Chapter 20

           MidsummerDaydawned.Aboutthesamemomentthatitdid,HowlcrashedinthroughthedoorwithsuchnoisethatSophieshotupinhercubbyhole,convincedthattheWitchwashotonhisheels.

           “Theythinksomuchaboutmethattheyalwaysplaywithoutme!”Howlbellowed.SophierealizedthathewasonlytryingtosingCalcifer’ssaucepansongandlaydownagain,whereuponHowlfelloverthechairandcaughthisfootinthestoolsothatitshotacrosstheroom.Afterthat,hetriedtogoupstairsthroughthebroomcupboard,andthentheyard.Thisseemedtopuzzlehimalittle.Butfinallyhediscoveredthestairs,allexceptthebottomone,andfellupthemonhisface.Thewholecastleshook.

           “What’sthematter?”Sophieasked,stickingherheadthroughthebanister.

           “RugbyClubReunion,”Howlrepliedwiththickdignity.“Didn’tknowIusedtoflyupthewingformyuniversity,didyou,Mrs.Nose?”

           “Ifyouweretryingtofly,youmusthaveforgottenhow,”Sophiesaid.

           “Iwasborntostrangesights,”saidHowl,“thingsinvisibletosee,andIwasjustonmywaytobedwhenyouinterruptedme.Iknowwhereallthepastyearsare,andwhoclefttheDevil’sfoot.”

           “Gotobed,youfool,”Calcifersaidsleepily.“You’redrunk.”

           “Who,me?”saidHowl.“Iassureyou,myfriends,thatIamconesoldstober.”Hegotupandstalkedupstairs,feelingforthewallasifhethoughtitmightescapehimunlesshekeptintouchwithit.Hisbedroomdoordidescapehim.“Whataliethatwas!”Howlremarkedashewalkedintothewall.