Uncle Remus crossed his legs, took off his spectacles and laid them carefully on the floor under his chair, and made a great pretence of arguing the matter with the child.
"Now, den, honey, w'ich tale is it w'at you ain't lak de mos'?"
The little boy reflected a moment and then replied:—
"About the snake swallowing the little girl. I don't see any fun in that. Papa says they have snakes in Africa as big around as his body; and, goodness knows, I hope they won't get after me."
"How dey gwine git atter you, honey, w'en you settin' up yer 'long side er me en de snakes 'way 'cross dar in Affiky?"
"Well, Daddy Jack, he came, and the snakes might come too."
Uncle Remus laughed, more to reassure the child than to ridicule his argument.
"Dem ar snakes ain't no water-moccasin, not ez I knows un. Brer Jack bin yer mighty long time, en dey ain't no snake foller atter 'im yit."
"Now, Uncle Remus! papa says they have them in shows."
"I 'speck dey is, honey, but who's afear'd er snake stufft wid meal-bran? Not none er ole Miss gran'chillun, sho'!"