XXI 
WHY BRER BEAR HAS NO TAIL 
“I ’clar’ ter gracious, honey,” Uncle Remus exclaimed one 
night, as the little boy ran in, “you sholy ain’t chaw’d yo’ vittles. 
Hit ain’t bin no time, skacely, sence de supper-bell rung, en ef 
you go on dis a-way, you’ll des nat’ally pe’sh yo’se’f out.” 
“Oh, I was n’t hungry,” said the little boy. “I had something 
before supper, and I was n’t hungry anyway.” 
The old man looked keenly at the child, and presently he 
said: — 
“De ins en de outs er dat kinder talk all come ter de same 
p’int in my min’. Youer bin a-cuttin’ up at de table, en Mars 
John, he tuck’n sont you ’way fum dar, en w’iles he think youer 
off some’rs a-snifflin’ en a-feelin’ bad, yer you is a-high-primin’ 
’roun’ des lak you done had mo’ supper dan de King er Philan¬ 
ders.” 
Before the little boy could inquire about the King of Philanders 
he heard his father calling him. He started to go out, but Uncle 
Remus motioned him back. 
“Des set right whar you is, honey, — des set right still.” 
Then Uncle Remus went to the door and answered for the 
child; and a very queer answer it was — one that could be heard 
half over the plantation: — 
“Mars John, I wish you en Miss Sally be so good ez ter let dat 
chile ’lone. He down yer cryin’ he eyes out, en he ain’t bodderin’ 
’long er nobody in de roun’ worl’.” 
Uncle Remus stood in the door a moment to see what the reply 
would be, but he heard none. Thereupon he continued, in the 
same loud tone: — 
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