"Infirm people," repeated the Cat.
"Begone, impostors!" answered the puppet. "You took me in once, but you will never catch me again."
"Believe me, Pinocchio, we are now poor and unfortunate indeed!"
"If you are poor, you deserve it. Recollect the proverb: 'Stolen money never fructifies.' Begone, impostors!"
And, thus saying, Pinocchio and Geppetto went their way in peace. When they had gone another hundred yards they saw, at the end of a path in the middle of the fields, a nice little straw hut with a roof of tiles and bricks.
"That hut must be inhabited by some one," said Pinocchio. "Let us go and knock at the door."
They went and knocked.
"We are a poor father and son without bread and without a roof," answered the puppet.
"Turn the key and the door will open," said the same little voice.
Pinocchio turned the key and the door opened. They went in and looked here, there, and everywhere, but could see no one.