"Eugeny L.Schwarz. Dragon (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

very sweet girl! What's that? Cat! She's smiling? She's completely calm! And
her father is smiling happily. You tricked me!
Cat. No. The saddest part of this story is exactly that they are both
smiling. Quiet now. Good evening! To dinner, to dinner, my dear friends!

Enter Elsa and Charlemagne.

Lancelot. Good evening, kind sir and gentle lady.
Charlemagne. Good evening, young man.
Lancelot. Your house -- it was looking at me so invitingly, and the
gates were open, and the fire was burning in the fireplace, so I let myself
in. I apologize.
Charlemagne. No apologies necessary. Our doors are open for everyone.
Elsa. Please, sit down. Let me take your hat, I'll hang it by the door.
The table will be ready in a minute... What is it?
Lancelot. Nothing.
Elsa. Why do I get a feeling that you are... afraid of me?
Lancelot. No, no, no... It's just... Never mind.
Charlemagne. Have a seat, my friend. I like strangers. That's probably
because I've lived my entire life without ever venturing outside the town.
Where do you come from?
Lancelot. South.
Charlemagne. I guess you had a lot of adventures along the way?
Lancelot. Oh, more than I'd wish for.
Elsa. You must be really tired. Do sit down. Why are you standing?
Lancelot. Thank you.
Charlemagne. You can have a wonderful rest with us. This is a very
quiet town. Nothing ever happens here.
Lancelot. Never?
Charlemagne. Never. Well, last week we had some very strong winds. The
roof of one house was nearly blown off. But this is not such a big deal, is
it?
Elsa. Here's the dinner. Come, please. What's wrong?
Lancelot. Excuse me, but... You're saying that this is a very quiet
town?
Elsa. Of course.
Lancelot. What about... the dragon?
Charlemagne. Oh, that... But we've grown so accustomed to him. He's
lived with us for four hundred years now.
Lancelot. But... I was told that your daughter...
Elsa. Mister stranger, sir...
Lancelot. My name is Lancelot.
Elsa. Mr. Lancelot, I beg your pardon, it's not that I am trying to
reprimand you, not at all, but please, I am asking you not to speak of this
anymore.
Lancelot. Why?
Elsa. Because there's nothing that can be done about it.
Lancelot. You think so?
Charlemagne. Yes, nothing can be done here. We just had a walk in the
woods, and we discussed everything so nicely, so precisely. Tomorrow, as