Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Sophie Sprays Weed Killer

As dusk approached, Hal opened the door and strolled in, whistling.He seems to have recovered from the shock caused by the datura root.He didn't go to Wales, but Sophie didn't feel any better about it.She gave him a savage look. "Good God!" said Hal, "you're turning me to stone! What's the matter?" Sophie just snarled, "Which dress are you wearing?" Hal looked down at his black suit. "does it matter?" "Yes!" Sophie yelled. "Don't give me an excuse about mourning! Which one is it?" Hal shrugged and pulled up a sleeve, as if not sure which one it was.He stared, puzzled.The black fades from the shoulders to the dangling pointed cuffs.His shoulders and the tops of his sleeves faded to brown, then gray, and the pointed cuffs faded to black until Hal wore a black suit with one silver-blue sleeve that seemed to have been soaked in tar. "This one." He finished, letting the black spread back to his shoulders.

Sophie was somehow more annoyed than before.She burst into speechless anger. "Sophie!" Hal said in his funniest, most pleading way. The dog man pushed open the courtyard door and staggered in.He wouldn't let Howl and Sophie talk for too long. Hal stared at him. "You've got an Old English Sheepdog again now," he said, as if pleased with the new topic. "Two dogs eat a lot." "There's only one dog," said Sophie angrily. "He's been cursed." "Really?" said Hal, walking towards the dog with a speed that suggested he was quite happy to be free of Sophie.This is of course the last thing a dog person wants.He backs away.Hal swooped in, catching Shaggy with both hands as he fled to the door. "Sure enough!" he said, kneeling down to look into the collie's eyes. "Sophie," he said, "what do you mean you won't tell me this? The dog is a human being! He's in terrible shape!" Hal turned on one knee, still clutching the dog.Sophie watched the glare in Howl's beaded eyes and realized that he was angry now, really angry.

very good.Sophie wants to fight. "You can find out yourself too," she said, glaring at him too, provoking Hal to release the green slime. "Anyway, the dog doesn't want to—" Hal was so angry that he couldn't listen.He jumped up and dragged the dog across the tiles. "If I hadn't got something on my mind, I should have found out," he said. "Come on. I want you to stand in front of Calcifer." The dog's four hairy feet scratched the ground.Howl tugged at him, spreading his feet apart to keep him from sliding. "Mike!" he yelled. There was a peculiar sound in the shout that made Mike run in.

"Did you know this dog is actually a human?" Hal asked as he and Mike dragged the reluctant dog upstairs like a mountain. "No way?" Mike asked in shock. "Then I'll let you go and settle with Sophie," said Hal, dragging the dog across the broom cupboard. "There's not a single thing that's not about Sophie! But you know, Calcifer?" Hal said as they drew the dog to the fireplace. Calcifer retreated until the chimney bent his back. "You never asked," he said. "Do I need to ask you?" Hal said. "Well, I should have noticed it myself! But you make me sick, Calcifer! Compared to the way the Witch treats her Fire Demon, your life is so much easier." Disgusting, all I want in return is for you to tell me what I need to know. This is the second time you've let me down! Now help me turn this guy back into his original form!"

Calcifer turned an unusual sickly blue. "Okay," he said sullenly. The Dogman tried to run away, but Hal shoved his shoulder against his chest, forcing him to stand on his hind legs.And Hal and Mike were there grabbing him. "Why isn't this stupid fellow compromising?" Hal gasped. "It looks like the Witch of the Waste is at it again, doesn't it?" "Yes. There are several levels," Calcifer said. "At least separate the dog part first," Hal said. Calcifer surged into a roaring dark blue.Sophie watched cautiously through the door of the broom cupboard as the shaggy dog ​​disappeared into a human.Then it fades into a dog, back into a human, blurry, then solid again.Finally, Hal and Mike each took an arm of a ginger-haired man wrapped in crumpled brown clothes.Sophie was not surprised that she didn't recognize him.Apart from his anxious expression, his face has almost no personality at all.

"Who are you, friend?" Howl asked him. The man raised his hand and touched his face tremblingly. "I—I'm not sure." "One of his last names was Percival," Calcifer said. The man looked at Calcifer as if hoping Calcifer didn't know about it. "Really?" he said. "Then we'll call you Percival for the time being," Hal said.He turned the Dogman around and sat him in the chair. "Sit down, relax, and tell us what you remember. From the way you look, the witch has been tormenting you for a while." "Yes." Percival said, rubbing his face again. "She took my head off. I—I remember being on a shelf, looking at the rest of me."

Mike was shocked. "But you're going to die!" he objected. "Not necessarily," Hal said, "you haven't been exposed to that kind of witchcraft, but I can take any piece of you I want, and keep the rest of you alive, if I do it right." The dog-watching man frowned, "But I don't know if the witch has assembled this one." Clearly trying to prove that he was working hard for Hal, Calcifer said, "This man is not complete, parts of him come from another man." Percival looked distraught. "Don't frighten him, Calcifer," said Howl. "He must have suffered enough. Do you know why the Witch took your head, friend?" he asked Percival.

"I don't know," said Percival. "I don't remember anything." Sophie knew that was definitely not the truth.She snorted. Mike suddenly had an epiphany.He leaned closer to Percival and asked, "Do you have any impression of the name Justin? ——or Your Highness Justin?" Sophie snorted again.Before Percival opened his mouth, she knew it was absurd.Percival said, "No, the Witch calls me Gaston, but that's not my name." "Don't make him, Mike," said Howl. "Don't make Sophie hum again. In her mood, one more time will bring down the castle."

Although it meant that Howl didn't seem to be angry anymore, Sophie was angrier than before.She shuffled into the shop, banging things, closing the door, packing up and closing.She walked up to the daffodils.They have mutated horribly.Wet brown stuff hung from the outside of the barrel, which was filled with a poisonous-smelling liquid she had never seen before. "Oh, damn it!" cried Sophie. "What's the matter?" Hal said, coming to the store.He stooped and sniffed the bucket. "It seems to be a fairly powerful herbicide. How about trying it on the weeds on the road in front of the house?"

"I will," said Sophie, "I'm trying to kill something!" She rummaged until she found a jug, and thumped into the castle with the jug and bucket, and flung the door open with the orange mark down. , walked up the avenue in front of the house. Percival looked up worriedly.They gave him the guitar like a rattle to a baby, and he sat there making horrible clangs. "You go with her, Percival," said Howl. "She'll kill all the trees in such a mood." So Percival put down the guitar and carefully took the bucket from Sophie.Sophie stepped into the golden summer evening at the end of the valley.So far, everyone has been in a hurry and has no time to pay attention to this house.It was much grander than Sophie had imagined.There was a weedy lawn in front of the house, with sculptures at the edge, and steps down to the driveway.Sophie looked back--pretending to make Percival hurry up--and saw that the house was very large, with rows of windows on the roof and more sculptures.But it was abandoned.The mottled walls around each window were covered in green mold.Many of the windows were broken, and the shutters that were supposed to be folded against the wall by the windows were covered in dust and blistered paint, hanging in midair.

"Hmph!" said Sophie, "I thought Howl could at least make the place look like a human place. But no! He's too busy to hang around in Wales! Don't just stand there, Percival! Pour a little of that thing in the watering can and follow me." Percival meekly did as she was told.Bullying him is no fun.Sophie guessed that was why Howl had sent him.She snorted, unleashing her anger on the weeds.No matter what it is that kills the daffodils, it is very powerful.Weeds in the driveway die as soon as they touch it.So did the grass that lined the driveway, until Sophie's anger subsided a little.The breath of the night soothed her.The fresh air blows in from the distant mountains, and the trees planted on both sides of the driveway rustle, making the scenery picturesque. Sophie mowed the grass all the way up to a quarter of the driveway. "You remember a lot more than you can tell." She accused Percival as she filled her jug. "What did the witch want from you? Why did she bring you to the shop then?" "She wants to know about Hal," said Percival. "Hal?" said Sophie, "but you don't know him?" "No, but I know something for sure. And it has something to do with the curse she cast on him," Percival explained, "but I don't know what it is. She got it, after we've been in the shop. I feel Bad. I tried to keep her from knowing because the spell was evil and thinking of Letty I did that at the time. Letty was on my mind. I don't know how I knew her because I went to Upper Fordring Well, Letty said she never saw me. But I knew all about her—so when the witch asked me to tell her about Letty, I said she had a hat shop in Chipping. So the witch went There, just to teach us both a lesson. You were in the shop. She thought you were Letty. I freaked out because I didn't know Letty had a sister." Sophie picked up the kettle and mowed the weeds hard, hoping that the weeds were witches. "She turned you into a dog right after that?" "Just out of town," said Percival, "as soon as she knew what she wanted, she opened the carriage door and said, 'Go away. I'll call you when I need you.' So I ran, because I could Felt a spell chasing me. Just as I was running to a farm it caught up with me and the people there saw me transformed into a dog and thought I was a werewolf and wanted to kill me. I had to bite a man I was able to escape. But I couldn't get away from the stick, I got my head stuck in it when I went through the hedge." Sophie listened as she went to the other bend in the driveway to weed. "Then you went to Mrs. Fairfax's?" "Yes, I'm going to Lettie. They've been very kind to me," said Percival, "though they've never seen me before. Wizard Howl keeps visiting, after Lettie. Lettie doesn't like him, she Let me bite him so I can get away from him, until suddenly Hal starts asking her about you—" Sophie's shoes are nearly ruined by weed killer.The gravel that gets on this thing is smoking, and if it gets on shoes, it will probably end in the same way. "what?" "He said, 'I know a guy named Sophie who looks a bit like you.' Letty said without thinking, 'That's my sister,'" Percival said. "She was quite concerned, especially when Hal When kept questioning her sister. Letty said she could have held back. The day you came she was kind to Hal to find out how he knew you. Hal said you were an old lady. Phil Mrs. Fax said she had seen you. Letty was crying. She said, 'Something terrible has happened to Sophie! The worst part is she thought she was safe with Hal. Sophie was so kind, Don't know how heartless Hal is!' She was so restless, so I tried to be human, just enough to say, I'll go and nurse you." Sophie made a big arc, spraying the herbicide, and the smoke came up. "Damn Letty! She's so sweet and I love her so much. I'm worried about her too. But I don't need a watchdog!" "No, you did," said Percival. "Or you did. I was too late." Sophie turned around sharply, and the herbicide was sprayed.Percival had to jump into the grass and run behind the nearest tree for his life.He ran all the way, and the green grass behind him withered and grew a long brown strip. "Damn it!" Sophie yelled, "I'll stop here with you all!" She threw the smoking kettle in the middle of the road, and strode through the weeds to the stone gate. "It's too late!" she murmured as she went away. "What nonsense! Not only is Hal heartless, he's unbearable! Besides," she added, "I'm an old woman." But she couldn't deny that something hadn't been right since the Moving Castle moved, or had been before.And that seems to have something to do with Sophie's inexplicable inability to face her two younger sisters. "It's true what I told the king!" she went on.She wanted to put seven mile boots on both feet and never look back.Tell everyone!Poor Mrs. Pentstemmon is counting on Sophie to keep Hal from being too bad, and I don't care!Sophie was a loser anyway.All because of being the boss.Mrs. Pentstemton thought Sophie was Howl's old mother.Does she think so?or not?Sophie realized with discomfiture that if a lady with such a trained eye could detect spells sewn into clothes, it would be a piece of cake to spot witches' stronger spells. "Oh, the bloody grey-red suit!" said Sophie, "I refuse to believe I've been bewitched by it!" The problem was that the silver-blue suit seemed to have the same effect.She took a few steps forward. "Anyway," she said with relief, "Hal doesn't like me!" This self-comforting thought would have been enough to keep Sophie going all night, but a familiar feeling of uneasiness suddenly rose through her.Her ears caught the distant sound of duke, duke, duke.She stood under the low hanging sun, looking out angrily.On the winding road behind the stone gate, there is a small figure with arms outstretched, jumping and jumping. Sophie picked up her skirt, turned her head abruptly, and ran back along the way she came.Clouds of dust and grit kicked up around her.Percival stood miserable in the driveway, beside the bucket and jug.Sophie grabbed him and pulled him behind the nearest tree. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "Quiet! It's that nasty scarecrow again." Sophie panted.She closes her eyes. "We're not here," she said. "You won't find us. Come on. Come on, hurry, hurry!" "But why?—" Percival asked. "Shut up! Not here, not here, not here!" Sophie said desperately.She opened one eye.The Scarecrow had almost jumped between the gateposts, and was standing still, wobbling undecided. "That's right," said Sophie. "We're not here. Go quickly. Twice, three times, ten times faster. Go away!" The Scarecrow turned hesitantly and began to jump back.After a few jumps, the stride increased, and the speed became faster and faster, just as Sophie commanded it.Sophie didn't dare to vent her anger, and didn't dare to let go of Percival's sleeve, and waited until the scarecrow completely disappeared. "What's the matter with it?" asked Percival, "Why did you drive it away?" Sophie shrugged.As the Scarecrow was on that road, she dared not go away at once.She packed up the kettle and shuffled back to the mansion.A floating object caught her attention.She looked up at the house.Above the statue on the lawn, there is a long French window that is open, and the long white curtains are fluttering.The statue was now clean white stone, and she saw that most of the windows were covered with curtains and glass.The shutters, freshly painted white, fold neatly on either side.There are no green spots or air bubbles on the freshly painted cream plaster at the front of the house.The front door was painted gold vines on a black background, with a gilt lion in the center with the knocker in its mouth, a masterpiece. "Ha!" said Sophie. She resisted the temptation to step into the open French windows to find out.That was what Hal wanted her to do.She strode straight to the front door, grabbed the golden knocker, and slammed it open.Hal and Mike were at the workbench, hastily dismantling a spell.Part of it must have been used to alter the Mansion, but Sophie knew very well that the rest was some kind of bugging charm.They looked up nervously at Sophie rushing through the door, and Calcifer quickly ducked under the firewood. "Get behind me, Mike," Hal said. "Eavesdroppers!" cried Sophie. "Snoopers!" "What's wrong?" Hal asked. "You want the shutters to be black and gold too?" "You're impudent—" Sophie stammered, "you've heard more than that! How long have you—you—you've known me—I'm—for?" "Cursed?" Hal said. "Well, this—" "I told him," Mike said, eyeing Hal nervously. "My Letty—" "You!" Sophie screamed. "The other Letty gave away too," said Hal quickly. "You know what she said. Mrs. Fairfax talked a lot that day. For a while it seemed like everyone was telling me about it. Even Calcifer—when I asked him. But do you really think that I am not strong enough to recognize such a powerful spell? I tried several times to remove it from you when you were not paying attention. But It didn't work. I took you to see Mrs. Pentstemmon, hoping she would do something about it, but apparently she couldn't either. I've come to the conclusion that you like to pretend like this." "Fake!" Sophie yelled. Hal laughed. "It must be, because you made it up yourself," he said. "What a strange family! Is your name Letty too?" Sophie couldn't take it anymore.At this moment, Percival squeezed into the room nervously, carrying half a bucket of herbicide.Sophie dropped the jug, snatched the bucket from him, and threw it at Howl.Hal hastily bent over to get out of the way.Mike also stayed away.The herbicide was splashed from the floor to the ceiling, raising a sizzling green flame.The bucket fell into the sink with a clang, and the remaining flowers died in an instant. "Ouch!" said Calcifer from under the log, "that's great." Hal carefully picked up the skull from among the smoking remains of brown flowers and wiped it dry with one sleeve. "Of course it's powerful," he said. "Sophie never skimps on things." Howl wiped the skull back to white, and his used sleeves faded to silvery blue.Hal put the skull on the workbench and looked at his sleeve regretfully. Sophie almost wanted to go straight out of the castle again, and walk far down the road.But the Scarecrow is on the way.She had to move to the chair and sit down, sulking.I didn't say a word to them!she thinks. "Sophie," Hal said, "I did my best. Haven't you noticed that your various ailments have improved lately? Or do you enjoy being in pain all the time?" Sophie didn't answer.Howl didn't continue, and turned to Percival. "I'm glad you've got some brains," he said. "You've given me a lot of worry." "I don't really remember anything," said Percival.But he no longer looks like a fool.He picked up the guitar and started tuning it.After a while, the guitar made a pleasant sound. "It's so sad," said Hal sadly. "I'm a Welshman with no musical instincts. Did you tell Sophie all about it? Do you really know what the witch wants?" "She wants to know about Wales," said Percival. "I think so," Hal said gravely. "Ah, all right." He went to the bathroom, where he stayed for two hours.During this period, Percival played many pieces, slowly and thoughtfully, as if groping for how to play, while Mike knelt on the ground with a smoking rag and wiped it here and there, trying to clean up the weed killer.Sophie sat in a chair and said nothing.Now and then Calcifer jumped up to take a peek at her, and then ducked back under the logs. When Hal came out of the bathroom, his clothes were jet-black and his hair was white and shiny, enveloped in gentian-scented steam. "I might be late," he said to Mike. "After midnight, it's Midsummer's Day, and the Witch is likely to strike. So keep your guard up and remember everything I tell you, please." "Okay," Mike said, throwing the smoking remains of the rag into the sink. Howl turned to Percival again. "I think I know what happened to you," he said. "It's a big job to fix your problem, but I'll try it tomorrow when I get back." Hal walked to the door, held the handle but stopped. down. "Sophie, are you still not talking to me?" he asked pitifully. Sophie knew that Howl could pretend to be pitiful in Paradise if he wanted to.He was just using her to get information from Percival. "No!" she growled. Hal sighed and walked out the door.Sophie looked up and saw the black mark on the handle facing down.enough!she thinks.I don't care if tomorrow is Midsummer's Day!I'm leaving.