“Do not abandon us.”
“No, no!” said the Cat.
“Good-by. Remember the proverb, ‘Whoever steals the cloak of his neighbor usually dies without a shirt.’”
Geppetto and Pinocchio continued their walk until they saw a small farmhouse with a straw roof.
“That house is inhabited by some one,” said Pinocchio. “Let us go and knock at the door.”
“Who is there?” said a voice inside, when they had reached the house.
“We are a poor papa and his son, without bread or a home,” replied the marionette.
“Turn the key and the door will open,” said the same voice.
Pinocchio turned the key and the door opened. As soon as they entered the house they looked around, but saw no one. “Where is the master of this house?” asked Pinocchio, greatly surprised.
“Here I am, up here.”
Papa and son turned quickly and saw on a rafter the Talking Cricket.
“Oh, my dear Cricket!” said Pinocchio, saluting him politely.
“Now you call me your dear Cricket, do you not? Do you remember the time when you struck me with a hammer?”
