human
Please stop spinning Miss Thusa, and tell me a story,
gpt
Yes! Don't tease--I must smooth the flax on the distaff and wet the thread on the spindle first. There--that will do. Come, yellow bird, jump into my lap, and say what you want me to tell you. Shall it he the gray kitten, with the big bunch of keys on its neck, that turned into a beautiful princess, or the great ogre, who killed all the little children he could find for breakfast and supper?
human
No, replied Helen, shuddering with a strange mixture of horror and delight.
gpt
I want to hear something you never told before.
human
Well--I will tell you the story of the _worm-eaten traveler_. It is half singing, half talking, and a powerful story it is. I would act it out, too, if you would sit down in the corner till I've done. Let go of me, if you want to hear it.
gpt
Please Miss Thusa, said the excited child, drawing her stool into the corner, and crouching herself upon it, while Miss Thusa rose up, and putting back her wheel, prepared to commence her heterogeneous performance. She often