Ходячий замок

           ”

           “Thengotwiceasfastandcirclethehillstwice.Aslongasyouleavethathorriblethingbehind!”saidSophie.

           “Whatafuss!”Calcifergrumbled.Butheincreasedthecastle’sspeed.Sophiecouldactually,forthefirsttime,feelitrumblingaroundherasshesathuddledinherchairwonderingifshewasdying.Shedidnotwanttodieyet,beforeshehadtalkedtoMartha.

           Asthedaywenton,everythinginthecastlebegantojigglewithitsspeed.Bottleschinked.Theskullclatteredonthebench.SophiecouldhearthingsfallingofftheshelfinthebathroomandsplashingintothebathwhereHowl’sblue-and-silversuitwasstillsoaking.Shebegantofeelalittlebetter.Shedraggedherselftothedooragainandlookedout,witherhairflyinginthewind.Thegroundwasstreakingpastunderneath.Thehillsseemedtobespinningslowlyasthecastlespedacrossthem.Thegrindingandrumblingnearlydeafenedher,andsmokewaspuffingoutbehindinblasts.Butthescarecrowwasatinyblackdotonadistantslopebythen.Nexttimeshelooked,itwasoutofsightentirely.

           “Good.ThenIshallstopforthenight,”saidCalcifer.“Thatwasquiteastrain.”

           Therumblingdiedaway.Thingsstoppedjiggling.Calciferwenttosleep,inthewayfiresdo,sinkingamongthelogsuntiltheywererosycylindersplatedwithwhiteash,withonlyahintofblueandgreendeepunderneath.

           Sophiefeltquitespryagainbythen.Shewentandfishedsixpacketsandabottleoutoftheslimywaterinthebath.Thepacketsweresoaked.