Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
Meanwhilethedragon,ahappyBohemian,lolledontheturf,enjoyedthesunsets,toldantediluviananecdotestotheBoy,andpolishedhisoldverseswhilemeditatingonfreshones.
OnedaytheBoy,onwalkingintothevillage,foundeverythingwearingafestalappearancewhichwasnottobeaccountedforinthecalendar.Carpetsandgay-colouredstuffswerehungoutofthewindows,thechurch-bellsclamourednoisily,thelittlestreetwasflower-strewn,andthewholepopulationjostledeachotheralongeithersideofit,chattering,shoving,andorderingeachothertostandback.TheBoysawafriendofhisownageinthecrowdandhailedhim.
“What’sup?”hecried.“Isittheplayers,orbears,oracircus,orwhat?”
“It’sallright,”hisfriendhailedback.“He’sa-coming.”
“WHO’Sa-coming?”demandedtheBoy,thrustingintothethrong.
“Why,St.George,ofcourse,”repliedhisfriend.“He’sheardtellofourdragon,andhe’scomin’onpurposetoslaythedeadlybeast,andfreeusfromhishorridyoke.Omy!won’ttherebeajollyfight!”
Herewasnewsindeed!TheBoyfeltthatheoughttomakequitesureforhimself,andhewriggledhimselfinbetweenthelegsofhisgood-naturedelders,abusingthemallthetimefortheirunmannerlyhabitofshoving.Onceinthefrontrank,hebreathlesslyawaitedthearrival.
Presentlyfromthefar-awayendofthelinecamethesoundofcheering.
