第2章

Thewindowwentup,amaid-servant"sdiscordantvoiceprofanedtheholycalm,andadelugeofwaterdrenchedthepronemartyr"sremains!

Thestranglingherosprangupwitharelievingsnort.Therewasawhizasofamissileintheair,mingledwiththemurmurofacurse,asoundasofshiveringglassfollowed,andasmall,vagueformwentoverthefenceandshotawayinthegloom.

Notlongafter,asTom,allundressedforbed,wassurveyinghisdrenchedgarmentsbythelightofatallowdip,Sidwokeup;butifhehadanydimideaofmakingany"referencestoallusions,"hethoughtbetterofitandheldhispeace,fortherewasdangerinTom"seye.

Tomturnedinwithouttheaddedvexationofprayers,andSidmadementalnoteoftheomission.

CHAPTERIV

THEsunroseuponatranquilworld,andbeameddownuponthepeacefulvillagelikeabenediction.Breakfastover,AuntPollyhadfamilyworship:itbeganwithaprayerbuiltfromthegroundupofsolidcoursesofScripturalquotations,weldedtogetherwithathinmortaroforiginality;andfromthesummitofthisshedeliveredagrimchapteroftheMosaicLaw,asfromSinai.

ThenTomgirdeduphisloins,sotospeak,andwenttoworkto"gethisverses."Sidhadlearnedhislessondaysbefore.Tombentallhisenergiestothememorizingoffiveverses,andhechosepartoftheSermonontheMount,becausehecouldfindnoversesthatwereshorter.AttheendofhalfanhourTomhadavaguegeneralideaofhislesson,butnomore,forhismindwastraversingthewholefieldofhumanthought,andhishandswerebusywithdistractingrecreations.Marytookhisbooktohearhimrecite,andhetriedtofindhiswaythroughthefog:

"Blessedarethe——a——a——"

"Poor"——

"Yes——poor;blessedarethepoor——a——a——"

"Inspirit——"

"Inspirit;blessedarethepoorinspirit,forthey——they——"

"Theirs——"

"Fortheirs.Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.Blessedaretheythatmourn,forthey——they——"

"Sh——"

"Forthey——a——"

"S,H,A——"

"FortheyS,H——Oh,Idon"tknowwhatitis!"

"Shall!"

"Oh,shall!fortheyshall——fortheyshall——a——a——shallmourn——a——a——blessedaretheythatshall——theythat——a——theythatshallmourn,fortheyshall——a——shallwhat?Whydon"tyoutellme,Mary?——whatdoyouwanttobesomeanfor?"

"Oh,Tom,youpoorthick-headedthing,I"mnotteasingyou.Iwouldn"tdothat.Youmustgoandlearnitagain.Don"tyoubediscouraged,Tom,you"llmanageit——andifyoudo,I"llgiveyousomethingeversonice.There,now,that"sagoodboy."

"Allright!Whatisit,Mary,tellmewhatitis."

"Neveryoumind,Tom.YouknowifIsayit"snice,itisnice."

"Youbetyouthat"sso,Mary.Allright,I"lltackleitagain."

Andhedid"tackleitagain"——andunderthedoublepressureofcuriosityandprospectivegainhediditwithsuchspiritthatheaccomplishedashiningsuccess.Marygavehimabrand-new"Barlow"knifeworthtwelveandahalfcents;andtheconvulsionofdelightthatswepthissystemshookhimtohisfoundations.True,theknifewouldnotcutanything,butitwasa"sure-enough"Barlow,andtherewasinconceivablegrandeurinthat——thoughwheretheWesternboysevergottheideathatsuchaweaponcouldpossiblybecounterfeitedtoitsinjuryisanimposingmysteryandwillalwaysremainso,perhaps.Tomcontrivedtoscarifythecupboardwithit,andwasarrangingtobeginonthebureau,whenhewascalledofftodressforSunday-school.

Marygavehimatinbasinofwaterandapieceofsoap,andhewentoutsidethedoorandsetthebasinonalittlebenchthere;thenhedippedthesoapinthewaterandlaiditdown;turneduphissleeves;pouredoutthewaterontheground,gently,andthenenteredthekitchenandbegantowipehisfacediligentlyonthetowelbehindthedoor.ButMaryremovedthetowelandsaid:

"Nowain"tyouashamed,Tom.Youmustn"tbesobad.Waterwon"thurtyou."

Tomwasatrifledisconcerted.Thebasinwasrefilled,andthistimehestoodoveritalittlewhile,gatheringresolution;tookinabigbreathandbegan.Whenheenteredthekitchenpresently,withbotheyesshutandgropingforthetowelwithhishands,anhonorabletestimonyofsudsandwaterwasdrippingfromhisface.Butwhenheemergedfromthetowel,hewasnotyetsatisfactory,forthecleanterritorystoppedshortathischinandhisjaws,likeamask;belowandbeyondthislinetherewasadarkexpanseofunirrigatedsoilthatspreaddownwardinfrontandbackwardaroundhisneck.Marytookhiminhand,andwhenshewasdonewithhimhewasamanandabrother,withoutdistinctionofcolor,andhissaturatedhairwasneatlybrushed,anditsshortcurlswroughtintoadaintyandsymmetricalgeneraleffect.[Heprivatelysmoothedoutthecurls,withlaboranddifficulty,andplasteredhishairclosedowntohishead;forheheldcurlstobeeffeminate,andhisownfilledhislifewithbitterness.]ThenMarygotoutasuitofhisclothingthathadbeenusedonlyonSundaysduringtwoyears——theyweresimplycalledhis"otherclothes"——andsobythatweknowthesizeofhiswardrobe.Thegirl"puthimtorights"afterhehaddressedhimself;shebuttonedhisneatroundaboutuptohischin,turnedhisvastshirtcollardownoverhisshoulders,brushedhimoffandcrownedhimwithhisspeckledstrawhat.Henowlookedexceedinglyimprovedanduncomfortable.Hewasfullyasuncomfortableashelooked;fortherewasarestraintaboutwholeclothesandcleanlinessthatgalledhim.HehopedthatMarywouldforgethisshoes,butthehopewasblighted;shecoatedthemthoroughlywithtallow,aswasthecustom,andbroughtthemout.Helosthistemperandsaidhewasalwaysbeingmadetodoeverythinghedidn"twanttodo.ButMarysaid,persuasively:

"Please,Tom——that"sagoodboy."

Sohegotintotheshoessnarling.Marywassoonready,andthethreechildrensetoutforSunday-school——aplacethatTomhatedwithhiswholeheart;butSidandMarywerefondofit.

Sabbath-schoolhourswerefromninetohalf-pastten;andthenchurchservice.Twoofthechildrenalwaysremainedforthesermonvoluntarily,andtheotheralwaysremainedtoo——forstrongerreasons.Thechurch"shigh-backed,uncushionedpewswouldseataboutthreehundredpersons;theedificewasbutasmall,plainaffair,withasortofpineboardtree-boxontopofitforasteeple.AtthedoorTomdroppedbackastepandaccostedaSunday-dressedcomrade:

"Say,Billy,gotayallerticket?"

"Yes."

"What"llyoutakeforher?"

"What"llyougive?"

"Pieceoflickrishandafish-hook."

"Lesssee"em."

Tomexhibited.Theyweresatisfactory,andthepropertychangedhands.ThenTomtradedacoupleofwhitealleysforthreeredtickets,andsomesmalltrifleorotherforacoupleofblueones.Hewaylaidotherboysastheycame,andwentonbuyingticketsofvariouscolorstenorfifteenminuteslonger.Heenteredthechurch,now,withaswarmofcleanandnoisyboysandgirls,proceededtohisseatandstartedaquarrelwiththefirstboythatcamehandy.Theteacher,agrave,elderlyman,interfered;thenturnedhisbackamomentandTompulledaboy"shairinthenextbench,andwasabsorbedinhisbookwhentheboyturnedaround;stuckapininanotherboy,presently,inordertohearhimsay"Ouch!"andgotanewreprimandfromhisteacher.Tom"swholeclasswereofapattern——restless,noisy,andtroublesome.Whentheycametorecitetheirlessons,notoneofthemknewhisversesperfectly,buthadtobepromptedallalong.However,theyworriedthrough,andeachgothisreward——insmallbluetickets,eachwithapassageofScriptureonit;eachblueticketwaspayfortwoversesoftherecitation.Tenblueticketsequalledaredone,andcouldbeexchangedforit;tenredticketsequalledayellowone;fortenyellowticketsthesuperintendentgaveaveryplainlyboundBible(worthfortycentsinthoseeasytimes)tothepupil.Howmanyofmyreaderswouldhavetheindustryandapplicationtomemorizetwothousandverses,evenforaDoreBible?AndyetMaryhadacquiredtwoBiblesinthisway——itwasthepatientworkoftwoyears——andaboyofGermanparentagehadwonfourorfive.Heoncerecitedthreethousandverseswithoutstopping;butthestrainuponhismentalfacultieswastoogreat,andhewaslittlebetterthananidiotfromthatdayforth——agrievousmisfortunefortheschool,forongreatoccasions,beforecompany,thesuperintendent(asTomexpressedit)hadalwaysmadethisboycomeoutand"spreadhimself."OnlytheolderpupilsmanagedtokeeptheirticketsandsticktotheirtediousworklongenoughtogetaBible,andsothedeliveryofoneoftheseprizeswasarareandnoteworthycircumstance;thesuccessfulpupilwassogreatandconspicuousforthatdaythatonthespoteveryscholar"sheartwasfiredwithafreshambitionthatoftenlastedacoupleofweeks.ItispossiblethatTom"smentalstomachhadneverreallyhungeredforoneofthoseprizes,butunquestionablyhisentirebeinghadformanyadaylongedforthegloryandtheeclatthatcamewithit.

Induecoursethesuperintendentstoodupinfrontofthepulpit,withaclosedhymn-bookinhishandandhisforefingerinsertedbetweenitsleaves,andcommandedattention.WhenaSunday-schoolsuperintendentmakeshiscustomarylittlespeech,ahymn-bookinthehandisasnecessaryasistheinevitablesheetofmusicinthehandofasingerwhostandsforwardontheplatformandsingsasoloataconcert——thoughwhy,isamystery:forneitherthehymn-booknorthesheetofmusiciseverreferredtobythesufferer.Thissuperintendentwasaslimcreatureofthirty-five,withasandygoateeandshortsandyhair;heworeastiffstanding-collarwhoseupperedgealmostreachedhisearsandwhosesharppointscurvedforwardabreastthecornersofhismouth——afencethatcompelledastraightlookoutahead,andaturningofthewholebodywhenasideviewwasrequired;hischinwasproppedonaspreadingcravatwhichwasasbroadandaslongasabank-note,andhadfringedends;hisboottoeswereturnedsharplyup,inthefashionoftheday,likesleigh-runners——aneffectpatientlyandlaboriouslyproducedbytheyoungmenbysittingwiththeirtoespressedagainstawallforhourstogether.Mr.Walterswasveryearnestofmien,andverysincereandhonestatheart;andheheldsacredthingsandplacesinsuchreverence,andsoseparatedthemfromworldlymatters,thatunconsciouslytohimselfhisSunday-schoolvoicehadacquiredapeculiarintonationwhichwaswhollyabsentonweek-days.Hebeganafterthisfashion:

"Now,children,Iwantyoualltositupjustasstraightandprettyasyoucanandgivemeallyourattentionforaminuteortwo.There——thatisit.Thatisthewaygoodlittleboysandgirlsshoulddo.Iseeonelittlegirlwhoislookingoutofthewindow——IamafraidshethinksIamouttheresomewhere——perhapsupinoneofthetreesmakingaspeechtothelittlebirds.[Applausivetitter.]Iwanttotellyouhowgooditmakesmefeeltoseesomanybright,cleanlittlefacesassembledinaplacelikethis,learningtodorightandbegood."Andsoforthandsoon.Itisnotnecessarytosetdowntherestoftheoration.Itwasofapatternwhichdoesnotvary,andsoitisfamiliartousall.

Thelatterthirdofthespeechwasmarredbytheresumptionoffightsandotherrecreationsamongcertainofthebadboys,andbyfidgetingsandwhisperingsthatextendedfarandwide,washingeventothebasesofisolatedandincorruptiblerockslikeSidandMary.Butnoweverysoundceasedsuddenly,withthesubsidenceofMr.Walters"voice,andtheconclusionofthespeechwasreceivedwithaburstofsilentgratitude.

Agoodpartofthewhisperinghadbeenoccasionedbyaneventwhichwasmoreorlessrare——theentranceofvisitors:lawyerThatcher,accompaniedbyaveryfeebleandagedman;afine,portly,middle-agedgentlemanwithiron-grayhair;andadignifiedladywhowasdoubtlessthelatter"swife.Theladywasleadingachild.Tomhadbeenrestlessandfullofchafingsandrepinings;conscience-smitten,too——hecouldnotmeetAmyLawrence"seye,hecouldnotbrookherlovinggaze.Butwhenhesawthissmallnew-comerhissoulwasallablazewithblissinamoment.Thenextmomenthewas"showingoff"withallhismight——cuffingboys,pullinghair,makingfaces——inaword,usingeveryartthatseemedlikelytofascinateagirlandwinherapplause.Hisexaltationhadbutonealloy——thememoryofhishumiliationinthisangel"sgarden——andthatrecordinsandwasfastwashingout,underthewavesofhappinessthatweresweepingoveritnow.

Thevisitorsweregiventhehighestseatofhonor,andassoonasMr.Walters"speechwasfinished,heintroducedthemtotheschool.Themiddle-agedmanturnedouttobeaprodigiouspersonage——nolessaonethanthecountyjudge——altogetherthemostaugustcreationthesechildrenhadeverlookedupon——andtheywonderedwhatkindofmaterialhewasmadeof——andtheyhalfwantedtohearhimroar,andwerehalfafraidhemight,too.HewasfromConstantinople,twelvemilesaway——sohehadtravelled,andseentheworld——theseveryeyeshadlookeduponthecountycourt-house——whichwassaidtohaveatinroof.Theawewhichthesereflectionsinspiredwasattestedbytheimpressivesilenceandtheranksofstaringeyes.ThiswasthegreatJudgeThatcher,brotheroftheirownlawyer.JeffThatcherimmediatelywentforward,tobefamiliarwiththegreatmanandbeenviedbytheschool.Itwouldhavebeenmusictohissoultohearthewhisperings:

"Lookathim,Jim!He"sagoingupthere.Say——look!he"sagoingtoshakehandswithhim——heisshakinghandswithhim!Byjings,don"tyouwishyouwasJeff?"

Mr.Waltersfellto"showingoff,"withallsortsofofficialbustlingsandactivities,givingorders,deliveringjudgments,dischargingdirectionshere,there,everywherethathecouldfindatarget.Thelibrarian"showedoff"——runninghitherandthitherwithhisarmsfullofbooksandmakingadealofthesplutterandfussthatinsectauthoritydelightsin.Theyoungladyteachers"showedoff"——bendingsweetlyoverpupilsthatwerelatelybeingboxed,liftingprettywarningfingersatbadlittleboysandpattinggoodoneslovingly.Theyounggentlementeachers"showedoff"withsmallscoldingsandotherlittledisplaysofauthorityandfineattentiontodiscipline——andmostoftheteachers,ofbothsexes,foundbusinessupatthelibrary,bythepulpit;anditwasbusinessthatfrequentlyhadtobedoneoveragaintwoorthreetimes(withmuchseemingvexation).Thelittlegirls"showedoff"invariousways,andthelittleboys"showedoff"withsuchdiligencethattheairwasthickwithpaperwadsandthemurmurofscufflings.Andaboveitallthegreatmansatandbeamedamajesticjudicialsmileuponallthehouse,andwarmedhimselfinthesunofhisowngrandeur——forhewas"showingoff,"too.

TherewasonlyonethingwantingtomakeMr.Walters"ecstasycomplete,andthatwasachancetodeliveraBible-prizeandexhibitaprodigy.Severalpupilshadafewyellowtickets,butnonehadenough——hehadbeenaroundamongthestarpupilsinquiring.Hewouldhavegivenworlds,now,tohavethatGermanladbackagainwithasoundmind.

Andnowatthismoment,whenhopewasdead,TomSawyercameforwardwithnineyellowtickets,nineredtickets,andtenblueones,anddemandedaBible.Thiswasathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Walterswasnotexpectinganapplicationfromthissourceforthenexttenyears.Buttherewasnogettingaroundit——herewerethecertifiedchecks,andtheyweregoodfortheirface.TomwasthereforeelevatedtoaplacewiththeJudgeandtheotherelect,andthegreatnewswasannouncedfromheadquarters.Itwasthemoststunningsurpriseofthedecade,andsoprofoundwasthesensationthatitliftedthenewherouptothejudicialone"saltitude,andtheschoolhadtwomarvelstogazeuponinplaceofone.Theboyswerealleatenupwithenvy——butthosethatsufferedthebitterestpangswerethosewhoperceivedtoolatethattheythemselveshadcontributedtothishatedsplendorbytradingticketstoTomforthewealthhehadamassedinsellingwhitewashingprivileges.Thesedespisedthemselves,asbeingthedupesofawilyfraud,aguilefulsnakeinthegrass.

TheprizewasdeliveredtoTomwithasmucheffusionasthesuperintendentcouldpumpupunderthecircumstances;butitlackedsomewhatofthetruegush,forthepoorfellow"sinstincttaughthimthattherewasamysteryherethatcouldnotwellbearthelight,perhaps;itwassimplypreposterousthatthisboyhadwarehousedtwothousandsheavesofScripturalwisdomonhispremises——adozenwouldstrainhiscapacity,withoutadoubt.

AmyLawrencewasproudandglad,andshetriedtomakeTomseeitinherface——buthewouldn"tlook.Shewondered;thenshewasjustagraintroubled;nextadimsuspicioncameandwent——cameagain;shewatched;afurtiveglancetoldherworlds——andthenherheartbroke,andshewasjealous,andangry,andthetearscameandshehatedeverybody.Tommostofall(shethought).

TomwasintroducedtotheJudge;buthistonguewastied,hisbreathwouldhardlycome,hisheartquaked——partlybecauseoftheawfulgreatnessoftheman,butmainlybecausehewasherparent.Hewouldhavelikedtofalldownandworshiphim,ifitwereinthedark.TheJudgeputhishandonTom"sheadandcalledhimafinelittleman,andaskedhimwhathisnamewas.Theboystammered,gasped,andgotitout:

"Tom."

"Oh,no,notTom——itis——"

"Thomas."

"Ah,that"sit.Ithoughttherewasmoretoit,maybe.That"sverywell.Butyou"veanotheroneIdaresay,andyou"lltellittome,won"tyou?"

"Tellthegentlemanyourothername,Thomas,"saidWalters,"andsaysir.Youmustn"tforgetyourmanners."

"ThomasSawyer——sir."

"That"sit!That"sagoodboy.Fineboy.Fine,manlylittlefellow.Twothousandversesisagreatmany——very,verygreatmany.Andyounevercanbesorryforthetroubleyoutooktolearnthem;forknowledgeisworthmorethananythingthereisintheworld;it"swhatmakesgreatmenandgoodmen;you"llbeagreatmanandagoodmanyourself,someday,Thomas,andthenyou"lllookbackandsay,It"sallowingtothepreciousSunday-schoolprivilegesofmyboyhood——it"sallowingtomydearteachersthattaughtmetolearn——it"sallowingtothegoodsuperintendent,whoencouragedme,andwatchedoverme,andgavemeabeautifulBible——asplendidelegantBible——tokeepandhaveitallformyown,always——it"sallowingtorightbringingup!Thatiswhatyouwillsay,Thomas——andyouwouldn"ttakeanymoneyforthosetwothousandverses——noindeedyouwouldn"t.Andnowyouwouldn"tmindtellingmeandthisladysomeofthethingsyou"velearned——no,Iknowyouwouldn"t——forweareproudoflittleboysthatlearn.Now,nodoubtyouknowthenamesofallthetwelvedisciples.Won"tyoutellusthenamesofthefirsttwothatwereappointed?"

Tomwastuggingatabutton-holeandlookingsheepish.Heblushed,now,andhiseyesfell.Mr.Walters"heartsankwithinhim.Hesaidtohimself,itisnotpossiblethattheboycananswerthesimplestquestion——whydidtheJudgeaskhim?Yethefeltobligedtospeakupandsay:

"Answerthegentleman,Thomas——don"tbeafraid."

Tomstillhungfire.

"NowIknowyou"lltellme,"saidthelady."Thenamesofthefirsttwodiscipleswere——"

"DAVIDANDGOLIAH!"

Letusdrawthecurtainofcharityovertherestofthescene.

CHAPTERV

ABOUThalf-pasttenthecrackedbellofthesmallchurchbegantoring,andpresentlythepeoplebegantogatherforthemorningsermon.TheSunday-schoolchildrendistributedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoccupiedpewswiththeirparents,soastobeundersupervision.AuntPollycame,andTomandSidandMarysatwithher——Tombeingplacednexttheaisle,inorderthathemightbeasfarawayfromtheopenwindowandtheseductiveoutsidesummerscenesaspossible.Thecrowdfileduptheaisles:theagedandneedypostmaster,whohadseenbetterdays;themayorandhiswife——fortheyhadamayorthere,amongotherunnecessaries;thejusticeofthepeace;thewidowDouglass,fair,smart,andforty,agenerous,good-heartedsoulandwell-to-do,herhillmansiontheonlypalaceinthetown,andthemosthospitableandmuchthemostlavishinthematteroffestivitiesthatSt.Petersburgcouldboast;thebentandvenerableMajorandMrs.Ward;lawyerRiverson,thenewnotablefromadistance;nextthebelleofthevillage,followedbyatroopoflawn-cladandribbon-deckedyoungheart-breakers;thenalltheyoungclerksintowninabody——fortheyhadstoodinthevestibulesuckingtheircane-heads,acirclingwallofoiledandsimperingadmirers,tillthelastgirlhadruntheirgantlet;andlastofallcametheModelBoy,WillieMufferson,takingasheedfulcareofhismotherasifshewerecutglass.Healwaysbroughthismothertochurch,andwastheprideofallthematrons.Theboysallhatedhim,hewassogood.Andbesides,hehadbeen"thrownuptothem"somuch.Hiswhitehandkerchiefwashangingoutofhispocketbehind,asusualonSundays——accidentally.Tomhadnohandkerchief,andhelookeduponboyswhohadassnobs.

Thecongregationbeingfullyassembled,now,thebellrangoncemore,towarnlaggardsandstragglers,andthenasolemnhushfelluponthechurchwhichwasonlybrokenbythetitteringandwhisperingofthechoirinthegallery.Thechoiralwaystitteredandwhisperedallthroughservice.Therewasonceachurchchoirthatwasnotill-bred,butIhaveforgottenwhereitwas,now.Itwasagreatmanyyearsago,andIcanscarcelyrememberanythingaboutit,butIthinkitwasinsomeforeigncountry.

Theministergaveoutthehymn,andreaditthroughwitharelish,inapeculiarstylewhichwasmuchadmiredinthatpartofthecountry.Hisvoicebeganonamediumkeyandclimbedsteadilyuptillitreachedacertainpoint,whereitborewithstrongemphasisuponthetopmostwordandthenplungeddownasiffromaspring-board:

ShallIbecar-ri-edtoetheskies,onflow"rybeds

ofease,

Whilstothersfighttowintheprize,andsailthro"blood-

yseas?

Hewasregardedasawonderfulreader.Atchurch"sociables"hewasalwayscalledupontoreadpoetry;andwhenhewasthrough,theladieswouldliftuptheirhandsandletthemfallhelplesslyintheirlaps,and"wall"theireyes,andshaketheirheads,asmuchastosay,"Wordscannotexpressit;itistoobeautiful,toobeautifulforthismortalearth."

Afterthehymnhadbeensung,theRev.Mr.Spragueturnedhimselfintoabulletin-board,andreadoff"notices"ofmeetingsandsocietiesandthingstillitseemedthatthelistwouldstretchouttothecrackofdoom——aqueercustomwhichisstillkeptupinAmerica,evenincities,awayhereinthisageofabundantnewspapers.Often,thelessthereistojustifyatraditionalcustom,theharderitistogetridofit.

Andnowtheministerprayed.Agood,generousprayeritwas,andwentintodetails:itpleadedforthechurch,andthelittlechildrenofthechurch;fortheotherchurchesofthevillage;forthevillageitself;forthecounty;fortheState;fortheStateofficers;fortheUnitedStates;forthechurchesoftheUnitedStates;forCongress;forthePresident;fortheofficersoftheGovernment;forpoorsailors,tossedbystormyseas;fortheoppressedmillionsgroaningundertheheelofEuropeanmonarchiesandOrientaldespotisms;forsuchashavethelightandthegoodtidings,andyethavenoteyestoseenorearstohearwithal;fortheheatheninthefarislandsofthesea;andclosedwithasupplicationthatthewordshewasabouttospeakmightfindgraceandfavor,andbeasseedsowninfertileground,yieldingintimeagratefulharvestofgood.Amen.

Therewasarustlingofdresses,andthestandingcongregationsatdown.Theboywhosehistorythisbookrelatesdidnotenjoytheprayer,heonlyenduredit——ifheevendidthatmuch.Hewasrestiveallthroughit;hekepttallyofthedetailsoftheprayer,unconsciously——forhewasnotlistening,butheknewthegroundofold,andtheclergyman"sregularrouteoverit——andwhenalittletrifleofnewmatterwasinterlarded,hiseardetecteditandhiswholenatureresentedit;heconsideredadditionsunfair,andscoundrelly.Inthemidstoftheprayeraflyhadlitonthebackofthepewinfrontofhimandtorturedhisspiritbycalmlyrubbingitshandstogether,embracingitsheadwithitsarms,andpolishingitsovigorouslythatitseemedtoalmostpartcompanywiththebody,andtheslenderthreadofaneckwasexposedtoview;scrapingitswingswithitshindlegsandsmoothingthemtoitsbodyasiftheyhadbeencoat-tails;goingthroughitswholetoiletastranquillyasifitknewitwasperfectlysafe.Asindeeditwas;forassorelyasTom"shandsitchedtograbforittheydidnotdare——hebelievedhissoulwouldbeinstantlydestroyedifhedidsuchathingwhiletheprayerwasgoingon.Butwiththeclosingsentencehishandbegantocurveandstealforward;andtheinstantthe"Amen"wasouttheflywasaprisonerofwar.Hisauntdetectedtheactandmadehimletitgo.

Theministergaveouthistextanddronedalongmonotonouslythroughanargumentthatwassoprosythatmanyaheadbyandbybegantonod——andyetitwasanargumentthatdealtinlimitlessfireandbrimstoneandthinnedthepredestinedelectdowntoacompanysosmallastobehardlyworththesaving.Tomcountedthepagesofthesermon;afterchurchhealwaysknewhowmanypagestherehadbeen,butheseldomknewanythingelseaboutthediscourse.However,thistimehewasreallyinterestedforalittlewhile.Theministermadeagrandandmovingpictureoftheassemblingtogetheroftheworld"shostsatthemillenniumwhenthelionandthelambshouldliedowntogetherandalittlechildshouldleadthem.Butthepathos,thelesson,themoralofthegreatspectaclewerelostupontheboy;heonlythoughtoftheconspicuousnessoftheprincipalcharacterbeforetheon-lookingnations;hisfacelitwiththethought,andhesaidtohimselfthathewishedhecouldbethatchild,ifitwasatamelion.

Nowhelapsedintosufferingagain,asthedryargumentwasresumed.Presentlyhebethoughthimofatreasurehehadandgotitout.Itwasalargeblackbeetlewithformidablejaws——a"pinchbug,"hecalledit.Itwasinapercussion-capbox.Thefirstthingthebeetledidwastotakehimbythefinger.Anaturalfillipfollowed,thebeetlewentflounderingintotheaisleandlitonitsback,andthehurtfingerwentintotheboy"smouth.Thebeetlelaythereworkingitshelplesslegs,unabletoturnover.Tomeyedit,andlongedforit;butitwassafeoutofhisreach.Otherpeopleuninterestedinthesermonfoundreliefinthebeetle,andtheyeyedittoo.Presentlyavagrantpoodledogcameidlingalong,sadatheart,lazywiththesummersoftnessandthequiet,wearyofcaptivity,sighingforchange.Hespiedthebeetle;thedroopingtailliftedandwagged.Hesurveyedtheprize;walkedaroundit;smeltatitfromasafedistance;walkedarounditagain;grewbolder,andtookaclosersmell;thenliftedhislipandmadeagingerlysnatchatit,justmissingit;madeanother,andanother;begantoenjoythediversion;subsidedtohisstomachwiththebeetlebetweenhispaws,andcontinuedhisexperiments;grewwearyatlast,andthenindifferentandabsent-minded.Hisheadnodded,andlittlebylittlehischindescendedandtouchedtheenemy,whoseizedit.Therewasasharpyelp,aflirtofthepoodle"shead,andthebeetlefellacoupleofyardsaway,andlitonitsbackoncemore.Theneighboringspectatorsshookwithagentleinwardjoy,severalfaceswentbehindfansandhandkerchiefs,andTomwasentirelyhappy.Thedoglookedfoolish,andprobablyfeltso;buttherewasresentmentinhisheart,too,andacravingforrevenge.Sohewenttothebeetleandbeganawaryattackonitagain;jumpingatitfromeverypointofacircle,lightingwithhisfore-pawswithinaninchofthecreature,makingevenclosersnatchesatitwithhisteeth,andjerkinghisheadtillhisearsflappedagain.Buthegrewtiredoncemore,afterawhile;triedtoamusehimselfwithaflybutfoundnorelief;followedanantaround,withhisnoseclosetothefloor,andquicklyweariedofthat;yawned,sighed,forgotthebeetleentirely,andsatdownonit.Thentherewasawildyelpofagonyandthepoodlewentsailinguptheaisle;theyelpscontinued,andsodidthedog;hecrossedthehouseinfrontofthealtar;heflewdowntheotheraisle;hecrossedbeforethedoors;heclamoredupthehome-stretch;hisanguishgrewwithhisprogress,tillpresentlyhewasbutawoollycometmovinginitsorbitwiththegleamandthespeedoflight.Atlastthefranticsufferersheeredfromitscourse,andsprangintoitsmaster"slap;heflungitoutofthewindow,andthevoiceofdistressquicklythinnedawayanddiedinthedistance.

Bythistimethewholechurchwasred-facedandsuffocatingwithsuppressedlaughter,andthesermonhadcometoadeadstandstill.Thediscoursewasresumedpresently,butitwentlameandhalting,allpossibilityofimpressivenessbeingatanend;foreventhegravestsentimentswereconstantlybeingreceivedwithasmotheredburstofunholymirth,undercoverofsomeremotepew-back,asifthepoorparsonhadsaidararelyfacetiousthing.Itwasagenuinerelieftothewholecongregationwhentheordealwasoverandthebenedictionpronounced.

TomSawyerwenthomequitecheerful,thinkingtohimselfthattherewassomesatisfactionaboutdivineservicewhentherewasabitofvarietyinit.Hehadbutonemarringthought;hewaswillingthatthedogshouldplaywithhispinchbug,buthedidnotthinkitwasuprightinhimtocarryitoff.

CHAPTERVI

MONDAYmorningfoundTomSawyermiserable.Mondaymorningalwaysfoundhimso——becauseitbegananotherweek"sslowsufferinginschool.Hegenerallybeganthatdaywithwishinghehadhadnointerveningholiday,itmadethegoingintocaptivityandfettersagainsomuchmoreodious.

Tomlaythinking.Presentlyitoccurredtohimthathewishedhewassick;thenhecouldstayhomefromschool.Herewasavaguepossibility.Hecanvassedhissystem.Noailmentwasfound,andheinvestigatedagain.Thistimehethoughthecoulddetectcolickysymptoms,andhebegantoencouragethemwithconsiderablehope.Buttheysoongrewfeeble,andpresentlydiedwhollyaway.Hereflectedfurther.Suddenlyhediscoveredsomething.Oneofhisupperfrontteethwasloose.Thiswaslucky;hewasabouttobegintogroan,asa"starter,"ashecalledit,whenitoccurredtohimthatifhecameintocourtwiththatargument,hisauntwouldpullitout,andthatwouldhurt.Sohethoughthewouldholdthetoothinreserveforthepresent,andseekfurther.Nothingofferedforsomelittletime,andthenherememberedhearingthedoctortellaboutacertainthingthatlaidupapatientfortwoorthreeweeksandthreatenedtomakehimloseafinger.Sotheboyeagerlydrewhissoretoefromunderthesheetandhelditupforinspection.Butnowhedidnotknowthenecessarysymptoms.However,itseemedwellworthwhiletochanceit,sohefelltogroaningwithconsiderablespirit.

ButSidsleptonunconscious.

Tomgroanedlouder,andfanciedthathebegantofeelpaininthetoe.

NoresultfromSid.

Tomwaspantingwithhisexertionsbythistime.Hetookarestandthenswelledhimselfupandfetchedasuccessionofadmirablegroans.

Sidsnoredon.

Tomwasaggravated.Hesaid,"Sid,Sid!"andshookhim.Thiscourseworkedwell,andTombegantogroanagain.Sidyawned,stretched,thenbroughthimselfuponhiselbowwithasnort,andbegantostareatTom.Tomwentongroaning.Sidsaid:

"Tom!Say,Tom!"[Noresponse.]"Here,Tom!Tom!Whatisthematter,Tom?"Andheshookhimandlookedinhisfaceanxiously.

Tommoanedout:

"Oh,don"t,Sid.Don"tjoggleme."

"Why,what"sthematter,Tom?Imustcallauntie."

"No——nevermind.It"llbeoverbyandby,maybe.Don"tcallanybody."

"ButImust!don"tgroanso,Tom,it"sawful.Howlongyoubeenthisway?"

"Hours.Ouch!Oh,don"tstirso,Sid,you"llkillme."

"Tom,whydidn"tyouwakemesooner?Oh,Tom,don"t!Itmakesmyfleshcrawltohearyou.Tom,whatisthematter?"