Stranica 40 [40]
30 PINOCCHIO
I simply boil it? No, the quickest way of all
is to cook it in a saucer: I am in such a hurry
to eat it!”
Without loss of time he placed an earthen¬
ware saucer on a brazier full of red-hot embers.
Into the saucer instead of oil or butter he poured
a little water; and when the water began to
smoke, tac! ... he broke the egg-shell over it
that the contents might drop in. But instead
of the white and the yolk a little chicken popped
out very gay and polite. Making a beautiful
courtesy it said to him:
‘“‘ A thousand thanks, Master Pinocchio, for
saving me the trouble of breaking the shell.
Adieu until we meet again. Keep well, and my
best compliments to all at home!”
Thus saying it spread its wings, darted
through the open window, and flying away was
lost to sight.
The poor puppet stood as if he had been
bewitched, with his eyes fixed, his mouth open,
and the egg-shell in his hand. Recovering,
however, from his first stupefaction, he began
to ery and scream, and to stamp his feet on
the floor in desperation, and amidst his sobs
he said:
“Ah! indeed the Talking-cricket was right.
If I had not run away from home, and if my
papa was here, I should not now be dying of