trouble. You des hol' yo' breff'n wait."


XII. MR. FOX TACKLES OLD MAN TARRYPIN

"ONE day," said Uncle Remus, sharpening his knife on the palm
of his hand--"one day Brer Fox strike up wid Brer Tarrypin right
in de middle er de big road. Brer Tarrypin done heerd 'im comin',
en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he'd sorter keep one eye open; but
Brer Fox wuz monstus perlite, en he open up de confab, he did,
like he ain't see Brer Tarrypin sence de las' freshit.

"'Heyo, Brer Tarrypin, whar you bin dis long-come-short?' sez
Brer Fox, sezee.

"'Lounjun 'roun', Brer Fox, lounjun 'roun',' sez Brer Tarrypin.

"'You don't look sprucy like you did, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Brer
Fox, sezee.

"'Lounjun 'roun' en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee.

"Den de talk sorter run on like dis:

"'W'at ail you, Brer Tarrypin? Yo' eye look mighty red,' sez Brer
Fox, sezee.

"'Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is. You ain't bin
lounjun 'roun' en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee.