Chapter 72

　　Whereis my poor father now?""I do not know.""Will I ever belucky enough to find him and embrace him once more?""I think so.Indeed, I am sure of it."At this answer, Pinocchio's happiness was verygreat.

　　Hegrasped the Fairy's hands and kissed them so hard thatit looked as if he hadlost his head. Then lifting his face,he looked at her lovingly and asked:"Tell me, little Mother,it isn't true that you are dead, isit?""It doesn't seem so," answered the Fairy, smiling.

　　"Ifyou only knew how I suffered and how I wept when I read `Herelies--'""I know it, and for that I have forgiven you. The depth ofyour sorrow made me see that you have a kind heart.

　　Thereis always hope for boys with hearts such as yours,though they may often bevery mischievous6. This is thereason why I havecome so far to look for you. From nowon, I'll be your own littlemother.""Oh! How lovely!" cried Pinocchio, jumping with joy.

　　"Youwill obey me always and do as I wish?""Gladly, very gladly, more thangladly!""Beginning tomorrow," said the Fairy, "you'll go toschool every day."Pinocchio's face fell a little.

“我不知道。”
　　“我还能看见他和拥抱他吗，我有这份福气吗？”
　　“我相信你有，而且我保证。”
　　皮诺乔听了这个回答，高兴得抓住仙女的手发疯似地吻起来。接着他抬起头，亲热地看着仙女问道：
　　“告诉我，好妈妈，你不是真死了吧？”
　　“好像不是，”仙女微笑着回答。
　　“你知道我当时多么伤心，觉得喉咙都堵住了，一个字一个字地读：‘这里安眠着……’”
　　“我知道，因此我就原谅你了。你的伤心是真诚的，这使我知道，你有一顾善良的心。一个孩子有颗善良的心，即使有点顽皮，有些不好的习惯，总还是有希望，就是说，总是可以希望他重新走上正路的，因此我跟到这儿来找你。我要做你的妈妈……”
　　“噢！多美啊！”皮诺乔大叫，高兴得跳起来。
　　“你要听我的话，永远照我对你说的话去做。”
　　“我愿意，我愿意，我愿意！”
　　“从明天开始，”仙女往下说，“你就去上学。”
　　皮诺乔马上不那么高兴了。

6 mischievous    

adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的

参考例句：

·He is a mischievous but lovable boy.他是一个淘气但可爱的小孩。

·A mischievous cur must be tied short.恶狗必须拴得短。