Ходячий замок
Chapter 4
Shestoodforamomentlookingoutataslowlymovingviewofthehills,watchingheatherslidepastunderneaththedoor,feelingthewindblowherwispyhair,andlisteningtotherumbleandgrindofthebigblackstonesasthecastlemoved.Thensheshutthedoorandwenttothewindow.Andtherewastheseaporttownagain.Itwasnopicture.Awomanhadopenedadooroppositeandwassweepingdustintothestreet.Behindthathouseagrayishcanvassailwasgoingupamastinbriskjerks,disturbingaflockofseagullsintoflyingroundandroundagainsttheglimmeringsea.
“Idon’tunderstand,”Sophietoldthehumanskull.Then,becausethefirelookedalmostout,shewentandputonacoupleoflogsandrakedawaysomeoftheash.
Greenflamesclimbedbetweenthelogs,smallandcurly,andshotupintoalongbluefacewithflaminggreenhair.“Goodmorning,”saidthefiredemon.“Don’tforgetwehaveabargain.”
Sononeofitwasdream.Sophiewasnotmuchgiventocrying,butshesaidinthechairforquiteawhilestaringatablurredandslidingfiredemon,anddidnotpaymuchattentiontothesoundsofMichaelgettingup,untilshefoundhimstandingbesideher,lookingembarrassedandalittleexasperated.
“You’restillhere,”hesaid.“Issomethingthematter?”
Sophiesniffed.“I’mold,”shebegan.
ButitwasjustastheWitchhadsaidandthefiredemonhadguessed.Michaelsaidcheerfully,“Well,itcomestousallintime.Wouldyoulikesomebreakfast?”
Sophiediscoveredshewasaveryhaleoldwomanindeed.
