"Of course," Geppetto answered, "but how shall we get it?"
"That's easy, we'll go to a bookstore and buy it."
"With what money?"
"I don't know; I have none."
"Neither have I," said the old man sadly.
Pinocchio, although usually a happy boy, became very unhappy at hearing these words. When poverty shows itself, even mischievous boys understand what it means.
"What does it matter, after all?" cried Geppetto all at once, as he jumped up from his chair. Putting on his old coat, full of darns and patches, he ran out of the house without another word.
After a while he returned. In his hands he had the A-B-C book for his son, but the old coat he had worn was gone. The poor fellow was in his shirt sleeves, and the day was very cold.
"Where's your coat, Father?"
"I have sold it," the old man answered, "It was too warm."
Pinocchio understood what his father meant -- in fact, it was not too warm at all. Unable to restrain his tears, he jumped on his father's neck and kissed him over and over.
