"Now tell a story," said Dotty, settling herself in the chair.
"Can't you say 'please'?" suggested Prudy, mildly. "'Please' is but a little word, and 'thank you' is not long."
"Well, please, and thank you,—'bout a ape."
"I know a real nice one. Once there was a monkey—"
"No, a ape."
"Well, a ape, then. But I didn't start right. Once Mr. 'Gustus Allen sailed round the world."
"O, he went in one of those ships that go puffing out of the bay. And he had a little ape, named Jacky."
"How did you know? You wasn't there."
"O, he told me about it. He was the brightest little creature, Jacky was. When he was cold, Mr. Allen used to tuck him right in his bosom. Sometimes he got into mischief, he knew so much."