Page:Smith - Number Stories of Long ago (1919).djvu/44



“What is the story to-night?” asked the Tease as she came into the long room and stood before the fire, while the Crowd drew up the chairs.

“Story? Who said there was to be any story at all?” asked he of the curious book as he turned a new page.

“We always have a story,” replied the Tease. “We have n’t missed a single evening since we began.”

“But we began only two nights ago.”

“Yes, and this will make the third story,” said George.

“But we must stop sometime,” replied the Story-Teller, “and this is a good place.” 23