Ходячий замок
Chapter 5
“HowcanIgetthetermsoutofHowlifhe’sneverin?Ishealwaysawaythismuch?”
“Onlywhenhe’safteralady,”Calcifersaid.
Whenthebathroomwascleanandgleaming,Sophiescrubbedthestairsandthelandingupstairs.ThenshemovedintoMichael’ssmallfrontroom.Michael,whobythistimeseemedtobeacceptingSophiegloomilyasasortofnaturaldisaster,gaveayellofdismayandpoundedupstairstorescuehismosttreasuredpossessions.Theywereinanoldboxunderhisworm-eatenlittlebed.Ashehurriedtheboxprotectivelyaway,Sophieglimpsedablueribbonandaspun-sugarroseinit,ontopofwhatseemedtobeletters.
“SoMichaelhasasweetheart!”shesaidtoherselfassheflungthewindowopen—itopenedintothestreetinPorthaventoo—andheavedhisbeddingacrossthesilltoair.Consideringhownosyshehadlatelybecome,SophiewasrathersurprisedatherselffornotaskingMichaelwhohisgirlwasandhowhekepthersafefromHowl.
ShesweptsuchquantitiesofdustandrubbishfromMichael’sroomthatshenearlyswampedCalcifertryingtoburnitall.
“You’llbethedeathofme!You’reasheartlessasHowl!”Calciferchoked.Onlyhisgreenhairandabluepieceofhislongforeheadshowed.
Michaelputhispreciousboxinthedraweroftheworkbenchandlockedthedrawer.“IwishHowlwouldlistentous!”hesaid.“Whyisthisgirltakinghimsolong?”
ThenextdaySophietriedtostartonthebackyard.ButitwasraininginPorthaventhatday,drivingagainstthewindowandpatteringinthechimney,makingCalciferhisswithannoyance.
