Ходячий замок

           Nowitnolongerseemedsounimportantthatshewouldbeoutonthehillsduringthenight.Shefoundherselfthinkingmoreandmoreofacomfortablechairandafireside,andalsoofdarknessandwildanimals.ButifshewentbacktoMarketChipping,itwouldbethemiddleofthenightbeforeshegotthere.Shemightjustaswellgoon.Shesighedandstoodup,creaking.Itwasawful.Sheachedallover.

           “Ineverrealizedbeforewhatoldpeoplehadtoputupwith!”shepantedasshelaboreduphill.“Still,Idon’tthinkwolveswilleatme.Imustbefartoodryandtough.That’sonecomfort.”

           Nightwascomingdownfastnowandtheheatheryuplandswereblue-gray.Thewindwasalsosharper.Sophie’spantingandthecreakingofherlimbsweresoloudinherearsthatittookherawhiletonoticethatsomeofthegrindingandpuffingwasnotcomingfromherselfatall.Shelookedupblurrily.

           WizardHowl’scastlewasrumblingandbumpingtowardheracrossthemoorland.Blacksmokewasblowingupincloudsfrombehinditsblackbattlements.Itlookedtallandthinandheavyanduglyandverysinisterindeed.Sophieleanedonherstickandwatchedit.Shewasnotparticularlyfrightened.Shewonderedhowitmoved.Butthemainthinginhermindwasthatallthatsmokemustmeanalargefiresidesomewhereinsidethosetallblackwalls.

           “Well,whynot?”shesaidtoherstick.“WizardHowlisnotlikelytowantmysoulforhiscollection.Heonlytakesyounggirls.”

           Sheraisedherstickandwaveditimperiouslyatthecastle.

           “Stop!”sheshrieked