cried Rob , in high feather at his superb success . `` You can stay till you have eaten these twelve pop-corns , '' said his mother , expecting to see them vanish at one mouthful . But Rob was a shrewd little man , and got the better of her by eating them one by one very slowly , and enjoying every minute with all his might . `` Had n't you better tell the other story , while you wait for him ? '' said Demi , anxious that no time should be lost . `` I really have nothing but a little tale about a wood-box , '' said Mrs. Jo , seeing that Rob had still seven corns to eat . `` Is there a boy in it ? '' `` It is all boy . '' `` Is it true ? '' asked Demi . `` Every bit of it . '' `` Goody ! tell on , please . '' `` James Snow and his mother lived in a little house , up in New Hampshire . They were poor , and James had to work to help his mother , but he loved books so well he hated work , and just wanted to sit and study all day long . '' `` How could he ! I hate books , and like work , '' said Dan , objecting to James at the very outset . `` It takes all sorts of people to make a world ; workers and students both are needed , and there is room for all . But I think the workers should study some , and the students should know how to work if necessary , '' answered Mrs. Jo , looking from Dan to Demi with a significant expression . `` I 'm sure I do work , '' and Demi showed three small hard spots in his little palm , with pride .
`` And I 'm sure I study , '' added XXXXX , nodding with a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures .
Dan Demi Hampshire James Jo Rob Snow minute pop-corns wood-box