Page:Smith - Number Stories of Long ago (1919).djvu/52

OF LONG AGO “That is nothing,” said Titus; “half of thirteen is eight.”

“That is easy,” said Caius; “but can you take one hundred from four hundred and have five hundred left?”

“I think I have now told you enough for to-night,” said the Story-Teller. “How many of you can show that half of twelve is seven?”

“I can,” said Emily.

“And I,” said half a dozen others.

“How many of you can show that half of thirteen is eight?”

“We all can,“ said the Crowd.

“Who can show how Caius took one hundred from four hundred and had five hundred left?”

Not everyone could do this. Can you do it?

“Who can tell me some other curious puzzle about the Roman numerals?”

“We all can,” said the Crowd.

“Then,” said the Story-Teller, “I think you had better fill the Question Box.”

“If we fill it do we have another story to-morrow night?” asked Charles.

“Well, if you don't fill it you certainly will not have the story,” said the Story-Teller. 31