“All right! Come along!” said the dolphin, stretching a fin out to help Pinocchio along.
The marionette started to walk into the water. He had not gone far, however, before his paper suit began to leave him. Hastening back to the shore, he very meekly put on the ray-leather suit which Globicephalous handed to him.
“Remember, my boy,” said Tursio, “that in this world of ours we must think not only of the beauty but also of the usefulness of things. Also, do not forget that a boy who never learns anything will never be anything.”
“But I have learned much,” answered Pinocchio. “To prove this to you, I can now tell you of what material this suit is made.”
“I have told you already. It is of ray leather. Do you know what a ray is?”
“Surely I know. You may give it another name. Still, it must be that white animal on four legs. You know. The one the shepherds shear during some month or other.”
“Mercy!” cried Tursio. “You are talking about sheep. They give wool to man.”
Pinocchio, without moving an eyelid, went on:
“Yes, that’s true. I have made a mistake. I should have said it is that plant that bears round fruit, that when it opens....”
“Worse and worse,” interrupted the old dolphin. “What are you talking of, anyway? That is the cotton plant. Marsovino, please explain to this boy, who has read all the books in the world, what a ray is.”