miled. His glance fell on 'Tildy, and
he seemed suddenly to remember that he had failed to be as polite as
circumstances demanded.

"Come-a set nex' em, lilly gal. I gwan tell you one tale."

"Come 'long, Pinx," said 'Tildy, tossing her head disdainfully, and
taking the little boy by the hand. "Come 'long, Pinx; we better be
gwine. I done say I won't kill dat ole nigger man. Yit ef he start atter
me dis blessid night, I lay I roust de whole plantation. Come on, honey;
less go."

The little boy was not anxious to go, but Uncle Remus seconded 'Tildy's
suggestion.

"Better let dat gal mosey 'long, honey, 'kaze she mout start in fer ter
cut up some 'er capers in yer, en I hate mighty bad ter bus' up dis yer
axe-helve, w'ich I'm in needs un it eve'y hour er de day."

Whereupon the two old negroes were left sitting by the hearth.

FOOTNOTES:

[24] Tear the earth.

[25] Acquaintance.

XXVII

BRER WOLF SAYS GRACE

'Tildy, the house-girl, made such a terrible report of the carryings on
of Daddy Jack that the little boy's mother thought it prudent not to
allow him to visit Uncle Remus so often. The child amused himself as
best he could for several nights, but his play-things and picture-books
finally lost their interest. He cried so hard to be allowed to go to see
Uncle Remus that his mother placed him under the care of Aunt Tempy,--a
woman of large authority on the place, and who stood next to Uncle Remus
in the confidence of her mistress. Aunt Tempy was a fat, middle-aged
woman, who always wore a head-handkerchief, and kept her sleeves rolled
up, displaying her plump, black arms, winter and summer. She never
hesitated to exercise her authority, and the younger negroes on the
place regarded her as a tyrant; but in spite of her loud voice and
brusque manners she was thoroughly good-natured, usually good-humored,
and always trustworthy. Aunt Tempy and Uncle Remus were secretly jealous
of each other, but they were careful never to come in conflict, and, to
all appearances, the most cordial relations existed between them.

"Well de goodness knows!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, as Aunt Tempy went in
with the little boy. "How you come on, Sis Tempy? De rainy season ain't
so mighty fur off w'en you come a-sojourneyin' in dis house. Ef I'd
a-know'd you'd a-bin a-comin' I'd a-sorter steered 'roun' en bresh'd de
cobwebs out'n de cornders."

"Don't min' me, Brer Remus. Luck in de house whar de cobwebs hangs low.
I 'uz