Ходячий замок
Chapter 19
Themanputhishandsupandshakilyfelthisface.“I-I’mnotsure.”
Calcifersaid,“ThemostrecentnameheansweredtowasPercival.”
ThemanlookedatCalciferasifhewishedCalciferdidnotknowthis.“DidI?”hesaid.
“Thenwe’llcallyouPercivalfornow,”Howlsaid.Heturnedtheex-dogroundandsathiminthechair.“Sitthereandtakeiteasy,andtelluswhatyoudoremember.Bythefeelofyou,theWitchhadyouforsometime.”
“Yes,”saidPercival,rubbinghisfaceagain.“Shetookmyheadoff.I-Irememberbeingonashelf,lookingattherestofme.”
Michaelwasastonished.“Butyou’dbedead!”heprotested.
“Notnecessarily,”saidHowl.“Youhaven’tgottentothatsortofwitchcraftyet,butIcouldtakeanypieceofyouIwantedandleavetherestofyoualive,ifIwentaboutittherightway.”Hefrownedattheex-dog.“ButI’mnotsuretheWitchputthisonebacktogetherproperly.”
Calcifer,whowasobviouslytryingtoprovethathewasworkinghardforHowl,said,“Thismanisincomplete,andhehaspartsfromsomeotherman.”
Percivallookedmoredistraughtthanever.
“Don’talarmhim,Calcifer,”Howlsaid.“Hemustfeelbadenoughanyway.DoyouknowwhytheWitchtookyourheadoff,myfriend?”heaskedPercival.
“No,”saidPercival.“Idon’trememberanything.”
Michaelwassuddenlyseizedwiththemostexcitingidea.HeleanedoverPercivalandasked,“DidyoueveranswertothenameofJustin—orYourRoyalHighness?”
Sophiesnortedagain.
