evening, had he not at last said that he feared he was
monopolizing the attention of his hostess; besides, it was about time
for him to do some more meditating.

[Illustration: Chapter VIII]

There was a surprise at the party that delighted many of the young
people. Old Mr. Esop passed through the hall, distributing handbills,
announcing that, at immense expense, he had brought from Greece his
unparalleled aggregation of Fables, which would now be open for
exhibition in a grand pavilion just outside the south door of the
palace. Out of compliment to Miss Muffet's party, admission to the
Fables would be free, though ten cents would be charged to those who
remained to the Morals,--which, I am sorry to say, very few did. Some of
the Fables were unusually terrifying, such as the Lions and the hungry
Wolves, and Miss Muffet was glad to see what strong bars there were to
their cages. But a number of the Fables, having been for a long time on
exhibition, had become quite tame, and walked about conversing so
amiably that the youngest children felt no apprehension.

It was while Mr. Esop was engaged in attaching the Morals to the Fables
that Miss Muffet caught sight for the first time of Uncle Remus and the
Little Boy. Mr. Esop was pointing out the Hare asleep by the wayside
while the Tortoise was coming gayly down the home stretch, and he was
about to exhibit the Moral when Uncle Remus broke out with a hearty
laugh.

"You don't fool dis chile, does you, honey? Brer Rabbit he sometime play
'possum, but he sleep wid one eye open; he not let hisself be beat by a
triflin' mud turtle. Jess when Brer Turtle thinks he's thar, Brer
Rabbit'll give a jump, an' Brer Turtle'll find he's jess in time to be
too late. Oh! I know Brer Rabbit's owdacious ways." But still the Hare
slept while the Tortoise came deliberately over the line. Then Uncle
Remus cried out with infinite scorn, "Come along, little boy; dat ain't
worth shucks; dat ain't Brer Rabbit, nohow. I 'low dat rabbit's
stuffed."

"But, Uncle Remus," said Miss Muffet, "perhaps you will like the Fables
better when you get acquainted with them. I'm sure they have always
borne a good reputation. And now I should like to introduce you to Mr.
Esop; it's such a pleasure to bring together people of the same tastes.
Mr. Esop, allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Remus. I am sure that you
will feel a common interest in Zooelogy."

Miss Muffet felt a little frightened at making