“But you wanted me to laugh louder,” Jolly reminded him.
“Yes,” said Mr. Crow—“when there’s anything to laugh at.”
“But didn’t Tommy Fox make a joke?” Jolly Robin asked. 28
“A very poor one!” old Mr. Crow replied. “A very poor joke, indeed!... I see,” he added, “I see you’ve not had much experience laughing for people. And here’s where you make a mistake. You laugh at other people’s jokes, which is all wrong. After this you must laugh at my jokes—do you understand?”
Jolly Robin said he understood. And Mr. Crow remarked that he was glad there would be no more trouble.
“And now,” the old fellow said, “now we’ll go over to the swamp, where Uncle Sammy Coon lives. We ought to have some fun with him.”
So over to the swamp they flew, where they found Uncle Sammy Coon sunning himself in the top of a tall hemlock.
“How-dy-do!” said Mr. Crow.
But Uncle Sammy Coon did not answer.
“We’re in luck!” Mr. Crow said with 29 a chuckle. “I declare, I believe the old beggar’s asleep. Just watch me play a practical joke on him!”