Pinocchio was vexed at this, but the thought of the black policemen and the unsettled bill cooled his anger, and he swept as well as he knew how. “From a gentleman to a sweeper! What fine progress I have made!” he thought, as the tears rolled down his cheeks.
“If my father were to see me now, or my good Fairy, or my companions at school! What a fine picture I should make!” And he continued to sweep and dust.
CHAPTER XV
PINOCCHIO SELLS DRINKING WATER
The time passed quickly. At the dinner hour Pinocchio had a great appetite and ate with much enjoyment. The master praised him highly for the tidy appearance of the store and urged him to keep up his good work.
“At the end of twenty years,” he said, “You will have put aside enough to return home, and a little extra money to spend on poor old Geppetto. Now that you have eaten, take this leather bag and fill it with water, which you are to sell about the city. When you return we shall know how much you have made.”
The bag was soon strapped on his shoulders and the marionette was shown the door. “Remember,” said his master, “a cent a glass!”
Pinocchio set out down the narrow street. He walked on, little caring where he went. His wooden brains were far away. He was grieved. Had the master known just how the marionette felt he would have run after him and at least regained his leather bag.