‘The doctor ordered me to wear it because
I have hurt this knee. And you, dear puppet,
why have you got on that cotton cap pulled
down over your nose? ”
" The doctor prescribed it because I have
grazed my foot.”
“Oh, poor Pinocchio! .. .
“Oh, poor Candlewick! . . .”
After these words a long silence followed,
during which the two friends did nothing but
look mockingly at each other.
At last the puppet said in a soft mellifluous
voice to his companion:
“Satisfy my curiosity, my dear Candle¬
wick: have you ever suffered from disease of
the ears?”
““ Never!... And you? ”
“Never! Only since this morning one of
my ears aches.”
‘Mine is also paining me.”
“You also? . . . And which of your ears
hurts you?”
" Both of them. And you?”
‘“ Both of them. Can we have got the same
illness? "
"I fear so."
“Will you do me a kindness, Candlewick? ”
“Willingly! With all my heart.”
“Will you let me see your ears? ”