“‘It will do for my Breakfast,’ he thought.”
The two boys left the dolphins together and went off. While enjoying themselves looking around, Marsovino picked up something which looked like a chain. It was made of small round balls all alike, and transparent. He handed it to Pinocchio.
“Tell me,” he said, “do you know what this is?”
“Why, yes, it is a bead chain. It is easy enough to know that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course. I have seen them many times around little girls’ necks.”
“And if I told you that they are eggs—”
“Eggs?” murmured Pinocchio. “Eggs? This thing?”
“Yes, sir, that is what they really are; the eggs of a halibut. It is a bad habit, Pinocchio, to make believe you know a thing when you do not. I am afraid I am not going to be your friend.”