Ходячий замок

           Howl’sniece,Mari,wasshufflingoverthewetgrasstowardtheWitch.Shedidnotlookasifshewantedtogo,butsheseemedtohavenochoice.Behindher,Howl’snephew,Neil,wasshufflingtowardtheWitchevenmoreslowly,gloweringinhismostferociousway.AndHowl’ssister,Megan,wasbehindthetwochildren.SophiecouldseMegan’sarmsgesturingandMegan’smouthopeningandshutting.ShewasclearlygivingtheWitchapieceofhermind,butshewasbeingdrawntowardtheWitchtoo.

           Howlburstoutontothelawn.Hehadnotbotheredtoalterhisclothes.Hedidnotbothertodoanymagic.HejustchargedstraightattheWitch.TheWitchmadeagrabforMari,butMariwasstilltoofaraway.HowlgottoMarifirst,slungherbehindhim,andchargedon.AndtheWitchran.Sheran.Likeacatwithadogafterit,acrossthelawnandovertheneatfence,inaflurryofflame-coloredrobes,withHowl,likethechasingdog,afootorsobehindandclosing.TheWitchvanishedoverthefenceinaredblur.Howlwentafterherinablackblurwithtrailingsleeves.Thenthefencehidbothofthemfromsight.

           “Ihopehecatchesher,”saidMartha.“Thelittlegirl’scrying.”

           Downbelow,MeganputherarmroundMariandtookbothchildrenindoors.TherewasnoknowingwhathadhappenedtoHowlandtheWitch.LettieandPercivalandMarthaandMichaelwentbackdownstairs.FannyandMrs.FairfaxweretransfixedwithdisgustatthestateofHowl’sbedroom.

           “Lookatthosespiders!”Mrs.Fairfaxsaid.

           “Andthedustonthesecurtains!”saidFanny.