第4章

AndI’venodoubtthey’vebeentellingyouwhataheroyouwere，andhowyouwereboundtowin，inthecauseofrightandjustice，andsoon;butletmetellyou，Icamedownthestreetjustnow，andtheywerebettingsixtofouronthedragonfreely！"

"Sixtofouronthedragon！"murmuredSt。Georgesadly，restinghischeekonhishand。"Thisisanevilworld，andsometimesIbegintothinkthatallthewickednessinitisnotentirelybottledupinsidethedragons。Andyet——maynotthiswilybeasthavemisledyouastohisrealcharacter，inorderthatyourgoodreportofhimmayserveasacloakforhisevildeeds？Nay，maytherenotbe，atthisverymoment，somehaplessPrincessimmuredwithinyondergloomycavern？"

Themomenthehadspoken，St。Georgewassorryforwhathehadsaid，theBoylookedsogenuinelydistressed。

"Iassureyou，St。George，"hesaidearnestly，"there’snothingofthesortinthecaveatall。Thedragon’sarealgentleman，everyinchofhim，andImaysaythatnoonewouldbemoreshockedandgrievedthanhewould，athearingyoutalkinthat——

thatLOOSEwayaboutmattersonwhichhehasverystrongviews！"

"Well，perhapsI’vebeenover-credulous，"saidSt。George。

"PerhapsI’vemisjudgedtheanimal。Butwhatarewetodo？HerearethedragonandI，almostfacetoface，eachsupposedtobethirstingforeachother’sblood。Idon’tseeanywayoutofit，exactly。Whatdoyousuggest？Can’tyouarrangethings，somehow？"

"That’sjustwhatthedragonsaid，"repliedtheBoy，rathernettled。"Really，thewayyoutwoseemtoleaveeverythingtome——Isupposeyoucouldn’tbepersuadedtogoawayquietly，couldyou？"

"Impossible，Ifear，"saidtheSaint。"Quiteagainsttherules。

YOUknowthataswellasIdo。"

"Well，then，lookhere，"saidtheBoy，"it’searlyyet——wouldyoumindstrollingupwithmeandseeingthedragonandtalkingitover？It’snotfar，andanyfriendofminewillbemostwelcome。"

"Well，it’sIRREGULAR，"saidSt。George，rising，"butreallyitseemsaboutthemostsensiblethingtodo。You’retakingalotoftroubleonyourfriend’saccount，"headded，good-naturedly，astheypassedoutthroughthedoortogether。

"Butcheerup！Perhapstherewon’thavetobeanyfightafterall。"

"Oh，but_I_hopetherewill，though！"repliedthelittlefellow，wistfully。

"I’vebroughtafriendtoseeyou，dragon，"saidtheBoy，ratherloud。

Thedragonwokeupwithastart。"Iwasjust——er——thinkingaboutthings，"hesaidinhissimpleway。"Verypleasedtomakeyouracquaintance，sir。Charmingweatherwe’rehaving！"

"ThisisStGeorge，"saidtheBoy，shortly。"St。George，letmeintroduceyoutothedragon。We’vecomeuptotalkthingsoverquietly，dragon，andnowforgoodness’sakedoletushavealittlestraightcommon-sense，andcometosomepracticalbusiness-likearrangement，forI’msickofviewsandtheoriesoflifeandpersonaltendencies，andallthatsortofthing。Imayperhapsaddthatmymother’ssittingup。"

"Sogladtomeetyou，St。George，"beganthedragonrathernervously，"becauseyou’vebeenagreattraveller，Ihear，andI’vealwaysbeenratherastay-at-home。ButIcanshowyoumanyantiquities，manyinterestingfeaturesofourcountry-side，ifyou’restoppinghereanytime——"

"Ithink，"saidSt。George，inhisfrank，pleasantway，"thatwe’dreallybettertaketheadviceofouryoungfriendhere，andtrytocometosomeunderstanding，onabusinessfooting，aboutthislittleaffairofours。Nowdon’tyouthinkthatafterallthesimplestplanwouldbejusttofightitout，accordingtotherules，andletthebestmanwin？They’rebettingonyou，I

maytellyou，downinthevillage，butIdon’tmindthat！"

"Oh，yes，DO，dragon，"saidtheBoy，delightedly;"it’llsavesuchalotofbother！"

"Myyoungfriend，youshutup，"saidthedragonseverely。

"Believeme，St。George，"hewenton，"there’snobodyintheworldI’dsoonerobligethanyouandthisyounggentlemanhere。

Butthewholething’snonsense，andconventionality，andpopularthick-headedness。There’sabsolutelynothingtofightabout，frombeginningtoend。AndanyhowI’mnotgoingto，sothatsettlesit！"

"ButsupposingImakeyou？"saidSt。George，rathernettled。

"Youcan’t，"saidthedragon，triumphantly。"IshouldonlygointomycaveandretireforatimedowntheholeIcameup。

You’dsoongetheartilysickofsittingoutsideandwaitingformetocomeoutandfightyou。Andassoonasyou’dreallygoneaway，why，I’dcomeupagaingaily，forItellyoufrankly，Ilikethisplace，andI’mgoingtostayhere！"

St。Georgegazedforawhileonthefairlandscapearoundthem。

"Butthiswouldbeabeautifulplaceforafight，"hebeganagainpersuasively。"ThesegreatbarerollingDownsforthearena，——

andmeinmygoldenarmourshowingupagainstyourbigbluescalycoils！Thinkwhatapictureitwouldmake！"

"Nowyou’retryingtogetatmethroughmyartisticsensibilities，"saidthedragon。"Butitwon’twork。Notbutwhatitwouldmakeaveryprettypicture，asyousay，"headded，waveringalittle。

"WeseemtobegettingrathernearertoBUSINESS，"putintheBoy。"Youmustsee，dragon，thatthere’sgottobeafightofsomesort，’cosyoucan’twanttohavetogodownthatdirtyoldholeagainandstoptheretillgoodnessknowswhen。"

"Itmightbearranged，"saidSt。George，thoughtfully。"I

MUSTspearyousomewhere，ofcourse，butI’mnotboundtohurtyouverymuch。There’ssuchalotofyouthattheremustbeafewSPAREplacessomewhere。Here，forinstance，justbehindyourforeleg。Itcouldn’thurtyoumuch，justhere！"

"Nowyou’retickling，George，"saidthedragon，coyly。"No，thatplacewon’tdoatall。Evenifitdidn’thurt，——andI’msureitwould，awfully，——itwouldmakemelaugh，andthatwouldspoileverything。"

"Let’strysomewhereelse，then，"saidSt。George，patiently。

"Underyourneck，forinstance，——allthesefoldsofthickskin，——

ifIspearedyouhereyou’dneverevenknowI’ddoneit！"

"Yes，butareyousureyoucanhitofftherightplace？"

askedthedragon，anxiously。

"OfcourseIam，"saidSt。George，withconfidence。"Youleavethattome！"

"It’sjustbecauseI’veGOTtoleaveittoyouthatI’masking，"repliedthedragon，rathertestily。"Nodoubtyouwoulddeeplyregretanyerroryoumightmakeinthehurryofthemoment;butyouwouldn’tregretithalfasmuchasIshould！

However，Isupposewe’vegottotrustsomebody，aswegothroughlife，andyourplanseems，onthewhole，asgoodaoneasany。"

"Lookhere，dragon，"interruptedtheBoy，alittlejealousonbehalfofhisfriend，whoseemedtobegettingalltheworstofthebargain："Idon’tquiteseewhereYOUcomein！There’stobeafight，apparently，andyou’retobelicked;andwhatIwanttoknowis，whatareYOUgoingtogetoutofit？"

"St。George，"saidthedragon，"Justtellhim，please，——whatwillhappenafterI’mvanquishedinthedeadlycombat？"

"Well，accordingtotherulesIsupposeIshallleadyouintriumphdowntothemarket-placeorwhateveranswerstoit，"saidSt。George。

"Precisely，"saidthedragon。"Andthen——"

"Andthenthere’llbeshoutingsandspeechesandthings，"

continuedSt。George。"AndIshallexplainthatyou’reconverted，andseetheerrorofyourways，andsoon。"

"Quiteso，"saidthedragon。"Andthen——？"

"Oh，andthen——"saidSt。George，"why，andthentherewillbetheusualbanquet，Isuppose。"

"Exactly，"saidthedragon;"andthat’swhere_I_comein。Lookhere，"hecontinued，addressingtheBoy，"I’mboredtodeathuphere，andnoonereallyappreciatesme。I’mgoingintoSociety，Iam，throughthekindlyaidofourfriendhere，who’stakingsuchalotoftroubleonmyaccount;andyou’llfindI’vegotallthequalitiestoendearmetopeoplewhoentertain！Sonowthat’sallsettled，andifyoudon’tmind——I’manold-

fashionedfellow——don’twanttoturnyouout，but——"

"Remember，you’llhavetodoyourpropershareofthefighting，dragon！"saidSt。George，ashetookthehintandrosetogo;"I

meanramping，andbreathingfire，andsoon！"

"IcanRAMPallright，"repliedthedragon，confidently;"astobreathingfire，it’ssurprisinghoweasilyonegetsoutofpractice，butI’lldothebestIcan。Goodnight！"

Theyhaddescendedthehillandwerealmostbackinthevillageagain，whenSt。Georgestoppedshort，"KNEWIhadforgottensomething，"hesaid。"ThereoughttobeaPrincess。

Terror-strickenandchainedtoarock，andallthatsortofthing。Boy，can’tyouarrangeaPrincess？"

TheBoywasinthemiddleofatremendousyawn。"I’mtiredtodeath，"hewailed，"andICAN’TarrangeaPrincess，oranythingmore，atthistimeofnight。Andmymother’ssittingup，andDOstopaskingmetoarrangemorethingstilltomorrow！"

NextmorningthepeoplebeganstreaminguptotheDownsatquiteanearlyhour，intheirSundayclothesandcarryingbasketswithbottle-necksstickingoutofthem，everyoneintentonsecuringgoodplacesforthecombat。Thiswasnotexactlyasimplematter，forofcourseitwasquitepossiblethatthedragonmightwin，andinthatcaseeventhosewhohadputtheirmoneyonhimfelttheycouldhardlyexpecthimtodealwithhisbackersonadifferentfootingtotherest。Placeswerechosen，therefore，withcircumspectionandwithaviewtoaspeedyretreatincaseofemergency;andthefrontrankwasmostlycomposedofboyswhohadescapedfromparentalcontrolandnowsprawledandrolledaboutonthegrass，regardlessoftheshrillthreatsandwarningsdischargedatthembytheiranxiousmothersbehind。

TheBoyhadsecuredagoodfrontplace，welluptowardsthecave，andwasfeelingasanxiousasastage-manageronafirstnight。

Couldthedragonbedependedupon？Hemightchangehismindandvotethewholeperformancerot;orelse，seeingthattheaffairhadbeensohastilyplanned，withoutevenarehearsal，hemightbetoonervoustoshowup。TheBoylookednarrowlyatthecave，butitshowednosignoflifeoroccupation。Couldthedragonhavemadeamoon-lightflitting？

Thehigherportionsofthegroundwerenowblackwithsightseers，andpresentlyasoundofcheeringandawavingofhandkerchiefstoldthatsomethingwasvisibletothemwhichtheBoy，faruptowardsthedragon-endofthelineashewas，couldnotyetsee。

AminutemoreandSt。George’sredplumestoppedthehill，astheSaintrodeslowlyforthonthegreatlevelspacewhichstretcheduptothegrimmouthofthecave。Verygallantandbeautifulhelooked，onhistallwar-horse，hisgoldenarmourglancinginthesun，hisgreatspearhelderect，thelittlewhitepennon，crimson-crossed，flutteringatitspoint。Hedrewreinandremainedmotionless。Thelinesofspectatorsbegantogivebackalittle，nervously;andeventheboysinfrontstoppedpullinghairandcuffingeachother，andleanedforwardexpectant。

"Nowthen，dragon！"mutteredtheBoyimpatiently，fidgetingwherehesat。Heneednothavedistressedhimself，hadheonlyknown。

Thedramaticpossibilitiesofthethinghadtickledthedragonimmensely，andhehadbeenupfromanearlyhour，preparingforhisfirstpublicappearancewithasmuchheartinessasiftheyearshadrunbackwards，andhehadbeenagainalittledragonlet，playingwithhissistersontheflooroftheirmother’scave，atthegameofsaints-and-dragons，inwhichthedragonwasboundtowin。

Alowmuttering，mingledwithsnorts，nowmadeitselfheard;

risingtoabellowingroarthatseemedtofilltheplain。Thenacloudofsmokeobscuredthemouthofthecave，andoutofthemidstofitthedragonhimself，shining，sea-blue，magnificent，prancedsplendidlyforth;andeverybodysaid，"Oo-oo-oo！"asifhehadbeenamightyrocket！Hisscaleswereglittering，hislongspikytaillashedhissides，hisclawstoreuptheturfandsentitflyinghighoverhisback，andsmokeandfireincessantlyjettedfromhisangrynostrils。"Oh，welldone，dragon！"criedtheBoy，excitedly。"Didn’tthinkhehaditinhim！"headdedtohimself。

St。Georgeloweredhisspear，benthishead，dughisheelsintohishorse’ssides，andcamethunderingovertheturf。Thedragonchargedwitharoarandasqueal，——agreatbluewhirlingcombinationofcoilsandsnortsandclashingjawsandspikesandfire。

"Missed！"yelledthecrowd。Therewasamoment’sentanglementofgoldenarmourandblue-greencoils，andspikytail，andthenthegreathorse，tearingathisbit，carriedtheSaint，hisspearswunghighintheair，almostuptothemouthofthecave。

Thedragonsatdownandbarkedviciously，whileSt。Georgewithdifficultypulledhishorseroundintoposition。

"EndofRoundOne！"thoughttheBoy。"Howwelltheymanagedit！

ButIhopetheSaintwon’tgetexcited。Icantrustthedragonallright。Whataregularplay-actorthefellowis！"

St。Georgehadatlastprevailedonhishorsetostandsteady，andwaslookingroundhimashewipedhisbrow。CatchingsightoftheBoy，hesmiledandnodded，andheldupthreefingersforaninstant。

"Itseemstobeallplannedout，"saidtheBoytohimself。

"RoundThreeistobethefinishingone，evidently。Wishitcouldhavelastedabitlonger。Whatever’sthatoldfoolofadragonuptonow？"

Thedragonwasemployingtheintervalingivingaramping-

performanceforthebenefitofthecrowd。Ramping，itshouldbeexplained，consistsinrunningroundandroundinawidecircle，andsendingwavesandripplesofmovementalongthewholelengthofyourspine，fromyourpointedearsrightdowntothespikeattheendofyourlongtail。Whenyouarecoveredwithbluescales，theeffectisparticularlypleasing;andtheBoyrecollectedthedragon’srecentlyexpressedwishtobecomeasocialsuccess。

St。Georgenowgathereduphisreinsandbegantomoveforward，droppingthepointofhisspearandsettlinghimselffirmlyinthesaddle。

"Time！"yelledeverybodyexcitedly;andthedragon，leavingoffhisramping，satuponend，andbegantoleapfromonesidetotheotherwithhugeungainlybounds，whoopinglikeaRedIndian。

Thisnaturallydisconcertedthehorse，whoswervedviolently，theSaintonlyjustsavinghimselfbythemane;andastheyshotpastthedragondeliveredavicioussnapatthehorse’stailwhichsentthepoorbeastcareeringmadlyfarovertheDowns，sothatthelanguageoftheSaint，whohadlostastirrup，wasfortunatelyinaudibletothegeneralassemblage。

RoundTwoevokedaudibleevidenceoffriendlyfeelingtowardsthedragon。Thespectatorswerenotslowtoappreciateacombatantwhocouldholdhisownsowellandclearlywantedtoshowgoodsport，andmanyencouragingremarksreachedtheearsofourfriendashestruttedtoandfro，hischestthrustoutandhistailintheair，hugelyenjoyinghisnewpopularity。

St。Georgehaddismountedandwastighteninghisgirths，andtellinghishorse，withquiteanOrientalflowofimagery，exactlywhathethoughtofhim，andhisrelations，andhisconductonthepresentoccasion;sotheBoymadehiswaydowntotheSaint’sendoftheline，andheldhisspearforhim。

"It’sbeenajollyfight，St。George！"hesaidwithasigh。

"Can’tyouletitlastabitlonger？"

"Well，IthinkI’dbetternot，"repliedtheSaint。"Thefactis，yoursimple-mindedoldfriend’sgettingconceited，nowthey’vebeguncheeringhim，andhe’llforgetallaboutthearrangementandtaketoplayingthefool，andthere’snotellingwherehewouldstop。I’lljustfinishhimoffthisround。"

HeswunghimselfintothesaddleandtookhisspearfromtheBoy。

"Nowdon’tyoubeafraid，"headdedkindly。"I’vemarkedmyspotexactly，andHE’Ssuretogivemealltheassistanceinhispower，becauseheknowsit’shisonlychanceofbeingaskedtothebanquet！"

St。Georgenowshortenedhisspear，bringingthebuttwellupunderhisarm;and，insteadofgallopingasbefore，trottedsmartlytowardsthedragon，whocrouchedathisapproach，flickinghistailtillitcrackedintheairlikeagreatcart-

whip。TheSaintwheeledashenearedhisopponentandcircledwarilyroundhim，keepinghiseyeonthespareplace;whilethedragon，adoptingsimilartactics，pacedwithcautionroundthesamecircle，occasionallyfeintingwithhishead。Sothetwosparredforanopening，whilethespectatorsmaintainedabreathlesssilence。

Thoughtheroundlastedforsomeminutes，theendwassoswiftthatalltheBoysawwasalightningmovementoftheSaint’sarm，andthenawhirlandaconfusionofspines，claws，tail，andflyingbitsofturf。Thedustclearedaway，thespectatorswhoopedandranincheering，andtheBoymadeoutthatthedragonwasdown，pinnedtotheearthbythespear，whileSt。Georgehaddismounted，andstoodastrideofhim。

ItallseemedsogenuinethattheBoyraninbreathlessly，hopingthedearolddragonwasn’treallyhurt。Asheapproached，thedragonliftedonelargeeyelid，winkedsolemnly，andcollapsedagain。Hewasheldfasttoearthbytheneck，buttheSainthadhithiminthespareplaceagreedupon，anditdidn’tevenseemtotickle。

"Bain’tyougoin’tocut’is’edorf，master？"askedoneoftheapplaudingcrowd。Hehadbackedthedragon，andnaturallyfeltatriflesore。

"Well，notTO-DAY，Ithink，"repliedSt。George，pleasantly。

"Yousee，thatcanbedoneatANYtime。There’snohurryatall。Ithinkwe’llallgodowntothevillagefirst，andhavesomerefreshment，andthenI’llgivehimagoodtalking-to，andyou’llfindhe’llbeaverydifferentdragon！"

AtthatmagicwordREFRESHMENTthewholecrowdformedupinprocessionandsilentlyawaitedthesignaltostart。Thetimefortalkingandcheeringandbettingwaspast，thehourforactionhadarrived。St。George，haulingonhisspearwithbothhands，releasedthedragon，whoroseandshookhimselfandranhiseyeoverhisspikesandscalesandthings，toseethattheywereallinorder。ThentheSaintmountedandledofftheprocession，thedragonfollowingmeeklyinthecompanyoftheBoy，whilethethirstyspectatorskeptatarespectfulintervalbehind。

Thereweregreatdoingswhentheygotdowntothevillageagain，andhadformedupinfrontoftheinn。AfterrefreshmentSt。

Georgemadeaspeech，inwhichheinformedhisaudiencethathehadremovedtheirdirefulscourge，atagreatdealoftroubleandinconveniencetohim-self，andnowtheyweren’ttogoaboutgrumblingandfancyingthey’dgotgrievances，becausetheyhadn’t。Andtheyshouldn’tbesofondoffights，becausenexttimetheymighthavetodothefightingthemselves，whichwouldnotbethesamethingatall。Andtherewasacertainbadgerintheinnstableswhichhadgottobereleasedatonce，andhe’dcomeandseeitdonehimself。Thenhetoldthemthatthedragonhadbeenthinkingoverthings，andsawthatthereweretwosidestoeveryquestion，andhewasn’tgoingtodoitanymore，andiftheyweregoodperhapshe’dstayandsettledownthere。Sotheymustmakefriends，andnotbeprejudicedandgoaboutfancyingtheykneweverythingtherewastobeknown，becausetheydidn’t，notbyalongway。Andhewarnedthemagainstthesinofromancing，andmakingupstoriesandfancyingotherpeoplewouldbelievethemjustbecausetheywereplausibleandhighly-

coloured。Thenhesatdown，amidstmuchrepentantcheering，andthedragonnudgedtheBoyintheribsandwhisperedthathecouldn’thavedoneitbetterhimself。Theneveryonewentofftogetreadyforthebanquet。

Banquetsarealwayspleasantthings，consistingmostly，astheydo，ofeatinganddrinking;butthespeciallynicethingaboutabanquetis，thatitcomeswhensomething’sover，andthere’snothingmoretoworryabout，andto-morrowseemsalongwayoff。

StGeorgewashappybecausetherehadbeenafightandhehadn’thadtokillanybody;forhedidn’treallylikekilling，thoughhegenerallyhadtodoit。Thedragonwashappybecausetherehadbeenafight，andsofarfrombeinghurtinithehadwonpopularityandasurefootinginsociety。TheBoywashappybecausetherehadbeenafight，andinspiteofitallhistwofriendswereonthebestofterms。Andalltheotherswerehappybecausetherehadbeenafight，and——well，theydidn’trequireanyotherreasonsfortheirhappiness。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。"YouKNEW

mymother’ssittingup，andI’msotired，andyoumademepromisetoseeyouhome，andIneverknewwhatitmeantorIwouldn’thavedoneit！"AndtheBoysatdownintheroadbythesideofthesleepingdragon，andcried。

Thedoorbehindthemopened，astreamoflightilluminedtheroad，andSt。George，whohadcomeoutforastrollinthecoolnight-air，caughtsightofthetwofiguressittingthere——thegreatmotionlessdragonandthetearfullittleBoy。

"What’sthematter，Boy？"heinquiredkindly，steppingtohisside。

"Oh，it’sthisgreatlumberingPIGofadragon！"sobbedtheBoy。"Firsthemakesmepromisetoseehimhome，andthenhesaysI’dbetterdoit，andgoestosleep！MightaswelltrytoseeaHAYSTACKhome！AndI’msotired，andmother’s——"herehebrokedownagain。

"Nowdon’ttakeon，"saidSt。George。"I’llstandbyyou，andwe’llBOTHseehimhome。Wakeup，dragon！"hesaidsharply，shakingthebeastbytheelbow。

Thedragonlookedupsleepily。"Whatanight，George！"hemurmured;"whata——"

"Nowlookhere，dragon，"saidtheSaint，firmly。"Here’sthislittlefellowwaitingtoseeyouhome，andyouKNOWheoughttohavebeeninbedthesetwohours，andwhathismother’llsay_I_don’tknow，andanybodybutaselfishpigwouldhaveMADEhimgotobedlongago——"

"AndheSHALLgotobed！"criedthedragon，startingup。

"Poorlittlechap，onlyfancyhisbeingupatthishour！It’sashame，that’swhatitis，andIdon’tthink，St。George，you’vebeenveryconsiderate——butcomealongatonce，anddon’tletushaveanymorearguingorshilly-shallying。Yougivemeholdofyourhand，Boy——thankyou，George，anarmupthehillisjustwhatIwanted！"

Sotheysetoffupthehillarm-in-arm，theSaint，theDragon，andtheBoy。Thelightsinthelittlevillagebegantogoout;

buttherewerestars，andalatemoon，astheyclimbedtotheDownstogether。And，astheyturnedthelastcorneranddisappearedfromview，snatchesofanoldsongwerebornebackonthenight-breeze。Ican’tbecertainwhichofthemwassinging，butITHINKitwastheDragon！

"Hereweareatyourgate，"saidtheman，abruptly，layinghishandonit。"Good-night。Cutalonginsharp，oryou’llcatchit！"

Coulditreallybeourowngate？Yes，thereitwas，sureenough，withthefamiliarmarksonitsbottombarmadebyourfeetwhenweswungonit。

"Oh，butwaitaminute！"criedCharlotte。"Iwanttoknowaheapofthings。Didthedragonreallysettledown？Anddid——"

"Thereisn’tanymoreofthatstory，"saidtheman，kindlybutfirmly。"Atleast，notto-night。Nowbeoff！Good-bye！"

"Wonderifit’salltrue？"saidCharlotte，aswehurriedupthepath。"Soundeddreadfullylikenonsense，inparts！"

"P’rapsitstrueforallthat，"Irepliedencouragingly。

Charlotteboltedinlikearabbit，outofthecoldandthedark;

butIlingeredamomentinthestill，frostyair，forabackwardglanceatthesilentwhiteworldwithout，ereIchangeditforthelandoffirelightandcushionsandlaughter。Itwasthedayforchoir-practice，andcarol-timewasathand，andabelatedmemberwaspassinghomewardsdowntheroad，singingashewent：——

"ThenSt。George：eemaderev’rence：inthestablesodim，Oovanquishedthedragon：sofearfulandgrim。

So-ogrim：andso-ofierce：thatnowmaywesayAllpeacefulisourwakin’：onChri-istmasDay！"

Thesingerreceded，thecaroldiedaway。ButIwondered，withmyhandonthedoor-latch，whetherthatwasthesong，orsomethinglikeit，thatthedragonsangashetoddledcontentedlyupthehill。

ADEPARTURE

ItisaveryfinethingtobearealPrince。TherearepointsaboutaPirateChief，andtosucceedtotheCaptaincyofaRobberBandisatrulymagnificentthing。ButtobeanHeirhasalsoaboutitsomethingextremelycaptivating。Notonlyalong-lostheir——anheirofthemelodrama，struttingintoyourhithertounsuspectedkingdomatjusttherightmoment，loadedupwiththeconsciousnessofunguessedmeritandofrightssolongfeloniouslywithheld——buteventobeacommonhumdrumdomesticheirisaprofessiontowhichfewwouldrefusetobeapprenticed。

Tostepfromleading-stringsandrestrictionsandoneglassofportafterdinner，intopropertyandlibertyanddueappreciation，savedup，polishedandvarnished，dustedandlaidinlavender，allexpresslyforyou——why，eventhePrincedomandtheRobberCaptaincy，whentheiranxietiesandresponsibilitiesareconsidered，havehardlymoretooffer。Andsoitwillcontinuetobeaproblem，totheyouthinwhomambitionstruggleswithacertainsensuousappreciationoflife’sside-dishes，whetherthecareerheiscalledupontoselectoutoftheglitteringknick-knacksthatstrewthecounterhadbetterbethatofanheiroranengine-driver。

Inthecaseofeldestsons，thisproblemhasawayofsolvingitself。Inchildhood，however，theactualheirshipisapttoworkontheprincipleofthe"Borough-English"ofourhappierancestors，andinmostcasesofinheritanceitistheyoungestthatsucceeds。Wherethe"res"is"angusta，"andtheweeklybooksaresimplyaseriesofstiffhurdlesateachofwhichinsuccessionthepaternallegsfalterwithgrowingsuspicionoftheirpowerstocleartheflight，itisintheaffairofCLOTHESthattherightofsuccessiontells，and"thehardheirstridesabouttheland"introuserslongagoframedforfraternallimbs——frondesnovasetnonsuapoma。Abitterthingindeed！

Ofthoseprettysilkenthreadsthatknithumanitytogether，highandlow，pastandpresent，noneistougher，morepervading，ormoreiridescent，thanthehonest，simplepleasureofnewclothes。

Ittugsatthemanasittugsatthewoman;thesmirkofthewell-fittedprinceisnodifferentfromthesmirkoftheSunday-

cladpeasant;andtheveinsoftheelderstinglewiththesamethrillthatsetstheirfresh-frockedgrandchildrenskipping。

Nevertrustpeoplewhopretendthattheyhavenojoyintheirnewclothes。

Letnotoursoulsbewrung，however，atcontemplationofthelucklessurchincutoffbyparentalpenuryfromtheraptureofnewclothes。Justastheheroesofhisdreamsarehisimmediateseniors，sohisheroes’clothessharetheglamour，andthereversionofthemcarriesahighprivilege——aspecialthingnotsoldbySwearsandWells。TheswordofGalahad——andofmanyanotherhero——arrivedonthescenealreadyhoarywithhistory，andtheboyratherprefershistrouserstobelegendary，famous，haloedbyhishero’srenown——eventhoughthenapmayhavealtogethervanishedintheprocess。

But，puttingclothesaside，thereareothermattersinwhichthisreversedheirshipcomesintoplay。TakethecaseofToys。Itishardlyrightorfitting——andinthisthechildquiteacquiesces——

thatasheapproachesthereverendperiodofnineorsaytenyears，heshouldstillbetheunabashedandproclaimedpossessorofahoopandaNoah’sArk。Thechildwillquiteseethereasonablenessofthis，and，thegoalofhisambitionbeingnowacatapult，apistol，orevenasword-stick，willbesatisfiedthatthetitularownershipshouldlapsetohisjuniors，sofarbelowhimintheirkiltedorpetticoatedincompetence。Afterall，thethingsarestillthere，andifrelapsesofspiritoccur，onwetafternoons，onecanstill（nominally）borrowthemandbehappyonthefloorasofold，withoutthereproachofbeingahabitualbabytoy-caresser。Alsoonecanpretendit’sbeingdonetoamusetheyoungerones。

Noneofus，therefore，grumbledwheninthenaturalcourseofthingsthenominalownershipofthetoysslippeddowntoHarold，andfromhiminturndevolveduponCharlotte。Thetoyswerestillthere;theyalwayshadbeenthereandalwayswouldbethere，andwhenthenurserydoorwasfastshuttherewerenoKingsorQueensorFirstEstatesinthatsmallRepubliconthefloor。Charlotte，tobesure，chin-tilted，atlastanownerofrealestate，mightpatronizealittleattimes;butitwastacitlyunderstoodthather"title"wasonlyadrawing-roomone。

Whydoesacomingbereavementprojectnothinfaintvoice，noshadowofitswoe，towarnitshappy，heedlessvictims？WhycannotOlympianseverthinkitworthwhiletogivesomehintofthethunderboltstheyaresilentlyforging？Andwhy，oh，whydiditneverenteranyofourthickheadsthatthedaywouldcomewhenevenCharlottewouldbeconsideredtoomatronlyfortoys？

One’sso-callededucationishammeredintoonewithrulersandwithcanes。Eachfreshgrammarormusicalinstrument，eachnewhistoricalperiodorquaintarithmeticalrule，isimpressedononebysomepainfulphysicalprelude。WhydoesTime，thebiggestSchoolmaster，aloneneglectpremonitoryraps，ateachstageofhiscurriculum，onourknucklesorourheads？

UncleThomaswasatthebottomofit。Thiswasnotthefirstminehehadexplodedunderourbows。InhisfavouritepursuitoffadshehadpassedinturnfromPsychicalResearchtotheWhiteRoseandthencetoaChildren’sHospital，andwewerebeingdailyinundatedwithleafletsheadedbyawoodcutdepictingLittleAnnie（ofPoplar）sittingupinherlittlewhitecot，surroundedbythetoysofthenice，kind，richchildren。TheideacaughtonwiththeOlympians，alwaysopentosentimentofatreacly，woodcutorder;andaccordinglyCharlotte，onenteringonedaydishevelledandpanting，havingbeenpursuedbyyellingRedskinsuptotheverythresholdofourpeacefulhome，wascurtlyinformedthatherFrenchlessonswouldbeginonMonday，thatshewashenceforthtoceaseallpretenceofbeingatrapperoraRedskinonutterlyinadequategrounds，andmoreoverthatthewholeofhertoyswereatthatmomentbeingfinallypackedupinabox，fordespatchtoLondon，togladdenthelivesandbringlightintotheeyesofLondonwaifsandPoplarAnnies。

Naturallyenough，perhaps，weothersreceivednoofficialintimationofthisgravecessionofterritory。Wewerenotsupposedtobeinterested。Haroldhadlongagobeenpromotedtoaknife——arecognized，birthdayknife。Asforme，itwasknownthatIwasalreadygivenover，heartandsoul，tolawlessabandonedcatapults——catapultswhichwereconfiscatedweeklyforreasonsofinternationalcomplications，butwithwhichEdwardkeptmesteadilysupplied，hisschoolhavingafineoldtraditionforexcellenceintheirmanufacture。ThereforenoonewassupposedtobereallyaffectedbutCharlotte，andevenshehadalreadyreachedMissYonge，andshouldthereforehavebeenmoreinterestedinprolificcuratesandharrowingdeathbeds。

Nothwithstanding，weallfeltindignant，betrayed，andsullentothevergeofmutiny。Thoughforlongwehadaffectedtodespisethem，thesetoys，yettheyhadgrownupwithus，sharedourjoysandoursorrows，seenusatourworst，andbecomepartoftheacceptedschemeofexistence。Aswegazedatuntenantedshelvesandempty，hatefullytidycorners，perhapsforthefirsttimeforlongwebegantodothematardyjustice。

TherewasoldLeotard，forinstance。Somehowhehadcometobesadlyneglectedoflateyears——andyethowexactlyhealwaysrespondedtocertainmoods！Hewasanacrobat，thisLeotard，wholivedinaglass-frontedbox。Hisloosejointedlimbswerecardboard，cardboardhisslendertrunk;andhishandseternallygraspedthebarofatrapeze。Youturnedtheboxroundswiftlyfiveorsixtimes;thewonderfulunsolvedmachineryworked，andLeotardswungandleapt，backwards，forwards，nowastridethebar，nowflyingfree;iron-jointed，supple-sinewed，unceasinglynovelinhisinventionofnew，unguessableattitudes;whileabove，below，andaroundhim，arichly-dressedaudience，paintedinskilfulperspectiveofstalls，boxes，dress-circle，andgallery，watchedthethrillingperformancewithastoliditywhichseemedtomarkthemoutasmadeinGermany。Hardlyversatileenough，perhaps，thisLeotard;unsympathetic，notacompanionforallhours;norwouldyouhavechosenhimtotaketobedwithyou。

Andyet，withinhisownlimits，howfresh，howengrossing，howresourcefulandinventive！Well，hewasgone，itseemed——

merelygone。Neverspeciallycherishedwhilehetarriedwithus，hehadyetcontrivedtobuildhimselfaparticularnicheofhisown。Sunriseandsunset，andthedinner-bell，andthesuddenrainbow，andlessons，andLeotard，andthemoonthroughthenurserywindows——theywereallpartofthegreatorderofthings，andthedisplacementofanyoneitemseemedtodisorganizethewholemachinery。Theimmediatepointwas，notthattheworldwouldcontinuetogoroundasofold，butthatLeotardwouldn’t。

Yondercorner，nowsweptandgarnished，hadbeenthestallwhereinthespottyhorse，atthecloseofeachlaboriousday，wasaccustomedtodozepeacefullythelongnightthrough。Indaysofoldeachofusinturnhadbeenjerkedthrillinglyroundtheroomonhisprecariousback，haddugourheelsintohisunyieldingsides，andhadscratchedourhandsonthetintacksthatsecuredhismanetohisstiffly-curvingneck。Later，withincreasingstature，wecametooverlookhismeritsasabeastofburden;buthowfrankly，howgood-naturedly，hehadrecognizedthenewconditions，andadaptedhimselftothemwithoutamurmur！

Whenthemilitaryspiritwasabroad，whosoreadytobeasquadronofcavalry，ahordeofCossacks，orartillerypoundingintoposition？Hehadevenservedwithhonourasagun-boat，duringaperiodwhennavalstrategywastheonlytheme;andnofalseequineprideeverhinderedhimfromtakingthepartofaroaringlocomotive，earth-shaking，clangorous，annihilatingtimeandspace。Reallyitwasnolongerclearhowlife，withitsmanifoldemergencies，wastobecarriedonatallwithoutafellowlikethespottyhorse，readytostepinatcriticalmomentsandtakeupjustthepartrequiredofhim。

Inmomentsofmentaldepression，nothingisquitesoconsolingasthehonestsmellofapaintedanimal;andmechanicallyIturnedtowardstheshelfthathadbeensolongtheAraratofourweather-beatenArk。Theshelfwasempty，theArkhadcastoffmooringsandsailedawaytoPoplar，andhadtakenwithititshauntingsmell，aswellasthatpleasantsenseofdisorderthatthebestconductedArkisalwaysabletoimpart。

Theslidingroofhadrarelybeenknowntocloseentirely。Therewasalwaysapairofgiraffe-legsstickingout，oranelephant-

trunk，takingfromthestiffnessofitsoutline，andremindingusthatourmotleycrowdoffriendsinsidewereuncomfortablycrampedforroomandonlytooreadytoleapinacascadeonthefloorandbrowseandgallop，flutterandbellowandneigh，andbetheirnaturalselvesagain。IthinkthatnoneofuseverreallythoughtverymuchofHamandShemandJaphet。Theywereonlytherebecausetheywereinthestory，butnobodyreallywantedthem。TheArkwasbuiltfortheanimals，ofcourse——

animalswithtails，andtrunks，andhorns，andatleastthreelegsapiece，thoughsomeunfortunateshadbeenunabletoretaineventhatnumber。Andintheanimalswereofcourseincludedthebirds——thedove，forinstance，greywithblackwings，andthered-crestedwoodpecker——orwasitahoo-poe？——andtheinsects，fortherewasadearbeetle，aboutthesamesizeasthedove，thathelditsownwithanyofthemammalia。

Ofthedoll-departmentCharlottehadnaturallybeensolechiefforalongtime;ifthestaffwerenotintheirplacesto-day，itwasnotIwhohadanyofficialrighttotakenotice。AndyetonemayhavebeenmemberofaClubformanyayearwithouteverexactlyunderstandingtheuseandobjectoftheothermembers，untiloneenters，someChristmasdayorotherholiday，and，surveyingthedesertedarmchairs，theuntenantedsofas，thebarrenhat-pegs，realizes，withdepression，thatthoseotherfellowshadtheirallottedfunctions，afterall。WherewasoldJerry？WherewereEugenie，Rosa，Sophy，Esmeralda？Wehadlongdriftedapart，itwastrue，wespokebutrarely;perhaps，absorbedinnewambitions，newachievements，Ihadevencometolookdownontheseconservative，unprogressivememberswhoweresoclearlycontenttoremainsimplywhattheywere。Andnowthattheircornerswereunfilled，theirchairsunoccupied——well，myeyeswereopenedandIwanted’emback！

However，itwasnobusinessofmine。Ifgrievanceswerethequestion，Ihadn’talegtostandupon。Thoughmycatapultswereofficiallyconfiscated，Iknewthedrawerinwhichtheywereincarcerated，andwherethekeyofitwashidden，andI

couldmakelifeaburden，ifIchose，toeverylivingthingwithinasquare-mileradius，solongasthecatapultwasrestoredtoitsdrawerindueanddecenttime。ButIwonderedhowtheothersweretakingit。Theedicthitthemmoreseverely。Theyshouldhavemymoralcountenanceatanyrate，ifnotmore，inanyprotestorcounterminetheymightbeplanning。And，indeed，somethingseemedpossible，fromthedogged，sullenairwithwhichthetwoofthemhadtrottedoffinthedirectionoftheraspberry-canes。Certainspotsalwayshadtheirinsensibleattractionforcertainmoods。Inlove，onesoughttheorchard。

Wearyofdiscipline，sickofconvention，impassionedfortheroad，theminingcamp，thelandacrosstheborder，onemadeforthebigmeadow。Mutinous，sulky，chargedwithplotsandconspiracies，onealwaysgotbehindtheshelteroftheraspberry-canes……

"Youcancometooifyoulike，"saidHarold，inasubduedsortofway，assoonashewasawarethatIwassittingupinbedwatchinghim。"Wedidn’tthinkyou’dcare，’cosyou’vegottocatapults。Butwe’regoin’todowhatwe’vesettledtodo，soit’snogoodsayin’wehadn’toughtandthatsortofthing，’coswe’regoin’to！"

Thedayhadpassedinanominouspeacefulness。CharlotteandHaroldhadkeptoutofmyway，aswellasoutofeverybodyelse’s，inapurposefulmannerthatoughttohavebredsuspicion。

Intheeveningwehadreadbooks，orfitfullydrawnshipsandbattlesonfly-leaves，apart，inseparatecorners，voidofconversationorcriticism，oppressedbytheloweringtidinessoftheuniverse，tillbedtimecame，anddisrobement，andprayersevenmoremechanicalthanusual，andlastlybeditselfwithoutsomuchasagiraffeunderthepillow。Haroldhadgruntedhimselfbetweenthesheetswithanostentatiouspretenceofoverpoweringfatigue;butInoticedthathepulledhispillowforwardandproppedhisheadagainstthebrassbarsofhiscrib，and，asIwasacquaintedwithmostofhistricksandsubterfuges，itwaseasyformetogatherthatapainfulwakefulnesswashisaimthatnight。

Ihaddozedoff，however，andHaroldwasoutandonhisfeet，pokingunderthebedforhisshoes，whenIsatupandgrimlyregardedhim。JustashesaidIcouldcomeifIliked，Charlotteslippedin，herfacerigidandset。AndthenitwasborneinuponmethatIwasnotoninthisscene。Theseyoungstershadplanneditallout，thepiecewastheirown，andthemounting，andthecast。Mysceptrehadfallen，myrulehadceased。Inthismagichourofthesummernightlawswentfornothing，codeswerecancelled，andthosewhoweremostintouchwiththemoonlightandthewarmJunespiritandthetopsy-

turvydomthatreignswhentheclockstrikesten，werethetruelordsandlawmakers。

Humbly，almosttimidly，Ifollowedwithoutaprotestinthewakeofthesetworemorseless，purposefulyoungpersons，whoweremarchingstraightfortheschoolroom。Hereinthemoonlightthegrimbigboxstoodvisible——theboxinwhichsolargeaportionofourpastandourpersonalitylayentombed，cold，swathedinpaper，awaitingthecarrierofthemorningwhoshouldspeedthemforthtothestrange，cold，distantChildren’sHospital，wheretheirlittlefailingswouldallbemisunderstoodandnoonewouldmakeallowances。Adreamyspectator，IstoodidlybywhileHaroldproppedupthelidandthetwoplungedintheirarmsandprobedandfeltandgrappled。

"Here’sRosa，"saidHarold，suddenly。"Iknowthefeelofherhair。WillyouhaveRosaout？"

"Oh，givemeRosa！"criedCharlottewithasortofgasp。AndwhenRosahadbeendraggedforth，quiteunmovedapparently，placidaseverinhermoonfacedcontemplationofthiscomedy-

worldwithitsupsanddowns，Charlotteretiredwithhertothewindow-seat，andthereinthemoonlightthetwoexchangedtheirprivateconfidences，leavingHaroldtohisexplorationalone。

"Here’ssomethingwithsharpcorners，"saidHarold，presently。

"MustbeLeotard，Ithink。BetterletHIMgo。"

"Oh，yes，wecan’tsaveLeotard，"assentedCharlotte，limply。

PooroldLeotard！Isaidnothing，ofcourse;Iwasnotoninthispiece。But，surely，hadLeotardheardandrightlyunderstoodallthatwasgoingonabovehim，hemusthavesentuponefeeble，strangledcry，onefaintappealtoberescuedfromunfamiliarlittleAnniesandretainedforanaudiencecertaintoappreciateandneverundulycritical。

"NowI’vegottotheNoah’sArk，"pantedHarold，stillgropingblindly。

"Tryandshovethelidbackabit，"saidCharlotte，"andpulloutadoveorazebraoragiraffeifthere’sonehandy。"

Haroldtoiledonwithgruntsandcontortions，andpresentlyproducedintriumphasmallgreyelephantandalargebeetlewitharedstomach。

"They’rejammedintootight，"hecomplained。"Can’tgetanymoreout。ButasIcameupI’msureIfeltPotiphar！"Anddownhedivedagain。

Potipharwasafinelymodelledbullwithasuedeskin，roughandcomfortableandwarminbed。Hewasmyownspecialjoyandpride，andIthrilledwithhonestemotionwhenPotipharemergedtolightoncemore，stout-neckedandstalwartasever。

"That’llhavetodo，"saidCharlotte，gettingup。"Wedursn’ttakeanymore，’coswe’llbefoundoutifwedo。Maketheboxallright，andbring’emalong。"

Haroldrammeddownthewadsofpaperandtwistsofstrawhehaddisturbed，replacedthelidsquarelyandinnocently，andpickeduphissmallsalvage;andwesneakedoffforthewindowmostgenerallyinuseforprison-breakingsandnocturnalescapades。A

fewsecondslaterandwewerehurryingsilentlyinsinglefilealongthedarkedgeofthelawn。

Oh，theriot，theclamour，thecrowdingchorus，ofallsilentthingsthatspokebyscentandcolourandbuddingthrustandfoison，thatmoonlitnightofJune！Underthelaurel-shadeallwasstillghostlyenough，brigand-haunted，crackling，whisperingofnightandallitspossibilitiesofterror。Buttheopengarden，whenoncewewereinit——howitturnedagladnewfacetowelcomeus，gladasofoldwhenthesunlightrakedandsearchedit，newwiththeunfamiliarnight-aspectthatyetwelcomedusasgueststoahallwherethehornsblewuptoanew，strangebanquet！Wasthisthesamegrass，couldthesebethesamefamiliarflower-beds，alleys，clumpsofverdure，patchesofsward？Atleastthisfullwhitelightthatwasfloodingthemwasnew，andaccountedforall。ItwasMoonlightLand，andPast-Ten-

o’clockLand，andwewereinitandofit，andallitsotherdenizensfullyunderstood，and，tongue-freeandawakenedatlast，respondedandcomprehendedandknew。Theothertwo，doubtless，hurryingforwardfulloftheirmission，notedlittleofallthis。I，whowasonlyasuper，hadleisuretotakeitallin，and，thoughthelanguageandthemessageofthelandwerenotallcleartomethen，longafterwardsIrememberedandunderstood。

Underthefarthesthedge，atthelooseendofthings，wheretheouterworldbeganwiththepaddock，therewasdarknessonceagain——nottheblacknessthatcrouchedsosolidlyunderthecrowdinglaurels，butaduskinesshungfromfar-spreadarmsofhigh-standingelms。There，wherethesmallgravemadeadarkerspotonthegrey，Iovertookthem，onlyjustintimetoseeRosalaidstifflyout，hercherrycheekspaleinthemoonlight，butherbravesmiletriumphantandundauntedasever。Itwasatinygraveandashallowone，toholdsoverymuch。Rosaoncein，Potiphar，whohadhithertostooderect，stout-necked，throughsomanydaysandsuchvariousweather，mustneedsbowhisheadandliedownmeeklyonhisside。Theelephantandthebeetle，equalnowinasilentlandwhereavertebraandaredcirculationcountedfornothing，hadtosnuggledownwherebesttheymight，onlyalittlelesscrowdedthanintheirnativeArk。

Theearthwasshovelledinandstampeddown，andIwasgladthatnoorisonsweresaidandnospeechifyingtookplace。Thewholethingwasnaturalandrightandself-explanatory，andneedednojustifyingorinterpretingtoouraudienceofstarsandflowers。

Theconnexionwasnotentirelybrokennow——onelinkremainedbetweenusandthem。TheNoah’sArk，withitscargoofsad-facedemigrants，mightbehulldownonthehorizon，buttwoofitspassengershadmissedtheboatandwouldhenceforthbealwaysnearus;and，asweplayedabovethem，anelephantwouldunderstand，andabeetlewouldhear，andcrawlagaininspiritalongafamiliarfloor。Henceforththespottyhorsewouldscouralongfar-distantplainsandknowthehomesicknessofalienstables;butPotiphar，thoughneveragainwouldhepawthearenawhenbull-fightswereonthebill，wassparedmaltreatmentbytown-bredstrangers，quitecapableofmistakinghimforacow。

JerryandEsmeraldamightshedtheirlimbsandtheirstuffing，bysloworswiftdegrees，inuttermostpartsandunguessedcornersoftheglobe;butRosa’sbookwasfinallyclosed，andnoworsefateawaitedherthannaturaldissolutionalmostwithintouchandhailoffamiliarfacesandobjectsthathadbeenfriendlytohersincefirstsheopenedhereyesonaworldwhereshehadneverbeentreatedasastranger。

Asweturnedtogo，themaninthemoon，tangledinelm-boughs，caughtmyeyeforamoment，andIthoughtthatneverhadhelookedsofriendly。Hewasgoingtoseeafterthem，itwasevident;forhewasalwaysthere，moreorless，anditwasnotroubletohimatall，andhewouldtellthemhowthingswerestillgoing，uphere，andthrowinastoryortwoofhisownwhenevertheyseemedatrifledull。Itmadethegoingawayrathereasier，toknowonehadleftsomebodybehindonthespot;

agoodfellow，too，cheery，comforting，withafundofanecdote;

amaninwhomonehadeveryconfidence。