XIV
MISTER RATTLESNAKE
“Whut yer givin’ dat boy, Zeek?—I boun’ hit ’tain’ nuthin’ fur no good.”
Phyllis started for the garden gate, where a suspicious conference was going on between Willis and the gardener. “Howcum yer can’t op’n yer haid whin fokes speaks ter yer?” Seeing his unwillingness to reply, she threw her apron partly over her head and quickened her pace.
“Me an’ de lit’le man wus jes’ fixin’ ter make yer ’quainted wid er present I fotch him fum ov’r t’oth’r side de creek,” explained Zeek.
“Whar de present?” she interrupted with annoyance, as she perceived he was trying to tease her.
She took the little boy by the hand and started for the house.
“Wait, Mammy,” he begged, pulling back; “Unk Zeek, please gimme the snakes.”