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There were great doings when they got down to the village again； and
had formed up in front of the inn。 After refreshment St。 George made a
speech； in which he informed his audience that he had removed their
direful scourge； at a great deal of trouble and inconvenience to him…self；
and now they weren't to go about grumbling and fancying they'd got
grievances； because they hadn't。 And they shouldn't be so fond of fights；
because next time they might have to do the fighting themselves； which
would not be the same thing at all。 And there was a certain badger in the
inn stables which had got to be released at once； and he'd come and see it
done himself。 Then he told them that the dragon had been thinking over
things； and saw that there were two sides to every question； and he wasn't
going to do it any more； and if they were good perhaps he'd stay and settle
down there。 So they must make friends； and not be prejudiced and go
about fancying they knew everything there was to be known； because they
didn't； not by a long way。 And he warned them against the sin of
romancing； and making up stories and fancying other people would
believe them just because they were plausible and highly… coloured。
Then he sat down； amidst much repentant cheering； and the dragon
nudged the Boy in the ribs and whispered that he couldn't have done it
better himself。 Then every one went off to get ready for the banquet。
Banquets are always pleasant things； consisting mostly； as they do； of
eating and drinking； but the specially nice thing about a banquet is； that it
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comes when something's over； and there's nothing more to worry about；
and to…morrow seems a long way off。 St George was happy because
there had been a fight and he hadn't had to kill anybody； for he didn't
really like killing； though he generally had to do it。 The dragon was
happy because there had been a fight； and so far from being hurt in it he
had won popularity and a sure footing in society。 The Boy was happy
because there had been a fight； and in spite of it all his two friends were on
the best of terms。 And all the others were happy because there had been
a fight； andwell； they didn't require any other reasons for their happiness。
The dragon exerted himself to say the right thing to everybody； and proved
the life and soul of the evening； while the Saint and the Boy； as they
looked on； felt that they were only assisting at a feast of which the honour
and the glory were entirely the dragon's。 But they didn't mind that； being
good fellows； and the dragon was not in the least proud or forgetful。 On
the contrary； every ten minutes or so he leant over towards the Boy and
said impressively： 〃Look here！ you WILL see me home afterwards；
won't you？〃 And the Boy always nodded； though he had promised his
mother not to be out late。
At last the banquet was over； the guests had dropped away with many
good…nights and congratulations and invitations； and the dragon； who had
seen the last of them off the premises； emerged into the street followed by
the Boy； wiped his brow； sighed； sat down in the road and gazed at the
stars。 〃Jolly night it's been！〃 he murmured。 〃Jolly stars！ Jolly little
place this！ Think I shall just stop here。 Don't feel like climbing up any
beastly hill。 Boy's promised to see me home。 Boy had better do it then！
No responsibility on my part。 Responsibility all Boy's！〃 And his chin
sank on his broad chest and he slumbered peacefully。
〃Oh； GET up； dragon；〃 cried the Boy； piteously。 〃You KNEW my
mother's sitting up； and I'm so tired； and you made me promise to see you
home； and I never knew what it meant or I wouldn't have done it！〃 And
the Boy sat down in the road by the side of the sleeping dragon； and cried。
The door behind them opened； a stream of light illumined the road；
and St。 George； who had come out for a stroll in the cool night…air； caught
sight of the two figures sitting therethe great motionless dragon and the
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tearful little Boy。
〃What's the matter； Boy？〃 he inquired kindly； stepping to his side。
〃Oh； it's this great lumbering PIG of a dragon！〃 sobbed the Boy。
〃First he makes me promise to see him home； and then he says I'd better
do it； and goes to sleep！ Might as well try to see a HAYSTACK home！
And I'm so tired； and mother's〃 here he broke down again。
〃Now don't take on；〃 said St。 George。 〃I'll stand by you； and we'll
BOTH see him home。 Wake up； dragon！〃 he said sharply； shaking the
beast by the elbow。
The dragon looked up sleepily。 〃What a night； George！〃 he
murmured； 〃what a〃
〃Now look here； dragon；〃 said the Saint； firmly。 〃Here's this little
fellow waiting to see you home； and you KNOW he ought to have been in
bed these two hours； and what his mother'll say _I_ don't know； and
anybody but a selfish pig would have MADE him go to bed long ago〃
〃And he SHALL go to bed！〃 cried the dragon； starting up。 〃Poor
little chap； only fancy his being up at this hour！ It's a shame； that's what
it is； and I don't think； St。 George； you've been very consideratebut come
along at once； and don't let us have any more arguing or shilly…shallying。
You give me hold of your hand； Boythank you； George； an arm up the
hill is just what I wanted！〃
So they set off up the hill arm…in…arm； the Saint； the Dragon； and the
Boy。 The lights in the little village began to go out； but there were stars；
and a late moon； as they climbed to the Downs together。 And； as they
turned the last corner and disappeared from view； snatches of an old song
were borne back on the night…breeze。 I can't be certain which of them
was singing； but I THINK it was the Dragon！
〃Here we are at your gate；〃 said the man； abruptly； laying his hand on
it。 〃Good…night。 Cut along in sharp； or you'll catch