Ходячий замок

           Everyonehadbeenmuchtoobusyuptonowtopaymuchattentiontothemansion.ItwasmuchgranderthanSophiehadrealized.Ithadaweedyterracewithstatuesalongtheedge,andstepsdowntothedrive.WhenSophielookedback—onthepretextoftellingPercivaltohurryup—shesawthehousewasverybig,withmorestatuesalongtheroof,androwsofwindows.Butitwasderelict.Greenmildewrandownthepeelingwallfromeverywindow.Manyofthewindowswerebroken,andtheshuttersthatshouldhavefoldedagainstthewallsbesidethemweregrayandblisteredandhangingsideways.

           “Huh!”saidSophie.“IthinktheleastHowlcoulddoistomaketheplacelookabitmorelivedin.Butno!He’sfartoobusygaddingofftoWales!Don’tjuststandthere,Percival!Poursomeofthatstuffintothecanandthencomealongbehindme.

           Percivalmeeklydidasshesaid.Hewasnofunatalltobully.SophiesuspectedthatwaswhyHowlhadsenthimwithher.Shesnorted,andtookherangeroutontheweeds.Whateverthestuffwasthatkilledthedaffodils,itwasstrong.Theweedsinthedrivediedassoonasittouchedthem.Sodidthegrassatthesidesofthedrive,untilSophiecalmeddownalittle,theeveningcalmedher.Thefreshairwasblowingoffthedistanthills,andclumpsoftreesplantedatthesidesofthedriverustledmajesticallyinit.

           Sophieweed-killedherwaydownaquarterofthedrive.“Yourememberagreatdealmorethanyouleton,”sheaccusedPercivalwhileherefilledhercan.