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Hermione. Pray you sit by us,
And tell's a tale.
Mamillius. Merry or sad shall't be?
Hermione. As merry as you will.
Mamillius. A sad tale's best for winter. I have one
Of sprites and goblins.

Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), British dramatist, poet. Hermione and Mamillius, in The Winter's Tale, act 2, sc. 1, l. 22-6.

Mother and child are talking; a "winter's tale" was the sort of fable or old wives' tale that would pass the time on a dark winter evening.

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