorehalfwayupthatstuckoutsideways.WhileSophiestaredatit,astrongscentofspringflowerswarnedherthatHowlhadcomeinandwasstandingbehindher.

           “Whatisthatthing?”hesaid.“Ifyouwereexpectinganultra-violetvioletoraninfra-redgeranium,yougotitwrong,Mrs.MadScientist.”

           “Itlookslikeasquashed-babyflower,”Michaelsaid,comingtolook.

           Itdidtoo.HowlshotMichaelanalarmedlookandpickeduptheflowerinitspot.Hesliditoutofthepotintohishand,wherehecarefullyseparatedthewhite,threadyrootsandthesootandtheremainsofthemanurespell,untilheuncoveredthebrown,forkedrootSophiehadgrownitfrom.“Imighthaveguessed,”hesaid.“It’smandrakeroot.Sophiestrikesagain.Youdohaveatouch,don’tyou,Sophie?”Heputtheplantcarefullyback,passedittoSophie,andwentaway,lookingratherpale.

           Sothatwasalmostallthecursecometrue,Sophiethoughtasshewenttoarrangethefreshflowersintheshopwindow.Themandrakeroothadhadababy.Thatonlyleftonemorething:thewindtoadvanceanhonestmind.IfthatmeantHowl’smindhadtobehonest,Sophiethought,therewasachancethatthecursemightnevercometrue.ShetoldherselfitservedHowlrightanyway,forgoingcourtingMissAngorianeverymorninginacharmedsuit,butshestillfeltalarmedandguilty.Shearrangedasheafofwhiteliliesinaseven-leagueboot.