“At last! Where have you been? We have important things to say to you. Come here, both of you!”
“What is it? We are all ears.”
“My friend Beluga has been telling me that while I have been away from home I have lost much money. He has told me of a great treasure that is to be found in an old ship far away from here. As I need it very much just now, I do wish I could get hold of it.”
“Well,” answered Marsovino, “why can’t we go for it?”
“Because it is miles and miles away. Not only that, but we should have to travel as far up as the polar seas, and into the great oceans. We could never do it. You see, I am getting old. I could hardly attempt to cross those icy waters. Still, I need the money so much that I am afraid I shall have to try the journey.”
“Why couldn’t Globicephalous and I go instead of you, father?” asked Marsovino.
“And I also,” timidly added Pinocchio.
“Globicephalous is too old. And as for you two, my dear boys, you do not know what you are saying. Do you know that for months and months the polar seas are in darkness? That the sun is seen only in the spring and summer?”
“I know, but it is now winter, and we should reach those seas just at the right time. We should be back before the fall.”
“And are you not afraid of the cold?”