"What about?" said the old lumber king.
"About when you were a boy."
"When I was a boy," said the old gentleman, taking Jenny on his knee and putting his arm round Jimmy, "the boys and girls were as fond of stories as they are now. Once when I was a boy I said to my grandfather, 'Tell me a story, grandpa,' and he replied, 'When I was a boy the boys were as fond of stories as they are now; for once when I was a boy I said to my grandfather, "Tell me a story, grandpa,—"'".
"Why, it seems to go on just the same story, grandpapa," said Jenny.
"That's not the end of it, Jenny, dear," said grandpapa.
"No-o?" said Jenny, dubiously.
Jimmy said nothing. He lived with his grandfather, and knew his ways. Jenny came on visits only, and was not well enough acquainted with the old gentleman to know that he would soon tire of the old joke, and reward patient children by a good story.
"Shall I go on with the story, Jenny?" said grandpapa.
"Oh, yes, grandpapa!"