dat ef he didn't go 'long home en stop playin' his pranks on
spectubble fokes, dat I'd take 'im out and th'ash 'im,' sezee."

"And what became of the Terrapin?" asked the little boy.

"Oh, well den!" exclaimed the old man, "chilluns can't speck ter
know all 'bout eve'ything 'fo' dey git some res'. Dem eyelids er
yone wanter be propped wid straws dis minnit."


XI. MR. WOLF MAKES A FAILURE

"I LAY yo' ma got comp'ny," said Uncle Remus, as the little boy
entered the old man's door with a huge piece of mince-pie in his
hand, 'en ef she ain't got comp'ny, den she done gone en drap de
cubberd key som'ers whar you done run up wid it."

"Well, I saw the pie lying there, Uncle Remus, and I just thought
I'd fetch it out to you."

"Tooby sho, honey," replied the old man, regarding the child with
admiration. "Tooby sho, honey; dat changes marters. Chris'mus
doin's is outer date, en dey ain't got no bizness layin' roun'
loose. Dish yer pie," Uncle Remus continued, holding it up and
measuring it with an experienced eye, "will gimme strenk fer ter
persoo on atter Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit en de udder creeturs w'at
dey roped in 'long wid um."

Here the old man paused, and proceeded to demolish the pie--a
feat accomplished in a very short time. Then he wiped the crumbs