ot this wily beast have misled you as to his
real character, in order that your good report of him may serve as a
cloak for his evil deeds? Nay, may there not be, at this very moment,
some hapless Princess immured within yonder gloomy cavern?"

The moment he had spoken, St. George was sorry for what he had said, the
Boy looked so genuinely distressed.

"I assure you, St. George," he said earnestly, "there's nothing of the
sort in the cave at all. The dragon's a real gentleman, every inch of
him, and I may say that no one would be more shocked and grieved than
he would, at hearing you talk in that--that LOOSE way about matters on
which he has very strong views!"

"Well, perhaps I've been over-credulous," said St. George. "Perhaps I've
misjudged the animal. But what are we to do? Here are the dragon and
I, almost face to face, each supposed to be thirsting for each other's
blood. I don't see any way out of it, exactly. What do you suggest?
Can't you arrange things, somehow?"

"That's just what the dragon said," replied the Boy, rather nettled.
"Really, the way you two seem to leave everything to me--I suppose you
couldn't be persuaded to go away quietly, could you?"

"Impossible, I fear," said the Saint. "Quite against the rules. YOU know
that as well as I do."

"Well, then, look here," said the Boy, "it's early yet--would you mind
strolling up with me and seeing the dragon and talking it over? It's not
far, and any friend of mine will be most welcome."

"Well, it's IRREGULAR," said St. George, rising, "but really it seems
about the most sensible thing to do. You're taking a lot of trouble on
your friend's account," he added, good-naturedly, as they passed out
through the door together. "But cheer up! Perhaps there won't have to be
any fight after all."

"Oh, but _I_ hope there will, though!" replied the little fellow,
wistfully.

"I've brought a friend to see you, dragon," said the Boy, rather loud.

The dragon woke up with a start. "I was just--er--thinking about
things," he said in his simple way. "Very pleased to make your
acquaintance, sir. Charming weather we're having!"

"This is St George," said the Boy, shortly. "St. George, let me
introduce you to the dragon. We've come up to talk things over quietly,
dragon, and now for goodness' sake do let us have a little straight
common-sense, and come to some practical business-like arrangement, for
I'm sick of views and theories of life and personal tendenc