Stranica 219 [219]
PINOCCHIO 197
On that evening, as you may imagine, an
hour before the play was to begin the theatre
was crammed.
There was not a place to be had either in
the pit or the stalls, or in the boxes even, by
paying its weight in gold.
The benches round the circus were crowded
with children and with boys of all ages, who
were in a fever of impatience to see the famous
little donkey Pinocchio dance.
When the first part of the performance was
over, the director of the company, dressed in
a black coat, white shorts, and big leather boots
that came above his knees, presented himself
to the public, and after making a profound
bow he began with much solemnity the follow¬
ing ridiculous speech:
‘Respectable public, ladies and gentlemen!
The humble undersigned being a passer-by in
this illustrious city, I have wished to procure
for myself the honour, not to say the pleasure,
of presenting to this intelligent and distin¬
guished audience a celebrated little donkey,
who has already had the honour of dancing in
the presence of His Majesty the Emperor of
all the principal Courts of Europe.
‘“ And thanking you, I beg of you to help
us with your inspiring presence and to be
indulgent to us.”