Pinocchio, who was in a fever of curiosity, lost all control of himself,
and without any shame he said to the little boy to whom he was talking:

"Would you lend me a dime until tomorrow?"

"I would lend it to you willingly," said the other, "but it so happens
that today I cannot give it to you."

"I will sell you my jacket for a dime," the puppet then said to him.

"What do you think that I could do with a jacket of flowered paper? If
there were rain and it got wet, it would be impossible to get it off my
back."

"Will you buy my shoes?"

"They would only be of use to light the fire."

"How much will you give me for my cap?"

"That would be a wonderful acquisition indeed! A cap of bread crumb!
There would be a risk of the mice coming to eat it whilst it was on my
head."

Pinocchio was on thorns. He was on the point of making another offer,
but he had not the courage. He hesitated, felt irresolute and
remorseful. At last he said:

"Will you give me a dime for this new spelling-book?"