A general explosion of laughter greeted this surprising conclusion , and Mrs. Jo patted the curly head , as she said , solemnly , `` My son , you inherit your mother 's gift of story-telling . Go where glory waits thee . '' `` Now I can stay , ca n't I ? Was n't it a good story ? '' 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 XXXXX at the very outset .
Demi Hampshire James Jo Snow day explosion minute pop-corns wood-box