Final answer:
The mood of the excerpt is tense.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mood of the excerpt from Saki's "The Storyteller" is tense. The usage of words like "paused," "sink," and "resumed" indicates a sense of suspense and unease in the atmosphere. The storyteller's intention to capture the children's imaginations adds to the tension and anticipation.
Learn more about Mood in a literary excerpt