Part 10 (2/2)
[Ill.u.s.tration: HIS FOOT CAUGHT CUTEMUP RIGHT IN THE STOMACH AND KNOCKED HIM BREATHLESS]
At this bill of fare Pinocchio's leg by some strange phenomenon began to bend again from the knee.
The major, thoroughly absorbed in his lesson, did not notice it: ”So, then, that is understood. You, Captain Teschisso, are doing splendidly; in a few days we'll take the bandage off you. Gentlemen, let us go into the next room.”
They had scarcely gone out and the door was scarcely closed before Pinocchio burst out into such a hearty laugh that the captain and Bersaglierino had to laugh, too.
”You don't seem too much depressed.”
”What were you doing with that leg in the air?”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
”Do you know, Captain, as my first kick had gained special nourishment for me, I wanted to give him another one so that I could get a double quant.i.ty; then there would have been something for all of you.”
”Thank you, you shaved poodle.”
Just then Fatina returned and was surprised to see Pinocchio laughing so hard that his tongue was hanging out with happiness.
”What's this?”
”Fatina, my compliments. Did you hear what the major ordered? Filet of beefsteak, chickens, custards with heaps of sugar, at dinner and again at supper.”
”You wretch!”
”I am not a wretch; I am a poor, weak invalid and no one had better feel the muscles in my legs too much who doesn't want to get kicks in the stomach.”
”You little beast! Suppose I go and tell the major that ...”
”No, for Heaven's sake! Dear Fatina, keep quiet.”
”On one condition.”
”Let's hear it.”
”That you will be good, that you will be patient and let yourself be taken care of until it is time to fit your wooden leg.”
”I promise you. You know, once I was made of wood all over. In order to get ahead I can even make up my mind to take a step backward.”
CHAPTER VI
_Wherein We See Pinocchio's Heart_
All three of them were now up again. It was to be for them a day of great gladness. Yet all three were in a bad humor. They didn't even talk. Captain Teschisso, dressed in a brand-new uniform, couldn't tear himself away from the mirror, which he addressed in a low voice:
”Just see what they have made of me. I can't go on this way.... I am not presentable. Without an ear, with a slash on the cheek, half my beard gone ... I look like a wild animal to be shown at a circus.
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