Pinocchio rested his elbows on his knees, chin on his clasped hands, and, biting his pencil, lost himself in profound meditation.
"Excuse me, Bersaglierino."
"Ho! Finished already?"
"No ... that is ... yes, I have finished beginning, but ... I don't know what you put before the beginning."
"Write, 'Dear So-and-so,' or 'My darling, etc., etc.'"
"But you see I can't put either 'dear' or 'my darling.'"
"So you are writing to a creditor?"
"Something like that."
"Heavens! Put his first name, his last name, swear at him, and that's enough."
"Excuse me, Bersaglierino..."