"Then the pardon is granted?" asked poor Harlequin in a faint voice that
was scarcely audible.

"The pardon is granted!" answered Fire-Eater; he then added, sighing and
shaking his head:

"I must have patience! Tonight I shall have to resign myself to eat the
mutton half raw; but another time, woe to him who displeases me!"

At the news of the pardon the puppets all ran to the stage and, having
lighted the lamps and chandeliers as if for a full-dress performance,
they began to leap and to dance merrily. At dawn they were still
dancing.




[Illustration]

CHAPTER XII

PINOCCHIO RECEIVES A PRESENT OF FIVE GOLD PIECES


The following day Fire-Eater called Pinocchio to one side and asked him:

"What is your father's name?"

"Geppetto."