Page:Smith - Number Stories of Long ago (1919).djvu/54

 Number Stories, p33-illustration.png

“No Story To-Night,” wrote the Story-Teller in large letters on a piece of paper, smiling as he did it. Then he pinned the notice on the edge of the shelf just above the fireplace, went back to his easy-chair, opened his curious book, and pretended to read.

A few minutes later a certain small lady tiptoed in and then tiptoed out again. There was the sound of whispering and quiet laughing in the hall, and then the door opened softly, the Tease once more tiptoed in, crossed out the “No,” and with her pencil wrote above it the words “A Real Good.”

Then the Crowd rushed in and all read aloud, “A real good story to-night.” 33