Page:The adventures of Pinocchio (Cramp 1904).djvu/17



At this moment there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” said the woodcutter, without having strength enough to arise.

Then a lively old man called Geppetto entered the room. The boys in the neighborhood, when they wished to make him angry, called him Corn Meal, because his wig was of that color. Geppetto was very queer. Woe to any one who called him Corn Meal! He became suddenly like a beast and no one could hold him.

“Good morning, Master Antonio,” said Geppetto. “What are you doing on the ground?”

“I am teaching the ants their A B C’s.”

“Much good that does!”

“What has brought you here, brother Geppetto?”