The Marionettes recognize their brother Pinocchio,and greet him with loud cheers; but the Director, Fire Eater,happens along and poor Pinocchio almost loses his lifeQuick as a flash, Pinocchio disappeared into theMarionette Theater. And then something happened whichalmost caused a riot.

　　The curtain was up and the performance had started.

　　Harlequin and Pulcinella were reciting on the stage and,as usual, they were threatening each other with sticks and blows.

　　The theater was full of people, enjoying the spectacleand laughing till they cried at the antics of the two Marionettes.

　　The play continued for a few minutes, and then suddenly,without any warning, Harlequin stopped talking.

　　Turning toward the audience, he pointed to the rear ofthe orchestra, yelling wildly at the same time:

　　"Look, look! Am I asleep or awake? Or do I really seePinocchio there?""Yes, yes! It is Pinocchio!" screamed Pulcinella.

　　"It is! It is!" shrieked Signora Rosaura, peeking in fromthe side of the stage.

　　"It is Pinocchio! It is Pinocchio!" yelled all the Marionettes,pouring out of the wings. "It is Pinocchio. It is our brotherPinocchio! Hurrah for Pinocchio!""Pinocchio, come up to me!" shouted Harlequin. "Cometo the arms of your wooden brothers!"At such a loving invitation, Pinocchio, with one leapfrom the back of the orchestra, found himself in the frontrows. With another leap, he was on the orchestra leader'shead. With a third, he landed on the stage.

　　It is impossible to describe the shrieks of joy, the warmembraces, the knocks, and the friendly greetings withwhich that strange company of dramatic actors andactresses received Pinocchio.

　　It was a heart-rending spectacle, but the audience,seeing that the play had stopped, became ang............