is　to　any　one。　Now；　if　you　could　plough　the　fields　like　the　ox；　or　draw　a

cart　like　the　horse；　or　look　after　the　sheep　like　the　collie…dog；　that　would

be　something。〃

〃My　good　creature；〃　cried　the　Rocket　in　a　very　haughty　tone　of　voice；

〃I　see　that　you　belong　to　the　lower　orders。　A　person　of　my　position　is

never　useful。　We　have　certain　acplishments；　and　that　is　more　than

sufficient。　I　have　no　sympathy　myself　with　industry　of　any　kind；　least　of

all　with　such　industries　as　you　seem　to　remend。　Indeed；　I　have

always　been　of　opinion　that　hard　work　is　simply　the　refuge　of　people　who

have　nothing　whatever　to　do。〃

45

The　Happy　Prince　and　Other　Tales

〃Well；　well；〃　said　the　Duck；　who　was　of　a　very　peaceable　disposition；

and　never　quarrelled　with　any　one；　〃everybody　has　different　tastes。 I

hope；　at　any　rate；　that　you　are　going　to　take　up　your　residence　here。〃

〃Oh！　dear　no；〃　cried　the　Rocket。 〃I　am　merely　a　visitor；　a

distinguished　visitor。 The　fact　is　that　I　find　this　place　rather　tedious。

There　is　neither　society　here；　nor　solitude。 In　fact；　it　is　essentially

suburban。 I　shall　probably　go　back　to　Court；　for　I　know　that　I　am

destined　to　make　a　sensation　in　the　world。〃

〃I　had　thoughts　of　entering　public　life　once　myself；〃　remarked　the

Duck；　〃there　are　so　many　things　that　need　reforming。　Indeed；　I　to