He did not want to hunt or fish on Sunday, and this steady rain would enable him to make friends with Bud.

I do not know how he got started, but after breakfast he began to tell stories.

Out of all the books he had ever read he told story after story.

And "old man Means," and "old _Miss_ Means," and Bud Means, and Bill Means, and Sis Means listened with great eyes while he told of Sinbad's adventures, of the Old Man of the Sea, of Robinson Crusoe, of Captain Gulliver's experiences in Liliput, and of Baron Munchausen's exploits.
Ralph had caught his fish.

The hungry minds of these backwoods people were refreshed with the new life that came to their imaginations in these stories.