I will
answer for her. I must tell you that an hour ago we met an old wolf on
the road, almost fainting from want of food, who asked alms of us. Not
having so much as a fish-bone to give to him, what did my friend, who
has really the heart of a Caesar, do? She bit off one of her forepaws,
and threw it to that poor beast that he might appease his hunger."
And the Fox, in relating this, dried a tear.
Pinocchio was also touched, and approaching the Cat he whispered into
her ear:
"If all cats resemble you, how fortunate the mice would be!"
"And now, what are you doing here?" asked the Fox of the puppet.
"I am waiting for my papa, whom I expect to arrive every moment."
"And your gold pieces?"
"I have got them in my pocket, all but one that I spent at the Inn of
the Red-Crawfish."
"And to think that, instead of four pieces, by to-morrow they might
become one or two thousand! Why do you not listen to my advice? why
will you not go and bury them in the Field of Miracles?"
"To-day it is impossible, I will go another day."
"Another day it will be too late!" said the Fox.
"Why?"
"Because the field has been bought by a gentleman, and after to-morrow
no one will be allowed to bury money there.
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