“Duke,” said Bobby.
Orde surveyed the animal gravely.
“Seems like a good name,” said he.
After dinner the two adjourned to the library, where they sat together in the “big chair,” and Bobby, squirmed a little sidewise in order the better to see, watched the smoke from his father's cigar as it eddied and curled in the air.
“Tell a story,” he commanded finally.
“Well,” acquiesced Orde, “there was once a man who had a cow—”
“Once upon a time,” corrected Bobby.
He listened for a moment or so.
“I don't like that story,” he then announced. “Tell the story about the bears.”
“But this is a new story,” protested Orde, “and you've heard about the bears so many times.”