Chapter 5

           Theonlythingtodo,Sophiedecided,wastoshowHowlthatshewasanexcellentcleaninglady,arealtreasure.Shetiedanoldragroundherwispywhitehair,sherolledthesleevesupherskinnyoldarmsandwrappedanoldtableclothfromthebroomcupboardroundherasanapron.Itwasratherarelieftothinktherewereonlyfourroomstocleaninsteadofawholecastle.Shegrabbedupabucketandbesomandgottowork.

           “Whatareyoudoing?”criedMichaelandCalciferinahorrifiedchorus.

           “Cleaningup,”Sophierepliedfirmly.“Theplaceisadisgrace.”

           Calcifersaid,“Itdoesn’tneedit,”andMichaelmuttered,“Howlwillkickyouout!”butSophieignoredthemboth.Dustflewinclouds.

           Inthemidstofittherecameanothersetofthumpsatthedoor.Calciferblazedup,calling,“Porthavendoor!”andgaveagreat,sizzlingsneezewhichshotpurplesparksthroughthedustclouds.

           Michaellefttheworkbenchandwenttothedoor.SophiepeeredthroughthedustshewasraisingandsawthatthistimeMichaelturnedthesquareknoboverthedoorsothatthesidewithablueblobofpaintonitwasdownward.Thenheopenedthedooronthestreetyousawoutofthewindow.

           Asmallgirlstoodthere.“Please,Mr.Fisher,”shesaid,“I’vecomeforthatspellformemum.”

           “Safetyspellforyourdad’sboat,wasn’tit?”Michaelsaid.“Won’tbeamoment.”Hewentbacktothebenchandmeasuredpowderfromajarfromtheshelvesintoasquareofpaper.Whilehewasdoingit,thelittlegirlpeeredinatSophieascuriouslyasSophiepeeredoutather.