`` It 's a bad habit I 've got into lately , '' said Theodora , trying to laugh . `` Old folks are dull sometimes , you know , Jimmy-boy . '' `` Sixteen is awful old , is n't it ? '' said Jimmy reflectively . `` I 'll tell you what I 'm going to do when I 'm sixteen , Theodora . I 'm going to pay off the mortgage , and buy mother a silk dress , and a piano for the twins . Wo n't that be elegant ? I 'll be able to do that 'cause I 'm a man . Of course if I was only a girl I could n't . '' `` I hope you 'll be a good kind brave man and a real help to your mother , '' said Theodora softly , sitting down before the cosy fire and lifting the fat little twins into her lap . `` Oh , I 'll be good to her , never you fear , '' assured Jimmy , squatting comfortably down on the little fur rug before the stove -- the skin of the coyote his father had killed four years ago . `` I believe in being good to your mother when you 've only got the one . Now tell us a story , Theodora -- a real jolly story , you know , with lots of fighting in it . Only please do n't kill anybody . I like to hear about fighting , but I like to have all the people come out alive . '' Theodora laughed , and began a story about the Riel Rebellion of ' 85 -- a story which had the double merit of being true and exciting at the same time . It was quite dark when she finished , and the twins were nodding , but Jimmy 's eyes were wide open and sparkling . `` That was great , '' he said , drawing a long breath . `` Tell us another . '' `` No , it 's bedtime for you all , '' said Theodora firmly .
`` One story XXXXX a time is my rule , you know . ''
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