Ходячий замок
Chapter 5
TheyardwaspartofthePorthavenhousetoo,soitwaspouringouttherewhenSophieopenedthedoor.Sheputherapronoverherheadandrummagedalittle,andbeforeshegottoowet,shefoundabucketofwhitewashandalargepaintbrush.Shetooktheseindoorsandsettoworkonthewalls.Shefoundanoldstepladderinthebroomcupboardandshewhitewashedtheceilingbetweenthebeamstoo.itrainedforthenexttwodaysinPorthaven,thoughwhenHowlopenedthedoorwiththeknobgreen-blob-downandsteppedoutontothehill,theweathertherewassunny,withbigcloudshadowsracingovertheheatherfasterthanthecastlecouldmove.Sophiewhitewashedhercubbyhole,thestairs,thelanding,andMichael’sroom.
“What’shappenedinhere?”Howlaskedwhenhecameinonthethirdday.“Itseemsmuchlighter.”
“Sophie,”saidMichaelinavoiceofdoom.
“Ishouldhaveguessed,”Howlsaidashedisappearedintothebathroom.
“Henoticed!”MichaelwhisperedtoCalcifer.“Thegirlmustbegivinginatlast!”
ItwasstilldrizzlinginPorthaventhenextday.Sophietiedonherheadcloth,rolleduphersleeves,andgirdledonherapron.Shecollectedherbesom,herbucket,andhersoap,andassoonasHowlwasoutofthedoor,shesetofflikeanelderlyavengingangeltocleanHowl’sbedroom.
Shehadleftthatuntillastforfearofwhatshewouldfind.Shehadnotevendaredtopeepintoit.Andthatwassilly,shethoughtasshehobbledupthestairs.
