OCR Output

XXVI

PINOCCHIO ACCOMPANIES HIS SCHOOLFELLOWS
LO THE SEASHORE TO SEE THE TERRIBLE DOG¬
FISH

HE following day Pinocchio went to
the government school.
Imagine the delight of all the little

rogues when they saw a puppet walk into their
school! They set up a roar of laughter that
never ended. They played him all sorts of
tricks. One boy carried off his cap, another
pulled his jacket behind; one tried to give him
a pair of inky mustachios just under his nose,
and another attempted to tie strings to his feet

and hands to make him dance.
For a short time Pinocchio pretended not

to care and got on as well as he could; but at
last, losing all patience, he turned to those who
were teasing him most and making game of

him, and said to them, looking very angry:
" Beware, boys: I am not come here to be

your buffoon. I respect others, and I intend
to be respected.”

" Well said, boaster! You have spoken like
a book!" howled the young rascals, convulsed
with mad laughter; and one of them, more im¬

pertinent than the others, stretched out his
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