"Ah done jes' come from his home," replied Unc' Billy Possum.

"How is he?" asked Little Joe Otter.

"Po'ly, he sho'ly is po'ly," replied Unc' Billy Possum, shaking
his head soberly. Then Unc' Billy told Billy Mink and Little Joe
Otter how Reddy Fox was so stiff and sore and sick that he
couldn't get anything to eat for himself, and how old Granny Fox
had lost a chicken which she had caught for him.

"Serves him right!" exclaimed Billy Mink, who has never forgotten
how Reddy Fox fooled him and caught the most fish once upon a
time.

Unc' Billy nodded his head. "Yo' are right. Yo' cert'nly are
right. Yes, Suh, Ah reckons yo' are right. Was yo' ever hungry,
Billy Mink--real hungry?" asked Unc' Billy Possum.

Billy Mink thought of the time when he went without his dinner
because Mr. Night Heron had gobbled it up, when Billy had left
it in a temper. He nodded his head.

"Ah was just a-wondering," continued Une' Billy Possum, "how it
would seem to be right smart powerful hungry and not be able to
hunt fo' anything to eat."

For a few minutes no one said a word. Then Billy Mink stood up
and stretched. "Good-by," said Billy Mink.