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PINOCCHIO 27 osophical, instead of becoming angry at this impertinence, continued in the same tone: “ But if you do not wish to go to school why not at least learn a trade, if only to enable you to earn honestly a piece of bread!” “Do you want me to tell you?” replied Pinocchio, who was beginning to lose patience. “Amongst all the trades in the world there is only one that really takes my fancy.” " And that trade—what is it? ” “ To eat, drink, sleep, and amuse myself, and to lead a vagabond life from morning to night. " “As a rule," said the Talking-cricket with the same composure, “ all those who follow that trade end either in a hospital or in prison.” " "Take care, you wicked ill-omened croaker! ..- Woe to you if I fly into a passion! .. .” ‘“ Poor Pinocchio! I really pity you!... “Why do you pity me?” ‘Because you are a puppet and, what is worse, because you have a wooden head.” At these last words Pinocchio jumped up in a rage, and snatching a wooden hammer from the bench he threw it at the Talking-cricket. Perhaps he never meant to hit him; but unfortunately it struck him exactly on the head, so that the poor Cricket had scarcely breath to ery cri-cri-cri, and then he remained dried up and flattened against the wall. >?
