ng his wooden head, as if to say, "It's
the kind of life which would agree with me perfectly."

"Do you want to go with me, then? Yes or no? You must make up your
mind."

"No, no, and again no! I have promised my kind Fairy to become a good
boy, and I want to keep my word. Just see: The sun is setting and I must
leave you and run. Good-by and good luck to you!"

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Home. My good Fairy wants me to return home before night."

"Wait two minutes more."

"It's too late!"

"Only two minutes."

"And if the Fairy scolds me?"

"Let her scold. After she gets tired, she will stop," said Lamp-Wick.

"Are you going alone or with others?"

"Alone? There will be more than a hundred of us!"

"Will you walk?"

"At midnight the wagon passes here that is to take us within the
boundaries of that marvelous country."

"How I wish midnight would strike!"

"Why?"

"To see you all set out together."

"Stay here a while longer and you will see us!"

"No, no. I want to return home."

"Wait two more minutes."

"I have waited too long as it is. The Fairy will be worried."

"Poor Fairy! Is she afraid the bats will eat you up?"

"Listen, Lamp-Wick," said the Marionette, "are you really sure that
there are no schools in the Land of Toys?" "Not even the shadow of one."

"Not even one teacher?"

"Not one."

"And one does not have to study?"

"Never, never, never!"

"What a great land!" said Pinocchio, feeling his mouth water. "What a
beautiful land! I have never been there, but I can well imagine it."

"Why don't you come, too?"

"It is useless for you to tempt me! I told you I promised my good Fairy
to behave myself, and I am going to keep my word."

"Good-by, then, and remember me to the grammar schools, to the high
schools, and even to the colleges if you meet them on the way."

"Good-by, Lamp-Wick. Have a pleasant trip, enjoy yourself, and remember
your friends once in a while."

With these words, the Marionette started on his way home. Turning once
more to his friend, he asked him:

"But are you sure that, in that country, each week is composed of six
Saturdays and one Sunday?"

"Very sure!"

"And that vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the
thirty-first of December?"

"Very, very sure!"

"What a great country!" repeated Pinocchio, puzzled as to what to do.

Then, in sudden determination, he said hurriedly:

"Good-by for the last time, and go