Focusing on the slow, steady rhythm of the children's story was as calming to Hemingway as it was to Charlie. It forced him to slow down, to focus on one sentence at a time.
He was oddly pleased with Charlie's assessment of his story-telling abilities, but he felt an odd sting in his heart at his question. Here he was, a grown man, wanting to confirm the exact same thing. He didn't do well with Abi gone.