Chapter 22

           Eventhoughaboymaybeveryunhappy,heveryseldomlosessleepoverhisworries. TheMarionette,beingnoexceptiontothisrule,sleptonpeacefullyforafewhourstillwellalongtowardmidnight,whenhewasawakenedbystrangewhisperingsandstealthysoundscomingfromtheyard.Hestuckhisnoseoutofthedoghouseandsawfourslender,hairyanimals. TheywereWeasels,smallanimalsveryfondofbotheggsandchickens. Oneofthemlefthercompanionsand,goingtothedoorofthedoghouse,saidinasweetvoice: 

           "Goodevening,Melampo." 

           "MynameisnotMelampo,"answeredPinocchio. 

           "Whoareyou,then?" 

           "IamPinocchio." 

           "Whatareyoudoinghere?" 

           "I’mthewatchdog." 

           "ButwhereisMelampo?Whereistheolddogwhousedtoliveinthishouse?" 

           "Hediedthismorning." 

           "Died?Poorbeast!Hewassogood!Still,judgingbyyourface,Ithinkyou,too,areagood-natureddog." 

           "Ibegyourpardon,Iamnotadog!" 

           "Whatareyou,then?" 

           "IamaMarionette." 

           "Areyoutakingtheplaceofthewatchdog?" 

           "I’msorrytosaythatIam.I’mbeingpunished." 

           "Well,IshallmakethesametermswithyouthatwehadwiththedeadMelampo.Iamsureyouwillbegladtohearthem." 

           "Andwhataretheterms?" 

           "Thisisourplan:We’llcomeonceinawhile,asinthepast,topayavisittothishenhouse,andwe’lltakeawayeightchickens. Ofthese,sevenareforus,andoneforyou,provided,ofcourse,thatyouwillmakebelieveyouaresleepingandwillnotbarkfortheFarmer." 

           "DidMelamporeallydothat?"askedPinocchio.