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.

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

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.

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

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

“I am waiting for midnight to strike to go—­”

“Where?”

“Far, far away!”

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

“What did you want from me?”

“Haven’t you heard the news?  Don’t you know what good luck is mine?”

“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!”

“Shall I see you at my party tomorrow?”

“But I’m telling you that I go tonight.”

“At what time?”

“At midnight.”

“And where are you going?”

“To a real country—­the best in the world—­a wonderful place!”

“What is it called?”

“It is called the Land of Toys.  Why don’t you come, too?”

“I?  Oh, no!”

“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!”

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

“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?”

“H’m—!” said Pinocchio, nodding his wooden head, as if to say, “It’s the kind of life which would agree with me perfectly.”

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

“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!”

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

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

“Wait two minutes more.”