In a little more than an hour, all his friends were invited. Some accepted quickly and gladly. Others had to be coaxed, but when they heard that the toast was to be buttered on both sides, they all ended by accepting the invitation with the words, "We'll come to please you."

"We shall see if you are telling the truth."

"Because boys who do not listen to their elders always come to grief."

"Indeed, you may invite your friends to tomorrow's party. Only remember to return home before dark. Do you understand?"

"Why?"

"We shall see. In case you do disobey, you will be the one to suffer, not anyone else."

"But I am not like those others. When I give my word I keep it."

"Take care, Pinocchio! Boys give promises very easily, but they as easily forget them."

Coming at last out of the surprise into which the Fairy's words had thrown him, Pinocchio asked for permission to give out the invitations.

"I certainly have," said Pinocchio, "but from now on, I obey."

"I'll be back in one hour without fail," answered the Marionette.

Without adding another word, the Marionette bade the good Fairy good-by, and singing and dancing, he left the house.

That day, he went straight to his friend's house to invite him to the party, but Lamp-Wick was not at home. He went a second time, and again a third, but still without success.

Lamp-Wick was the laziest boy in the school and the biggest mischief-maker, but Pinocchio loved him dearly.

"What are you doing there?" asked Pinocchio, running up to him.

Now it must be known that, among all his friends, Pinocchio had one whom he loved most of all. The boy's real name was Romeo, but everyone called him Lamp-Wick, for he was long and thin and had a woebegone look about him.

Where could he be? Pinocchio searched here and there and everywhere, and finally discovered him hiding near a farmer's wagon.

"Haven't you heard the news? Don't you know what good luck is mine?"

"Where?"

"What did you want from me?"

"Far, far away!"

"And I have gone to your house three times to look for you!"

"I am waiting for midnight to strike to go --"

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow I end my days as a Marionette and become a boy, like you and all my other friends."

"May it bring you luck!"

"But I'm telling you that I go tonight."

"At what time?"

"At midnight."

"But how does one spend the day in the Land of Toys?"

"Shall I see you at my party tomorrow?"

"It is called the Land of Toys. Why don't you come, too?"

"I? Oh, no!"

"What is it called?"

"To a real country -- the best in the world -- a wonderful place!"

"You are making a big mistake, Pinocchio. Believe me, if you don't come, you'll be sorry. Where can you find a place that will agree better with you and me? No schools, no teachers, no books! In that blessed place there is no such thing as study. Here, it is only on Saturdays that we have no school. In the Land of Toys, every day, except Sunday, is a Saturday. Vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the last day of December. That is the place for me! All countries should be like it! How happy we should all be!"

"And where are you going?"

"Days are spent in play and enjoyment from morn till night. At night one goes to bed, and next morning, the good times begin all over again. What do you think of it?"

"Why?"

"No, no, and again no! I have promised my kind Fairy to become a good boy, and I want to keep my word. Just see: The sun is setting and I must leave you and run. Good-by and good luck to you!"

"H'm --." said Pinocchio, nodding his wooden head, as if to say, "It's the kind of life which would agree with me perfectly."

"Will you walk?"

"It's too late!"

"Only two minutes."

"Do you want to go with me, then? Yes or no? You must make up your mind."

"Wait two minutes more."

"And if the Fairy scolds me?"

"Let her scold. After she gets tired, she will stop," said Lamp-Wick.

"Alone? There will be more than a hundred of us!"

"At midnight the wagon passes here that is to take us within the boundaries of that marvelous country."

"Are you going alone or with others?"

"Home. My good Fairy wants me to return home before night."

"How I wish midnight would strike!"

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"To see you all set out together."

"Stay here a while longer and you will see us!"

"No, no. I want to return home."

"It is useless for you to tempt me! I told you I promised my good Fairy to behave myself, and I am going to keep my word."

With these words, the Marionette started on his way home. Turning once more to his friend, he asked him:

"Never, never, never!"

"Not one."

"Why don't you come, too?"

"Good-by, Lamp-Wick. Have a pleasant trip, enjoy yourself, and remember your friends once in a while."

"What a great land!" said Pinocchio, feeling his mouth water. "What a beautiful land! I have never been there, but I can well imagine it."

"I have waited too long as it is. The Fairy will be worried."

"But are you sure that, in that country, each week is composed of six Saturdays and one Sunday?"

"And one does not have to study?"

"Not even one teacher?"

"Not even the shadow of one."

"Good-by, then, and remember me to the grammar schools, to the high schools, and even to the colleges if you meet them on the way."

"Listen, Lamp-Wick," said the Marionette, "are you really sure that there are no schools in the Land of Toys?"

"Wait two more minutes."

"Poor Fairy! Is she afraid the bats will eat you up?"

"Good-by."

"What a wonderful, beautiful, marvelous country! Oh -- h -- h!!"

"There it is!" cried Lamp-Wick, jumping to his feet.

"How soon will you go?"

"Very, very sure!"

"The wagon which is coming to get me. For the last time, are you coming or not?"

"Never, never, never!"

"What a great country!" repeated Pinocchio, puzzled as to what to do.

"Poor Pinocchio! And if the Fairy scolds you?"

"By this time I'm late, and one hour more or less makes very little difference."

"But is it really true that in that country boys never have to study?"

"Oh, I'll let her scold. After she gets tired, she will stop."

"And the Fairy?"

In the meantime, the night became darker and darker. All at once in the distance a small light flickered. A queer sound could be heard, soft as a little bell, and faint and muffled like the buzz of a far-away mosquito.

"What a pity! If it were only one hour, I might wait for you."

"Good-by for the last time, and good luck."

"And that vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the thirty-first of December?"

"What?" whispered Pinocchio.

"Very sure!"

"Within two hours."

Then, in sudden determination, he said hurriedly: