Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
”
“Lookhere,dragon,”interruptedtheBoy,alittlejealousonbehalfofhisfriend,whoseemedtobegettingalltheworstofthebargain:“Idon’tquiteseewhereYOUcomein!There’stobeafight,apparently,andyou’retobelicked;andwhatIwanttoknowis,whatareYOUgoingtogetoutofit?”
“St.George,”saidthedragon,“Justtellhim,please,—whatwillhappenafterI’mvanquishedinthedeadlycombat?”
“Well,accordingtotherulesIsupposeIshallleadyouintriumphdowntothemarket-placeorwhateveranswerstoit,”saidSt.George.
“Precisely,”saidthedragon.“Andthen—”
“Andthenthere’llbeshoutingsandspeechesandthings,”continuedSt.George.“AndIshallexplainthatyou’reconverted,andseetheerrorofyourways,andsoon.”
“Quiteso,”saidthedragon.“Andthen—?”
“Oh,andthen—”saidSt.George,“why,andthentherewillbetheusualbanquet,Isuppose.”
“Exactly,”saidthedragon;“andthat’swhereIcomein.Lookhere,”hecontinued,addressingtheBoy,“I’mboredtodeathuphere,andnoonereallyappreciatesme.I’mgoingintoSociety,Iam,throughthekindlyaidofourfriendhere,who’stakingsuchalotoftroubleonmyaccount;andyou’llfindI’vegotallthequalitiestoendearmetopeoplewhoentertain!Sonowthat’sallsettled,andifyoudon’tmind—I’manold-fashionedfellow—don’twanttoturnyouout,but—”
“Remember,you’llhavetodoyourpropershareofthefighting,dragon!”saidSt.
