"'Do you want to hear the rest of the story, Mr. Dog?' I said.
"'I'll story you,' he said, 'when I catch you!'
"'I told you you'd laugh till you fell off the edge of the world,' I said.
"I SET OUT FOR HOME WITHOUT WAITING TO SAY GOOD-BYE"
"'I'll make you laugh,' he said, 'when I catch you!'
"Then I saw he was cross about something, and I set out for home without waiting to say good-bye to Mr. Man, for I didn't want to waste any more time, though I missed my supper and got a scolding besides.
"But I was glad I didn't bring home a black eye and scratched nose, and I'm more glad than ever now that Mr. Man didn't get back in time with that box, or I might be in a menagerie this minute instead of sitting here smoking and telling stories and having a good time on Christmas Day."
The Story Teller looks down at the Little Lady.
"I'm glad Mr. 'Coon didn't get into the menagerie, aren't you?" she says.