“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 tendencies, and all that sort of thing. I may perhaps add that my mother's sitting up.” “So glad to meet you, St. George,” began the dragon rather nervously, “because you've been a great traveller, I hear, and I've always been rather a stay-at-home. But I can show you many antiquities, many interesting features of our country-side, if you're stopping here any time--” “I think,” said St. George, in his frank, pleasant way, “that we'd really better take the advice of our young friend here, and try to come to some understanding, on a business footing, about this little affair of ours. Now don't you think that after all the simplest plan would be just to fight it out, according to the rules, and let the best man win? They're betting on you, I may tell you, down in the village, but I don't mind that!” “Oh, yes, DO, dragon,” said the Boy, delightedly; “it'll save such a lot of bother!”