Ходячий замок
Chapter 4
“Kingsburydoor!”
Howl,whowasonhiswaytothebathroom,wenttothedoorinstead.Therewasasquarewoodenknobabovethedoor,setintothelintel,withadabofpaintoneachofitsfoursides.Atthatmoment,therewasagreenblobonthesidethatwasthebottom,butHowlturnedtheknobaroundsothatithadaredblobdownwardbeforeheopenedthedoor.
Outsidestoodapersonagewearingastiffwhitewigandawidehatontopofthat.Hewasclothedinscarletandpurpleandgold,andheheldupalittlestaffdecoratedwithribbonslikeaninfantmaypole.Hebowed.Scentsofclovesandorangeblossomblewintotheroom.
“HisMajestytheKingpresentshiscomplimentsandsendspaymentfortwothousandpairofseven-leagueboots,”thispersonsaid.
BehindhimSophiehadglimpsesofacoachwaitinginastreetfullofsumptuoushousescoveredwithpaintedcarvings,andtowersandspiresanddomesbeyondthat,ofasplendorshehadbarelybeforeimagined.Shewassorryittooksolittletimeforthepersonatthedoortohandoveralong,silken,chinkingpurse,andforHowltotakethepurse,bowback,andshutthedoor.Howlturnedthesquareknobbacksothatthegreenblobwasdownwardagainandstowedthelongpurseinhispocket.SophiesawMichael’seyesfollowthepurseinanurgent,worriedway.
Howlwentstraighttothebathroomthen,callingout,“Ineedhotwaterinhere,Calcifer!”andwasgoneforalong,longtime.
Sophiecouldnotrestrainhercuriosity.“Whoeverwasthatatthedoor?”sheaskedMichael
