He started as if he had been roused from deep thought, gazed around, and then said in a grave, slow voice, “The sun shines—”
“What kind of speech is he going to make?” thought Pinocchio. “Is it necessary for him to say that the sun shines?”
And as the rogue went on to speak of starry skies, blue waters, and things of that sort, the marionette lost his patience and shouted, “But did you or did you not eat the sheep?”
“Your majesty,” replied the man, “certainly I ate the sheep! Ask, however, who, on the day before, ate three fingers from my left hand!”
“Your majesty, I was hungry—” groaned the shepherd. “I was very hungry.”
Pinocchio shuddered. “What kind of people are these? What sort of place have I fallen into? Fortunately for me I am made of wood.”
Meanwhile the two had lowered their heads, waiting for their sentence. Pinocchio was too much shocked to say a word.
The grand chamberlain came to his aid and whispered something in his ear.
“Speak!” replied the marionette, “I bid you speak, for whatever you do is well done.”
The minister was pleased at the faith his majesty had in him. He turned his dark face toward the two offenders and said, “One sheep and three fingers! You shall both be hanged.”