“Certainly he is an African.”
“And is he very rich?”
“Is he rich? Take my word for it that if he would, he could buy up this whole country.”
Pinocchio was struck dumb. Still he wanted to make the men believe that what he had heard was not altogether new to him. “Oh, I know that Africa is a very beautiful country, and I have often planned to go there,—and—if I were sure that it would not be too much trouble I would willingly go with you.”
“With us? We are not going to Africa.”
“What a pity! I thought I could make the journey in your company.”
“Are you in earnest?” asked the bearded man. “Do you believe that there is any Africa outside this tent?”
“Tent or no tent, I have decided to go to Africa, and I shall go,” boldly replied the marionette.
“I like that youngster,” said the man who played the part of a crocodile. “That boy will make his fortune someday.”
“Of course I shall!” continued Pinocchio. “I ought to have fifty thousand francs, because I must get a new jacket for my father, who sold his old one to buy me a spelling book. If there is so much gold and silver in Africa, I will fill up a thousand vessels. Is it true that there is a great deal of gold and silver?”