Дні мрій
The Reluctant Dragon
Next,themeasuredtrampofagreatwar-horsemadehisheartbeatquicker,andthenhefoundhimselfcheeringwiththerest,as,amidstwelcomingshouts,shrillcriesofwomen,upliftingofbabiesandwavingofhandkerchiefs,St.Georgepacedslowlyupthestreet.TheBoy’sheartstoodstillandhebreathedwithsobs,thebeautyandthegraceoftheheroweresofarbeyondanythinghehadyetseen.Hisflutedarmourwasinlaidwithgold,hisplumedhelmethungathissaddle-bow,andhisthickfairhairframedafacegraciousandgentlebeyondexpressiontillyoucaughtthesternnessinhiseyes.Hedrewreininfrontofthelittleinn,andthevillagerscrowdedroundwithgreetingsandthanksandvolublestatementsoftheirwrongsandgrievancesandoppressions.TheBoyheardthegravegentlevoiceoftheSaint,assuringthemthatallwouldbewellnow,andthathewouldstandbythemandseethemrightedandfreethemfromtheirfoe;thenhedismountedandpassedthroughthedoorwayandthecrowdpouredinafterhim.ButtheBoymadeoffupthehillasfastashecouldlayhislegstotheground.
“It’sallup,dragon!”heshoutedassoonashewaswithinsightofthebeast.“He’scoming!He’sherenow!You’llhavetopullyourselftogetherandDOsomethingatlast!”
Thedragonwaslickinghisscalesandrubbingthemwithabitofhouse-flanneltheBoy’smotherhadlenthim,tillheshonelikeagreatturquoise.
“Don’tbeVIOLENT,Boy,”hesaidwithoutlookinground.
