Ходячий замок
Chapter 20
Ithoughtitwascheek!I’dratherhaveWizardHowl,andthat’ssayingsomething!”
Bythistimeeveryonewasmillingabout,eatingchickenandsippingwine.Calciferseemedtobeshy.Hehadgonedowntogreenflickersandnobodyseemedtonoticehim.SophiewantedhimtomeetLettie.Shetriedtocoaxhimout.
“IsthatreallythedemonwhohaschargeofHowl’slife?”Lettiesaid,lookingdownatthegreenflickersratherdisbelievingly.
SophielookeduptoassureLettiethatCalciferwasrealandsawMissAngorianstandingbythedoor,lookingshyanduncertain.“Oh,doexcuseme.I’vecomeatabadtime,haven’tI?”MissAngoriansaid.“IjustwantedtotalktoHowell.”
Sophiestoodup,notquitesurewhattodo.ShewasashamedofthewayshehaddrivenMissAngorianoutbefore.ItwasonlybecausesheknewHowlwascourtingMissAngorian.Ontheotherhand,thatdidnotmeanshehadtolikeher.
MichaeltookthingsoutofSophie’shandsbygreetingMissAngorianwithabeamingsmileandashoutofwelcome.“Howl’sasleepatthemoment,”hesaid.“Comeandhaveaglassofwinewhileyouwait.”
“Howkind,”saidMissAngorian.
ButitwasplainthatMissAngorianwasnothappy.Sherefusedwineandwanderednervouslyabout,nibblingatalegofchicken.Theroomwasfullofpeoplewhoallknewoneanotherverywellandshewastheoutsider.FannydidnothelpbyturningfromnonstoptalkwithMrs.Fairfaxandsaying,“Whatpeculiarclothes!”Marthadidnothelpeither.ShehadseenhowadmiringlyMichaelhadgreetedMissAngorian.
