XX. HOW MR. RABBIT SAVED HIS MEAT

"ONE time," said Uncle Remus, whetting his knife slowly and
thoughtfully on the palm of his hand, and gazing reflectively in
the fire--"one time Brer Wolf--"

"Why, Uncle Remus!" the little boy broke in, "I thought you said
the Rabbit scalded the Wolf to death a long time ago."

The old man was fairly caught and he knew it; but this made
little difference to him. A frown gathered on his usually serene
brow as he turned his gaze upon the child--a frown in which both
scorn and indignation were visible. Then all at once he seemed to
regain control of himself. The frown was chased away by a look of
Christian resignation.

"Dar now! W'at I tell you?" he exclaimed as if addressing a
witness concealed under the bed. "Ain't I done tole you so? Bless
grashus! ef chilluns ain't gittin' so dey knows mo'n ole fokes,
en dey'll 'spute longer you en 'spute longer you, ceppin' der ma
call um, w'ich I speck 'twon't be long 'fo' she will, en den Ill
set yere by de chimbly-cornder en git some peace er mine. W'en
ole Miss wuz livin'," continued the old man, still addressing
some imaginary person, 'hit 'uz mo'n enny her chilluns 'ud dast
ter do ter come 'sputin' longer me, en Mars John'll tell you de
same enny day you ax 'im."

"Well, Uncle Remus, you know you said the Rabbit poured hot