Ходячий замок

           Shenoticedguiltily,itreallywasalmostpink.

           “She’sthemostbeautifulgirlthereeverwasintheseparts,”Howlwentonmournfully.“Ilovehersodearly,butshescornsmydeepdevotionandgetssorryforanotherfellow.HowcanshehaveanotherfellowafterallthisattentionI’vegivenher?TheyusuallygetridoftheotherfellowsassoonasIcomealong.”

           Sophie’ssympathyshrankquitesharply.ItoccurredtoherthatifHowlcouldcoverhimselfwithgreenslimesoeasily,thenhecouldjustaseasilyturnhishairthepropercolor.“Thenwhydon’tyoufeedthegirlalovepotionandgetitoverwith?”

           “Oh,no,”saidHowl.“That’snotplayingthegame.Thatwouldspoilallthefun.”

           Sophie’ssympathyshrankagain.Agame,wasit?“Don’tyouevergiveathoughtforthepoorgirl?”shesnapped.

           Howlfinishedthemilkandgazedintothemugwithasentimentalsmile.“Ithinkofherallthetime,”hesaid.“Lovely,lovelyLettieHatter.”

           Sophie’ssympathywentforgood,withasharpbang.Agooddealofanxietytookitsplace.Oh,Martha!shethought.Youhavebeenbusy!Soitwasn’tanyoneinCesari’syouweretalkingabout!