Ходячий замок
Chapter 18
Sophielookedatthedoor.Theknobwasblack-down.Notthatupset!shethought.
Michaelwentouttoo,toCesari’s,thatmorning,asSophiewasaloneintheshop.Itwasveryhot.Theflowerswiltedinspiteofthespells,andveryfewpeopleseemedtowanttobuyany.Whatwiththis,andthemandrakeroot,andthescarecrow,allSophie’sfeelingsseemedtocometoahead.Shewasdownrightmiserable.
“ItmaybethecursehoveringtocatchupwithHowl,”shesighedtotheflowers,“butIthinkit’sbeingtheeldest,really.Lookatme!IsetouttoseekmyfortuneandIendupexactlywhereIstarted,andoldasthehillsstill!”
Herethedog-manputhisglossyredsnoutroundthedoortotheyardandwhined.Sophiesighed.Neveranhourpassedwithoutthecreaturecheckinguponher.“Yes,I’mstillhere,”shesaid.“Wheredidyouexpectmetobe?”
Thedogcameintotheshop.Hesatupandstretchedhispawsoutstifflyinfrontofhim.Sophierealizedhewastryingtoturnintoaman.Poorcreature.Shetriedtobenicetohimbecausehewas,afterall,worseoffthanshewas.
“Tryharder,”shesaid.“Putyourbackintoit.Youcanbeamanifyouwant.”
Thedogstretchedandstraightenedhisback,andstrainedandstrained.AndjustasSophiewassurehewasgoingtohavetogiveuportoppleoverbackward,hemanagedtorisetohishindlegsandheavehimselfupintoadistraught,ginger-hairedman.
“Ienvy—Howl,”hepanted.“Doesthat—soeasily.Iwas—doginthehedge—youhelped.ToldLettie—Iknewyou—I’dkeepwatch.
