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and the best thing to do is to leave his memory in peace."

"Were you asleep when the weasels came into the yard?" asked the farmer.

"Yes, I was," replied Pinocchio, "but they woke me with their chatter, and then one of them came up to my kennel and told me that if I would not bark and wake you up they would give me a nice fat chicken for myself. What do you think of that? I am only a marionette, and have nearly all the faults any puppet could have, but I would never enter into a bargain with thieves."

"Brave boy!" said the farmer patting him on the shoulder, "Such fine sentiments do you honor, and as a proof of my gratitude I will set you free to return to your home."

And he took off the dog collar.