Final answer:
The bachelor's story likely captivated the children with elements of suspense, emotion, or the uncanny, drawing on the human response to mystery, adventure, and emotional engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression from the bachelor's story that piqued the curiosity of the children in the context of the provided excerpts is not explicitly mentioned. However, it can be inferred that the children's interest might have been captured by mysterious, adventurous, or emotionally moving elements within the stories.
Examples from the extracts include a dramatic scene of a ship in distress, the eerie situation of children locking parents out of a futuristic nursery, a moment of suspected sorrow related to inviting guests who never leave, and a poignant instance of a character realizing they are perceived as different by others.
Elements of suspense, emotion, or the uncanny seem to draw the interest of children in these narratives.