Ходячий замок
Chapter 5
Michaeltwistedthepaperroundthepowderandcamebacksaying,‘Tellhertosprinkleitrightalongtheboat.It’lllastoutandback,evenifthere’sastorm.”
Thegirltookthepaperandpassedoveracoin.“HastheSorcerergotawitchworkingforhimtoo?”sheasked.
“No,”saidMichael.
“Meaningme?”Sophiecalled.“Oh,yes,mychild.I’mthebestandcleanestwitchinIngary.”
Michaelshutthedoor,lookingexasperated.“ThatwillbeallaroundPorthavennow.Howlmaynotlikethat.”Heturnedthedoorgreen-downagain.
Sophiecackledtoherselfalittle,quiteunrepentant.Probablyshehadletthebesomshewasusingputideasintoherhead.ButitmightpersuadeHowltoletherstayifeveryonethoughtshewasworkingforhim.Asagirl,Sophiewouldhaveshriveledwithembarrassmentatthewayshewasbehaving.Asanoldwoman,shedidnotmindwhatshedidorsaid.Shefoundthatagreatrelief.
ShewentnosilyoverasMichaelliftedupastoneinthehearthandhidthelittlegirl’scoinunderneathit.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“CalciferandItrytokeepastoreofmoney,”Michaelsaidratherguiltily.“Howlspendseverypennywe’vegotifwedon’t.”
“Fecklessspendthrift!”Calcifercrackled.“He’llspendtheKing’smoneyfasterthanIburnalog.Nosense.”
Sophiesprinkledwaterfromthesinktolaythedust,whichmadeCalcifershrinkbackagainstthechimney.Thensheswepttheflooralloveragain.Shesweptherwaytowardthedoorinordertohavealookatthesquareknobaboveit.
