NIGHTS WITH UNCLE REMUS ~ 
smart piece, en den w’en Mr. Man look ’roun\ whar wuz ole man 
Rabbit? 
“Bless yo’ soul, Brer Rabbit done gone back en jine Brer Fox, 
en he wuz des in time, at dat, ’kaze little mo’ en Brer Fox would 
’a’ done bin outer sight en yearin’. En so dat de way Brer Rabbit 
git Mr. Man meat. ,, 
The little boy reflected a little, and then said: — 
“Uncle Remus, was n’t that stealing?” 
“Well, I tell you ’bout dat, honey,” responded the old man, 
with the air of one who is willing to compromise. “In dem days de 
creeturs bleedz ter look out fer deyse’f, mo’ speshually dem w’at 
ain’t got hawn en huff. Brer Rabbit ain’t got no hawn en huff, en 
he bleedz ter be he own lawyer.” 
Just then the little boy heard his father’s buggy rattling down 
the avenue, and he ran out into the darkness to meet it. After 
he was gone, Uncle Remus sat a long time rubbing his hands 
and looking serious. Finally he leaned back in his chair, and 
exclaimed: — 
“Dat little chap gittin’ too much fer ole Remus — dat he is!” 
XXIV 
HOW BRER RABBIT GOT THE MEAT 
When the little boy next visited Uncle Remus the cabin was 
dark and empty and the door shut. The old man was gone. He 
was absent for several nights, but at last one night the little boy 
saw a welcome light in the cabin, and he made haste to pay Uncle 
Remus a visit. He was full of questions: — 
“Goodness, Uncle Remus! Where in the world have you been? 
I thought you were gone for good. Mamma said she reckoned the 
treatment here did n’t suit you, and you had gone off to get some 
of your town friends to hire you.” 
108 
