ny Chuck. Half-way down
the hill he met Bobby Coon. Unc' Billy stopped and held out one hand as he
said "Good mo'ning, Brer Coon. How do yo'all do this fine mo'ning?"

Bobby Coon walked right past as if he didn't see Unc' Billy at all. He
didn't even look at him.

"What's the matter with yo' this mo'ning, Brer Coon?" shouted Unc' Billy.
Bobby Coon kept right on, without so much as turning his head. Unc' Billy
watched him, and there was a puzzled look on Unc' Billy's face. "Must be
that Brer Coon has something powerful impo'tant on his mind," muttered Unc'
Billy, as he started on.

Pretty soon he met Jimmy Skunk who had always been one of Unc' Billy's best
friends. Jimmy was looking under every stick and stone for beetles for his
breakfast.

"Good mo'ning, Neighbor Skunk!" said Unc' Billy in his heartiest voice.

Jimmy Skunk, who never hurries, kept right on pulling over sticks and
stones just as if he didn't see or hear Unc' Billy at all. In fact, when he
pulled over one stone, he dropped it right on Unc' Billy's tail and didn't
seem to hear Unc' Billy's "Ouch!" as he pulled his tail from under the
stone. Jimmy just went right on about his business.

Unc' Billy sat down and scratched his head. His face had lost the cheerful
grin with which he had started out. Pretty soon he started on, but every
few minutes he would stop and scratch his head thoughtfully. He didn't know
what to make of Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk.

He was so surprised that he hadn't known whether to be angry or not.

"Ah must find out what Brer Chuck knows about it," thought Unc' Billy, as
he trotted on.

XXII

UNC' BILLY POSSUM SEES MANY BACKS

Unc' Billy Possum was very sober as he hurried down the Lone Little Path to
Johnny Chuck's house. He was very sober indeed, and that is very unusual
for Unc' Billy Possum. It was very plain to see that something was
bothering him. Johnny Chuck was sitting on his doorstep when Unc' Billy
Possum came in sight, trotting down the Lone Little Path. As soon as Johnny
saw him, he turned his back squarely towards Unc' Billy and pretended to be
very much interested in something way off in the other direction. Unc'
Billy came to a stop about two feet behind Johnny Chuck.

"A-hem!" said Unc' Billy.

Johnny Chuck sat there without moving, just as if he hadn't heard.

"It's a fine mo'ning," said Unc' Billy in his pleasantest voice.

Instead of replying, Johnny Chuck suddenly kicked up his heels and
d