Stranica 146 [146]
128 PINOCCHIO
said the man, " but I will give you twopence,
provided that you help me to drag home these
two carts of charcoal.”
“I am surprised at you!” answered the
puppet in a tone of offence. “ Let me tell you
that I am not accustomed to do the work of a
donkey: I have never drawn a cart! . . ."
"So much the better for you,” answered the
man. " ‘Then, my boy, if you are really dying
of hunger, eat two fine slices of your pride, and
be careful not to get an indigestion.”
A few minutes afterwards a mason passed
down the road carrying on his shoulders a
basket of lime.
“Would you have the charity, good man,
to give a halfpenny to a poor boy who is yawn¬
ing for want of food? "
‘“ Willingly,” answered the man. “ Come
with me and carry the lime, and instead of a
halfpenny I will give you five.”
“ But the lime is heavy,” objected Pinoc¬
chio, " and I don’t want to tire myself.”
“Tf you don’t want to tire yourself, then,
my boy, amuse yourself with yawning, and
much good may it do you.”
In less than half an hour twenty other
people went by; and Pinocchio asked charity
of them all, but they all answered: