RELUCTANCE

Will I have some mo’ dat pie?

No, ma'am, thank-ee, dat is — I —

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Dat ah pie look sutny good:

How‘ d you feel now ef I would?

I don’ reckon dat I should;

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Look hyeah, I gwine tell de truf,

Mine is sholy one sweet toof:

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Yass'm, yass'm, dat's all right,

I‘ s done tried to be perlite:

But dat pie‘ s a lakly sight,

Wha‘ s de use o’ daihin’ me?

My, yo’ lips is full an’ red,

Do n't I wish you‘ d tu'n yo’ haid?

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Dat ai n't faih, now, honey chile,

I‘ s gwine lose my sense erwhile

Ef you des set daih an’ smile,

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Nuffin’ don’ look ha'f so fine

Ez dem teef, deah, w'en dey shine:

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Now look hyeah, I tells you dis;

I‘ ll give up all othah bliss

Des to have one little kiss,

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Laws, I teks yo’ little han’,

Ai n't it tendah? bless de lan’ —

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

I‘ s so lonesome by myse'f,

‘ D ai n't no fun in livin’ lef’;

Dis hyeah life's ez dull ez def:

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Why n't you tek yo’ han’ erway?

Yass, I‘ ll hol’ it: but I say

Bettah quit daihin’ me.

Holin’ han's is sholy fine.

Seems lak dat‘ s de weddin’ sign.

Wish you‘ d say dat you‘ d be mine;—

Dah you been daihin’ me.