Ходячий замок

           ”

           ThethrobinMissAngorian’svoiceannoyedSophie.“No,”shesaid.“There’snoneedtobesointenseaboutit.You’venoproofitwashis.”ShehobbledclosetoMissAngorianandseizedtheguitarbyitsneck.MissAngorianstaredatheroveritwithwide,anguishedeyes.Sophiedragged.MissAngorianhungon.Theguitargaveouthorrible,out-of-tunejangles.SophiejerkeditoutofMissAngorian’sarms.“Don’tbesilly,”shesaid.“You’venorighttowalkintopeople’scastlesandtaketheirguitars.I’vetoldyouMr.Sullivan’snothere.NowgobacktoWales.Goon.”AndsheusedtheguitartopushMissAngorianbackwardthroughtheopendoor.

           MissAngorianbackedintothenothingnessuntilhalfofhervanished.“You’rehard,”shesaidreproachfully.

           “Yes,Iam!”saidSophieandslammedthedooronher.Sheturnedtheknobtoorange-downtopreventMissAngoriancomingbackanddumpedtheguitarbackinitscornerwithafirmtwang.“Anddon’tyoudaretellHowlshewashere!”shesaidunreasonablytoCalcifer.“IbetshecametoseeHowl.Therestwasjustapackoflies.WizardSulimanwassettledhere,yearsago.Heprobablycametogetawayfromherbeastlythrobbingvoice!”

           Calciferchuckled.“I’veneverseenanyonegotridofsofast!”hesaid.

           ThismadeSophiefeelbothunkindandguilty.Afterall,sheherselfhadwalkedintothecastleinmuchthesameway,andhadbeentwiceasnosyasMissAngorian.“Gah!”shesaid.Shestumpedintothebathroomandstaredatherwitheredoldfaceinthemirrors