Page:The adventures of Pinocchio (Cramp 1904).djvu/50



When Pinocchio entered the theater of the marionettes something happened that almost caused a revolution.

The reader must know that the curtain was up and the comedy had begun. On the stage Harlequin and Pulcinello were quarreling, and, as usual in stage performances of marionettes, there were many blows given with a stick. The audience were listening intently. They laughed out loud on hearing the quarrel of the two marionettes, who gesticulated and acted their threats as naturally as if they had been two real people.

Suddenly Harlequin stopped reciting. Turning toward the audience and pointing to some one in the rear, he began to shout in a dramatic tone: