"My eyes were closed, Missy Beth; dat wuz all. I jes' came in and sot down to comb my hair."
Beth shook her finger at him. "You were snoring."
"Wuz I? Well, I'm powe'ful warm, Missy Beth. Don't yo' tole on me, an' I'll swah nevah to do so agin."
Beth felt it her duty to lecture him a bit.
"You ought to tell things when you do wrong. I do. January, have you seen Fritz?"
"Not since dis mornin', Missy Beth. He wuz down by the river watchin' a great big 'gator."
She looked apprehensive. "January, do 'gators ever eat dogs?"
"I've heard tell dey do sometimes."
"What would I do if that 'gator has eaten my Fritz!"
Whereupon away she ran, as fast as her little legs could carry her, to the river, calling her beloved dog. But no Fritz came bounding at her call. In fact, he did not return even to supper, nor for breakfast the next morning.