Ходячий замок

           Sophieusedtheapronsdailyandhungtheshellsandpicturesroundhercubbyholeunderthestairs,whichsoonbegantolookveryhomelikeindeed.

           SophieknewshewouldmissthiswhenHowlturnedherout.Shebecamemoreandmoreafraidthathewould.Sheknewhecouldnotgoonignoringherforever.

           Shecleanedthebathroomnext.Thattookherdays,becauseHowlspentsolonginiteverydaybeforehewentout.Assoonashewent,leavingitfullofsteamandscentedspells,Sophiemovedin.“Nowwe’llseeaboutthatcontract!”shemutteredatthebath,buthermaintargetwasofcoursetheshelfofpackets,jars,andtubes.Shetookeveryoneofthemdown,onthepretextofscrubbingtheshelf,andspentmostofthedaycarefullygoingthroughthemtoseeiftheoneslabeledSKIN,EYES,andHAIRwereinfactpiecesofgirl.Asfarasshecouldtell,theywerealljustcreamsandpowdersandpaint.Iftheyhadoncebeengirls,thenSophiethoughtHowlhadusedthetubeFORDECAYonthemandrottedthemdownthewashbasintoothoroughlytorecall.Butshehopedtheywereonlycosmeticsinthepackets.

           Sheputthethingsbackontheshelfandscrubbed.Thatnight,asshesatachinginthechair,Calcifergrumbledthathehaddrainedonehotspringdryforher.

           “Wherearethesehotsprings?”Sophieasked.Shewascuriousabouteverythingthesedays.

           “UnderthePorthavenMarshesmostly,”Calcifersaid.“Butifyougoonlikethis,I’llhavetofetchwaterfromtheWaste.Whenareyougoingtostopcleaningandfindouthowtobreakmycontract?”

           “Ingoodtime,”saidSophie.