Счастливый принц и другие сказки
The Devoted Friend
DoyouknowthatIalwaysworkbetterafterhearingthebirdssing?’
"‘Well,Iamgladofthat,’saidtheMiller,clappinglittleHansontheback,‘forIwantyoutocomeuptothemillassoonasyouaredressedandmendmybarn-roofforme.’
"PoorlittleHanswasveryanxioustogoandworkinhisgarden,forhisflowershadnotbeenwateredfortwodays,buthedidnotliketorefusetheMillerashewassuchagoodfriendtohim.
"‘DoyouthinkitwouldbeunfriendlyofmeifIsaidIwasbusy?’heinquiredinashyandtimidvoice.
"‘Well,really,’answeredtheMiller,‘Idonotthinkitismuchtoaskofyou,consideringthatIamgoingtogiveyoumywheelbarrow;butofcourseifyourefuseIwillgoanddoitmyself.’
"‘Oh!onnoaccount,’criedlittleHans;andhejumpedoutofbed,anddressedhimself,andwentuptothebarn.
"Heworkedtherealldaylong,tillsunset,andatsunsettheMillercametoseehowhewasgettingon.
"‘Haveyoumendedtheholeintheroofyet,littleHans?’criedtheMillerinacheeryvoice.
"‘Itisquitemended,’answeredlittleHans,comingdowntheladder.
"‘Ah!’saidtheMiller,‘thereisnoworksodelightfulastheworkonedoesforothers.’
"‘Itiscertainlyagreatprivilegetohearyoutalk,’answeredlittleHans,sittingdownandwipinghisforehead,‘averygreatprivilege.ButIamafraidIshallneverhavesuchbeautifulideasasyouhave.’
"‘Oh!theywillcometoyou,’saidtheMiller,‘butyoumusttakemorepains.
