Ходячий замок
Chapter 4
Afterall,Howlhadonlymetherlongenoughtocallheramousebefore,soitwasalmosttrue.Sheoughttohavebeenthankingherstarsfortheluckyescapeshe’dhadthen,shesupposed,butinfacthermainthoughtwas,Goodgracious!WizardHowlisonlyachildinhistwenties,forallhiswickedness!Itmadesuchadifferencetobeold,shethoughtassheturnedthebaconoverinthepan.AndshewouldhavediedratherthanletthisoverdressedboyknowshewasthegirlhehadpitiedonMayDay.Heartsandsoulsdidnotenterintoit.Howlwasnotgoingtoknow.
“Shesayshername’sSophie,”Michaelsaid.“Shecamelastnight.”
“HowdidshemakeCalciferbenddown?”saidHowl.
“Shebulliedme!”Calcifersaidinapiteous,muffledvoicefromunderthesizzlingpan.
“Notmanypeoplecandothat,”Howlsaidthoughtfully.Heproppedhisguitarinthecornerandcameovertothehearth.ThesmellofhyacinthsmixedwiththesmellofbaconasheshovedSophiefirmlyaside.“Calciferdoesn’tlikeanyonebutmetocookonhim,”hesaid,kneelingdownandwrappingonetrailingsleeveroundhishandtoholdthepan.“Passmetwomoreslicesofbaconandsixeggsplease,andtellmewhyyou’vecomehere.”
SophiestaredatthebluejewelhangingfromHowl’searandpassedhimeggafteregg.“WhyIcame,youngman?”shesaid.Itwasobviousafterwhatshehadseenofthecastle.“IcamebecauseI’myournewcleaninglady,ofcourse.
