The excerpt that best supports the theme that the purpose of stories is to entertain is:
“‘At any rate,’ said the bachelor, collecting his belongings preparatory to leaving the carriage, ‘I kept them quiet for ten minutes, which was more than you were able to do.’”
This line highlights the entertainment value of storytelling, as it suggests that the bachelor successfully engaged the children and captured their attention through his storytelling, in contrast to the aunt's more serious approach.