Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Devoted Friend
"NowithappenedthatoneeveninglittleHanswassittingbyhisfiresidewhenaloudrapcameatthedoor.Itwasaverywildnight,andthewindwasblowingandroaringroundthehousesoterriblythatatfirsthethoughtitwasmerelythestorm.Butasecondrapcame,andthenathird,louderthananyoftheothers.
"‘Itissomepoortraveller,’saidlittleHanstohimself,andherantothedoor.
"TherestoodtheMillerwithalanterninonehandandabigstickintheother.
"‘DearlittleHans,’criedtheMiller,‘Iamingreattrouble.Mylittleboyhasfallenoffaladderandhurthimself,andIamgoingfortheDoctor.Buthelivessofaraway,anditissuchabadnight,thatithasjustoccurredtomethatitwouldbemuchbetterifyouwentinsteadofme.YouknowIamgoingtogiveyoumywheelbarrow,andsoitisonlyfairthatyoushoulddosomethingformeinreturn.’
"‘Certainly,’criedlittleHans,‘Itakeitquiteasacomplimentyourcomingtome,andIwillstartoffatonce.Butyoumustlendmeyourlantern,asthenightissodarkthatIamafraidImightfallintotheditch.’
"‘Iamverysorry,’answeredtheMiller,‘butitismynewlanternanditwouldbeagreatlosstomeifanythinghappenedtoit.’
"‘Well,nevermind,Iwilldowithoutit,’criedlittleHans,andhetookdownhisgreatfurcoat,andhiswarmscarletcap,andtiedamufflerroundhisthroat,andstartedoff.
