"Good marionette," said the beasts, "thank you!"

"Don't mention it," replied Pinocchio, very happy.

"Why will you not come in?"

"It is impossible, thank you. I must go to school."

"Then you are not going to Africa?"

"Who told you that! I am returning to school to bid farewell to my
teacher, and to ask him to excuse me for a few days. Then I wish to see
my father and ask his permission to go, so that he will not be anxious
while I am away."

"Excellent marionette, you will become famous."

"What agreeable people!" thought Pinocchio. "I am sorry to leave
them."

"So you really will not come in?"

"No, I have said so before. I must go to school first, and then - "

"But it seems to me rather late for school," said the crocodile
man.

"That is true; it is too late for school," replied Pinocchio.

"Well, then, stay a little longer with us, and later you can go home