At dawn they were still
dancing.
VI
THE SHOWMAN BECOMES GENEROUS
The following day Fire-eater called Pinocchio to one side and asked
him:
"What is your father's name?"
"Geppetto."
"And what trade does he follow?"
"He is a beggar."
"Does he gain much?"
"Gain much? Why, he has never a penny in his pocket. Only think, to
buy a spelling-book for me to go to school, he was obliged to sell the
only coat he had to wear--a coat that between patches and darns was
not fit to be seen."
"Poor devil! I feel almost sorry for him! Here are five gold pieces.
Go at once and take them to him with my compliments."
You can easily understand that Pinocchio thanked the showman a
thousand times. He embraced all the puppets of the company one by
one, even to the gendarmes, and beside himself with delight set out to
return home.
But he had not gone far when he met on the road a Fox lame in one
foot, and a Cat blind in both eyes, who were going along helping each
other like good companions in misfortune. The Fox who was lame walked
leaning on the Cat, and the Cat who was blind was guided by the Fox.
"Good day, Pinocchio," said the Fox, accosting him politely.
"How do you come to know my name?" asked the puppet.
Pages:
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544