Счастливый принц и другие сказки
The Devoted Friend
Thatatleastismyideaaboutfriendship,andIamsureIamright.SoIshallwaittillthespringcomes,andthenIshallpayhimavisit,andhewillbeabletogivemealargebasketofprimroses,andthatwillmakehimsohappy.’
"‘Youarecertainlyverythoughtfulaboutothers,’answeredtheWife,asshesatinhercomfortablearmchairbythebigpinewoodfire;‘verythoughtfulindeed.Itisquiteatreattohearyoutalkaboutfriendship.Iamsuretheclergymanhimselfcouldnotsaysuchbeautifulthingsasyoudo,thoughhedoesliveinathree-storiedhouse,andwearagoldringonhislittlefinger.’
"‘ButcouldwenotasklittleHansuphere?’saidtheMiller’syoungestson.‘IfpoorHansisintroubleIwillgivehimhalfmyporridge,andshowhimmywhiterabbits.’
"‘Whatasillyboyyouare!’criedtheMiller;‘Ireallydon’tknowwhatistheuseofsendingyoutoschool.Youseemnottolearnanything.Why,iflittleHanscameuphere,andsawourwarmfire,andourgoodsupper,andourgreatcaskofredwine,hemightgetenvious,andenvyisamostterriblething,andwouldspoilanybody’snature.IcertainlywillnotallowHans’naturetobespoiled.Iamhisbestfriend,andIwillalwayswatchoverhim,andseethatheisnotledintoanytemptations.Besides,ifHanscamehere,hemightaskmetolethimhavesomeflouroncredit,andthatIcouldnotdo.Flourisonethingandfriendshipisanother,andtheyshouldnotbeconfused.Why,thewordsarespeltdifferently,andmeanquitedifferentthings.
