"What did you want with Captain Teschisso?"
"I? Nothing."
"Why did you call him, then?"
"I thought perhaps ... something terrible had happened.... He's gone ... they're all gone."
"Gone? How gone? They haven't disappeared; they've only gone down ..."
"Where?"
"The precipice, and then they'll climb up again on the other side, will reach the first trench, will get the better of the enemy and drive them on the mined zone. Then we'll see a fine sight. But until this minute comes we've got to keep quiet and not make a racket. Do you understand? Now go to sleep because you have been mobilized and will have to stand sentry also, and, besides, to-morrow there'll be things to do. Now march!"
Scotimondo emphasized this command with a kick which made Pinocchio take the first steps and showed him the direction he was to go. The unexpected disappearance of the Alpine troops still seemed miraculous in spite of the simple explanation Scotimondo had given him, and Pinocchio had a profound respect for everything that smacked of magic.
