Ходячий замок
Chapter 6
HeartlessHowlisfindingthisladyrathertough.Hedecidedtoleaveheraloneforafewdaystoseeifthatwouldhelp.That’sall.”
“Bother!”saidMichael.“That’sboundtomeantrouble.AndhereIwashopingHowlwasalmostsensibleagain!”
Sophiebangedthesuitdownonherknees.“Really!”shesaid.“Howcanyoubothtalklikethataboutsuchutterwickedness!Atleast,IsupposeIcan’tblameCalcifer,sincehe’sanevildemon.Butyou,Michael—!”
“Idon’tthinkI’mevil,”Calciferprotested.
“ButI’mnotcalmaboutit,ifthat’swhatyouthink!”Michaelsaid.“Ifyouknewthetroublewe’vehadbecauseHowlwillkeepfallinginlovelikethis!We’vehadlawsuits,andsuitorswithswords,andmotherswithrollingpins,andfathersanduncleswithcudgels.Andaunts.Auntsareterrible.Theygoforyouwithhatpins.ButtheworstiswhenthegirlherselffindsoutwhereHowllivesandturnsupatthedoor,cryingandmiserable.HowlgoesoutthroughthebackdoorandCalciferandIhavetodealwiththemall.”
“Ihatetheunhappyones,”Calcifersaid.“Theydriponme.I’dratherhavethemangry.”
“Nowlet’sgetthisstraight,”Sophiesaid,clenchingherfistsknobbilyinredsatin.“WhatdoesHowldotothesepoorfemales?Iwastoldheatetheirheartsandtooktheirsoulsaway.”
Michaellaugheduncomfortably.“ThenyoumustcomefromMarketChipping.Howlsentmedowntheretoblackenhisnamewhenwefirstsetupthecastle.I—er—Isaidthatsortofthing.It’swhatauntsusuallysay.It’sonlytrueinamannerofspeaking.
