Christmas at Punkin Holler

by Elizabeth F. Guptill

(Pauses. Looks inquiringly at Jake, who looks sulkily at her.)

Aunt Hepsy—Wal, why in tunket don’t ye go on?

Rhoda—’Taint my turn. It’s his’n.

Aunt Hepsy—Chirp it up, Jake.

Jake—Sha’n’t.

Miss P.—Come, Jacob sing your verse.

Jake—I won’t sing it, ’n I won’t sing it ternight, nuther, ef she calls me Jay Cup! ’Taint my name, ’n I don’t keer ef ’t does sound stylisher, so there! My name’s allers been Jake tel this term er school. By next it’ll be Jake Platter, I expect.

Rhoda—But Jake hasn’t got syllerbles ernough.

Aunt Hepsy—Sing it (sings) “Jakie, Jakie, I’ve ben thinkin’.” That’ll go all right.

Jake—’Twon’t nuther. Jakie’s a kid’s name. It’s Jake er nuthin’. Ef she sings it so, I’ll sing back, ’n ef she don’t, I won’t.