Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
Thedragonexertedhimselftosaytherightthingtoeverybody,andprovedthelifeandsouloftheevening;whiletheSaintandtheBoy,astheylookedon,feltthattheywereonlyassistingatafeastofwhichthehonourandtheglorywereentirelythedragon’s.Buttheydidn’tmindthat,beinggoodfellows,andthedragonwasnotintheleastproudorforgetful.Onthecontrary,everytenminutesorsoheleantovertowardstheBoyandsaidimpressively:“Lookhere!youWILLseemehomeafterwards,won’tyou?”AndtheBoyalwaysnodded,thoughhehadpromisedhismothernottobeoutlate.
Atlastthebanquetwasover,theguestshaddroppedawaywithmanygood-nightsandcongratulationsandinvitations,andthedragon,whohadseenthelastofthemoffthepremises,emergedintothestreetfollowedbytheBoy,wipedhisbrow,sighed,satdownintheroadandgazedatthestars.“Jollynightit’sbeen!”hemurmured.“Jollystars!Jollylittleplacethis!ThinkIshalljuststophere.Don’tfeellikeclimbingupanybeastlyhill.Boy’spromisedtoseemehome.Boyhadbetterdoitthen!Noresponsibilityonmypart.ResponsibilityallBoy’s!”Andhischinsankonhisbroadchestandheslumberedpeacefully.
“Oh,GETup,dragon,”criedtheBoy,piteously.“YouKNEWmymother’ssittingup,andI’msotired,andyoumademepromisetoseeyouhome,andIneverknewwhatitmeantorIwouldn’thavedoneit!”AndtheBoysatdownintheroadbythesideofthesleepingdragon,andcried.
Thedoorbehindthemopened,astreamoflightilluminedtheroad,andSt.
