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XXVI PINOCCHIO ACCOMPANIES HIS SCHOOLFELLOWS LO THE SEASHORE TO SEE THE TERRIBLE DOGFISH 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 impertinent than the others, stretched out his 137
