DianaWynneJones

Howl'sMovingCastleTheFirstBookintheHowl’sMovingCastleSeries

DedicationThisoneisforStephen

TheideaforthisbookwassuggestedbyaboyinaschoolIwasvisiting,whoaskedmetowriteabookcalledTheMovingCastle.

Iwrotedownhisname,andputitinsuchasafeplacethatIhavebeenunabletofinditeversince.Iwouldliketothankhimverymuch.

ContentsCover

TitlePage

ChapterOne

InwhichSophietalkstohats.

ChapterTwo

InwhichSophieiscompelledtoseekherfortune.

ChapterThree

InwhichSophieentersintoacastleandabargain.

ChapterFour

InwhichSophiediscoversseveralstrangethings.

ChapterFive

Whichisfartoofullofwashing.

ChapterSix

InwhichHowlexpresseshisfeelingswithgreenslime.

ChapterSeven

InwhichascarecrowpreventsSophiefromleavingthecastle.

ChapterEight

InwhichSophieleavesthecastleinseveraldirectionsatonce.

ChapterNine

InwhichMichaelhastroublewithaspell.

ChapterTen

InwhichCalciferpromisesSophieahint.

ChapterEleven

InwhichHowlgoestoastrangecountryinsearchofaspell.

ChapterTwelve

InwhichSophiebecomesHowl’soldmother.

ChapterThirteen

InwhichSophieblackensHowl’sname.

ChapterFourteen

InwhichaRoyalWizardcatchesacold.

ChapterFifteen

InwhichHowlgoestoafuneralindisguise.

ChapterSixteen

Inwhichthereisagreatdealofwitchcraft.

ChapterSeventeen

Inwhichthemovingcastlemoveshouse.

ChapterEighteen

InwhichthescarecrowandMissAngorianreappear.

ChapterNinteen

InwhichSophieexpressesherfeelingswithweed-killer.

ChapterTwenty

InwhichSophiefindsfurtherdifficultiesinleavingthecastle.

ChapterTwenty-One

Inwhichacontractisconcludedbeforewitnesses.

AbouttheAuthor

AboutthePublisher

Chapter1InwhichSophietalkstohats.

InthelandofIngary,wheresuchthingsasseven-leaguebootsandcloaksofinvisibility really exist, it is quite amisfortune to be born the eldest of three.Everyoneknowsyouaretheonewhowillfailfirst,andworst,ifthethreeofyousetouttoseekyourfortunes.

SophieHatterwastheeldestofthreesisters.Shewasnoteventhechildofapoor woodcutter, which might have given her some chance of success. Herparentswerewell to do andkept a ladies’ hat shop in theprosperous townofMarketChipping.True, her ownmother diedwhenSophiewas two years oldandhersisterLettiewasoneyearold,andtheirfathermarriedhisyoungestshopassistant,aprettyblondegirlcalledFanny.Fannyshortlygavebirthtothethirdsister,Martha.ThisoughttohavemadeSophieandLettieintoUglySisters,butin fact all three girls grew up very pretty indeed, though Lettie was the oneeveryone saidwasmost beautiful. Fanny treated all three girls with the samekindnessanddidnotfavorMarthaintheleast.

Mr. Hatter was proud of his three daughters and sent them all to the bestschool in town.Sophiewas themoststudious.She readagreatdeal,andverysoon realized how little chance she had of an interesting future. It was adisappointment toher,butshewasstillhappyenough, lookingafterhersistersandgroomingMarthatoseekherfortunewhenthetimecame.SinceFannywasalwaysbusyintheshop,Sophiewastheonewholookedaftertheyoungertwo.There was a certain amount of screaming and hair-pulling between thoseyounger two. Lettiewas by nomeans resigned to being the onewho, next toSophie,wasboundtobetheleastsuccessful.

“It’snotfair!”Lettiewouldshout.“WhyshouldMarthahavethebestofitjustbecauseshewasborntheyoungest?Ishallmarryaprince,sothere!”

To which Martha always retorted that she would end up disgustingly richwithouthavingtomarryanybody.

ThenSophiewouldhavetodragthemapartandmendtheirclothes.Shewasverydeftwithherneedle.Astimewenton,shemadeclothesforhersisterstoo.Therewas one deep rose outfit shemade for Lettie, theMayDay before thisstory really starts, which Fanny said looked as if it had come from themostexpensiveshopinKingsbury.

About this time everyone began talking of theWitch of theWaste again. Itwas said theWitchhad threatened the lifeof theKing’sdaughter and that theKing had commanded his personal magician,Wizard Suliman, to go into theWasteanddealwiththeWitch.AnditseemedthatWizardSulimanhadnotonlyfailedtodealwiththeWitch:hehadgothimselfkilledbyher.

Sowhen,afewmonthsafterthat,atallblackcastlesuddenlyappearedonthehillsaboveMarketChipping,blowingcloudsofblacksmokefromitsfourtall,thinturrets,everybodywasfairlysurethattheWitchhadmovedoutoftheWasteagainandwasabouttoterrorizethecountrythewaysheusedtofiftyyearsago.People got very scared indeed. Nobody went out alone, particularly at night.Whatmade itall thescarierwas that thecastledidnotstay in thesameplace.Sometimesitwasatallblacksmudgeonthemoorstothenorthwest,sometimesitrearedabovetherockstotheeast,andsometimesitcamerightdownhilltositin the heather only just beyond the last farm to the north. You could see itactually moving sometimes, with smoke pouring out from the turrets in dirtygraygusts.For awhile everyonewas certain that the castlewould come rightdownintothevalleybeforelong,andtheMayortalkedofsendingtotheKingforhelp.

Butthecastlestayedrovingaboutthehills,anditwaslearnedthatitdidnotbelongtotheWitchbuttoWizardHowl.WizardHowlwasbadenough.Thoughhedidnotseemtowant to leave thehills,hewasknowntoamusehimselfbycollectingyounggirlsandsuckingthesoulsfromthem.Orsomepeoplesaidheate their hearts. He was an utterly cold-blooded and heartless wizard and noyounggirlwassafefromhimifhecaughtheronherown.Sophie,Lettie,andMartha,alongwithalltheothergirlsinMarketChipping,werewarnednevertogoout alone,whichwasagreat annoyance to them.Theywonderedwhatuse

WizardHowlfoundforallthesoulshecollected.

They had other things on theirminds before long, however, forMr. Hatterdiedsuddenly just asSophiewasoldenough to leave school forgood. It thenappeared thatMr. Hatter had been altogether too proud of his daughters. Theschoolfeeshehadbeenpayinghadlefttheshopwithquiteheavydebts.Whenthefuneralwasover,Fannysatdownintheparlorinthehousenextdoortotheshopandexplainedthesituation.

“You’llallhaveto leavethatschool, I’mafraid,”shesaid.“I’vebeendoingsums back and front and sideways, and the only way I can see to keep thebusiness goingand take care of the three of you is to see you all settled in apromising apprenticeship somewhere. It isn’t practical to have you all in theshop.Ican’taffordit.SothisiswhatI’vedecided.Lettiefirst—”

Lettie looked up, glowing with health and beauty which even sorrow andblackclothescouldnothide.“Iwanttogoonlearning,”shesaid.

“Soyoushall,love,”saidFanny.“I’vearrangedforyoutobeapprenticedtoCesari’s,thepastrycookinMarketSquare

.They’veanamefortreatingtheirlearnerslikekingsandqueens,andyou should be very happy there, as well as learning a useful trade.Mrs.Cesari’sagoodcustomerandagoodfriend,andshe’sagreedtosqueezeyouinasafavor.”

Lettielaughedinthewaythatshowedshewasnotatallpleased.“Well,thankyou,”shesaid.“Isn’titluckythatIlikecooking?”

Fanny looked relieved. Lettie could be awkwardly strong-minded at times.“NowMartha,”shesaid.“Iknowyou’refullyoungtogoout towork,soI’vethought round for something thatwould give you a long, quiet apprenticeshipandgoonbeinguseful toyouwhateveryoudecidetodoafter that.YouknowmyoldschoolfriendAnnabelFairfax?”

Martha,whowasslenderandfair,fixedherbiggrayeyesonFannyalmostas

strong-mindedlyasLettie. “Youmean theonewho talks sucha lot,” she said.“Isn’tsheawitch?”

“Yes,withalovelyhouseandclientsallovertheFoldingValley,”Fannysaideagerly.“She’sagoodwoman,Martha.She’llteachyouallsheknowsandverylikelyintroduceyoutograndpeoplesheknowsinKingsbury.You’llbeallsetupinlifewhenshe’sdonewithyou.”

“She’sanicelady,”Marthaconceded.“Allright.”

Sophie,listening,feltthatFannyhadworkedeverythingoutjustasitshouldbe.Lettie,astheseconddaughter,wasneverlikelytocometomuch,soFannyhadputherwhereshemightmeetahandsomeyoungapprenticeandlivehappilyever after.Martha,whowas bound to strike out andmake her fortune,wouldhavewitchcraftandrichfriendstohelpher.AsforSophieherself,Sophiehadnodoubtwhatwascoming.ItdidnotsurpriseherwhenFannysaid,“Now,Sophiedear, it seems only right and just that you should inherit the hat shopwhen Iretire,beingtheeldestasyouare.SoI’vedecidedtotakeyouonasapprenticemyself,togiveyouachancetolearnthetrade.Howdoyoufeelaboutthat?”

Sophie could hardly say that she simply felt resigned to the hat trade. ShethankedFannygratefully.

“Sothat’ssettledthen!”Fannysaid.

The next day Sophie helped Martha pack her clothes in a box, and themorningafter that theyall sawheroffon thecarrier’s cart, looking small andupright andnervous.For theway toUpperFolding,whereMrs.Fairfax lived,layoverthehillspastWizardHowl’smovingcastle.Marthawasunderstandablyscared.

“She’ll be all right,” said Lettie. Lettie refused all help with the packing.Whenthecarrier’scartwasoutofsight,Lettiecrammedallherpossessionsintoa pillow case and paid the neighbor’s bootboy sixpence to wheel it in awheelbarrowtoCesari’sinMarketSquare

.LettiemarchedbehindthewheelbarrowlookingmuchmorecheerfulthanSophieexpected. Indeed, shehad theairof shaking thedustofthehatshopoffherfeet.

ThebootboybroughtbackascribblednotefromLettie,sayingshehadputherthings in the girls’ dormitory andCesari’s seemed great fun.Aweek later thecarrier brought a letter fromMartha to say thatMarthahad arrived safely andthatMrs.Fairfaxwas“agreatdearanduseshoneywitheverything.Shekeepsbees.”Thatwas all Sophie heard of her sisters for quite awhile, because shestartedherownapprenticeshipthedayMarthaandLettieleft.

Sophieofcourseknewthehattradequitewellalready.Sinceshewasatinychildshehadruninandoutofthebigworkshedacrosstheyardwherethehatsweredampedandmoldedonblocks,andflowersandfruitandothertrimmingsweremadefromwaxandsilk.

Sheknewthepeoplewhoworked there.Mostof themhadbeen therewhenher fatherwasaboy.SheknewBessie, theonly remainingshopassistant.Sheknewthecustomerswhoboughtthehatsandthemanwhodrovethecartwhichfetched raw straw hats in from the country to be shaped on the blocks in theshed.Sheknewtheothersuppliersandhowyoumadefeltforwinterhats.TherewasnotreallymuchthatFannycouldteachher,exceptperhapsthebestwaytogetacustomertobuyahat.

“You lead up to the right hat, love,”Fanny said. “Show them the ones thatwon’tquitedofirst,sotheyknowthedifferenceassoonastheyputtherightoneon.”

Infact,Sophiedidnotsellhatsverymuch.Afteradayorsoobservingintheworkshed,andanotherdaygoingroundtheclothierandthesilkmerchant’swithFanny,Fannysethertotrimminghats.Sophiesatinasmallalcoveatthebackoftheshop,sewingrosestobonnetsandveilingtovelours,liningallofthemwithsilkandarrangingwaxfruitandribbonsstylishlyontheoutsides.Shewasgoodatit.Shequitelikeddoingit.Butshefeltisolatedandalittledull.Theworkshoppeoplewere tooold tobemuch funand,besides, they treatedheras someoneapartwhowasgoingtoinheritthebusinesssomeday.Bessietreatedherthesameway.Bessie’sonlytalkanywaywasaboutthefarmershewasgoingtomarrythe

week after May Day. Sophie rather envied Fanny, who could bustle off tobargainwiththesilkmerchantwhenevershewanted.

Themostinterestingthingwasthetalkfromthecustomers.Nobodycanbuyahatwithoutgossiping.Sophiesat inheralcoveandstitchedandheard that theMayor never would eat green vegetables, and thatWizard Howl’s castle hadmoved round to the cliffs again, really thatman,whisper,whisper,whisper…Thevoicesalwaysdropped lowwhen they talkedofWizardHowl,butSophiegatheredthathehadcaughtagirldownthevalleylastmonth.“Bluebeard!”saidthewhispers,andthenbecamevoicesagaintosaythatJaneFarrierwasaperfectdisgrace thewayshedidherhair.ThatwasonewhowouldneverattractevenWizard Howl, let alone a respectable man. Then there would be a fleeting,fearfulwhisperabouttheWitchoftheWaste.SophiebegantofeelthatWizardHowlandtheWitchoftheWasteshouldgettogether.

“Theyseemtobemadeforoneanother.Someoneoughttoarrangeamatch,”sheremarkedtothehatshewastrimmingatthatmoment.

But by the endof themonth the gossip in the shopwas suddenly all aboutLettie.Cesari’s, it seemed,waspackedwithgentlemenfrommorning tonight,eachonebuyingquantitiesofcakesanddemandingtobeservedbyLettie.Shehadhad tenproposalsofmarriage, ranging inquality fromtheMayor’sson totheladwhosweptthestreets,andshehadrefusedthemall,sayingshewastooyoungtomakeuphermindyet.

“Icallthatsensibleofher,”Sophiesaidtoabonnetshewaspleatingsilkinto.

Fanny was pleased with this news. “I knew she’d be all right!” she saidhappily.ItoccurredtoSophiethatFannywasgladLettiewasnolongeraround.

“Lettie’sbad for custom,” she told thebonnet, pleatingawayatmushroom-coloredsilk.“Shewouldmakeevenyoulookglamorous,youdowdyoldthing.OtherladieslookatLettieanddespair.”

Sophietalkedtohatsmoreandmoreasweekswentby.Therewasnooneelsemuchtotalkto.Fannywasoutbargaining,ortryingtowhipupcustom,muchoftheday, andBessiewasbusy serving and telling everyoneherweddingplans.

Sophiegotintothehabitofputtingeachhatonitsstandasshefinishedit,whereitsatlookingalmostlikeaheadwithoutabody,andpausingwhileshetoldthehatwhatthebodyunderitoughttobelike.Sheflatteredthehatsabit,becauseyoushouldflattercustomers,

“Youhavemysterious allure,” she toldone thatwas all veilingwithhiddentwinkles.To awide, creamyhatwith roses under the brim she said, “You aregoing to have tomarrymoney!” and to a caterpillar-green strawwith a curlygreenfeathershesaid,“Youareyoungasaspringleaf.”Shetoldpinkbonnetstheyhaddimpledcharmandsmarthatstrimmedwithvelvetthattheywerewitty.Shetoldthemushroom-pleatedbonnet,“Youhaveaheartofgoldandsomeoneinahighpositionwillseeitandfallinlovewithyou.”Thiswasbecauseshewassorryforthatparticularbonnet.Itlookedsofussyandplain.

JaneFarriercame into the shopnextdayandbought it.Herhairdid lookalittlestrange,Sophiethought,peepingoutofheralcove,asifJanehadwounditround a row of pokers. It seemed a pity she had chosen that bonnet. Buteveryone seemed to be buying hats and bonnets around then. Maybe it wasFanny’s sales talk or maybe it was spring coming on, but the hat trade wasdefinitely picking up. Fannybegan to say, a little guiltily, “I think I shouldn’thavebeen insuchahurry togetMarthaandLettieplacedout.At this ratewemighthavemanaged.”

TherewassomuchcustomasAprildrewontowardMayDaythatSophiehadtoputonademuregraydressandhelpintheshoptoo.Butsuchwasthedemandthatshewashardattrimminghatsinbetweencustomers,andeveryeveningshetook themnextdoor to thehouse,where sheworkedby lamplight far into thenightinordertohavehatstosellthenextday.Caterpillar-greenhatsliketheonetheMayor’swifehadweremuchcalledfor,andsowerepinkbonnets,Then,theweek before May Day, someone came in and asked for one with mushroompleats like the one Jane Farrier had been wearing when she ran off with theCountofCatterack.

Thatnight,asshesewed,Sophieadmitted toherself thather lifewas ratherdull. Insteadof talkingto thehats,she triedeachoneonasshefinisheditandlooked in the mirror. This was a mistake. The staid gray dress did not suitSophie,particularlywhenhereyeswerered-rimmedwithsewing,and,sinceher

hairwas a reddish strawcolor, neither did caterpillar greennorpink.Theonewithmushroompleats simplymadeher lookdreary. “Like an oldmaid!” saidSophie.Not that shewanted to raceoffwithcounts, like JaneFarrier,or evenfancied half the townoffering hermarriage, likeLettie,But shewanted to dosomething—shewasnotsurewhat—thathadabitmoreinteresttoitthansimplytrimminghats.ShethoughtshewouldfindtimenextdaytogoandtalktoLettie.

Butshedidnotgo.Eithershecouldnotfindthetime,orshecouldnotfindtheenergy,oritseemedagreatdistancetoMarketSquare,orsherememberedthatonherownshewasindangerfromWizardHowl—anyway,everydayitseemedmore difficult to go and see her sister. It was very odd. Sophie had alwaysthought shewas nearly as strong-minded as Lettie.Now shewas finding thatthereweresomethingsshecouldonlydowhentherewerenoexcusesleft.“Thisisabsurd!”Sophiesaid.“MarketSquare

is only two streets away. If I run—”And she swore to herself shewould go round to Cesari’swhen the hat shopwas closed forMayDay.

Meanwhileanewpieceofgossipcameintotheshop.TheKinghadquarreledwith his own brother, Prince Justin, itwas said, and the Prince had gone intoexile.Nobodyquiteknewthereasonforthequarrel,butthePrincehadactuallycomethroughMarketChippingindisguiseacoupleofmonthsback,andnobodyhadknown.TheCountofCatterackhadbeensentby theKing to lookfor thePrince,whenhehappenedtomeetJaneFarrierinstead.Sophielistenedandfeltsad.Interestingthingsdidseemtohappen,butalwaystosomebodyelse.Still,itwouldbenicetoseeLettie.

May Day came. Merrymaking filled the streets from dawn onward. Fannywentoutearly,butSophiehadacoupleofhatstofinishfirst.Sophiesangassheworked.After all, Lettiewasworking too.Cesari’swas open tillmidnight onholidays.“Ishallbuyoneoftheircreamcakes,”Sophiedecided,“Ihaven’thadone for ages.” Shewatched people crowding past thewindow in all kinds ofbrightclothes,peoplesellingsouvenirs,peoplewalkingonstilts,andfeltreallyexcited.

Butwhensheatlastputagrayshawloverhergraydressandwentoutintothestreet,Sophiedidnotfeelexcited.Shefeltoverwhelmed.Thereweretoomanypeople rushing past, laughing and shouting, far too much noise and jostling.Sophiefeltasifthepastmonthsofsittingandsewinghadturnedherintoanoldwoman or a semi-invalid. She gathered her shawl round her and crept alongcloseto thehouses, tryingtoavoidbeingtroddenonbypeople’sbestshoesorbeingjabbedbyelbowsintrailingsilksleeves.Whentherecameasuddenvolleyofbangsfromoverheadsomewhere,Sophiethoughtshewasgoingtofaint.Shelookedupand sawWizardHowl’s castle rightdownon thehillside above thetown,sonearitseemedtobesittingonthechimneys.Blueflameswereshootingoutofall fourof thecastle’s turrets,bringingballsofblue firewith them thatexploded high in the sky, quite horrendously. Wizard Howl seemed to beoffendedbyMayDay.Ormaybehewas trying to join in, inhisown fashion.Sophiewastooterrifiedtocare.Shewouldhavegonehome,exceptthatshewashalfwaytoCesari’sbythen.Sosheran.

“WhatmademethinkIwantedlifetobeinteresting?”sheaskedassheran.“I’dbefartooscared.Itcomesofbeingtheeldestofthree.”

WhenshereachedMarketSquare

, it was worse, if possible. Most of the inns were in the Square.Crowds of youngmen swaggered beerily to and fro, trailing cloaksandlongsleevesandstampingbuckledbootstheywouldneverhavedreamed of wearing on a working day, calling loud remarks andaccostinggirls.Thegirlsstrolledinfinepairs,readytobeaccosted.ItwasperfectlynormalforMayDay,butSophiewasscaredofthattoo.And when a young man in a fantastical blue-and-silver costumespottedSophieanddecidedtoaccostheraswell,Sophieshrankintoashopdoorwayandtriedtohide.

Theyoungmanlookedatherinsurprise.“It’sallright,youlittlegraymouse,”hesaid,laughingratherpityingly.“Ionlywanttobuyyouadrink.Don’tlooksoscared.”

The pitying look made Sophie utterly ashamed. He was such a dashingspecimen too, with a bony, sophisticated face—really quite old, well into histwenties—andelaborateblondehair.His sleeves trailed longer thanany in theSquare,allscallopededgesandsilver insets.“Oh,nothankyou, ifyouplease,sir,”Sophiestammered.“I—I’monmywaytoseemysister.”

“Thenbyallmeansdoso,”laughedthisadvancedyoungman.“WhoamItokeepaprettyladyfromhersister?Wouldyoulikemetogowithyou,sinceyouseemsoscared?”

Hemeant it kindly,whichmade Sophiemore ashamed than ever. “No.Nothankyou,sir!”shegaspedandfledawaypasthim.Heworeperfumetoo.Thesmell of hyacinths followed her as she ran. What a courtly person! Sophiethought,asshepushedherwaybetweenthelittletablesoutsideCesari’s.

Thetableswerepacked.InsidewaspackedandasnoisyastheSquare.SophielocatedLettieamongthelineofassistantsatthecounterbecauseofthegroupofevidentfarmers’sonsleaningtheirelbowsonittoshoutremarkstoher.Lettie,prettierthaneverandperhapsalittlethinner,wasputtingcakesintobagsasfastasshecouldgo,givingeachbagadeft little twistand lookingbackunderherownelbowwitha smileandananswer foreachbag she twisted.Therewasagreatdealoflaughter.Sophiehadtofightherwaythroughtothecounter.

Lettiesawher.Shelookedshakenforamoment.Thenhereyesandhersmilewidenedandsheshouted,“Sophie!”

“Can I talk to you?” Sophie yelled. “Somewhere,” she shouted, a littlehelplessly,asalarge,well-dressedelbowjostledherbackfromthecounter.

“Justamoment!”Lettiescreamedback.Sheturnedtothegirlnexttoherandwhispered.Thegirlnodded,grinnedandcametotakeLettie’splace.

“You’llhavetohavemeinstead,”shesaidtothecrowd.“Who’snext?”

“ButIwanttotalktoyou,Lettie!”oneofthefarmers’sonsyelled.

“Talk to Carrie,” Lettie said. “I want to talk to my sister.” Nobody reallyseemed to mind. They jostled Sophie along to the end of the counter, where

Lettieheldupaflapandbeckoned,andtoldhernottokeepLettieallday.WhenSophiehadedgedthroughtheflap,Lettieseizedherwristanddraggedherintothebackoftheshop,toaroomsurroundedbyrackuponwoodenrack,eachonefilledwithrowsofcakes.Lettiepulledforwardtwostools.“Sitdown,”shesaid.She looked in thenearest rack, in an absentmindedway, andhandedSophie acreamcakeoutofit.“Youmayneedthis,”shesaid.

Sophiesankontothestool,breathingtherichsmellofcakeandfeelingalittletearful.“Oh,Lettie!”shesaid.“Iamsogladtoseeyou!”

“Yes,andI’mgladyou’resittingdown,”saidLettie.“Yousee,I’mnotLettie,I’mMartha.”

Chapter2InwhichSophieiscompelledtoseekherfortune.

What?”Sophie staredat thegirlon the stool oppositeher.She looked justlikeLettie.ShewaswearingLettie’s second-best bluedress, awonderful bluethatsuitedherperfectly.ShehadLettie’sdarkhairandblueeyes.

“I amMartha,” said her sister. “Who did you catch cutting up Lettie’s silkdrawers?InevertoldLettiethat.Didyou?”

“No,”saidSophie,quitestunned.ShecouldseeitwasMarthanow.TherewasMartha’stilttoLettie’shead,andMartha’swayofclaspingherhandsroundherkneeswithherthumbstwiddling.“Why?”

“I’vebeendreadingyoucomingtoseeme,”Marthasaid,“becauseIknewI’dhavetotellyou.It’sareliefnowIhave.Promiseyouwon’ttellanyone.Iknowyouwon’ttellifyoupromise.You’resohonorable.”

“Ipromise,”Sophiesaid,“Butwhy?How?”

“LettieandIarrangedit,”Marthasaid,twiddlingherthumbs,“becauseLettiewanted to learn witchcraft and I didn’t. Lettie’s got brains, and she wants afuturewhere she can use them—only try telling that toMother!Mother’s toojealousofLettieeventoadmitshehasbrains!”

SophiecouldnotbelieveFannywas like that,but she let itpass.“Butwhataboutyou?”

“Eatyourcake,”saidMartha.“It’sgood.Oh,yes,Icanbeclevertoo.Itonlytookme twoweeksatMrs.Fairfax’s to find the spellwe’reusing. Igotupatnightandreadherbookssecretly,anditwaseasyreally.ThenIaskedifIcouldvisit my family and Mrs. Fairfax said yes. She’s a dear. She thought I was

homesick. So I took the spell and came here, and Lettie went back to Mrs.Fairfaxpretendingtobeme.Thedifficultpartwasthefirstweek,whenIdidn’tknowallthethingsIwassupposedtoknow.Itwasawful.ButIdiscoveredthatpeoplelikeme—theydo,youknow,ifyoulikethem—andthenitwasallright.AndMrs.Fairfaxhasn’tkickedLettieout,soIsupposeshemanagedtoo.”

Sophiechompedatcakeshewasnotreallytasting.“Butwhatmadeyouwanttodothis?”

Martha rocked on her stool, grinning all over Lettie’s face, twirling herthumbsinahappypinkwhirl.“Iwanttogetmarriedandhavetenchildren.”

“You’renotoldenough!”saidSophie.

“Notquite,”Marthaagreed.“ButyoucanseeI’vegot tostartquitesoon inorder to fit tenchildren in.And thiswaygivesme time towait and see if thepersonIwantlikesmeforbeingme.Thespell’sgoingtowearoffgradually,andIshallgetmoreandmorelikemyself,yousee.”

Sophie was so astonished that she finished her cake without noticing whatkindithadbeen.“Whytenchildren?”

“Becausethat’showmanyIwant,”saidMartha.

“Ineverknew!”

“Well,itwasn’tmuchgoodgoingonaboutitwhenyouweresobusybackingMother up aboutmemakingmy fortune,”Martha said. “You thoughtMothermeantit.Ididtoo,untilFatherdiedandIsawshewasjusttryingtogetridofus—puttingLettiewhereshewasboundtomeetalotofmenandgetmarriedoff,andsendingmeasfarawayasshecould!IwassoangryI thought,Whynot?AndIspoketoLettieandshewasjustasangryandwefixeditup.We’refinenow.Butwebothfeelbadaboutyou.You’refartoocleverandnicetobestuckinthatshopfortherestofyourlife.Wetalkedaboutit,butwecouldn’tseewhattodo.”

“I’mallright,”Sophieprotested.“Justabitdull.”

“Allright?”Marthaexclaimed.“Yes,youproveyou’reallrightbynotcomingnearhere formonths, and then turningup in a frightful graydress and shawl,lookingasifevenIscareyou!What’sMotherbeendoingtoyou?”

“Nothing,” Sophie said uncomfortably. “We’ve been rather busy. Youshouldn’ttalkaboutFannythatway,Martha.Sheisyourmother.”

“Yes, and I’m enough like her to understand her,”Martha retorted. “That’swhy she sentme so far away,or tried to.Motherknowsyoudon’thave tobeunkindtosomeoneinordertoexploitthem.Sheknowshowdutifulyouare.Sheknowsyouhavethisthingaboutbeingafailurebecauseyou’reonlytheeldest.She’smanagedyouperfectlyandgotyouslavingawayforher.Ibetshedoesn’tpayyou.”

“I’mstillanapprentice,”Sophieprotested.

“So am I, but I get awage. TheCesaris know I’mworth it,” saidMartha.“Thathatshopismakingamint thesedays,andallbecauseofyou!YoumadethatgreenhatthatmakestheMayor’swifelooklikeastunningschoolgirl,didn’tyou?”

“Caterpillargreen.Itrimmedit,”saidSophie.

“And the bonnet Jane Farrier was wearing when she met that nobleman,”Marthaswepton.“You’reageniuswithhatsandclothes,andMotherknowsit!YousealedyourfatewhenyoumadeLettiethatoutfit lastMayDay.Nowyouearnthemoneywhileshegoesoffgadding—”

“She’soutdoingthebuying,”Sophiesaid.

“Buying!”Marthacried.Herthumbswhirled.“Thattakesherhalfamorning.I’veseenher,Sophie,andheardthetalk.She’soffinahiredcarriageandnewclothes on your earnings, visiting all the mansions down the valley! They’resayingshe’sgoing tobuy thatbigplacedownatValeEndandsetup instyle.Andwhereareyou?”

“Well,Fanny’sentitled to somepleasureafterallherhardworkbringingusup,”Sophiesaid.“IsupposeI’llinherittheshop.”

“Whatafate!”Marthaexclaimed.“Listen—”

Butatthatmomenttwoemptycakerackswerepulledawayattheotherendoftheroom,andanapprenticestuckhishead throughfromthebacksomewhere.“ThoughtIheardyourvoice,Lettie,”hesaid,grinninginthemostfriendlyandflirtatious way. “The new baking’s just up. Tell them.” His head, curly andsomewhat floury,disappearedagain.Sophie thoughthe lookedanice lad.ShelongedtoaskifhewastheoneMarthareallyliked,butshedidnotgetachance.Marthasprangupinahurry,stilltalking.

“Imustgetthegirlstocarryallthesethroughtotheshop,”shesaid.“Helpmewith theendof thisone.”Shedraggedout thenearest rackandSophiehelpedherhumpitpastthedoorintotheroaring,busyshop.“Youmustdosomethingabout yourself, Sophie,”Martha panted as theywent. “Lettie kept saying shedidn’t knowwhatwould happen to youwhenweweren’t around to give yousomeself-respect.Shewasrighttobeworried.”

In the shop Mrs. Cesari seized the rack from them in bothmassive arms,yellinginstructions,andalineofpeoplerushedawaypastMarthatofetchmore.Sophieyelledgoodbyeandslippedawayin thebustle. Itdidnotseemright totakeupmoreofMartha’stime.Besides,shewantedtobealonetothink.Sheranhome.Therewerefireworksnow,goingupfromthefieldbytheriverwheretheFairwas,competingwith thebluebangs fromHowl’scastle.Sophie feltmorelikeaninvalidthanever.

Shethoughtandthought,mostof thefollowingweek,andall thathappenedwasthatshebecameconfusedanddiscontented.Thingsjustdidnotseemtobethewayshethoughttheywere.ShewasamazedatLettieandMartha.Shehadmisunderstoodthemforyears.ButshecouldnotbelieveFannywasthekindofwomanMarthasaid.

Therewasa lotof timefor thinking,becauseBessieduly left tobemarriedand Sophie was mostly alone in the shop. Fanny did seem to be out a lot,gadding or not, and trade was slack after May Day. After three days SophiepluckedupcouragetoaskFanny,“Shouldn’tIbeearningawage?”

“Ofcourse,mylove,withallyoudo!”Fannyansweredwarmly,fixingona

rose-trimmedhatinfrontoftheshopmirror.“We’llseeaboutitassoonasI’vedonetheaccountsthisevening.”ThenshewentoutanddidnotcomebackuntilSophiehadshuttheshopandtakenthatday’shatsthroughtothehousetotrim.

SophieatfirstfeltmeantohavelistenedtoMartha,butwhenFannydidnotmentionawage,eitherthateveningoranytimelaterthatweek,SophiebegantothinkthatMarthahadbeenright.

“MaybeIambeingexploited,”shetoldahatshewastrimmingwithredsilkandabunchofwaxcherries,“butsomeonehastodothisortherewillbenohatsatall tosell.”Shefinishedthathatandstartedonastarkblack-and-whiteone,verymodish,andaquitenewthoughtcametoher.“Doesitmatteriftherearenohats to sell?” she asked it. She looked round the assembledhats, on standsorwaitinginaheaptobetrimmed.“Whatgoodareyouall?”sheaskedthem.“Youcertainlyaren’tdoingmeascrapofgood.”

Andshewaswithinanaceof leaving thehouseand settingout to seekherfortune, until she remembered shewas the eldest and therewas no point. Shetookupthehatagain,sighing.

Shewasstilldiscontented,aloneintheshopnextmorning,whenaveryplainyoungwomancustomerstormedin,whirlingapleatedmushroombonnetbyitsribbons.“Lookatthis!”theyoungladyshrieked.“YoutoldmethiswasthesameasthebonnetJaneFarrierwaswearingwhenshemettheCount.Andyoulied.Nothinghashappenedtomeatall!”

“I’mnot surprised,”Sophie said,before shehadcaughtupwithherself. “Ifyou’refoolenoughtowearthatbonnetwithafacelikethat,youwouldn’thavethewittospottheKinghimselfifhecamebegging—ifhehadn’tturnedtostonefirstjustatthesightofyou.”

Thecustomerglared.ThenshethrewthebonnetatSophieandstormedoutofthe shop. Sophie carefully crammed the bonnet into the wastebasket, pantingrather,Therulewas:Loseyourtemper,loseacustomer.Shehadjustproventhatrule.Ittroubledhertorealizehowveryenjoyableithadbeen.

Sophiehadnotimetorecover.Therewasthesoundofwheelsandhorsehoofs

and a carriage darkened the window. The shop bell clanged and the grandestcustomer she had ever seen sailed in, with a sable wrap drooping from herelbowsanddiamondswinkingalloverherdenseblackdress.Sophie’seyeswentto the lady’swide hat first— real ostrich plume dyed to reflect the pinks andgreensandblueswinking in thediamondsandyet still lookblack.Thiswasawealthy hat. The lady’s facewas carefully beautiful. The chestnut-brown hairmadeherseemyoung,but…Sophie’seyestookintheyoungmanwhofollowedtheladyin,aslightlyformless-facedpersonwithreddishhair,quitewelldressed,but pale and obviously upset. He stared at Sophie with a kind of beseechinghorror.Hewasclearlyyoungerthanthelady.Sophiewaspuzzled.

“MissHatter?”theladyaskedinamusicalbutcommandingvoice.

“Yes,” saidSophie.Theman lookedmoreupset thanever.Perhaps the ladywashismother.

“Ihearyousellthemostheavenlyhats,”saidthelady.“Showme.”

Sophiedidnottrustherselftoanswerinherpresentmood.Shewentandgotout hats.Noneof themwere in this lady’s class, but she could feel theman’seyes following her and that made her uncomfortable. The sooner the ladydiscoveredthehatswerewrongforher,thesoonerthisoddpairwouldgo.ShefollowedFanny’sadviceandgotoutthewrongestfirst.

The lady began rejecting hats instantly. “Dimples,” she said to the pinkbonnet,and“Youth”tothecaterpillar-greenone.Totheoneoftwinklesandveilsshesaid,“Mysteriousallure.Howveryobvious.Whatelsehaveyou?”

Sophie got out the modish black-and-white, which was the only hat evenremotelylikelytointerestthislady.

The lady looked at it with contempt. “This one doesn’t do anything foranybody.You’rewastingmytime,MissHatter.”

“Onlybecauseyoucameinandaskedforhats,”Sophiesaid.“Thisisonlyasmallshopinasmalltown,Madam.Whydidyou—”Behindthelady,themangasped and seemed to be trying to signal warningly. “—bother to come in?”Sophiefinished,wonderingwhatwasgoingon.

“IalwaysbotherwhensomeonetriestosetthemselvesupagainsttheWitchoftheWaste,”said the lady.“I’veheardofyou,MissHatter,andIdon’tcareforyour competition or your attitude. I came to put a stop to you. There.” ShespreadoutherhandinaflingingmotiontowardSophie’sface.

“You mean you’re the Witch of the Waste?” Sophie quavered. Her voiceseemedtohavegonestrangewithfearandastonishment.

“I am,” said the lady. “And let that teach you to meddle with things thatbelongtome.”

“Idon’tthinkIdid.Theremustbesomemistake,”Sophiecroaked.Themanwasnowstaringatherinutterhorror,thoughshecouldnotseewhy.

“Nomistake,MissHatter,”saidtheWitch.“Come,Gaston.”Sheturnedandswepttotheshopdoor.Whilethemanwashumblyopeningitforher,sheturnedback toSophie.“By theway,youwon’tbeable to tell anyoneyou’reunderaspell,”shesaid.Theshopdoortolledlikeafuneralbellassheleft.

Sophieputherhandstoherface,wonderingwhatthemanhadstaredat.Shefelt soft, leatherywrinkles. She looked at her hands.Theywerewrinkled too,andskinny,withlargeveinsinthebackandknuckleslikeknobs.Shepulledhergrayskirtagainsther legsand lookeddownatskinny,decrepitanklesandfeetwhich hadmade her shoes all knobbly. Theywere the legs of someone aboutninetyandtheyseemedtobereal.

Sophiegotherselftothemirror,andfoundshehadtohobble.Thefaceinthemirrorwasquitecalm,becauseitwaswhatsheexpectedtosee.Itwasthefaceofagauntoldwoman,witheredandbrownish,surroundedbywispywhitehair.Herowneyes,yellowandwatery,staredoutather,lookingrathertragic.

“Don’tworry, old thing,” Sophie said to the face. “You look quite healthy.Besides,thisismuchmorelikeyoureallyare.”

Shethoughtabouthersituation,quitecalmly.Everythingseemedtohavegonecalm and remote. She was not even particularly angry with theWitch of theWaste.

“Well,of course I shallhave todo forherwhen Iget thechance,” she toldherself,“butmeanwhile,ifLettieandMarthacanstandbeingoneanother,Icanstandbeing like this.But I can’t stayhere.Fannywouldhave a fit.Let’s see.Thisgraydressisquitesuitable,butIshallneedmyshawlandsomefood.”

ShehobbledovertotheshopdoorandcarefullyputuptheCLOSEDnotice.Herjointscreakedasshemoved.Shehadtowalkbowedandslow.Butshewasrelievedtodiscoverthatshewasquiteahaleoldwoman.Shedidnotfeelweakorill,juststiff.Shehobbledtocollecthershawl,andwrappeditoverherheadand shoulders, as old women did. Then she shuffled through into the house,whereshecollectedherpursewitha fewcoins in itandaparcelofbreadandcheese. She let herself out of the house, carefully hiding the key in the usualplace,andhobbledawaydownthestreet,surprisedathowcalmshestillfelt.

ShedidwonderifsheshouldsaygoodbyetoMartha.ButshedidnotliketheideaofMarthanotknowingher.Itwasbestjusttogo.Sophiedecidedshewouldwritetobothhersisterswhenshegotwherevershewasgoing,andshuffledon,through the field where the Fair had been, over the bridge, and on into thecountrylanesbeyond.Itwasawarmspringday.Sophiediscoveredthatbeingacrone did not stop her enjoying the sight and smell ofmay in the hedgerows,though the sight was a little blurred. Her back began to ache. She hobbledsturdilyenough,butsheneededastick.Shesearchedthehedgesasshewentforaloosestakeofsomekind.

Evidentlyhereyeswerenotasgoodastheyhadbeen.Shethoughtshesawastick,amileorsoon,butwhenshehauledonit,itprovedtobethebottomendofanoldscarecrowsomeonehadthrownintothehedge.Sophieheavedthethingupright. Ithadawithered turnipfora face.Sophie foundshehadsomefellowfeeling for it. Instead of pulling it to pieces and taking the stick, she stuck itbetweentwobranchesofthehedge,sothatitstoodloomingrakishlyabovethemay,withthetatteredsleevesonitsstickarmsflutteringoverthehedge.

“There,” she said, and her cracked old voice surprised her into giving acrackedoldcackleoflaughter.“Neitherofusareuptomuch,arewe,myfriend?Maybeyou’llgetback toyour field if I leaveyouwherepeoplecanseeyou.”Shesetoffupthelaneagain,butathoughtstruckherandsheturnedback.“NowifIwasn’tdoomedtofailurebecauseofmypositioninthefamily,”shetoldthe

scarecrow,“youcouldcometolifeandoffermehelpinmakingmyfortune.ButIwishyouluckanyway.”

Shecackledagainasshewalkedon.Perhapsshewasalittlemad,butthenoldwomenoftenwere.

Shefoundastickanhourorsolaterwhenshesatdownonthebanktorestandeatherbreadandcheese.Therewerenoisesinthehedgebehindher: littlestrangledsqueakings,followedbyheavingsthatshookmaypetalsoffthehedge.Sophie crawled on her bony knees to peer past leaves and flowers and thornsinto the inside of the hedge, and discovered a thin gray dog in there. It washopelesslytrappedbyastoutstickwhichhadsomehowgottwistedintoaropethatwastiedrounditsneck.Thestickhadwedgeditselfbetweentwobranchesof the hedge so that the dog could barely move. It rolled its eyes wildly atSophie’speeringface.

Asagirl,Sophiewasscaredofalldogs.Evenasanoldwoman,shewasquitealarmedbythetworowsofwhitefangsinthecreature’sopenjaws.Butshesaidtoherself,“ThewayIamnow,it’sscarcelyworthworryingabout,”andfeltinhersewingpocketforherscissors.Shereachedintothehedgewiththescissorsandsawedawayattheroperoundthedog’sneck.

Thedogwasverywild. It flinchedawayfromherandgrowled.ButSophiesawedbravelyon.“You’llstarveorthrottletodeath,myfriend,”shetoldthedogin her cracked old voice, “unless you let me cut you loose. In fact, I thinksomeone has tried to throttle you already. Maybe that accounts for yourwildness.” The rope had been tied quite tightly round the dog’s neck and thestickhadbeen twistedviciously into it. It tooka lotofsawingbefore theropepartedandthedogwasabletodragitselfoutfromunderthestick.

“Wouldyoulikesomebreadandcheese?”Sophieaskeditthen.Butthedogjustgrowledather, forced itswayout through theopposite sideof thehedge,andslunkaway.“There’sgratitudeforyou!”Sophiesaid, rubbingherprickledarms.“Butyouleftmeagiftinspiteofyourself.”Shepulledthestickthathadtrappedthedogoutofthehedgeandfounditwasaproperwalkingstick,welltrimmedandtippedwithiron.Sophiefinishedherbreadandcheeseandsetoffwalkingagain.The lanebecame steeper and steeper and she found the stick a

greathelp.Itwasalsosomethingtotalkto.Sophiethumpedalongwithawill,chattingtoherstick.Afterall,oldpeopleoftentalktothemselves.

“There’stwoencounters,”shesaid,“andnotascrapofmagicalgratitudefromeither.Still,you’reagoodstick.I’mnotgrumbling.ButI’msurelyduetohaveathirdencounter,magicalornot.Infact,Iinsistonone.Iwonderwhatitwillbe.”

The thirdencountercame toward theendof theafternoonwhenSophiehadworkedherwayquitehighintothehills.Acountrymancamewhistlingdownthelane toward her. A shepherd, Sophie thought, going home after seeing to hissheep.Hewasawell-set-upyoungfellowoffortyorso.“Gracious!”Sophiesaidtoherself.“ThismorningI’dhaveseenhimasanoldman.Howone’spointofviewdoesalter!”

When the shepherd saw Sophie mumbling to herself, he moved rathercarefullyovertotheothersideofthelaneandcalledoutwithgreatheartiness,“Goodeveningtoyou,Mother!Whereareyouoffto?”

“Mother?”saidSophie.“I’mnotyourmother,youngman!”

“Amannerofspeaking,”theshepherdsaid,edgingalongagainsttheoppositehedge.“Iwasonlymeaningapoliteinquiry,seeingyouwalkingintothehillsattheendoftheday.Youwon’tgetdownintoUpperFoldingbeforenightfall,willyou?”

Sophiehadnotconsideredthis.Shestoodintheroadandthoughtaboutit.“Itdoesn’tmatterreally,”shesaid,halftoherself.“Youcan’tbefussywhenyou’reofftoseekyourfortune.”

“Can’t you indeed,Mother?” said the shepherd.HehadnowedgedhimselfdownhillofSophieandseemedtofeelbetterforit.“ThenIwishyougoodluck,Mother, provided your fortune don’t have nothing to dowith charming folks’cattle.”Andhetookoffdowntheroadingreatstrides,almostrunning,butnotquite.

Sophiestaredafterhimindignantly.“HethoughtIwasawitch!”shesaid toher stick. She had half amind to scare the shepherd by shouting nasty thingsafter him, but that seemed a little unkind. She plugged on uphill, mumbling.

Shortly, the hedges gave way to bare banks and the land beyond becameheatheryupland,withalotofsteepnessbeyondthatcoveredwithyellow,rattlinggrass.Sophiekeptgrimlyon.Bynowherknobbyoldfeetached,andherback,andherknees.Shebecametootiredtomumbleandsimplypluggedon,panting,untilthesunwasquitelow.AndallatonceitbecamequitecleartoSophiethatshecouldnotwalkastepfurther.

She collapsed onto a stone by the wayside, wondering what she would donow.“TheonlyfortuneIcanthinkofisacomfortablechair!”shegasped.

The stone proved to be on a sort of headland, which gave Sophie amagnificentviewofthewayshehadcome.Therewasmostofthevalleyspreadoutbeneathherinthesettingsun,allfieldsandwallsandhedges,thewindingsof the river, and the finemansionsof richpeopleglowingout fromclumpsoftrees, right down to blue mountains in the far distance. Just below her wasMarket Chipping. Sophie could look down into its well-known streets. TherewasMarketSquare

andCesari’s.Shecouldhavetossedastonedownthechimneypotsofthehousenexttothehatshop.

“Hownearitstillis!”Sophietoldherstickindismay.“Allthatwalkingjusttogetabovemyownrooftop!”

It got cold on the stone as the sun went down. An unpleasant wind blewwhichever way Sophie turned to avoid it. Now it no longer seemed sounimportant that she would be out on the hills during the night. She foundherselfthinkingmoreandmoreofacomfortablechairandafireside,andalsoofdarknessandwildanimals.ButifshewentbacktoMarketChipping,itwouldbethemiddleofthenightbeforeshegotthere.Shemightjustaswellgoon.Shesighedandstoodup,creaking.Itwasawful.Sheachedallover.

“Inever realizedbeforewhatoldpeoplehad toputupwith!”shepantedasshelaboreduphill.“Still,Idon’tthinkwolveswilleatme.Imustbefartoodryandtough.That’sonecomfort.”

Nightwascomingdown fastnowand theheatheryuplandswereblue-gray.Thewindwassharper.Sophie’spantingand thecreakingofher limbsweresoloudinherearsthatittookherawhiletonoticethatsomeofthegrindingandpuffingwasnotcomingfromherselfatall.Shelookedupblurrily.

Wizard Howl’s castle was rumbling and bumping toward her across themoorland. Black smoke was blowing up in clouds from behind its blackbattlements.Itlookedtallandthinandheavyanduglyandverysinisterindeed.Sophieleanedonherstickandwatchedit.Shewasnotparticularlyfrightened.Shewonderedhow itmoved.But themain thing inhermindwas thatall thatsmokemustmeanalargefiresidesomewhereinsidethosetallblackwalls.

“Well,whynot?”shesaidtoherstick.“WizardHowlisnotlikelytowantmysoulforhiscollection.Heonlytakesyounggirls.”

Sheraisedherstickandwaveditimperiouslyatthecastle.

“Stop!”sheshrieked.

Thecastleobedientlycametoarumbling,grindinghaltaboutfiftyfeetuphillfromher.Sophiefeltrathergratifiedasshehobbledtowardit.

Chapter3InwhichSophieentersintoacastleandabargain.

Therewasalargeblackdoorin theblackwall facingSophieandshemadeforthat,hobblingbriskly.Thecastlewasuglierthanevercloseto.Itwasfartootallforitsheightandnotaveryregularshape.AsfarasSophiecouldseeinthegrowingdarkness,itwasbuiltofhugeblackblocks,likecoal,and,likecoal,theblockswerealldifferentshapesandsizes.Chillbreathedofftheseblocksasshegotcloser,butthatfailedtofrightenSophieatall.Shejustthoughtofchairsandfiresidesandstretchedherhandouteagerlytothedoor.

Herhandcouldnotcomenearit.Someinvisiblewallstoppedherhandabouta foot from the door. Sophie prodded at itwith an irritable finger.When thatmadenodifference,sheproddedwithherstick.Thewallseemedtobealloverthe door from as high as her stick could reach, and right down to the heatherstickingoutfromunderthedoorstep.

“Openup!”Sophiecackledatit.

Thatmadenodifferencetothewall.

“Verywell,”Sophie said. “I’ll findyourbackdoor.”Shehobbledoff to thelefthandcornerofthecastle, thatbeingbothnearestandslightlydownhill.Butshecouldnotgetroundthecorner.Theinvisiblewallstoppedheragainassoonas she was level with the irregular black cornerstones. At this, Sophie said aword shehad learned fromMartha, that neither old ladies nor young girls aresupposed to know, and stumped uphill and anticlockwise to the castle’srighthandcorner.Therewasnobarrierthere.Sheturnedthatcornerandhobbledeagerlytowardthesecondbigblackdoorinthemiddleofthatsideofthecastle.

Therewasabarrieroverthatdoortoo.

Sophiegloweredatit.“Icallthatveryunwelcoming!”shesaid.

Black smoke blew down from the battlements in clouds. Sophie coughed.Now shewas angry. Shewas old, frail, chilly, and aching all over.Nightwascoming on and the castle just sat and blew smoke at her. “I’ll speak toHowlaboutthis!”shesaid,andsetofffiercelytothenextcorner.Therewasnobarrierthere—evidentlyyouhadtogoroundthecastleanticlockwise—butthere,abitsideways in the next wall, was a third door. This one wasmuch smaller andshabbier.

“Thebackdooratlast!”Sophiesaid.

ThecastlestartedtomoveagainasSophiegotnearthebackdoor.Thegroundshook. The wall shuddered and creaked, and the door started to travel awaysidewaysfromher.

“Oh,noyoudon’t!”Sophieshouted.Sheranafterthedoorandhititviolentlywithherstick.“Openup!”sheyelled.

The door sprang open inward, still moving away sideways. Sophie, byhobblingfuriously,managedtogetonefootuponitsdoorstep.Thenshehoppedand scrambled andhopped again,while thegreat blackblocks round thedoorjoltedandcrunchedasthecastlegatheredspeedovertheunevenhillside.Sophiedidnotwonderthecastlehadalopsidedlook.Themarvelwasthatitdidnotfallapartonthespot.

“Whatastupidwaytotreatabuilding!”shepantedasshethrewherselfinsideit. She had to drop her stick and hang on to the open door in order not to bejoltedstraightoutagain.

Whenshebegantogetherbreath,sherealizedtherewasapersonstandinginfront of her, holding the door too. Hewas a head taller than Sophie, but shecould see he was the merest child, only a little older than Martha. And heseemed to be trying to shut the door on her and push her out of the warm,lamplit,low-beamedroombeyondhim,intothenightagain.

“Don’tyouhavetheimpudencetoshutthedooronme,myboy!”shesaid.

“Iwasn’tgoingto,butyou’rekeepingthedooropen,”heprotested.“Whatdoyouwant?”

Sophie looked round at what she could see beyond the boy. There were anumberofprobablywizardlythingshangingfromthebeams—stringsofonions,bunches of herbs, and bundles of strange roots. There were also definitelywizardlythings,likeleatherbooks,crookedbottles,andanold,brown,grinninghuman skull. On the other side of the boy was a fireplace with a small fireburning in the grate. It was a much smaller fire than all the smoke outsidesuggested, but then thiswas obviously only a back room in the castle.Muchmore important to Sophie, this fire had reached the glowing rosy stage, withlittle blue flames dancing on the logs, and placed beside it in the warmestpositionwasalowchairwithacushiononit.

Sophiepushedtheboyasideanddivedforthatchair.“Ah!Myfortune!”shesaid, settlingherselfcomfortably in it. Itwasbliss.The firewarmedherachesandthechairsupportedherbackandsheknewthatifanyonewantedtoturnheroutnow,theyweregoingtohavetouseextremeandviolentmagictodoit.

Theboyshutthedoor.ThenhepickedupSophie’sstickandpolitelyleaneditagainst thechair forher.Sophierealized that therewasnownosignatall thatthecastlewasmovingacrossthehillside:noteventheghostofarumbleorthetiniest shaking.How odd! “TellWizardHowl,” she said to the boy, “that thiscastle’sgoingtocomeapartroundhisearsifittravelsmuchfurther.”

“Thecastle’sbespelledtoholdtogether,”theboysaid.“ButI’mafraidHowl’snotherejustatthemoment.”

Thiswas goodnews toSophie. “Whenwill he be back?” she asked a littlenervously.

“Probablynot till tomorrownow,” theboysaid.“Whatdoyouwant?Can Ihelpyouinstead?I’mHowl’sapprentice,Michael.”

Thiswasbetternewsthanever.“I’mafraidonlytheWizardcanpossiblyhelpme,”Sophiesaidquicklyandfirmly.Itwasprobablytruetoo.“I’llwait,ifyoudon’t mind.” It was clear Michael did mind. He hovered over her a little

helplessly.Tomakeitplaintohimthatshehadnointentionofbeingturnedoutbyamereboyapprentice,Sophieclosedhereyesandpretendedtogotosleep.“Tellhimthename’sSophie,”shemurmured.“OldSophie,”sheadded,tobeonthesafeside.

“That will probably mean waiting all night,” Michael said. Since this wasexactly what Sophie wanted, she pretended not to hear. In fact, she almostcertainly fell intoaswiftdoze.Shewasso tired fromall thatwalking.AfteramomentMichael gave her up andwent back to thework hewas doing at theworkbenchwherethelampstood.

So shewould have a whole night’s shelter, even if it was on slightly falsepretenses, Sophie thought drowsily. Since Howl was such a wicked man, itprobablyservedhimrighttobeimposedupon.Butsheintendedtobewellawayfrom here by the time Howl came back and raised objections. She lookedsleepily and slyly across at the apprentice. It rather surprised her to find himsuch a nice, polite boy.After all, she had forced herway in quite rudely andMichael had not complained at all. PerhapsHowl kept him in abject servility.ButMichaeldidnotlookservile.Hewasatall,darkboywithapleasant,opensortofface,andhewasmostrespectablydressed.Infact,ifSophiehadnotseenhim at thatmoment carefully pouring green fluid out of a crooked flask ontoblack powder in a bent glass jar, she would have taken him for the son of aprosperousfarmer.Howodd!

Still, things were bound to be odd where wizards were concerned, Sophiethought.Andthiskitchen,orworkshop,wasbeautifullycozyandverypeaceful.Sophiewentproperlytosleepandsnored.Shedidnotwakeupwhentherecameaflashandamutedbangfromtheworkbench,followedbyahurriedlybitten-offswearwordfromMichael.ShedidnotwakewhenMichael,suckinghisburnedfingers,putthespellasideforthenightandfetchedbreadandcheeseoutofthecloset. She did not stir whenMichael knocked her stick downwith a clatter,reachingoverher fora log toputon the fire,orwhenMichael, lookingdowninto Sophie’s openmouth, remarked to the fireplace, “She’s got all her teeth.She’snottheWitchoftheWaste,isshe?”

“Iwouldn’thavelethercomeinifshewas,”thefireplaceretorted.

MichaelshruggedandpickedSophie’sstickpolitelyupagain.Thenheputalogonthefirewithequalpolitenessandwentawaytobedsomewhereoverhead.

In the middle of the night Sophie was woken by someone snoring. Shejumpedupright, rather irritated todiscover that shewas theonewhohadbeensnoring.Itseemedtoher thatshehadonlydroppedoffforasecondorso,butMichaelseemedtohavevanishedinthoseseconds,takingthelightwithhim.Nodoubt awizard’s apprentice learned to do that kind of thing in his firstweek.And he had left the fire very low. It was giving out irritating hissings andpoppings.AcolddraftblewonSophie’sback.Sophierecalledthatshewasinawizard’s castle, and also,withunpleasant distinctness, that therewas a humanskullonaworkbenchsomewherebehindher.

She shivered and cranked her stiff old neck around, but there was onlydarkness behind her. “Let’s have a bit more light, shall we?” she said. Hercrackedlittlevoiceseemedtomakenomorenoisethanthecracklingofthefire.Sophie was surprised. She had expected it to echo through the vaults of thecastle.Still, therewasabasketoflogsbesideher.Shestretchedoutacreakingarmandheaveda logon the fire,whichsentasprayofgreenandbluesparksflyingupthechimney.Sheheavedonasecondlogandsatback,notwithoutanervouslookorsobehindher,whereblue-purplelightfromthefirewasdancingoverthepolishedbrownboneoftheskull.Theroomwasquitesmall.TherewasnooneinitbutSophieandtheskull.

“He’sgotbothfeetinthegraveandI’veonlygotone,”sheconsoledherself.She turned back to the fire, which was now flaring up into blue and greenflames.“Mustbesaltinthatwood,”Sophiemurmured.Shesettledherselfmorecomfortably,puttingherknobbyfeetonthefenderandherheadintoacornerofthe chair, where she could stare into the colored flames, and began dreamilyconsideringwhatsheoughttodointhemorning.Butshewassidetrackedalittlebyimaginingafaceintheflames.“Itwouldbeathinblueface,”shemurmured,“verylongandthin,withathinbluenose.Butthosecurlygreenflamesontoparemostdefinitelyyourhair.SupposeIdidn’tgountilHowlgetsback?Wizardscan lift spells, I suppose. And those purple flames near the bottommake themouth—youhavesavageteeth,myfriend.Youhavetwogreentuftsofflameforeyebrows…”Curiously enough, theonlyorange flames in the firewereunderthegreeneyebrowflames,justlikeeyes,andtheyeachhadalittlepurpleglintin

themiddlethatSophiecouldalmostimaginewaslookingather,likethepupilofaneye.“Ontheotherhand,”Sophiecontinued,lookingintotheorangeflames,“ifthespellwasoff,I’dhavemyhearteatenbeforeIcouldturnaround.”

“Don’tyouwantyourhearteaten?”askedthefire.

Itwasdefinitelythefirethatspoke.Sophiesawitspurplemouthmoveasthewordscame.Itsvoicewasnearlyascrackedasherown,fullofthespittingandwhining of burning wood. “Naturally I don’t,” Sophie answered. “What areyou?”

“Afiredemon,”answeredthepurplemouth.Therewasmorewhinethanspittoitsvoiceasitsaid,“I’mboundtothishearthbycontract.Ican’tmovefromthis spot.”Then its voicebecamebrisk and crackling. “Andwhat areyou?” itasked,“Icanseeyou’reunderaspell.”

ThisrousedSophiefromherdreamlikestate,“Yousee!”sheexclaimed.“Canyoutakethespelloff?”

Therewasapoppling,blazingsilencewhile theorangeeyes in thedemon’swaveringbluefacetraveledupanddownSophie.“It’sastrongspell,”itsaidatlength.“ItfeelslikeoneoftheWitchoftheWaste’stome.”

“Itis,”saidSophie.

“Butitseemsmorethanthat,”crackledthedemon.“Idetecttwolayers.Andofcourseyouwon’tbeabletotellanyoneaboutitunlesstheyknowalready.”ItgazedatSophieamomentlonger.“Ishallhavetostudyit,”itsaid.

“Howlongwillthattake?”Sophieasked.

“It may take a while,” said the demon. And it added in a soft, persuasiveflicker,“Howaboutmakingabargainwithme?I’llbreakyourspellifyouagreetobreakthiscontractI’munder.”

Sophielookedwarilyatthedemon’sthinblueface.Ithadadistinctlycunninglook as it made this proposal. Everything she had read showed the extremedangerofmakingabargainwithademon.Andtherewasnodoubtthatthisone

did look extraordinarily evil. Those long purple teeth. “Are you sure you’rebeingquitehonest?”shesaid.

“Notcompletely,”admittedthedemon.“Butdoyouwanttostaylikethattillyou die? That spell has shortened your life by about sixty years, if I am anyjudgeofsuchthings.”

Thiswasanastythought,andonewhichSophiehadtriednottothinkaboutup to now. Itmade quite a difference. “This contract you’re under,” she said.“It’swithWizardHowl,isit?”

“Ofcourse,” said thedemon. Itsvoice tookonabitofawhineagain.“I’mfastenedtothishearthandIcan’tstirsomuchasafootaway.I’mforcedtodomostofthemagicaroundhere.Ihavetomaintainthecastleandkeepitmovinganddoallthespecialeffectsthatscarepeopleoff,aswellasanythingelseHowlwants.Howl’squiteheartless,youknow.”

Sophiedidnotneed telling thatHowlwasheartless.On theotherhand, thedemon was probably quite as wicked. “Don’t you get anything out of thiscontractatall?”shesaid.

“Iwouldn’thaveenteredintoitifIdidn’t,”saidthedemon,flickeringsadly.“But I wouldn’t have done if I’d known what it would be like. I’m beingexploited.”

In spiteofher caution,Sophie felt agooddealof sympathy for thedemon.She thoughtofherselfmakinghats forFannywhileFannywentgadding.“Allright,”shesaid.“Whatarethetermsofthecontract?HowdoIbreakit?”

An eager purple grin spread across the demon’s blue face. “You agree to abargain?”

“Ifyouagree tobreak the spell onme,”Sophie said,with abrave senseofsayingsomethingfatal.

“Done!”criedthedemon,hislongfaceleapinggleefullyupthechimney.“I’llbreakyourspelltheveryinstantyoubreakmycontract!”

“ThentellmehowIbreakyourcontract,”Sophiesaid.

Theorangeeyesglintedatherandlookedaway.“Ican’t.PartofthecontractisthatneithertheWizardnorIcansaywhatthemainclauseis.”

Sophiesawthatshehadbeentricked.SheopenedhermouthtotellthedemonthatitcouldsitinthefireplaceuntilDoomsdayinthatcase.

Thedemonrealizedshewasgoingto.“Don’tbehasty!”itcrackled.“Youcanfindoutwhat it is if youwatch and listen carefully. I imploreyou to try.Thecontract isn’t doing either of us any good in the long run.And I do keepmyword.ThefactthatI’mstuckhereshowsthatIkeepit!”

Itwas inearnest, leapingabouton its logs inanagitatedway.Sophieagainfeltagreatdealofsympathy.“ButifI’mtowatchandlisten,thatmeansIhavetostayhereinHowl’scastle,”sheobjected.

“Onlyaboutamonth.Remember,Ihavetostudyyourspelltoo,”thedemonpleaded.

“ButwhatpossibleexcusecanIgivefordoingthat?”Sophieasked.

“We’llthinkofone.Howl’sprettyuselessatmostthings.Infact,”thedemonsaid, venomously hissing, “he’s too wrapped up in himself to see beyond hisnosehalfthetime.Wecandeceivehim—aslongasyou’llagreetostay.”

“Verywell,”Sophiesaid.“I’llstay.Nowfindanexcuse.”

She settled herself comfortably in the chair while the demon thought. Itthoughtaloud, ina littlecrackling, flickeringmurmur,which remindedSophieratherofthewayshehadtalkedtoherstickwhenshewalkedhere,anditblazedwhileitthoughtwithsuchagladandpowerfulroaringthatshedozedagain.Shethought the demon didmake a few suggestions. She remembered shaking herheadtothenotionthatsheshouldpretendtobeHowl’slong-lostgreat-aunt,andtooneortwootheronesevenmorefar-fetched,butshedidnotrememberveryclearly.Thedemonatlengthfelltosingingagentle,flickeringlittlesong.ItwasnotinanylanguageSophieknew—orshethoughtnot,untilshedistinctlyheardthe word “saucepan” in it several times—and it was very sleepy-sounding.

Sophie fell into a deep sleep, with a slight suspicion that she was beingbewitchednow, aswell as beguiled, but it didnot botherher particularly.Shewouldbefreeofthespellsoon…

Chapter4InwhichSophiediscoversseveralstrangethings.

When Sophie woke up, daylight was streaming across her. Since Sophieremembered nowindows at all in the castle, her first notionwas that she hadfallenasleep trimminghats anddreamedof leavinghome.The fire in frontofherhadsunktorosycharcoalandwhiteash,whichconvincedherthatshehadcertainlydreamedtherewasafiredemon.Butherveryfirstmovementstoldherthatthereweresomethingsshehadnotdreamed.Thereweresharpcracksfromalloverherbody.

“Ow!”sheexclaimed.“Iacheallover!”Thevoicethatexclaimedwasaweak,crackedpiping.Sheputherknobbyhandstoherfaceandfeltwrinkles.Atthat,shediscoveredshehadbeeninastateofshockallyesterday.Shewasveryangryindeedwith theWitch of theWaste for doing this to her, hugely, enormouslyangry.“Sailingintoshopsandturningpeopleold!”sheexclaimed.“Oh,whatIwon’tdotoher!”

Herangermadeherjumpupinasalvoofcracksandcreaksandhobbleoverto the unexpected window. It was above the workbench. To her utterastonishment,theviewfromitwasaviewofadocksidetown.Shecouldseeasloping,unpavedstreet,linedwithsmall,ratherpoor-lookinghouses,andmastsstickingupbeyondtheroofs.Beyondthemastsshecaughtaglimmerofthesea,whichwassomethingshehadneverseeninherlifebefore.

“Wherever am I?” Sophie asked the skull standing on the bench. “I don’texpectyoutoanswerthat,myfriend,”sheaddedhastily,rememberingthiswasawizard’scastle,andsheturnedroundtotakealookattheroom.

Itwasquiteasmallroom,withheavyblackbeamsintheceiling.Bydaylightitwasamazinglydirty.Thestonesofthefloorwerestainedandgreasy,ashwaspiled within the fender, and cobwebs hung in dusty droops from the beams.

Therewasalayerofdustontheskull.Sophieabsentlywipeditoffasshewenttopeerintothesinkbesidetheworkbench.Sheshudderedatthepink-and-grayslimeinitandthewhiteslimedrippingfromthepumpaboveit.Howlobviouslydidnotcarewhatsqualorhisservantslivedin.

The rest of the castle had to be beyond one or other of the four low blackdoorsaround the room.Sophieopened thenearest, in theendwallbeyond thebench.Therewasalargebathroombeyondit.Insomewaysitwasabathroomyou might normally find only in a palace, full of luxuries such as an indoortoilet, a shower stall, an immensebathwithclawed feet, andmirrorsoneverywall.Butitwasevendirtierthantheotherroom.Sophiewincedfromthetoilet,flinched at the color of the bath, recoiled from green weed growing in theshower, andquite easily avoided looking at her shriveled shape in themirrorsbecausetheglasswasplasteredwithblobsandrunnelsofnamelesssubstances.Thenamelesssubstancesthemselveswerecrowdedontoaverylargeshelfoverthebath.Theywereinjars,boxes,tubes,andhundredsoftatteredbrownpacketsandpaperbags.Thebiggestjarhadaname.ItwascalledDRYINGPOWERincrookedletters,SophiewasnotsurewhetherthereshouldbeaDinthatornot.Shepickedupapacket at random. It hadSKINscrawledon it, and sheput itbackhurriedly.Another jar saidEYES in the samescrawl.A tube statedFORDECAY.

“Itseemstoworktoo,”Sophiemurmured,lookingintothewashbasinwithashiver.Water ran into thebasinwhenshe turnedablue-greenknob thatmighthavebeenbrassandwashedsomeof thedecayaway.Sophie rinsedherhandsand face in the water without touching the basin, but she did not have thecouragetouseDRYINGPOWER.Shedriedthewaterwithherskirtandthensetofftothenextblackdoor.

Thatoneopenedontoaflightofricketywoodenstairs.Sophieheardsomeonemoveupthereandshutthedoorhurriedly.Itseemedonlytoleadtoasortofloftanyway.Shehobbledtothenextdoor.Bynowshewasmovingquiteeasily.Shewasahaleoldwoman,asshehaddiscoveredyesterday.

The third door opened onto a poky backyard with high brick walls. Itcontainedabigstackoflogs,andhiggledy-piggledyheapsofwhatseemedtobescrapiron,wheels,buckets,metalsheeting,wire,moundedalmosttothetopsof

thewalls.Sophieshut thatdoor too,ratherpuzzled,becauseitdidnotseemtomatch the castle at all. Therewas no castle to be seen above the brickwalls.Theyendedatthesky.Sophiecouldonlythinkthatthispartwasroundthesidewheretheinvisiblewallhadstoppedherthenightbefore.

Sheopenedthefourthdooranditwasjustabroomcupboard,withtwofinebutdustyvelvetcloakshangingonthebrooms.Sophieshutitagain,slowly.Theonlyotherdoorwasinthewallwiththewindow,andthatwasthedoorshehadcomeinbylastnight.Shehobbledoverandcautiouslyopenedthat.

She stood for amoment looking out at a slowlymoving view of the hills,watchingheatherslidepastunderneaththedoor,feelingthewindblowherwispyhair,andlisteningtotherumbleandgrindof thebigblackstonesas thecastlemoved. Then she shut the door and went to the window. And there was theseaporttownagain.Itwasnopicture.Awomanhadopenedadooroppositeandwassweepingdust into thestreet.Behind thathouseagrayishcanvassailwasgoingupamast inbrisk jerks,disturbinga flockof seagulls into flying roundandroundagainsttheglimmeringsea.

“I don’t understand,” Sophie told the human skull. Then, because the firelookedalmostout,shewentandputonacoupleoflogsandrakedawaysomeoftheash.

Green flamesclimbedbetween the logs, small andcurly, andshotup intoalongblue facewith flaminggreenhair. “Goodmorning,” said the fire demon.“Don’tforgetwehaveabargain.”

Sononeofitwasadream.Sophiewasnotmuchgiventocrying,butshesatinthechairforquiteawhilestaringatablurredandslidingfiredemon,anddidnotpaymuchattentiontothesoundsofMichaelgettingup,untilshefoundhimstandingbesideher,lookingembarrassedandalittleexasperated.

“You’restillhere,”hesaid.“Issomethingthematter?”

Sophiesniffed.“I’mold,”shebegan.

ButitwasjustastheWitchhadsaidandthefiredemonhadguessed.Michaelsaid cheerfully, “Well, it comes to us all in time. Would you like some

breakfast?”

Sophiediscoveredshewasaveryhaleoldwoman indeed.Afteronlybreadandcheeseatlunchtimeyesterday,shewasravenous.“Yes!”shesaid,andwhenMichael went to the closet in the wall, she sprang up and peered over hisshouldertoseewhattherewastoeat.

“I’mafraidthere’sonlybreadandcheese,”Michaelsaidratherstiffly.

“But there’s awhole basket of eggs in there!” Sophie said. “And isn’t thatbacon?Whataboutahotdrinkaswell?Where’syourkettle?”

“Thereisn’tone,”Michaelsaid.“Howl’stheonlyonewhocancook.”

“Icancook,”saidSophie.“UnhookthatfryingpanandI’llshowyou.”

She reached for the large black pan hanging on the closetwall, in spite ofMichael trying to prevent her. “You don’t understand,” Michael said. “It’sCalcifer, the fire demon. He won’t bend down his head to be cooked on foranyonebutHowl.”

Sophie turned and looked at the fire demon. He flickered back at herwickedly.“Irefusetobeexploited,”hesaid.

“Youmean,”SophiesaidtoMichael,“thatyouhavetodowithoutevenahotdrinkunlessHowl’shere?”Michaelgaveanembarrassednod.“Thenyou’retheonethat’sbeingexploited!”saidSophie.“Givethathere.”Shewrenchedthepanfrom Michael’s resisting fingers, plonked the bacon into it, popped a handywooden spoon into the egg basket, andmarchedwith the lot to the fireplace.“Now,Calcifer,”shesaid,“let’shavenomorenonsense.Benddownyourhead.”

“Youcan’tmakeme!”crackledthefiredemon.

“Oh, yes I can!” Sophie crackled back, with the ferocity that had oftenstoppedbothhersistersinmid-fight.“Ifyoudon’t,Ishallpourwateronyou.OrIshallpickup the tongsand takeawaybothyour logs,”sheadded,asshegotherselfcreakinglyontoherkneesbythehearth.Thereshewhispered,“OrIcangobackonourbargain,ortellHowlaboutit,can’tI?”

“Oh,curses!”Calciferspat.“Whydidyouletherinhere,Michael?”Sulkilyhebenthisblue face forwarduntilall thatcouldbeseenofhimwasa ringofcurlygreenflamesdancingonthelogs.

“Thankyou,”Sophiesaid,andslappedtheheavypanontothegreenringtomakesureCalciferdidnotsuddenlyriseupagain.

“Ihopeyourbaconburns,”Calcifersaid,muffledunderthepan.

Sophieslappedslicesofbaconintothepan.Itwasgoodandhot.Thebaconsizzled, and shehad towrapher skirt roundher hand tohold thehandle.Thedooropened,butshedidnotnoticebecauseofthesizzling.“Don’tbesilly,”shetoldCalcifer.“AndholdstillbecauseIwanttobreakintheeggs.”

“Oh,hello,Howl,”Michaelsaidhelplessly.

Sophieturnedroundatthat,ratherhurriedly.Shestared.Thetallyoungfellowinaflamboyantblue-and-silversuitwhohadjustcomeinstoppedintheactofleaningaguitar in the corner.Hebrushed the fairhair fromhis rather curiousglass-greeneyesandstaredback.Hislong,angularfacewasperplexed.

“Whoonearthareyou?”saidHowl.“WherehaveIseenyoubefore?”

“Iama totalstranger,”Sophie liedfirmly.Afterall,Howlhadonlymetherlongenoughtocallheramousebefore,soitwasalmosttrue.Sheoughttohavebeenthankingherstarsfortheluckyescapeshe’dhadthen,shesupposed,butinfacthermain thoughtwas,Goodgracious!WizardHowl isonlyachild inhistwenties,forallhiswickedness!Itmadesuchadifferencetobeold,shethoughtassheturnedthebaconoverinthepan.Andshewouldhavediedratherthanletthisoverdressedboyknowshewas thegirlhehadpitiedonMayDay.Heartsandsoulsdidnotenterintoit.Howlwasnotgoingtoknow.

“Shesayshername’sSophie,”Michaelsaid.“Shecamelastnight.”

“HowdidshemakeCalciferbenddown?”saidHowl.

“She bulliedme!”Calcifer said in a piteous,muffled voice from under thesizzlingpan.

“Notmanypeoplecandothat,”Howlsaidthoughtfully.Heproppedhisguitarinthecornerandcameovertothehearth.ThesmellofhyacinthsmixedwiththesmellofbaconasheshovedSophiefirmlyaside.“Calciferdoesn’tlikeanyonebutmetocookonhim,”hesaid,kneelingdownandwrappingonetrailingsleeveroundhishandtoholdthepan.“Passmetwomoreslicesofbaconandsixeggs,please,andtellmewhyyou’vecomehere.”

SophiestaredatthebluejewelhangingfromHowl’searandpassedhimeggafter egg. “Why I came,youngman?” she said. Itwasobvious afterwhat shehadseenofthecastle.“IcamebecauseI’myournewcleaninglady,ofcourse.”

“Areyouindeed?”Howlsaid,crackingtheeggsone-handedandtossingtheshells among the logs,whereCalcifer seemed to be eating themwith a lot ofsnarlingandgobbling.“Whosaysyouare?”

“I do,” said Sophie, and she added piously, “I can clean the dirt from thisplaceevenifIcan’tcleanyoufromyourwickedness,youngman.”

“Howl’snotwicked,”Michaelsaid.

“YesIam,”Howlcontradictedhim.“YouforgetjusthowwickedI’mbeingatthemoment,Michael.”HejerkedhischinatSophie.“Ifyou’resoanxioustobeofuse,mygoodwoman,findsomeknivesandforksandclearthebench.”

Thereweretallstoolsundertheworkbench.Michaelwaspullingthemouttositonandpushingasideallthethingsontopofittomakeroomforsomeknivesandforkshehadtakenfromadrawerinthesideofit.Sophiewenttohelphim.ShehadnotexpectedHowltowelcomeher,ofcourse,buthehadnotevensofaragreedtoletherstaybeyondbreakfast.SinceMichaeldidnotseemtoneedhelp,Sophie shuffled over to her stick and put it slowly and showily in the broomcupboard.WhenthatdidnotseemtoattractHowl’sattention,shesaid,“Youcantakemeonforamonth’strial,ifyoulike.”

WizardHowlsaidnothingbut“Plates,please,Michael,”andstoodupholdingthesmokingpan.Calcifersprangupwitharoarofreliefandblazedhighinthechimney.

Sophiemade another attempt to pin theWizard down. “If I’m going to be

cleaninghereforthenextmonth,”shesaid,“I’dliketoknowwheretherestofthecastleis.Icanonlyfindthisoneroomandthebathroom.”

Tohersurprise,bothMichaelandtheWizardroaredwithlaughter.

It was not until they had almost finished breakfast that Sophie discoveredwhathadmadethemlaugh.Howlwasnotonlyhardtopindown.Heseemedtodislike answering any questions at all. Sophie gave up asking him and askedMichaelinstead.

“Tellher,”saidHowl.“Itwillstopherpestering.”

“Thereisn’tanymoreofthecastle,”Michaelsaid,“exceptwhatyou’veseenandtwobedroomsupstairs.”

“What?”Sophieexclaimed.

Howl andMichael laughed again. “Howl andCalcifer invented the castle,”Michael explained, “andCalcifer keeps it going.The inside of it is really justHowl’soldhouseinPorthaven,whichistheonlyrealpart.”

“ButPorthaven’smilesdownnearthesea!”Sophiesaid.“Icallthattoobad!Whatdoyoumeanbyhavingthisgreat,uglycastlerushingaboutthehillsandfrighteningeveryoneinMarketChippingtodeath?”

Howl shrugged. “What an outspokenoldwomanyou are! I’ve reached thatstage in my career when I need to impress everyone with my power andwickedness.Ican’thavetheKingthinkingwellofme.AndlastyearIoffendedsomeoneverypowerfulandIneedtokeepoutoftheirway.”

It seemeda funnyway toavoidsomeone,butSophiesupposedwizardshaddifferent standards from ordinary people. And she shortly discovered that thecastlehadotherpeculiarities.TheyhadfinishedeatingandMichaelwaspilingthe plates in the slimy sink beside the benchwhen there came a loud, hollowknockingatthedoor.

Calciferblazedup.“Kingsburydoor!”

Howl,whowasonhiswaytothebathroom,wenttothedoorinstead.Therewasasquarewoodenknobabovethedoor,setintothelintel,withadabofpaintoneachofitsfoursides.Atthatmomenttherewasagreenblobonthesidethatwas at the bottom, butHowl turned the knob round so that it had a red blobdownwardbeforeheopenedthedoor.

Outsidestoodapersonagewearingastiffwhitewigandawidehatontopofthat.Hewasclothedinscarletandpurpleandgold,andheheldupalittlestaffdecoratedwithribbonslikeaninfantmaypole.Hebowed.Scentsofclovesandorangeblossomblewintotheroom.

“HisMajestytheKingpresentshiscomplimentsandsendspaymentfor twothousandpairofseven-leagueboots,”thispersonsaid.

Behind him Sophie had glimpses of a coach waiting in a street full ofsumptuous houses covered with painted carvings, and towers and spires anddomesbeyondthat,ofasplendorshehadbarelybeforeimagined.Shewassorryit took so little time for the person at the door to hand over a long, silken,chinking purse, and forHowl to take the purse, bow back, and shut the door.Howlturnedthesquareknobbacksothat thegreenblobwasdownwardagainandstowedthelongpurseinhispocket.SophiesawMichael’seyesfollowthepurseinanurgent,worriedway.

Howlwent straight to the bathroom then, calling out, “I need hot water inhere,Calcifer!”andwasgoneforalong,longtime.

Sophiecouldnotrestrainhercuriosity.“Whoeverwasthatat thedoor?”sheaskedMichael.“OrdoImeanwherever?”

“ThatdoorgivesonKingsbury,”Michaelsaid,“wheretheKinglives.IthinkthatmanwastheChancellor’sclerk.And,”headdedworriedlytoCalcifer,“Idowishhehadn’tgivenHowlallthatmoney.”

“IsHowlgoingtoletmestayhere?”Sophieasked.

“If he is, you’ll never pin him down,”Michael answered. “He hates beingpinneddowntoanything.”

Chapter5Whichisfartoofullofwashing.

The only thing to do, Sophie decided, was to showHowl that she was anexcellentcleaninglady,arealtreasure.Shetiedanoldragroundherwispywhitehair,sherolledthesleevesupherskinnyoldarmsandwrappedanoldtableclothfromthebroomcupboardroundherasanapron. Itwasratherarelief to thinktherewereonlyfourroomstocleaninsteadofawholecastle.Shegrabbedupabucketandbesomandgottowork.

“Whatareyoudoing?”criedMichaelandCalciferinahorrifiedchorus.

“Cleaningup,”Sophierepliedfirmly.“Theplaceisadisgrace.”

Calcifersaid,“Itdoesn’tneedit,”andMichaelmuttered,“Howlwillkickyouout!”butSophieignoredthemboth.Dustflewinclouds.

Inthemidstofittherecameanothersetofthumpsatthedoor.Calciferblazedup, calling, “Porthaven door!” and gave a great, sizzling sneeze which shotpurplesparksthroughthedustclouds.

Michaellefttheworkbenchandwenttothedoor.SophiepeeredthroughthedustshewasraisingandsawthatthistimeMichaelturnedthesquareknoboverthedoorsothatthesidewithablueblobofpaintonitwasdownward.Thenheopenedthedooronthestreetyousawoutofthewindow.

A small girl stood there. “Please,Mr.Fisher,” she said, “I’ve come for thatspellformemum.”

“Safety spell for your dad’s boat, wasn’t it?” Michael said. “Won’t be amoment.”Hewentbacktothebenchandmeasuredpowderfromajarfromtheshelvesintoasquareofpaper.Whilehewasdoingit,thelittlegirlpeeredinat

SophieascuriouslyasSophiepeeredoutather.Michaeltwistedthepaperroundthepowderandcamebacksaying,“Tellher tosprinkle it rightalongtheboat.It’lllastoutandback,evenifthere’sastorm.”

Thegirltookthepaperandpassedoveracoin.“HastheSorcerergotawitchworkingforhimtoo?”sheasked.

“No,”saidMichael.

“Meaningme?”Sophiecalled.“Oh,yes,mychild.I’mthebestandcleanestwitchinIngary.”

Michaelshutthedoor,lookingexasperated.“ThatwillbeallroundPorthavennow.Howlmaynotlikethat.”Heturnedtheknobgreen-downagain.

Sophiecackledtoherselfalittle,quiteunrepentant.Probablyshehadletthebesomshewasusingputideasintoherhead.ButitmightpersuadeHowltolether stay if everyone thought shewasworking for him. Itwas odd.As a girl,Sophiewouldhaveshriveledwithembarrassmentatthewayshewasbehaving.Asanoldwoman,shedidnotmindwhatshedidorsaid.Shefoundthatagreatrelief.

Shewentnosilyover asMichael liftedupa stone in thehearth andhid thelittlegirl’scoinunderit.“Whatareyoudoing?”

“Calcifer and I try to keep a store ofmoney,”Michael said rather guiltily.“Howlspendseverypennywe’vegotifwedon’t.”

“Feckless spendthrift!” Calcifer crackled. “He’ll spend the King’s moneyfasterthanIburnalog.Nosense.”

Sophie sprinkledwater from the sink to lay the dust, whichmade Calcifershrinkback against the chimney.Then she swept the floor all over again.Shesweptherwaytowardthedoorinordertohavealookatthesquareknobaboveit.Thefourthside,whichshehadnotseenusedyet,hadablobofblackpaintonit.Wonderingwherethatledto,Sophiebeganbrisklysweepingthecobwebsoffthebeams.MichaelmoanedandCalcifersneezedagain.

Howl cameout of the bathroom just then in awaft of steamyperfume.Helooked marvelously spruce. Even the silver inlets and embroidery on his suitseemedtohavebecomebrighter.Hetookonelookandbackedintothebathroomagainwithablue-and-silversleeveprotectinghishead.

“Stopit,woman!”hesaid.“Leavethosepoorspidersalone!”

“These cobwebs are a disgrace!” Sophie declared, fetching them down inbundles.

“Thengetthemdownandleavethespiders,”saidHowl.

Probablyhehadawickedaffinitywithspiders,Sophiethought.“They’llonlymakemorewebs,”shesaid.

“Andkillflies,whichisveryuseful,”saidHowl.“KeepthatbroomstillwhileIcrossmyownroom,please.”

SophieleanedonthebroomandwatchedHowlcrosstheroomandpickuphisguitar.Asheputhishandonthedoor latch,shesaid,“If theredblobleads toKingsburyandtheblueblobgoestoPorthaven,wheredoestheblackblobtakeyou?”

“Whatanosyoldwomanyouare!”saidHowl.“Thatleadstomyprivateboltholeandyouarenotbeingtoldwhereitis.”Heopenedthedoorontothewide,movingmoorlandandthehills.

“Whenwillyoubeback,Howl?”Michaelaskedalittledespairingly.

Howl pretendednot to hear.He said toSophie, “You’re not to kill a singlespider while I’m away.” And the door slammed behind him.Michael lookedmeaninglyatCalciferandsighed.Calcifercrackledwithmaliciouslaughter.

SincenobodyexplainedwhereHowlhadgone,Sophieconcludedhewasofftohuntyounggirlsagainandgotdowntoworkwithmorerighteousvigorthanever.ShedidnotdareharmanyspidersafterwhatHowlhadsaid.Soshebangedatthebeamswiththebroom,screaming,“Out,spiders!Outofmyway!”Spidersscrambled for their lives everywhichway, andwebs fell in swathes. Then of

course she had to sweep the floor yet again. After that, she got down on herkneesandscrubbedit.

“Iwishyou’dstop!”Michaelsaid,sittingonthestairsoutofherway.

Calcifer,coweringatthebackofthegrate,muttered,“IwishI’dnevermadethatbargainwithyounow!”

Sophiescrubbedonvigorously.“You’llbemuchhappierwhenit’sallniceandclean,”shesaid.

“ButI’mmiserablenow!”Michaelprotested.

Howldidnotcomebackagainuntil latethatnight.BythattimeSophiehadswept and scrubbedherself intoa statewhen shecouldhardlymove.Shewassittinghunchedupinthechair,achingallover.MichaeltookholdofHowlbyatrailing sleeve and towed him over to the bathroom,where Sophie could hearhim pouring out complaints in a passionate mutter. Phrases like “terrible oldbiddy” and “won’t listen to a word!” were quite easy to hear, even thoughCalciferwasroaring,“Howl,stopher!She’skillingusboth!”

But all Howl said, when Michael let go of him, was “Did you kill anyspiders?”

“Ofcoursenot!”Sophiesnapped.Herachesmadeherirritable.“Theylookatmeandrunfortheirlives.Whatarethey?Allthegirlswhoseheartsyouate?”

Howl laughed. “No, just simple spiders,” he said and went dreamily awayupstairs.

Michaelsighed.Hewentintothebroomcupboardandhunteduntilhefoundanoldfoldingbed,astrawmattress,andsomerugs,whichheputintothearchedspaceunderthestairs.“You’dbettersleepheretonight,”hetoldSophie.

“DoesthatmeanHowl’sgoingtoletmestay?”Sophieasked.

“I don’t know!” Michael said irritably. “Howl never commits himself toanything.IwasheresixmonthsbeforeheseemedtonoticeIwaslivinghereand

mademehisapprentice.Ijustthoughtabedwouldbebetterthanthechair.”

“Then thank you very much,” Sophie said gratefully. The bed was indeedmorecomfortablethanachair,andwhenCalcifercomplainedhewashungryinthenight, itwasaneasymatter forSophie tocreakherwayoutandgivehimanotherlog.

Inthedaysthatfollowed,Sophiecleanedherwayremorselesslythroughthecastle.Shereallyenjoyedherself.Tellingherselfshewaslookingforclues,shewashed the window, she cleaned out the oozing sink, and she madeMichaelcleareverythingofftheworkbenchandtheshelvessothatshecouldscrubthem.Shehadeverythingoutofthecupboardsanddownfromthebeamsandcleanedthose too. The human skull, she fancied, began to look as long-suffering asMichael.Ithadbeenmovedsooften.ThenshetackedanoldsheettothebeamsnearestthefireplaceandforcedCalcifertobendhisheaddownwhileshesweptthechimney.Calciferhated that.HecrackledwithmeanlaughterwhenSophiediscoveredthatsoothadgotallovertheroomandshehadtocleanitallagain.That was Sophie’s trouble. She was remorseless, but she lacked method. Buttherewasthismethodtoherremorselessness:shecalculatedthatshecouldnotcleanthisthoroughlywithoutsoonerorlatercomingacrossHowl’shiddenhoardof girls’ souls, or chewed hearts—or else something that explained Calcifer’scontract.Upthechimney,guardedbyCalcifer,hadstruckherasagoodhidingplace.Buttherewasnothingtherebutquantitiesofsoot,whichSophiestoredinbagsintheyard.Theyardwashighonherlistofhidingplaces.

Every time Howl came in, Michael and Calcifer complained loudly aboutSophie. But Howl did not seem to attend. Nor did he seem to notice thecleanliness.Andnordidhenoticethatthefoodclosetbecameverywellstockedwithcakesandjamandtheoccasionallettuce.

For,asMichaelhadprophesied,wordhadgoneroundPorthaven.Peoplecameto the door to look at Sophie. They called her Mrs.Witch in Porthaven andMadamSorceress inKingsbury.Wordhadgone round thecapital too.Thoughthepeoplewho came to theKingsburydoorwere better dressed than those inPorthaven,nooneineitherplacelikedtocallonsomeonesopowerfulwithoutanexcuse.SoSophiewasalwayshavingtopauseinherworktonodandsmileandtakeinagift,ortogetMichaeltoputupaquickspellforsomeone.Someof

thegiftswerenicethings—pictures,stringsofshells,andusefulaprons.Sophieused the aprons daily and hung the shells and pictures round her cubbyholeunderthestairs,whichsoonbegantolookveryhomelikeindeed.

Sophie knew she would miss this when Howl turned her out. She becamemoreandmoreafraidthathewould.Sheknewhecouldnotgoonignoringherforever.

She cleaned thebathroomnext.That tookher days, becauseHowl spent solong in iteverydaybeforehewentout.Assoonashewent, leaving it fullofsteamandscentedspells,Sophiemovedin.“Nowwe’llseeaboutthatcontract!”shemutteredatthebath,buthermaintargetwasofcoursetheshelfofpackets,jars,andtubes.Shetookeveryoneofthemdown,onthepretextofscrubbingtheshelf, andspentmostofadaycarefullygoing through them to see if theoneslabeledSKIN,EYES,andHAIRwereinfactpiecesofgirl.Asfarasshecouldtell,theywerealljustcreamsandpowdersandpaint.Iftheyoncehadbeengirls,thenSophie thoughtHowlhadusedthe tubeFORDECAYonthemandrottedthemdownthewashbasintoothoroughlytorecall.Butshehopedtheywereonlycosmeticsinthepackets.

She put the things back on the shelf and scrubbed. That night, as she satachinginthechair,Calcifergrumbledthathehaddrainedonehotspringdryforher.

“Wherearethehotsprings?”Sophieasked.Shewascuriousabouteverythingthesedays.

“UnderthePorthavenMarshesmostly,”Calcifersaid.“Butifyougoonlikethis, I’ll have to fetch hotwater from theWaste.When are you going to stopcleaningandfindouthowtobreakmycontract?”

“In good time,” saidSophie. “Howcan I get the terms out ofHowl if he’sneverin?Ishealwaysawaythismuch?”

“Onlywhenhe’safteralady,”Calcifersaid.

Whenthebathroomwascleanandgleaming,Sophiescrubbedthestairsandthe landing upstairs. Then she moved on into Michael’s small front room.

Michael,whobythistimeseemedtobeacceptingSophiegloomilyasasortofnaturaldisaster,gaveayellofdismayandpoundedupstairs torescuehismosttreasuredpossessions.Theywereinanoldboxunderhisworm-eatenlittlebed.Ashehurried theboxprotectivelyaway,Sophieglimpsedablue ribbonandaspun-sugarroseinit,ontopofwhatseemedtobeletters.

“SoMichaelhasa sweetheart!” shesaid toherselfas she flung thewindowopen—itopenedintothestreetinPorthaventoo—andheavedhisbeddingacrossthesill toair.Consideringhownosyshehad latelybecome,SophiewasrathersurprisedatherselffornotaskingMichaelwhohisgirlwasandhowhekepthersafefromHowl.

ShesweptsuchquantitiesofdustandrubbishfromMichael’sroomthatshenearlyswampedCalcifertryingtoburnitall.

“You’ll be thedeathofme!You’re as heartless asHowl!”Calcifer choked.Onlyhisgreenhairandabluepieceofhislongforeheadshowed.

Michaelputhispreciousboxinthedraweroftheworkbenchandlockedthedrawer.“IwishHowlwouldlistentous!”hesaid.“Whyisthisgirltakinghimsolong?”

The next day Sophie tried to start on the backyard. But it was raining inPorthaven that day, driving against the window and pattering in the chimney,makingCalciferhisswithannoyance.TheyardwaspartofthePorthavenhousetoo,soitwaspouringouttherewhenSophieopenedthedoor.Sheputherapronoverher head and rummaged a little, andbefore shegot toowet, she found abucketofwhitewashanda largepaintbrush.She took these indoorsandset toworkonthewalls.Shefoundanoldstepladderinthebroomcupboardandshewhitewashedtheceilingbetweenthebeamstoo.Itrainedforthenexttwodaysin Porthaven, though when Howl opened the door with the knob green-blob-downandsteppedoutontothehill,theweathertherewassunny,withbigcloudshadows racing over the heather faster than the castle could move. Sophiewhitewashedhercubbyhole,thestairs,thelanding,andMichael’sroom.

“What’shappenedinhere?”Howlaskedwhenhecameinonthethirdday.“Itseemsmuchlighter.”

“Sophie,”Michaelsaidinavoiceofdoom.

“Ishouldhaveguessed,”Howlsaidashedisappearedintothebathroom.

“Henoticed!”Michaelwhispered toCalcifer.“Thegirlmustbegiving inatlast!”

ItwasstilldrizzlinginPorthaventhenextday.Sophietiedonherheadcloth,rolled up her sleeves, and girded on her apron. She collected her besom, herbucket,andhersoap,andassoonasHowlwasoutofthedoor,shesetofflikeanelderlyavengingangeltocleanHowl’sbedroom.

Shehadleftthatuntillastforfearofwhatshewouldfind.Shehadnotevendaredpeepintoit.Andthatwassilly,shethoughtasshehobbledupthestairs.By now it was clear that Calcifer did all the strong magic in the castle andMichael did all the hackwork, while Howl gadded off catching girls andexploitingtheothertwojustasFannyhadexploitedher.SophiehadneverfoundHowlparticularlyfrightening.Nowshefeltnothingbutcontempt.

She arrived on the landing and foundHowl standing in the doorway of hisbedroom.Hewasleaninglazilyononehand,completelyblockingherway.

“Noyoudon’t,”hesaidquitepleasantly.“Iwantitdirty,thankyou.”

Sophiegapedathim.“Wheredidyoucomefrom?Isawyougoout.”

“Imeantyouto,”saidHowl.“You’ddoneyourworstwithCalciferandpoorMichael.Itstoodtoreasonyou’ddescendonmetoday.AndwhateverCalcifertoldyou,Iamawizard,youknow.Didn’tyouthinkIcoulddomagic?”

ThisunderminedallSophie’sassumptions.Shewouldhavedied rather thanadmitit.“Everyoneknowsyou’reawizard,youngman,”shesaidseverely.“Butthatdoesn’talterthefactthatyourcastleisthedirtiestplaceI’veeverbeenin.”She looked into the room past Howl’s dangling blue-and-silver sleeve. Thecarpetonthefloorwaslitteredlikeabird’snest.Sheglimpsedpeelingwallsandashelffullofbooks,someofthemveryqueer-looking.Therewasnosignofapile of gnawed hearts, but those were probably behind or under the hugefourposterbed. Itshangingsweregray-whitewithdustand theypreventedher

fromseeingwhatthewindowlookedoutonto.

Howlswunghissleeveinfrontofherface.“Uh-uh.Don’tbenosy.”

“I’mnotbeingnosy!”Sophieprotested.“Thatroom—!”

“Yes, you are nosy,” saidHowl. “You’re a dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy,appallinglycleanoldwoman.Controlyourself.You’revictimizingusall.”

“Butit’sapigsty,”saidSophie.“Ican’thelpwhatIam!”

“Yesyoucan,”saidHowl.“AndIlikemyroomthewayitis.YoumustadmitI have a right to live in a pigsty if I want. Now go downstairs and think ofsomethingelsetodo.Please.Ihatequarrelingwithpeople.”

TherewasnothingSophiecoulddobuthobbleawaywithherbucketclankingbyherside.Shewasalittleshaken,andverysurprisedthatHowlhadnotthrownheroutof thecastleon thespot.Butsincehehadnot,she thoughtof thenextthingthatneededdoingatonce.Sheopenedthedoorbesidethestairs,foundthedrizzle had almost stopped, and sallied out into the yard, where she beganvigorouslysortingthroughpilesofdrippingrubbish.

Therewasametallicclash!andHowlappearedagain,stumblingslightly, inthemiddleofthelargesheetofrustyironSophiehadbeengoingtomovenext.

“Nothereeither,”hesaid.“Youareaterror,aren’tyou?Leavethisyardalone.Iknowjustwhereeverythingisinit,andIwon’tbeabletofindthethingsIneedformytransportspellsifyoutidythemup.”

Sotherewasprobablyabundleofsoulsoraboxofchewedheartssomewhereouthere,Sophiethought.Shefeltreallythwarted.“TidyingupiswhatI’mherefor!”sheshoutedatHowl.

“Then you must think of a new meaning for your life,” Howl said. For amoment it seemedas ifhewasgoing to losehis temper too.His strange,paleeyes all but glared at Sophie. But he controlled himself and said, “Now trotalong indoors, you overactive old thing, and find something else to playwithbeforeIgetangry.Ihategettingangry.”

Sophiefoldedherskinnyarms.Shedidnotlikebeingglaredatbyeyeslikeglas