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230 PINOCCHIO
money he obtained by selling them he was able
with great economy to provide for all the daily
expenses. Amongst other things he constructed
an elegant little wheel-chair, in which he could
take his father out on fine days to breathe a
mouthful of fresh air.
By his industry, ingenuity, and his anxiety
to work and to overcome difficulties, he not
only succeeded in maintaining his father, who
continued infirm, in comfort, but he also con¬
trived to put aside forty pence to buy himself
a new coat.
One morning he said to his father:
"TI am going to the neighbouring market
to buy myself a jacket, a cap, and a pair of
shoes. When I return,” he added, laughing,
" I shall be so well dressed that you will take
me for a fine gentleman.”
And leaving the house he began to run mer¬
rily and happily along. All at once he heard
himself called by name, and turning round he
saw a big Snail crawling out from the hedge.
“Do you not know me?” asked the Snail.
“It seems to me... and yet I am not
sure...
~ “T)o you not remember the Snail who was
lady’s-maid to the Fairy with blue hair? Do
you not remember the time when I came down¬
stairs to let you in, and you were caught by