They suspected that the Little Colonel's stories would soon lead to a lecture on quarrelling.
Presently they forgot their fears in the interest of the tale.

The youngest boy sidled a little nearer and climbed up on the end of the bench beside her.

Then Howell, dragging his whip behind him, came a step closer, then another, till he too was on the bench beside her.
She had never had such a flattering audience.

They never took their eyes from her face, and listened with such breathless attention that she talked on and on, wondering how long she could hold their interest.
"They listen to me just as people do to Betty," she thought, proudly.

An hour went by, and half of another, and the bugle blew the first dinner-call.
"Go on," demanded Howell, edging closer.