Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Remarkable Rocket
ButtheCatherineWheelshookherhead."Romanceisdead,Romanceisdead,Romanceisdead,"shemurmured.Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhothinkthat,ifyousaythesamethingoverandoveragreatmanytimes,itbecomestrueintheend.
Suddenly,asharp,drycoughwasheard,andtheyalllookedround.
Itcamefromatall,supercilious-lookingRocket,whowastiedtotheendofalongstick.Healwayscoughedbeforehemadeanyobservation,soastoattractattention.
"Ahem!ahem!"hesaid,andeverybodylistenedexceptthepoorCatherineWheel,whowasstillshakingherhead,andmurmuring,"Romanceisdead."
"Order!order!"criedoutaCracker.Hewassomethingofapolitician,andhadalwaystakenaprominentpartinthelocalelections,soheknewtheproperParliamentaryexpressionstouse.
"Quitedead,"whisperedtheCatherineWheel,andshewentofftosleep.
Assoonastherewasperfectsilence,theRocketcoughedathirdtimeandbegan.Hespokewithaveryslow,distinctvoice,asifhewasdictatinghismemoirs,andalwayslookedovertheshoulderofthepersontowhomhewastalking.Infact,hehadamostdistinguishedmanner.
"HowfortunateitisfortheKing’sson,"heremarked,"thatheistobemarriedontheverydayonwhichIamtobeletoff!Really,ifithadbeenarrangedbeforehand,itcouldnothaveturnedoutbetterforhim;butPrincesarealwayslucky."
"Dearme!"saidthelittleSquib,"Ithoughtitwasquitetheotherway,andthatweweretobeletoffinthePrince’shonour."
