Question

In “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain, how does the narrator react when Simon Wheeler starts to tell a story about Smiley’s one-eyed cow?

with calm exasperation
with patient understanding
with rapt attention
with quiet amusement

Answer 1

As I recall, it was a one eyed dog, but that's beside the point. He says with quiet amusement.

Answer 2

with calm exasperation

The narrator is not happy that he has been tricked into Simon Wheeler's story-telling antics. He is annoyed that he is stuck listening to these tales about Smiley's gambling. While he listens well, he is not amused, patient, or attentive.