Ходячий замок

           ButFannywassoworriedthatSophiehadtoturnthedoororange-downandopenittoshowthemansiondriveinamuchgrayerday,wherethefootmanandFanny’scoachmanweresittingontheroofofthecarriageeatingcoldsausageandplayingcards.OnlythenwouldFannybelievethathercarriagehadnotbeenmysteriouslyspiritedaway.Sophiewastryingtoexplain,withoutreallyknowingherself,howonedoorcouldopenonseveraldifferentplaces,whenCalcifersurgedupfromhislogs,roaring.

           “Howl!”heroared,fillingthechimneywithblueflame.“Howl!HowellJenkins,theWitchhasfoundyoursister’sfamily!”

           Thereweretwoviolentthumpsoverhead.Howl’sbedroomdoorcrashedandHowlcametearingdownstairs.LettieandPercivalwerehurledoutofhisway.Fannyscreamedfaintlyatthesightofhim.Howl’shairwaslikeahaystackandtherewereredrimsroundhiseyes.“Gotmeonmyweakflank,blasther!”heshoutedasheshotacrosstheroomwithhisblacksleevesflying.“Iwasafraidshewould!Thanks,Calcifer!”HeshovedFannyasideandhauledopenthedoor.

           SophieheardthedoorbangbehindHowlasshehobbledupstairs.Sheknewitwasnosy,butshehadtoseewhathappened.AsshehobbledthroughHowl’sbedroom,sheheardeveryoneelsefollowingher.

           “Whatafilthyroom!”Fannyexclaimed.

           Sophielookedoutthewindow.Itwasdrizzlingintheneatgarden.Theswingwashungwithdrops.TheWitch’swavingmaneofredhairwasalldewedwithit.Shestoodleaningagainsttheswing,tallandcommandinginherredrobes,beckoningandbeckoningagain.