ne.'

"Dun da Blacksmit' run da red-hot poker in B'er Wolf t'roat, un 'e hu't
um so bad, 'tiss-a bin long tam befo' B'er Wolf kin tekky da long walk
by da cocoanut tree. Bumbye 'e git so 'e kin come by, un wun 'e git
dey-dey, 'e holler:--

"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Jutta cord-la!_'

"Da v'ice soun' so nice un fine da' Granny Rabbit is bin t'ink 'e B'er
Rabbit v'ice, un 'e is bin-a let da bahskit down. B'er Wolf, 'e shekky
da cord lak 'e is put some bittle in da bahskit, un dun 'e is bin-a git
in 'ese'f. B'er Wolf, 'e keep still. Da Granny Rabbit pull on da cord;
'e do say:--

"'Ki! 'e come he'ffy; 'e he'ffy fer true. Me son, 'e love 'e Granny
heap.'

"B'er Wolf, 'e do grin; 'e grin, un 'e keep still. Da Granny Rabbit
pull; 'e do pull ha'd. 'E pull tel 'e is git B'er Wolf mos' by da top,
un dun 'e stop fer res'. B'er Wolf look-a down, 'e head swim; 'e look
up, 'e mout' water; 'e look-a down 'g'in, 'e see B'er Rabbit. 'E git
skeer, 'e juk on da rope. B'er Rabbit, 'e do holler:--

"'_Granny!--Granny!--O Granny! Cutta cord-la!_'

"Da Granny Rabbit cut da cord, un B'er Wolf is fall down un broke 'e
neck."

XLI

AUNT TEMPY'S STORY

The little boy observed that Aunt Tempy was very much interested in
Daddy Jack's story. She made no remarks while the old African was
telling it, but she was busily engaged in measuring imaginary quilt
patterns on her apron with her thumb and forefinger,--a sure sign that
her interest had been aroused. When Daddy Jack had concluded--when, with
a swift, sweeping gesture of his wrinkled hand, he cut the cord and
allowed Brother Wolf to perish ignominiously--Aunt Tempy drew a long
breath, and said:--

"Dat ar tale come 'cross me des like a dream. Hit put me in mine er one
w'at I year w'en I wuz little bit er gal. Look like I kin see myse'f
right now, settin' flat down on de h'ath lis'nin' at ole Unk Monk. You
know'd ole Unk Monk, Brer Remus. You bleeze ter know'd 'im. Up dar in
Ferginny. I 'clar' ter goodness, it make me feel right foolish. Brer
Remus, I des know you know'd Unk Monk."

For the first time in many a day the little boy saw Uncle Remus in a
serious mood. He leaned forward in his chair, shook his head sadly, as
he gazed into the fire.

"Ah, Lord, Sis Tempy!" he exclaimed sorrowfully, "don't less we all go
foolin' 'roun' 'mungs' dem ole times. De bes' kinder bread gits sour.
W'at's yistiddy wid us wuz 'fo' de worl' begun wid dish yer chile. Dat's
de way I loo