That Little Dog

"That little dog 'ud scratch at that door     And go on a-whinin' two hours before     He'd ever let up! There! - Jane: Let him in. -     (Hah, there, you little rat!) Look at him grin!                     Come down off o' that! -                     W'y, look at him! (Drat     You! you-rascal-you!) - bring me that hat!     Look out! - He'll snap you! - He wouldn't let     You take it away from him, now you kin bet!     That little rascal's jist natchurly mean. -     I tell you, I never (Git out!! ) never seen     A spunkier little rip! (Scratch to git in,     And now yer a-scratchin' to git out agin!     Jane: Let him out!) Now, watch him from here     Out through the winder! - You notice one ear     Kindo' in side-out, like he holds it? - Well,     He's got a tick in it - I kin tell!                     Yes, and he's cunnin' -                     Jist watch him a-runnin',     Sidelin' - see! - like he ain't 'plum'd true'     And legs don't 'track' as they'd ort to do: -     Plowin' his nose through the weeds - I jing!     Ain't he jist cuter'n anything!     "W'y, that little dog's got grown-people's sense! -     See how he gits out under the fence? -     And watch him a-whettin' his hind-legs 'fore     His dead square run of a miled er more -     'Cause Noey's a-comin', and Trip allus knows     When Noey's a-comin' - and off he goes! -     Putts out to meet him and - There they come now!     Well-sir! it's raially singalar how                     That dog kin tell, -                     But he knows as well     When Noey's a-comin' home! - Reckon his smell     'Ud carry two miled? - You needn't to smile -     He runs to meet him, ever'-once-n-a-while,     Two miled and over - when he's slipped away     And left him at home here, as he's done to-day -     'Thout ever knowin' where Noey wuz goin' -     But that little dog allus hits the right way!     Hear him a-whinin' and scratchin' agin? -     (Little tormentin' fice!) Jane: Let him in.                     " - You say he ain't there? -                     Well now, I declare! -     Lem me limp out and look! ... I wunder where -     Heuh, Trip! - Heuh, Trip! - Heuh, Trip!... There -     There he is! - Little sneak! - What-a'-you-'bout? -     There he is - quiled up as meek as a mouse,     His tail turnt up like a teakittle-spout,     A-sunnin' hisse'f at the side o' the house!     Next time you scratch, sir, you'll haf to git in,     My fine little feller, the best way you kin!      - Noey he learns him sich capers! - And they -     Both of 'em's ornrier every day! -     Both tantalizin' and meaner'n sin -     Allus a - (Listen there!) - Jane: Let him in.     " - O! yer so innocent! hangin' yer head! -     (Drat ye! you'd better git under the bed!)                      - Listen at that! -                     He's tackled the cat! -     Hah, there! you little rip! come out o' that! -     Git yer blame little eyes scratched out     'Fore you know what yer talkin' about! -     Here! come away from there! - (Let him alone -     He'll snap you, I tell ye, as quick as a bone!)     Hi, Trip! - Hey, here! - What-a'-you-'bout! -     Oo! ouch! 'Ll I'll be blamed! - Blast ye! GIT OUT!     ... O, it ain't nothin' - jist scratched me, you see. -     Hadn't no idy he'd try to bite me!     Plague take him! - Bet he'll not try that agin! -     Hear him yelp. - (Pore feller!) Jane: Let him in."