’Way over in the cornfield Mr. Crow heard him. And the old gentleman stopped right in the middle of a chuckle.
“I’d give an ear of corn,” he said aloud, “to know what he’s laughing at.”
XIV
OBLIGING A LADY
Old Mr. Crow had said that the Muley Cow and Mistah Mule were sure to meet, if Mistah Mule stayed at Farmer Green’s place. And they did. One day Mistah Mule was pulling at a choice clump of clover, in the pasture, when an elderly dame thrust her head over the stone wall near-by, stared at him for a few seconds, swallowed her cud, and spoke.
“Good morning!” she called out. “Unless I’m mistaken, you’re the person they’re all talking about. You’re Mistah Mule.”
“Yes’m!” Mistah Mule mumbled.
“Would you be so kind as to turn around for a moment?” the old lady asked. “I’m the Muley Cow and I’d like to see your tail.”
“Yes’m!” Mistah Mule repeated, as he wheeled about.
“That will do, thank you!” the Muley Cow told him presently. “I wanted to look at your tail. Old Mr. Crow told me it was a good deal like my own.”
“Yes’m!” said Mistah Mule.