feigned blindness as before.

"Poor Blackbird!" said Pinocchio to the Cat, "why did you treat him so
badly?"

"I did it to give him a lesson. He will learn another time not to
meddle in other people's conversation."

They had gone almost half-way when the Fox, halting suddenly, said to
the puppet:

"Would you like to double your money?"

"In what way?"

"Would you like to make out of your five miserable sovereigns, a
hundred, a thousand, two thousand?"

"I should think so! but in what way?"

"The way is easy enough. Instead of returning home you must go with us."

"And where do you wish to take me?"

"To the land of the Owls."

Pinocchio reflected a moment, and then he said resolutely:

"No, I will not go. I am already close to the house, and I will return
home to my papa, who is waiting for me. Who can tell how often the poor