Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/240

 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 contrived to put aside forty pence to buy himself a new coat.

One morning he said to his father:

'I 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 merrily 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. . . .'

'Do 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 downstairs to let you in, and you were caught by your foot which you had stuck through the house door?'

'I remember it all,' shouted Pinocchio.

'Tell me quickly, my beautiful little Snail, where have you left my good Fairy? What