Ходячий замок
Chapter 6
Therewasnothingoutside.Itwasneitherblack,norgray,norwhite.Itwasnotthink,ortransparent.Itdidnotmove.Ithadnosmellandnofeel.WhenSophieputaverycautiousfingeroutintoit,itwasneitherhotnorcold.Itfeltofnothing.Itseemedutterlyandcompletelynothing.
“Whatisthis?”sheaskedCalcifer.
CalciferwasasinterestedasSophie.Hisbluefacewasleaningrightoutofthegratetoseethedoor.Hehadforgottenthefog.“Idon’tknow,”hewhispered.“Ionlymaintainit.AllIknowisthatit’sonthesideofthecastlethatnoonecanwalkaround.Itfeelsquitefaraway.”
“Itfeelsbeyondthemoon!”saidSophie.Sheshutthedoorandturnedtheknobgreen-downward.Shehesitatedaminuteandthenstartedtohobbletothestairs.
“He’slockedit,”saidCalcifer.“Hetoldmetotellyouifyoutriedtosnoopagain.”
“Oh,”saidSophie.“Whathashegotupthere?”
“I’venoidea,”saidCalcifer.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutupstairs.Ifyouonlyknewhowfrustratingitis!Ican’tevenreallyseeoutsidethecastle.OnlyenoughtoseewhatdirectionI’mgoingin.”
Sophie,feelingequallyfrustrated,satdownandbeganmendingthegray-and-scarletsuit.Michaelcameinquitesoonafterthat.
“TheKingsawmeatonce,”hesaid.“He—”Helookedroundtheroom.Hiseyeswenttotheemptycornerwheretheguitarusuallystood.“Oh,no!”hesaid.“Nottheladyfriendagain!Ithoughtshe’dfalleninlovewithhimanditwasalloverdaysago.What’skeepingher?”
Calciferfizzedwickedly.“Yougotthesignswrong.
