第1章

PREFACE

MOSToftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred;oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown,therestthoseofboyswhowereschoolmatesofmine.HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife;TomSawyeralso,butnotfromanindividual——heisacombinationofthecharacteristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew,andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofarchitecture.

TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory——thatistosay,thirtyorfortyyearsago.

Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount,forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin.

THEAUTHOR.

HARTFORD,1876.

CHAPTERI

"TOM!"

Noanswer.

"TOM!"

Noanswer.

"What"sgonewiththatboy,Iwonder?YouTOM!"

Noanswer.

Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom;thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem.Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor"style,"notservice——shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstove-lidsjustaswell.Shelookedperplexedforamoment,andthensaid,notfiercely,butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear:

"Well,IlayifIgetholdofyouI"ll——"

Shedidnotfinish,forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunchingunderthebedwiththebroom,andsosheneededbreathtopunctuatethepuncheswith.Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat.

"Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy!"

Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand"jimpson"weedsthatconstitutedthegarden.NoTom.Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistanceandshouted:

"Y-o-u-uTom!"

Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundaboutandarresthisflight.

"There!Imight"athoughtofthatcloset.Whatyoubeendoinginthere?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing!Lookatyourhands.Andlookatyourmouth.Whatisthattruck?"

"Idon"tknow,aunt."

"Well,Iknow.It"sjam——that"swhatitis.FortytimesI"vesaidifyoudidn"tletthatjamaloneI"dskinyou.Handmethatswitch."

Theswitchhoveredintheair——theperilwasdesperate——

"My!Lookbehindyou,aunt!"

Theoldladywhirledround,andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdanger.Theladfledontheinstant,scrambledupthehighboard-fence,anddisappearedoverit.

HisauntPollystoodsurprisedamoment,andthenbrokeintoagentlelaugh.

"Hangtheboy,can"tIneverlearnanything?Ain"theplayedmetricksenoughlikethatformetobelookingoutforhimbythistime?Butoldfoolsisthebiggestfoolsthereis.Can"tlearnanolddognewtricks,asthesayingis.Butmygoodness,heneverplaysthemalike,twodays,andhowisabodytoknowwhat"scoming?He"pearstoknowjusthowlonghecantormentmebeforeIgetmydanderup,andheknowsifhecanmakeouttoputmeoffforaminuteormakemelaugh,it"salldownagainandIcan"thithimalick.Iain"tdoingmydutybythatboy,andthat"stheLord"struth,goodnessknows.Sparetherodandspilethechild,astheGoodBooksays.I"malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth,Iknow.He"sfulloftheOldScratch,butlaws-a-me!

he"smyowndeadsister"sboy,poorthing,andIain"tgotthehearttolashhim,somehow.EverytimeIlethimoff,myconsciencedoeshurtmeso,andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks.Well-a-well,manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays,andIreckonit"sso.He"llplayhookeythisevening,*and[*Southwesternfor"afternoon"]I"lljustbeobleegedtomakehimwork,to-morrow,topunishhim.It"smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays,whenalltheboysishavingholiday,buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse,andI"vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim,orI"llbetheruinationofthechild."

Tomdidplayhookey,andhehadaverygoodtime.HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim,thesmallcoloredboy,sawnext-day"swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper——atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree-fourthsofthework.Tom"syoungerbrother(orratherhalf-brother)Sidwasalreadythroughwithhispartofthework(pickingupchips),forhewasaquietboy,andhadnoadventurous,troublesomeways.

WhileTomwaseatinghissupper,andstealingsugarasopportunityoffered,AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile,andverydeep——forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingrevealments.Likemanyothersimple-heartedsouls,itwasherpetvanitytobelieveshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdiplomacy,andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning.Saidshe:

"Tom,itwasmiddlingwarminschool,warn"tit?"

"Yes"m."

"Powerfulwarm,warn"tit?"

"Yes"m."

"Didn"tyouwanttogoina-swimming,Tom?"

AbitofascareshotthroughTom——atouchofuncomfortablesuspicion.HesearchedAuntPolly"sface,butittoldhimnothing.Sohesaid:

"No"m——well,notverymuch."

TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom"sshirt,andsaid:

"Butyouain"ttoowarmnow,though."Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutanybodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind.Butinspiteofher,Tomknewwherethewindlay,now.Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove:

"Someofuspumpedonourheads——mine"sdampyet.See?"

AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircumstantialevidence,andmissedatrick.Thenshehadanewinspiration:

"Tom,youdidn"thavetoundoyourshirtcollarwhereIsewedit,topumponyourhead,didyou?Unbuttonyourjacket!"

ThetroublevanishedoutofTom"sface.Heopenedhisjacket.Hisshirtcollarwassecurelysewed.

"Bother!Well,go"longwithyou.I"dmadesureyou"dplayedhookeyandbeena-swimming.ButIforgiveye,Tom.Ireckonyou"reakindofasingedcat,asthesayingis——better"nyoulook.Thistime."

Shewashalfsorryhersagacityhadmiscarried,andhalfgladthatTomhadstumbledintoobedientconductforonce.

ButSidneysaid:

"Well,now,ifIdidn"tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread,butit"sblack."

"Why,Ididsewitwithwhite!Tom!"

ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest.Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid:

"Siddy,I"lllickyouforthat."

InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwerethrustintothelapelsofhisjacket,andhadthreadboundaboutthem——oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack.Hesaid:

"She"dnevernoticedifithadn"tbeenforSid.Confoundit!sometimesshesewsitwithwhite,andsometimesshesewsitwithblack.Iwishtogeeminyshe"dsticktooneort"other——Ican"tkeeptherunof"em.ButIbetyouI"lllamSidforthat.I"lllearnhim!"

HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage.Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough——andloathedhim.

Withintwominutes,orevenless,hehadforgottenallhistroubles.Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman"saretoaman,butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime——justasmen"smisfortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenterprises.Thisnewinterestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling,whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro,andhewassufferingtopractiseitundisturbed.Itconsistedinapeculiarbird-liketurn,asortofliquidwarble,producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic——thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy.Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit,andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude.Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdiscoveredanewplanet——nodoubt,asfarasstrong,deep,unalloyedpleasureisconcerned,theadvantagewaswiththeboy,nottheastronomer.

Thesummereveningswerelong.Itwasnotdark,yet.PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle.Astrangerwasbeforehim——aboyashadelargerthanhimself.Anew-comerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt.Petersburg.Thisboywaswelldressed,too——welldressedonaweek-day.Thiswassimplyastounding.Hiscapwasadaintything,hisclosebuttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty,andsowerehispantaloons.Hehadshoeson——anditwasonlyFriday.Heevenworeanecktie,abrightbitofribbon.HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom"svitals.ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel,thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow.Neitherboyspoke.Ifonemoved,theothermoved——butonlysidewise,inacircle;theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime.FinallyTomsaid:

"Icanlickyou!"

"I"dliketoseeyoutryit."

"Well,Icandoit."

"Noyoucan"t,either."

"YesIcan."

"Noyoucan"t."

"Ican."

"Youcan"t."

"Can!"

"Can"t!"

Anuncomfortablepause.ThenTomsaid:

"What"syourname?"

""Tisn"tanyofyourbusiness,maybe."

"WellI"lowI"llmakeitmybusiness."

"Wellwhydon"tyou?"

"Ifyousaymuch,Iwill."

"Much——much——MUCH.Therenow."

"Oh,youthinkyou"remightysmart,don"tyou?Icouldlickyouwithonehandtiedbehindme,ifIwantedto."

"Wellwhydon"tyoudoit?Yousayyoucandoit."

"WellIwill,ifyoufoolwithme."

"Ohyes——I"veseenwholefamiliesinthesamefix."

"Smarty!Youthinkyou"resome,now,don"tyou?Oh,whatahat!"

"Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon"tlikeit.Idareyoutoknockitoff——andanybodythat"lltakeadarewillsuckeggs."

"You"realiar!"

"You"reanother."

"You"reafightingliaranddasn"ttakeitup."

"Aw——takeawalk!"

"Say——ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI"lltakeandbouncearockoff"nyourhead."

"Oh,ofcourseyouwill."

"WellIwill."

"Wellwhydon"tyoudoitthen?Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor?Whydon"tyoudoit?It"sbecauseyou"reafraid."

"Iain"tafraid."

"Youare."

"Iain"t."

"Youare."

Anotherpause,andmoreeyingandsidlingaroundeachother.Presentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder.Tomsaid:

"Getawayfromhere!"

"Goawayyourself!"

"Iwon"t."

"Iwon"teither."

Sotheystood,eachwithafootplacedatanangleasabrace,andbothshovingwithmightandmain,andgloweringateachotherwithhate.Butneithercouldgetanadvantage.Afterstrugglingtillbothwerehotandflushed,eachrelaxedhisstrainwithwatchfulcaution,andTomsaid:

"You"reacowardandapup.I"lltellmybigbrotheronyou,andhecanthrashyouwithhislittlefinger,andI"llmakehimdoit,too."

"WhatdoIcareforyourbigbrother?I"vegotabrotherthat"sbiggerthanheis——andwhat"smore,hecanthrowhimoverthatfence,too."[Bothbrotherswereimaginary.]

"That"salie."

"Yoursayingsodon"tmakeitso."

Tomdrewalineinthedustwithhisbigtoe,andsaid:

"Idareyoutostepoverthat,andI"lllickyoutillyoucan"tstandup.Anybodythat"lltakeadarewillstealsheep."

Thenewboysteppedoverpromptly,andsaid:

"Nowyousaidyou"ddoit,nowlet"sseeyoudoit."

"Don"tyoucrowdmenow;youbetterlookout."

"Well,yousaidyou"ddoit——whydon"tyoudoit?"

"Byjingo!fortwocentsIwilldoit."

Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision.Tomstruckthemtotheground.Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt,grippedtogetherlikecats;andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother"shairandclothes,punchedandscratchedeachother"snose,andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory.Presentlytheconfusiontookform,andthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared,seatedastridethenewboy,andpoundinghimwithhisfists."Holler"nuff!"saidhe.

Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself.Hewascrying——mainlyfromrage.

"Holler"nuff!"——andthepoundingwenton.

Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered""Nuff!"andTomlethimupandsaid:

"Nowthat"lllearnyou.Betterlookoutwhoyou"refoolingwithnexttime."

Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes,sobbing,snuffling,andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe"nexttimehecaughthimout."TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers,andstartedoffinhighfeather,andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone,threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope.Tomchasedthetraitorhome,andthusfoundoutwherehelived.Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime,daringtheenemytocomeoutside,buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined.Atlasttheenemy"smotherappeared,andcalledTomabad,vicious,vulgarchild,andorderedhimaway.Sohewentaway;buthesaidhe""lowed"to"lay"forthatboy.

Hegothomeprettylatethatnight,andwhenheclimbedcautiouslyinatthewindow,heuncoveredanambuscade,inthepersonofhisaunt;andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness.

CHAPTERII

SATURDAYmorningwascome,andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh,andbrimmingwithlife.Therewasasongineveryheart;andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips.Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep.Thelocust-treeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair.CardiffHill,beyondthevillageandaboveit,wasgreenwithvegetationanditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand,dreamy,reposeful,andinviting.

Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong-handledbrush.Hesurveyedthefence,andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit.Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh.Lifetohimseemedhollow,andexistencebutaburden.Sighing,hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank;repeatedtheoperation;diditagain;comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar-reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence,andsatdownonatree-boxdiscouraged.Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail,andsinging~BuffaloGals.BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom"seyes,before,butnowitdidnotstrikehimso.Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump.White,mulatto,andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns,resting,tradingplaythings,quarrelling,fighting,skylarking.Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahundredandfiftyyardsoff,Jimnevergotbackwithabucketofwaterunderanhour——andeventhensomebodygenerallyhadtogoafterhim.Tomsaid:

"Say,Jim,I"llfetchthewaterifyou"llwhitewashsome."

Jimshookhisheadandsaid:

"Can"t,MarsTom.Olemissis,shetolemeIgottogoan"gitdiswateran"notstopfoolin"roun"widanybody.Shesayshespec"MarsTomgwinetoaxmetowhitewash,an"soshetolemego"longan""tendtomyownbusiness——she"lowedshe"d"tendtodewhitewashin"."

"Oh,neveryoumindwhatshesaid,Jim.That"sthewayshealwaystalks.Gimmethebucket——Iwon"tbegoneonlyaaminute.SHEwon"teverknow."

"Oh,Idasn"t,MarsTom.Olemississhe"dtakean"tardeheadoff"nme."Deedshewould."

"She!Sheneverlicksanybody——whacks"emovertheheadwithherthimble——andwhocaresforthat,I"dliketoknow.Shetalksawful,buttalkdon"thurt——anywaysitdon"tifshedon"tcry.Jim,I"llgiveyouamarvel.I"llgiveyouawhitealley!"

Jimbegantowaver.

"Whitealley,Jim!Andit"sabullytaw."

"My!Dat"samightygaymarvel,Itellyou!ButMarsTomI"spowerful"fraidolemissis——"

"Andbesides,ifyouwillI"llshowyoumysoretoe."

Jimwasonlyhuman——thisattractionwastoomuchforhim.Heputdownhispail,tookthewhitealley,andbentoverthetoewithabsorbinginterestwhilethebandagewasbeingunwound.Inanothermomenthewasflyingdownthestreetwithhispailandatinglingrear,Tomwaswhitewashingwithvigor,andAuntPollywasretiringfromthefieldwithaslipperinherhandandtriumphinhereye.ButTom"senergydidnotlast.Hebegantothinkofthefunhehadplannedforthisday,andhissorrowsmultiplied.Soonthefreeboyswouldcometrippingalongonallsortsofdeliciousexpeditions,andtheywouldmakeaworldoffunofhimforhavingtowork——theverythoughtofitburnthimlikefire.Hegotouthisworldlywealthandexaminedit——bitsoftoys,marbles,andtrash;enoughtobuyanexchangeofWORK,maybe,butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom.Sohereturnedhisstraitenedmeanstohispocket,andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys.Atthisdarkandhopelessmomentaninspirationburstuponhim!Nothinglessthanagreat,magnificentinspiration.

Hetookuphisbrushandwenttranquillytowork.BenRogershoveinsightpresently——theveryboy,ofallboys,whoseridiculehehadbeendreading.Ben"sgaitwasthehop-skip-and-jump——proofenoughthathisheartwaslightandhisanticipationshigh.Hewaseatinganapple,andgivingalong,melodiouswhoop,atintervals,followedbyadeep-tonedding-dong-dong,ding-dong-dong,forhewaspersonatingasteamboat.Ashedrewnear,heslackenedspeed,tookthemiddleofthestreet,leanedfarovertostar-boardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithlaboriouspompandcircumstance——forhewaspersonatingtheBigmissouri,andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater.Hewasboatandcaptainandengine-bellscombined,sohehadtoimaginehimselfstandingonhisownhurricane-deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem:

"Stopher,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!"Theheadwayranalmostout,andhedrewupslowlytowardthesidewalk.

"Shipuptoback!Ting-a-ling-ling!"Hisarmsstraightenedandstiffeneddownhissides.

"Setherbackonthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow!ch-chow-wow!Chow!"Hisrighthand,meantime,describingstatelycircles——foritwasrepresentingaforty-footwheel.

"Lethergobackonthelabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ch-chow-chow!"Thelefthandbegantodescribecircles.

"Stopthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Stopthelabboard!Comeaheadonthestabboard!Stopher!Letyouroutsideturnoverslow!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ow-ow!Getoutthathead-line!livelynow!Come——outwithyourspring-line——what"reyouaboutthere!Takeaturnroundthatstumpwiththebightofit!Standbythatstage,now——lethergo!Donewiththeengines,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!"

"Sh"t!s"h"t!sh"t!"(tryingthegauge-cocks).

Tomwentonwhitewashing——paidnoattentiontothesteamboat.Benstaredamomentandthensaid:"Hi-Yi!you"reupastump,ain"tyou!"

Noanswer.Tomsurveyedhislasttouchwiththeeyeofanartist,thenhegavehisbrushanothergentlesweepandsurveyedtheresult,asbefore.Benrangedupalongsideofhim.Tom"smouthwateredfortheapple,buthestucktohiswork.Bensaid:

"Hello,oldchap,yougottowork,hey?"

Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid:

"Why,it"syou,Ben!Iwarn"tnoticing."

"Say——I"mgoingina-swimming,Iam.Don"tyouwishyoucould?Butofcourseyou"ddrutherwork——wouldn"tyou?Courseyouwould!"

Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit,andsaid:

"Whatdoyoucallwork?"

"Why,ain"tthatwork?"

Tomresumedhiswhitewashing,andansweredcarelessly:

"Well,maybeitis,andmaybeitain"t.AllIknow,is,itsuitsTomSawyer."

"Ohcome,now,youdon"tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit?"

Thebrushcontinuedtomove.

"Likeit?Well,Idon"tseewhyIoughtn"ttolikeit.Doesaboygetachancetowhitewashafenceeveryday?"

Thatputthethinginanewlight.Benstoppednibblinghisapple.Tomswepthisbrushdaintilybackandforth——steppedbacktonotetheeffect——addedatouchhereandthere——criticisedtheeffectagain——Benwatchingeverymoveandgettingmoreandmoreinterested,moreandmoreabsorbed.Presentlyhesaid:

"Say,Tom,letmewhitewashalittle."

Tomconsidered,wasabouttoconsent;buthealteredhismind:

"No——no——Ireckonitwouldn"thardlydo,Ben.Yousee,AuntPolly"sawfulparticularaboutthisfence——righthereonthestreet,youknow——butifitwasthebackfenceIwouldn"tmindandshewouldn"t.Yes,she"sawfulparticularaboutthisfence;it"sgottobedoneverycareful;Ireckonthereain"toneboyinathousand,maybetwothousand,thatcandoitthewayit"sgottobedone."

"No——isthatso?Ohcome,now——lemmejusttry.Onlyjustalittle——I"dletyou,ifyouwasme,Tom."

"Ben,I"dliketo,honestinjun;butAuntPolly——well,Jimwantedtodoit,butshewouldn"tlethim;Sidwantedtodoit,andshewouldn"tletSid.Nowdon"tyouseehowI"mfixed?Ifyouwastotacklethisfenceandanythingwastohappentoit——"

"Oh,shucks,I"llbejustascareful.Nowlemmetry.Say——I"llgiveyouthecoreofmyapple."

"Well,here——No,Ben,nowdon"t.I"mafeard——"

"I"llgiveyouallofit!"

Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisface,butalacrityinhisheart.AndwhilethelatesteamerBigMissouriworkedandsweatedinthesun,theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby,dangledhislegs,munchedhisapple,andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinnocents.Therewasnolackofmaterial;boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile;theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash.BythetimeBenwasfaggedout,TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite,ingoodrepair;andwhenheplayedout,JohnnyMillerboughtinforadeadratandastringtoswingitwith——andsoon,andsoon,hourafterhour.Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame,frombeingapoorpoverty-strickenboyinthemorning,Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth.Hehadbesidesthethingsbeforementioned,twelvemarbles,partofajews-harp,apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,aspoolcannon,akeythatwouldn"tunlockanything,afragmentofchalk,aglassstopperofadecanter,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,akittenwithonlyoneeye,abrassdoorknob,adog-collar——butnodog——thehandleofaknife,fourpiecesoforange-peel,andadilapidatedoldwindowsash.

Hehadhadanice,good,idletimeallthewhile——plentyofcompany——andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit!Ifhehadn"trunoutofwhitewashhewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage.

Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld,afterall.Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction,withoutknowingit——namely,thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing,itisonlynecessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain.Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher,likethewriterofthisbook,hewouldnowhavecomprehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo,andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo.Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorperformingonatread-milliswork,whilerollingten-pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement.TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour-horsepassenger-coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline,inthesummer,becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney;butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice,thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign.

Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances,andthenwendedtowardheadquarterstoreport.

CHAPTERIII

TOMpresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbedroom,breakfast-room,dining-room,andlibrary,combined.Thebalmysummerair,therestfulquiet,theodoroftheflowers,andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect,andshewasnoddingoverherknitting——forshehadnocompanybutthecat,anditwasasleepinherlap.Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety.ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago,andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway.Hesaid:"Mayn"tIgoandplaynow,aunt?"

"What,a"ready?Howmuchhaveyoudone?"

"It"salldone,aunt."

"Tom,don"tlietome——Ican"tbearit."

"Iain"t,aunt;itisalldone."

AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence.Shewentouttoseeforherself;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent.ofTom"sstatementtrue.Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed,andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated,andevenastreakaddedtotheground,herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable.Shesaid:

"Well,Inever!There"snogettingroundit,youcanworkwhenyou"reamindto,Tom."Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding,"Butit"spowerfulseldomyou"reamindto,I"mboundtosay.Well,go"longandplay;butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek,orI"lltanyou."

Shewassoovercomebythesplendorofhisachievementthatshetookhimintotheclosetandselectedachoiceappleanddeliveredittohim,alongwithanimprovinglectureupontheaddedvalueandflavoratreattooktoitselfwhenitcamewithoutsinthroughvirtuouseffort.AndwhilesheclosedwithahappyScripturalflourish,he"hooked"adoughnut.

Thenheskippedout,andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor.Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling.TheyragedaroundSidlikeahail-storm;andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersurprisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue,sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect,andTomwasoverthefenceandgone.Therewasagate,butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit.Hissoulwasatpeace,nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble.

Tomskirtedtheblock,andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt"scow-stable.Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment,andhastenedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage,wheretwo"military"companiesofboyshadmetforconflict,accordingtopreviousappointment.TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies,JoeHarper(abosomfriend)Generaloftheother.Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcondescendtofightinperson——thatbeingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry——butsattogetheronaneminenceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides-de-camp.Tom"sarmywonagreatvictory,afteralongandhard-foughtbattle.Thenthedeadwerecounted,prisonersexchanged,thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreedupon,andthedayforthenecessarybattleappointed;afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway,andTomturnedhomewardalone.

AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived,hesawanewgirlinthegarden——alovelylittleblue-eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolong-tails,whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes.Thefresh-crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot.AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind.Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction;hehadregardedhispassionasadoration;andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality.Hehadbeenmonthswinningher;shehadconfessedhardlyaweekago;hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays,andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone.

Heworshippedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye,tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim;thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent,andbeganto"showoff"inallsortsofabsurdboyishways,inordertowinheradmiration.Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolishnessforsometime;butby-and-by,whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances,heglancedasideandsawthatthelittlegirlwaswendingherwaytowardthehouse.Tomcameuptothefenceandleanedonit,grieving,andhopingshewouldtarryyetawhilelonger.Shehaltedamomentonthestepsandthenmovedtowardthedoor.Tomheavedagreatsighassheputherfootonthethreshold.Buthisfacelitup,rightaway,forshetossedapansyoverthefenceamomentbeforeshedisappeared.

Theboyranaroundandstoppedwithinafootortwooftheflower,andthenshadedhiseyeswithhishandandbegantolookdownstreetasifhehaddiscoveredsomethingofinterestgoingoninthatdirection.Presentlyhepickedupastrawandbegantryingtobalanceitonhisnose,withhisheadtiltedfarback;andashemovedfromsidetoside,inhisefforts,heedgednearerandnearertowardthepansy;finallyhisbarefootresteduponit,hisplianttoescloseduponit,andhehoppedawaywiththetreasureanddisappearedroundthecorner.Butonlyforaminute——onlywhilehecouldbuttontheflowerinsidehisjacket,nexthisheart——ornexthisstomach,possibly,forhewasnotmuchpostedinanatomy,andnothypercritical,anyway.

Hereturned,now,andhungaboutthefencetillnightfall,"showingoff,"asbefore;butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain,thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow,meantime,andbeenawareofhisattentions.Finallyhestrodehomereluctantly,withhispoorheadfullofvisions.

Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered"whathadgotintothechild."HetookagoodscoldingaboutcloddingSid,anddidnotseemtominditintheleast.Hetriedtostealsugarunderhisaunt"sverynose,andgothisknucklesrappedforit.Hesaid:

"Aunt,youdon"twhackSidwhenhetakesit."

"Well,Siddon"ttormentabodythewayyoudo.You"dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn"twatchingyou."

Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen,andSid,happyinhisimmunity,reachedforthesugar-bowl——asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswellnighunbearable.ButSid"sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke.Tomwasinecstasies.Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent.Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword,evenwhenhisauntcamein,butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief;andthenhewouldtell,andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastoseethatpetmodel"catchit."Hewassobrimfulofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhimselfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarginglightningsofwrathfromoverherspectacles.Hesaidtohimself,"Nowit"scoming!"Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor!ThepotentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout:

"Holdon,now,what"eryoubeltingmefor?——Sidbrokeit!"

AuntPollypaused,perplexed,andTomlookedforhealingpity.Butwhenshegothertongueagain,sheonlysaid:

"Umf!Well,youdidn"tgetalickamiss,Ireckon.YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn"taround,likeenough."

Thenherconsciencereproachedher,andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving;butshejudgedthatthiswouldbeconstruedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong,anddisciplineforbadethat.Soshekeptsilence,andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart.Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes.Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim,andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit.Hewouldhangoutnosignals,hewouldtakenoticeofnone.Heknewthatayearningglancefelluponhim,nowandthen,throughafilmoftears,butherefusedrecognitionofit.Hepicturedhimselflyingsickuntodeathandhisauntbendingoverhimbeseechingonelittleforgivingword,buthewouldturnhisfacetothewall,anddiewiththatwordunsaid.Ah,howwouldshefeelthen?Andhepicturedhimselfbroughthomefromtheriver,dead,withhiscurlsallwet,andhissoreheartatrest.Howshewouldthrowherselfuponhim,andhowhertearswouldfalllikerain,andherlipsprayGodtogiveherbackherboyandshewouldnever,neverabusehimanymore!Buthewouldlietherecoldandwhiteandmakenosign——apoorlittlesufferer,whosegriefswereatanend.Hesoworkeduponhisfeelingswiththepathosofthesedreams,thathehadtokeepswallowing,hewassoliketochoke;andhiseyesswaminablurofwater,whichoverflowedwhenhewinked,andrandownandtrickledfromtheendofhisnose.Andsuchaluxurytohimwasthispettingofhissorrows,thathecouldnotbeartohaveanyworldlycheerinessoranygratingdelightintrudeuponit;itwastoosacredforsuchcontact;andso,presently,whenhiscousinMarydancedin,allalivewiththejoyofseeinghomeagainafteranage-longvisitofoneweektothecountry,hegotupandmovedincloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother.

Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdesolateplacesthatwereinharmonywithhisspirit.Alograftintheriverinvitedhim,andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcontemplatedthedrearyvastnessofthestream,wishing,thewhile,thathecouldonlybedrowned,allatonceandunconsciously,withoutundergoingtheuncomfortableroutinedevisedbynature.Thenhethoughtofhisflower.Hegotitout,rumpledandwilted,anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity.Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew?Wouldshecry,andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcomforthim?Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld?Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights,tillheworeitthreadbare.Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness.

Abouthalf-pastnineorteno"clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived;hepausedamoment;nosoundfelluponhislisteningear;acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond-storywindow.Wasthesacredpresencethere?Heclimbedthefence,threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants,tillhestoodunderthatwindow;helookedupatitlong,andwithemotion;thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit,disposinghimselfuponhisback,withhishandsclaspeduponhisbreastandholdinghispoorwiltedflower.Andthushewoulddie——outinthecoldworld,withnoshelteroverhishomelesshead,nofriendlyhandtowipethedeath-dampsfromhisbrow,nolovingfacetobendpityinglyoverhimwhenthegreatagonycame.Andthusshewouldseehimwhenshelookedoutuponthegladmorning,andoh!wouldshedroponelittletearuponhispoor,lifelessform,wouldsheheaveonelittlesightoseeabrightyounglifesorudelyblighted,sountimelycutdown?