Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/139

 Pinocchio gave another look at the can, and answered neither yes nor no.

'And after the cauliflower I will give you a beautiful bonbon full of syrup.'

The temptation of this last dainty was so great that Pinocchio could resist no longer, and with an air of decision he said:

'I must have patience! I will carry the can to your house.'

The can was heavy, and the puppet not being strong enough to carry it in his hand, had to resign himself to carry it on his head.

When they reached the house the good little woman made Pinocchio sit down at a small table already laid, and she placed before him the bread, the cauliflower, and the bonbon.

Pinocchio did not eat, he devoured. His stomach was like an apartment that had been left empty and uninhabited for five months.

When his ravenous hunger was somewhat appeased he raised his head to thank his benefactress; but he had no sooner looked at her than he gave a prolonged Oh-h-h! of astonishment, and continued staring at her, with wide open eyes, his fork in the air, and his mouth full of bread and cauliflower, as if he had been bewitched.

'What has surprised you so much?' asked the good woman, laughing.