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XIV PINOCCHIO, BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT HEED THE GOOD COUNSELS OF THE TALKING-CRICKET, FALLS AMONGST ASSASSINS (ÍR sere said the puppet to himself as he resumed his journey, “ how unfortunate we poor boys are. Eiverybody scolds us, everybody admonishes us, everybody gives us good advice. ‘To let them talk, they would all take it into their heads to be our fathers and our masters—all: even the Talking-cricket. See now; because I don’t choose to listen to that tiresome Cricket, who knows, according to him, how many misfortunes are to happen to me! I am even to meet with assassins! ‘That is, however, of little consequence, for I don’t believe in assassins—I have never believed in them. Wor me, I think that assassins have been invented purposely by papas to frighten boys who want to go out at night. Besides, supposing I was to come across them here in the road, do you imagine they would frighten me? not the least in the world. I should go to meet them and cry: " Gentlemen assassins, what do you want with me? Remember that with me there is no joking. Therefore go about your business and be quiet!’ At this speech, said in a determined tone, those 69
