Page:The adventures of Pinocchio (Cramp 1904).djvu/159

 it over his head like a shirt. Clothed thus lightly he took the road to his home and said to himself as he walked along: “How shall I present myself to my good Fairy? What will she say when she sees me? Will she pardon me the second time? Oh, no; she will not pardon me, I am sure, because I have been a scamp and have not kept my promise.”

When he arrived at the town it was quite dark; and because it rained very hard, he went directly to the house of the Fairy and decided to knock at the door. But when he reached the house his courage failed, so instead of knocking he walked beyond. He returned a second time to the door, but did not knock; then he approached it another time, but did nothing. The fourth time he trembled as he took hold of the knocker and let it fall without much noise.

He waited and waited. In about half an hour a window opened on the top floor (for there were four stories to the house) and Pinocchio saw a large Snail look out. The Snail called, “Who is it at this hour?”

“Is the Fairy at home?” asked the marionette.

“The Fairy is sleeping and does not wish to be awakened; but who are you?”

“It is I.”