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PINOCCHIO 223
more comfortable to get on the Tunny s back.
Having reached the shore Pinocchio sprang
first on land that he might help his father to
do the same. He then turned to the Tunny,
and said to him in a voice full of emotion:
“ My friend, you have saved my papa s life.
I can find no words with which to thank you
properly. Permit me at least to give you a
kiss as a sign of my eternal gratitude! . . .”
The Tunny put his head out of the water,
and Pinocchio, kneeling on the ground, kissed
him tenderly on the mouth. At this spon¬
taneous proof of warm affection, the poor
Tunny, who was not accustomed to it, felt
extremely touched, and ashamed to let himself
be seen crying like a child, he plunged under
the water and disappeared.
By this time the day had dawned. Pinoc¬
chio then offering his arm to Geppetto, who
had scarcely breath to stand, said to him:
" Lean on my arm, dear papa, and let us
go. We will walk very slowly like the ants
and when we are tired we can rest by the way¬
side.”
- And where shall we go? ” asked Geppetto.
‘In search of some house or cottage, where
they will give us for charity a mouthful of
bread, and a little straw to serve as a bed.’