Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
Notbutwhatitwouldmakeaveryprettypicture,asyousay,”headded,waveringalittle.
“WeseemtobegettingrathernearertoBUSINESS,”putintheBoy.“Youmustsee,dragon,thatthere’sgottobeafightofsomesort,’cosyoucan’twanttohavetogodownthatdirtyoldholeagainandstoptheretillgoodnessknowswhen.”
“Itmightbearranged,”saidSt.George,thoughtfully.“IMUSTspearyousomewhere,ofcourse,butI’mnotboundtohurtyouverymuch.There’ssuchalotofyouthattheremustbeafewSPAREplacessomewhere.Here,forinstance,justbehindyourforeleg.Itcouldn’thurtyoumuch,justhere!”
“Nowyou’retickling,George,”saidthedragon,coyly.“No,thatplacewon’tdoatall.Evenifitdidn’thurt,—andI’msureitwould,awfully,—itwouldmakemelaugh,andthatwouldspoileverything.”
“Let’strysomewhereelse,then,”saidSt.George,patiently.“Underyourneck,forinstance,—allthesefoldsofthickskin,—ifIspearedyouhereyou’dneverevenknowI’ddoneit!”
“Yes,butareyousureyoucanhitofftherightplace?”askedthedragon,anxiously.
“OfcourseIam,”saidSt.George,withconfidence.“Youleavethattome!”
“It’sjustbecauseI’veGOTtoleaveittoyouthatI’masking,”repliedthedragon,rathertestily.“Nodoubtyouwoulddeeplyregretanyerroryoumightmakeinthehurryofthemoment;butyouwouldn’tregretithalfasmuchasIshould!However,Isupposewe’vegottotrustsomebody,aswegothroughlife,andyourplanseems,onthewhole,asgoodaoneasany.
