"Talk it out, Brer Jack," said Uncle Remus; "talk it out. All nex' week we'll be a-fixin' up 'bout Chris'mus. Mars Jeems, he's a-comin' up, en Miss Sally'll have lots er yuther comp'ny. 'Tildy yer, she'll be busy, en dish yer little chap, he won't have no time fer ter be settin' up wid de ole niggers, en Sis Tempy, she'll have 'er han's full, en ole Remus, he'll be a-pirootin' 'roun' huntin' fer dat w'at he kin pick up. Time's a-passin', Brer Jack, en we all er passin' wid it. Des whirl in en gin us de upshot er w'at you got in yo' min'."
"Enty!" exclaimed Daddy Jack, by way of approval. "One time dey bin two bud. One bin sma't bud; da turrer, 'e bin fool bud. Dey bin lif in da sem countree; da bin use in da sem swamp. Da sma't bud, 'e is bin come 'pon da fool bud; 'e bin tahlk. 'E bin say:
"'Ki! you long in da leg, you deep in da craw. You bin 'tan' well; you bin las' long tam.'
"Fool bud, 'e look proud, 'e toss 'e head; 'e say:
"'Me no mekky no brag.'
"Sma't bud, 'e say:
"'Less we try see fer how long tam we is kin go 'dout bittle un drink.'
"Fool bud, 'e 'tretch 'e neck, 'e toss 'e head; 'e say:
"'All-a right; me beat-a you all day ebry day. Me beat-a you all da tam.'
"Sma't bud, 'e say: