Pinocchio reflected a moment, and then he said resolutely:
'No, I will not go. I am already close to the house, and I will return home to my papa who is waiting for me. Who can tell how often the poor old man must have sighed yesterday when I did not come back! I have indeed been a bad son, and the Talking-cricket was right when he said: "Disobedient boys never come to any good in the world." I have found it to my cost, for many misfortunes have happened to me. Even yesterday in Fire-eater's house I ran the risk . . . Oh! it makes me shudder only to think of it!'
'Well, then,' said the Fox, 'you are quite decided to go home? Go, then, and so much the worse for you.'
'So much the worse for you!' repeated the Cat.
'Think well of it, Pinocchio, for you are giving a kick to fortune.'
'To fortune!' repeated the Cat.
'Between to-day and to-morrow your five sovereigns would have become two thousand.'
'Two thousand!' repeated the Cat.
'But how is it possible that they could have become so many?' asked Pinocchio, remaining with his mouth open from astonishment.
'I will explain it to you at once,' said the Fox. 'You must know that in the land of
