Ходячий замок
Chapter 21
Thenitdawnedonhimwhathadhappened.“I’mfree!”heshouted.Hewhirledtothechimneyandplungedupit,outofsight.“I’mfree!”Sophieheardhimshoutoverheadfaintlyashecameoutthroughthechimneypotofthehatshop.
SophieturnedtoHowlwiththealmost-deadblacklump,feelingdoubtfulinspiteofherhurry.Shehadtogetthisright,andshewasnotsurehowyoudid.“Well,heregoes,”shesaid.KneelingdownbesideHowl,shecarefullyputtheblacklumponhischestintheleftishsortofplaceshehadfeltherswhenittroubledher,andpushed.“Goin,”shetoldit.“Getinthereandwork!”Andshepushedandpushed.Theheartbegantosinkin,andtobeatmorestronglyasitwent.Sophietriedtoignoretheflamesandscufflesbythedoorandkeepupasteady,firmpressure.Herhairkeptgettinginherway.Itfellacrossherfaceinreddishfairhanks,butshetriedtoignorethattoo.Shepushed.
Theheartwentin.Assoonasithaddisappeared,Howlstirredabout.Hegavealoudgroanandrolledoverontohisface.“Hell’steeth!”hesaid.“I’vegotahangover!”
“No,youhityourheadonthefloor,”Sophiesaid.
Howlroseuponhishandsandkneeswithascramble.“Ican’tstay,”hesaid.“I’vegottorescuethatfoolSophie.”
“I’mhere!”Sophiesaid,shakinghisshoulder.“ButsoisMissAngorian!Getupanddosomethingabouther!Quickly!”
Thestickwasalmostentirelyinflamesbynow.Martha’shairwasfrizzling.AndithaddawnedonMissAngorianthatthescarecrowwouldburn.
