Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
George,whohadcomeoutforastrollinthecoolnight-air,caughtsightofthetwofiguressittingthere—thegreatmotionlessdragonandthetearfullittleBoy.
“What’sthematter,Boy?”heinquiredkindly,steppingtohisside.
“Oh,it’sthisgreatlumberingPIGofadragon!”sobbedtheBoy.“Firsthemakesmepromisetoseehimhome,andthenhesaysI’dbetterdoit,andgoestosleep!MightaswelltrytoseeaHAYSTACKhome!AndI’msotired,andmother’s—”herehebrokedownagain.
“Nowdon’ttakeon,”saidSt.George.“I’llstandbyyou,andwe’llBOTHseehimhome.Wakeup,dragon!”hesaidsharply,shakingthebeastbytheelbow.
Thedragonlookedupsleepily.“Whatanight,George!”hemurmured;“whata—”
“Nowlookhere,dragon,”saidtheSaint,firmly.“Here’sthislittlefellowwaitingtoseeyouhome,andyouKNOWheoughttohavebeeninbedthesetwohours,andwhathismother’llsayIdon’tknow,andanybodybutaselfishpigwouldhaveMADEhimgotobedlongago—”
“AndheSHALLgotobed!”criedthedragon,startingup.“Poorlittlechap,onlyfancyhisbeingupatthishour!It’sashame,that’swhatitis,andIdon’tthink,St.George,you’vebeenveryconsiderate—butcomealongatonce,anddon’tletushaveanymorearguingorshilly-shallying.Yougivemeholdofyourhand,Boy—thankyou,George,anarmupthehillisjustwhatIwanted!”
Sotheysetoffupthehillarm-in-arm,theSaint,theDragon,andtheBoy.
