more cheerful, and leaning toward Pinocchio, whispered to him softly, “Good news, brother! Our master has sneezed. Take heart. That is a sign that he pities you, and now you will be saved.”
For while many men and women cry when they feel moved to pity, Fire Eater had a habit of sneezing instead. It was his only way of letting others know the tenderness of his heart. After he had sneezed, the manager, still looking cross, shouted to Pinocchio, "Stop crying! Your tears give me a sick feeling, here in my stomach. I feel a spasm that nearly—etchi—etchi" and he sneezed twice more.
"Bless you" said Pinocchio.
"Thank you. Are your father and mother still living?" asked Fire Eater.
"My father yes, but I have never known a mother."
"Oh, what a dreadful thing it would have been for your father if I had thrown you on the fire. Poor old man, I pity him—etchi—etchi―etchi—" and he sneezed three times more.
