Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
Weranthemonsteracrossthepaddockandalongthehedgeofthenextfield,andthenhetooktotheroadlikeanytamecivilizedtax-payer.Herehistracksbecameblendedwithandlostamongmoreordinaryfootprints,butimaginationandafixedideawilldoagreatdeal,andweweresureweknewthedirectionadragonwouldnaturallytake.Thetraces,too,keptreappearingatintervals—atleastCharlottemaintainedtheydid,andasitwasHERdragonIleftthefollowingoftheslottoherandtrottedalongpeacefully,feelingthatitwasanexpeditionanyhowandsomethingwassuretocomeoutofit.
Charlottetookmeacrossanotherfieldortwo,andthroughacopse,andintoafreshroad;andIbegantofeelsureitwasonlyherconfoundedpridethatmadehergoonpretendingtoseedragon-tracksinsteadofowningshewasentirelyatfault,likeareasonableperson.Atlastshedraggedmeexcitedlythroughagapinahedgeofanobviouslyprivatecharacter;thewaste,openworldoffieldandhedge-rowdisappeared,andwefoundourselvesinagarden,well-kept,secluded,mostun-dragon-hauntedinappearance.Onceinside,Iknewwherewewere.Thiswasthegardenofmyfriendthecircus-man,thoughIhadneverapproacheditbeforebyalawlessgap,fromthisunfamiliarside.
Andherewasthecircus-manhimself,placidlysmokingapipeashestrolledupanddownthewalks.IsteppeduptohimandaskedhimpolitelyifhehadlatelyseenaBeast.
“MayIinquire,”hesaid,withallcivility,“whatparticularsortofaBeastyoumayhappentobelookingfor?”
“It’saLIZARDYsortofBeast,”Iexplained.
