第3章

"Iforgiveyoueverything,Sid.[Groan.]Everythingyou"veeverdonetome.WhenI"mgone——"

"Oh,Tom,youain"tdying,areyou?Don"t,Tom——oh,don"t.Maybe——"

"Iforgiveeverybody,Sid.[Groan.]Tell"emso,Sid.AndSid,yougivemywindow-sashandmycatwithoneeyetothatnewgirlthat"scometotown,andtellher——"

ButSidhadsnatchedhisclothesandgone.Tomwassufferinginreality,now,sohandsomelywashisimaginationworking,andsohisgroanshadgatheredquiteagenuinetone.

Sidflewdown-stairsandsaid:

"Oh,AuntPolly,come!Tom"sdying!"

"Dying!"

"Yes"m.Don"twait——comequick!"

"Rubbage!Idon"tbelieveit!"

Butshefledup-stairs,nevertheless,withSidandMaryatherheels.Andherfacegrewwhite,too,andherliptrembled.Whenshereachedthebedsideshegaspedout:

"You,Tom!Tom,what"sthematterwithyou?"

"Oh,auntie,I"m——"

"What"sthematterwithyou——whatisthematterwithyou,child?"

"Oh,auntie,mysoretoe"smortified!"

Theoldladysankdownintoachairandlaughedalittle,thencriedalittle,thendidbothtogether.Thisrestoredherandshesaid:

"Tom,whataturnyoudidgiveme.Nowyoushutupthatnonsenseandclimboutofthis."

Thegroansceasedandthepainvanishedfromthetoe.Theboyfeltalittlefoolish,andhesaid:

"AuntPolly,itseemedmortified,andithurtsoInevermindedmytoothatall."

"Yourtooth,indeed!What"sthematterwithyourtooth?"

"Oneofthem"sloose,anditachesperfectlyawful."

"There,there,now,don"tbeginthatgroaningagain.Openyourmouth.Well——yourtoothisloose,butyou"renotgoingtodieaboutthat.Mary,getmeasilkthread,andachunkoffireoutofthekitchen."

Tomsaid:

"Oh,please,auntie,don"tpullitout.Itdon"thurtanymore.IwishImayneverstirifitdoes.Pleasedon"t,auntie.Idon"twanttostayhomefromschool."

"Oh,youdon"t,don"tyou?Soallthisrowwasbecauseyouthoughtyou"dgettostayhomefromschoolandgoa-fishing?Tom,Tom,Iloveyouso,andyouseemtotryeverywayyoucantobreakmyoldheartwithyouroutrageousness."Bythistimethedentalinstrumentswereready.TheoldladymadeoneendofthesilkthreadfasttoTom"stoothwithaloopandtiedtheothertothebedpost.Thensheseizedthechunkoffireandsuddenlythrustitalmostintotheboy"sface.Thetoothhungdanglingbythebedpost,now.

Butalltrialsbringtheircompensations.AsTomwendedtoschoolafterbreakfast,hewastheenvyofeveryboyhemetbecausethegapinhisupperrowofteethenabledhimtoexpectorateinanewandadmirableway.Hegatheredquiteafollowingofladsinterestedintheexhibition;andonethathadcuthisfingerandhadbeenacentreoffascinationandhomageuptothistime,nowfoundhimselfsuddenlywithoutanadherent,andshornofhisglory.Hisheartwasheavy,andhesaidwithadisdainwhichhedidnotfeelthatitwasn"tanythingtospitlikeTomSawyer;butanotherboysaid,"Sourgrapes!"andhewanderedawayadismantledhero.

ShortlyTomcameuponthejuvenilepariahofthevillage,HuckleberryFinn,sonofthetowndrunkard.Huckleberrywascordiallyhatedanddreadedbyallthemothersofthetown,becausehewasidleandlawlessandvulgarandbad——andbecausealltheirchildrenadmiredhimso,anddelightedinhisforbiddensociety,andwishedtheydaredtobelikehim.Tomwasliketherestoftherespectableboys,inthatheenviedHuckleberryhisgaudyoutcastcondition,andwasunderstrictordersnottoplaywithhim.Soheplayedwithhimeverytimehegotachance.Huckleberrywasalwaysdressedinthecast-offclothesoffull-grownmen,andtheywereinperennialbloomandflutteringwithrags.Hishatwasavastruinwithawidecrescentloppedoutofitsbrim;hiscoat,whenheworeone,hungnearlytohisheelsandhadtherearwardbuttonsfardowntheback;butonesuspendersupportedhistrousers;theseatofthetrousersbaggedlowandcontainednothing,thefringedlegsdraggedinthedirtwhennotrolledup.

Huckleberrycameandwent,athisownfreewill.Hesleptondoorstepsinfineweatherandinemptyhogsheadsinwet;hedidnothavetogotoschoolortochurch,orcallanybeingmasterorobeyanybody;hecouldgofishingorswimmingwhenandwherehechose,andstayaslongasitsuitedhim;nobodyforbadehimtofight;hecouldsitupaslateashepleased;hewasalwaysthefirstboythatwentbarefootinthespringandthelasttoresumeleatherinthefall;heneverhadtowash,norputoncleanclothes;hecouldswearwonderfully.Inaword,everythingthatgoestomakelifepreciousthatboyhad.Sothoughteveryharassed,hampered,respectableboyinSt.Petersburg.

Tomhailedtheromanticoutcast:

"Hello,Huckleberry!"

"Helloyourself,andseehowyoulikeit."

"What"sthatyougot?"

"Deadcat."

"Lemmeseehim,Huck.My,he"sprettystiff.Where"dyougethim?"

"Boughthimoff"naboy."

"Whatdidyougive?"

"IgiveablueticketandabladderthatIgotattheslaughter-house."

"Where"dyougettheblueticket?"

"Boughtitoff"nBenRogerstwoweeksagoforahoop-stick."

"Say——whatisdeadcatsgoodfor,Huck?"

"Goodfor?Curewartswith."

"No!Isthatso?Iknowsomethingthat"sbetter."

"Ibetyoudon"t.Whatisit?"

"Why,spunk-water."

"Spunk-water!Iwouldn"tgiveadernforspunk-water."

"Youwouldn"t,wouldn"tyou?D"youevertryit?"

"No,Ihain"t.ButBobTannerdid."

"Whotoldyouso!"

"Why,hetoldJeffThatcher,andJefftoldJohnnyBaker,andJohnnytoldJimHollis,andJimtoldBenRogers,andBentoldanigger,andtheniggertoldme.Therenow!"

"Well,whatofit?They"llalllie.Leastwaysallbutthenigger.Idon"tknowhim.ButIneverseeaniggerthatwouldn"tlie.Shucks!NowyoutellmehowBobTannerdoneit,Huck."

"Why,hetookanddippedhishandinarottenstumpwheretherain-waterwas."

"Inthedaytime?"

"Certainly."

"Withhisfacetothestump?"

"Yes.LeastIreckonso."

"Didhesayanything?"

"Idon"treckonhedid.Idon"tknow."

"Aha!Talkabouttryingtocurewartswithspunk-watersuchablamefoolwayasthat!Why,thatain"ta-goingtodoanygood.Yougottogoallbyyourself,tothemiddleofthewoods,whereyouknowthere"saspunk-waterstump,andjustasit"smidnightyoubackupagainstthestumpandjamyourhandinandsay:

"Barley-corn,barley-corn,injun-mealshorts,

Spunk-water,spunk-water,swallerthesewarts,"

andthenwalkawayquick,elevensteps,withyoureyesshut,andthenturnaroundthreetimesandwalkhomewithoutspeakingtoanybody.Becauseifyouspeakthecharm"sbusted."

"Well,thatsoundslikeagoodway;butthatain"tthewayBobTannerdone."

"No,sir,youcanbethedidn"t,becuzhe"sthewartiestboyinthistown;andhewouldn"thaveawartonhimifhe"dknowedhowtoworkspunk-water.I"vetookoffthousandsofwartsoffofmyhandsthatway,Huck.IplaywithfrogssomuchthatI"vealwaysgotconsiderablemanywarts.SometimesItake"emoffwithabean."

"Yes,bean"sgood.I"vedonethat."

"Haveyou?What"syourway?"

"Youtakeandsplitthebean,andcutthewartsoastogetsomeblood,andthenyouputthebloodononepieceofthebeanandtakeanddigaholeandburyit"boutmidnightatthecrossroadsinthedarkofthemoon,andthenyouburnuptherestofthebean.Youseethatpiecethat"sgotthebloodonitwillkeepdrawinganddrawing,tryingtofetchtheotherpiecetoit,andsothathelpsthebloodtodrawthewart,andprettysoonoffshecomes."

"Yes,that"sit,Huck——that"sit;thoughwhenyou"reburyingitifyousay"Downbean;offwart;comenomoretobotherme!"it"sbetter.That"sthewayJoeHarperdoes,andhe"sbeennearlytoCoonvilleandmosteverywheres.Butsay——howdoyoucure"emwithdeadcats?"

"Why,youtakeyourcatandgoandgetinthegraveyard"longaboutmidnightwhensomebodythatwaswickedhasbeenburied;andwhenit"smidnightadevilwillcome,ormaybetwoorthree,butyoucan"tsee"em,youcanonlyhearsomethinglikethewind,ormaybehear"emtalk;andwhenthey"retakingthatfelleraway,youheaveyourcatafter"emandsay,"Devilfollowcorpse,catfollowdevil,wartsfollowcat,I"mdonewithye!"That"llfetchanywart."

"Soundsright.D"youevertryit,Huck?"

"No,butoldMotherHopkinstoldme."

"Well,Ireckonit"sso,then.Becuztheysayshe"sawitch."

"Say!Why,Tom,IKNOWsheis.Shewitchedpap.Papsayssohisownself.Hecomealongoneday,andheseeshewasa-witchinghim,sohetookuparock,andifshehadn"tdodged,he"dagother.Well,thatverynightherolledoff"nashedwher"hewasalayindrunk,andbrokehisarm."

"Why,that"sawful.Howdidheknowshewasa-witchinghim?"

"Lord,papcantell,easy.Papsayswhentheykeeplookingatyourightstiddy,they"rea-witchingyou.Speciallyiftheymumble.Becuzwhentheymumblethey"resayingtheLord"sPrayerbackards."

"Say,Hucky,whenyougoingtotrythecat?"

"To-night.Ireckonthey"llcomeafteroldHossWilliamsto-night."

"ButtheyburiedhimSaturday.Didn"ttheygethimSaturdaynight?"

"Why,howyoutalk!Howcouldtheircharmsworktillmidnight?——andthenit"sSunday.Devilsdon"tslosharoundmuchofaSunday,Idon"treckon."

"Ineverthoughtofthat.That"sso.Lemmegowithyou?"

"Ofcourse——ifyouain"tafeard."

"Afeard!"Tain"tlikely.Willyoumeow?"

"Yes——andyoumeowback,ifyougetachance.time,youkep"mea-meowingaroundtilloldHayswenttothrowingrocksatmeandsays"Dernthatcat!"andsoIhoveabrickthroughhiswindow——butdon"tyoutell."

"Iwon"t.Icouldn"tmeowthatnight,becuzauntiewaswatchingme,butI"llmeowthistime.Say——what"sthat?"

"Nothingbutatick."

"Where"dyougethim?"

"Outinthewoods."

"What"llyoutakeforhim?"

"Idon"tknow.Idon"twanttosellhim."

"Allright.It"samightysmalltick,anyway."

"Oh,anybodycanrunatickdownthatdon"tbelongtothem.I"msatisfiedwithit.It"sagoodenoughtickforme."

"Sho,there"sticksaplenty.Icouldhaveathousandof"emifIwantedto."

"Well,whydon"tyou?Becuzyouknowmightywellyoucan"t.Thisisaprettyearlytick,Ireckon.It"sthefirstoneI"veseenthisyear."

"Say,Huck——I"llgiveyoumytoothforhim."

"Lessseeit."

Tomgotoutabitofpaperandcarefullyunrolledit.Huckleberryvieweditwistfully.Thetemptationwasverystrong.Atlasthesaid:

"Isitgenuwyne?"

Tomliftedhislipandshowedthevacancy.

"Well,allright,"saidHuckleberry,"it"satrade."

Tomenclosedthetickinthepercussion-capboxthathadlatelybeenthepinchbug"sprison,andtheboysseparated,eachfeelingwealthierthanbefore.

WhenTomreachedthelittleisolatedframeschoolhouse,hestrodeinbriskly,withthemannerofonewhohadcomewithallhonestspeed.Hehunghishatonapegandflunghimselfintohisseatwithbusiness-likealacrity.Themaster,thronedonhighinhisgreatsplint-bottomarm-chair,wasdozing,lulledbythedrowsyhumofstudy.Theinterruptionrousedhim.

"ThomasSawyer!"

Tomknewthatwhenhisnamewaspronouncedinfull,itmeanttrouble.

"Sir!"

"Comeuphere.Now,sir,whyareyoulateagain,asusual?"

Tomwasabouttotakerefugeinalie,whenhesawtwolongtailsofyellowhairhangingdownabackthatherecognizedbytheelectricsympathyoflove;andbythatformwastheonlyvacantplaceonthegirls"sideoftheschool-house.Heinstantlysaid:

"ISTOPPEDTOTALKWITHHUCKLEBERRYFINN!"

Themaster"spulsestoodstill,andhestaredhelplessly.Thebuzzofstudyceased.Thepupilswonderedifthisfoolhardyboyhadlosthismind.Themastersaid:

"You——youdidwhat?"

"StoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn."

Therewasnomistakingthewords.

"ThomasSawyer,thisisthemostastoundingconfessionIhaveeverlistenedto.Nomereferulewillanswerforthisoffence.Takeoffyourjacket."

Themaster"sarmperformeduntilitwastiredandthestockofswitchesnotablydiminished.Thentheorderfollowed:

"Now,sir,goandsitwiththegirls!Andletthisbeawarningtoyou."

Thetitterthatrippledaroundtheroomappearedtoabashtheboy,butinrealitythatresultwascausedrathermorebyhisworshipfulaweofhisunknownidolandthedreadpleasurethatlayinhishighgoodfortune.Hesatdownupontheendofthepinebenchandthegirlhitchedherselfawayfromhimwithatossofherhead.Nudgesandwinksandwhisperstraversedtheroom,butTomsatstill,withhisarmsuponthelong,lowdeskbeforehim,andseemedtostudyhisbook.

Byandbyattentionceasedfromhim,andtheaccustomedschoolmurmurroseuponthedullaironcemore.Presentlytheboybegantostealfurtiveglancesatthegirl.Sheobservedit,"madeamouth"athimandgavehimthebackofherheadforthespaceofaminute.Whenshecautiouslyfacedaroundagain,apeachlaybeforeher.Shethrustitaway.Tomgentlyputitback.Shethrustitawayagain,butwithlessanimosity.Tompatientlyreturnedittoitsplace.Thensheletitremain.Tomscrawledonhisslate,"Pleasetakeit——Igotmore."Thegirlglancedatthewords,butmadenosign.Nowtheboybegantodrawsomethingontheslate,hidinghisworkwithhislefthand.Foratimethegirlrefusedtonotice;butherhumancuriositypresentlybegantomanifestitselfbyhardlyperceptiblesigns.Theboyworkedon,apparentlyunconscious.Thegirlmadeasortofnon-committalattempttosee,buttheboydidnotbetraythathewasawareofit.Atlastshegaveinandhesitatinglywhispered:

"Letmeseeit."

Tompartlyuncoveredadismalcaricatureofahousewithtwogableendstoitandacorkscrewofsmokeissuingfromthechimney.Thenthegirl"sinterestbegantofastenitselfupontheworkandsheforgoteverythingelse.Whenitwasfinished,shegazedamoment,thenwhispered:

"It"snice——makeaman."

Theartisterectedamaninthefrontyard,thatresembledaderrick.Hecouldhavesteppedoverthehouse;butthegirlwasnothypercritical;shewassatisfiedwiththemonster,andwhispered:

"It"sabeautifulman——nowmakemecomingalong."

Tomdrewanhour-glasswithafullmoonandstrawlimbstoitandarmedthespreadingfingerswithaportentousfan.Thegirlsaid:

"It"seversonice——IwishIcoulddraw."

"It"seasy,"whisperedTom,"I"lllearnyou."

"Oh,willyou?When?"

"Atnoon.Doyougohometodinner?"

"I"llstayifyouwill."

"Good——that"sawhack.What"syourname?"

"BeckyThatcher.What"syours?Oh,Iknow.It"sThomasSawyer."

"That"sthenametheylickmeby.I"mTomwhenI"mgood.YoucallmeTom,willyou?"

"Yes."

NowTombegantoscrawlsomethingontheslate,hidingthewordsfromthegirl.Butshewasnotbackwardthistime.Shebeggedtosee.Tomsaid:

"Oh,itain"tanything."

"Yesitis."

"Noitain"t.Youdon"twanttosee."

"YesIdo,indeedIdo.Pleaseletme."

"You"lltell."

"NoIwon"t——deedanddeedanddoubledeedwon"t."

"Youwon"ttellanybodyatall?Ever,aslongasyoulive?"

"No,Iwon"tevertellanybody.Nowletme."

"Oh,youdon"twanttosee!"

"Nowthatyoutreatmeso,Iwillsee."Andsheputhersmallhanduponhisandalittlescuffleensued,Tompretendingtoresistinearnestbutlettinghishandslipbydegreestillthesewordswererevealed:"Iloveyou."

"Oh,youbadthing!"Andshehithishandasmartrap,butreddenedandlookedpleased,nevertheless.

Justatthisjuncturetheboyfeltaslow,fatefulgripclosingonhisear,andasteadyliftingimpulse.Inthatvisehewasborneacrossthehouseanddepositedinhisownseat,underapepperingfireofgigglesfromthewholeschool.Thenthemasterstoodoverhimduringafewawfulmoments,andfinallymovedawaytohisthronewithoutsayingaword.ButalthoughTom"seartingled,hisheartwasjubilant.

AstheschoolquieteddownTommadeanhonestefforttostudy,buttheturmoilwithinhimwastoogreat.Inturnhetookhisplaceinthereadingclassandmadeabotchofit;theninthegeographyclassandturnedlakesintomountains,mountainsintorivers,andriversintocontinents,tillchaoswascomeagain;theninthespellingclass,andgot"turneddown,"byasuccessionofmerebabywords,tillhebroughtupatthefootandyieldedupthepewtermedalwhichhehadwornwithostentationformonths.

CHAPTERVII

THEharderTomtriedtofastenhismindonhisbook,themorehisideaswandered.Soatlast,withasighandayawn,hegaveitup.Itseemedtohimthatthenoonrecesswouldnevercome.Theairwasutterlydead.Therewasnotabreathstirring.Itwasthesleepiestofsleepydays.Thedrowsingmurmurofthefiveandtwentystudyingscholarssoothedthesoullikethespellthatisinthemurmurofbees.Awayoffintheflamingsunshine,CardiffHilllifteditssoftgreensidesthroughashimmeringveilofheat,tintedwiththepurpleofdistance;afewbirdsfloatedonlazywinghighintheair;nootherlivingthingwasvisiblebutsomecows,andtheywereasleep.Tom"sheartachedtobefree,orelsetohavesomethingofinteresttodotopassthedrearytime.Hishandwanderedintohispocketandhisfacelitupwithaglowofgratitudethatwasprayer,thoughhedidnotknowit.Thenfurtivelythepercussion-capboxcameout.Hereleasedthetickandputhimonthelongflatdesk.Thecreatureprobablyglowedwithagratitudethatamountedtoprayer,too,atthismoment,butitwaspremature:forwhenhestartedthankfullytotraveloff,Tomturnedhimasidewithapinandmadehimtakeanewdirection.

Tom"sbosomfriendsatnexthim,sufferingjustasTomhadbeen,andnowhewasdeeplyandgratefullyinterestedinthisentertainmentinaninstant.ThisbosomfriendwasJoeHarper.Thetwoboyswereswornfriendsalltheweek,andembattledenemiesonSaturdays.Joetookapinoutofhislapelandbegantoassistinexercisingtheprisoner.Thesportgrewininterestmomently.SoonTomsaidthattheywereinterferingwitheachother,andneithergettingthefullestbenefitofthetick.SoheputJoe"sslateonthedeskanddrewalinedownthemiddleofitfromtoptobottom.

"Now,"saidhe,"aslongasheisonyoursideyoucanstirhimupandI"lllethimalone;butifyoulethimgetawayandgetonmyside,you"retoleavehimaloneaslongasIcankeephimfromcrossingover."

"Allright,goahead;starthimup."

ThetickescapedfromTom,presently,andcrossedtheequator.Joeharassedhimawhile,andthenhegotawayandcrossedbackagain.Thischangeofbaseoccurredoften.Whileoneboywasworryingthetickwithabsorbinginterest,theotherwouldlookonwithinterestasstrong,thetwoheadsbowedtogetherovertheslate,andthetwosoulsdeadtoallthingselse.AtlastluckseemedtosettleandabidewithJoe.Theticktriedthis,that,andtheothercourse,andgotasexcitedandasanxiousastheboysthemselves,buttimeandagainjustashewouldhavevictoryinhisverygrasp,sotospeak,andTom"sfingerswouldbetwitchingtobegin,Joe"spinwoulddeftlyheadhimoff,andkeeppossession.AtlastTomcouldstanditnolonger.Thetemptationwastoostrong.Sohereachedoutandlentahandwithhispin.Joewasangryinamoment.Saidhe:

"Tom,youlethimalone."

"Ionlyjustwanttostirhimupalittle,Joe."

"No,sir,itain"tfair;youjustlethimalone."

"Blameit,Iain"tgoingtostirhimmuch."

"Lethimalone,Itellyou."

"Iwon"t!"

"Youshall——he"sonmysideoftheline."

"Lookhere,JoeHarper,whoseisthattick?"

"Idon"tcarewhosetickheis——he"sonmysideoftheline,andyousha"n"ttouchhim."

"Well,I"lljustbetIwill,though.He"smytickandI"lldowhatIblamepleasewithhim,ordie!"

AtremendouswhackcamedownonTom"sshoulders,anditsduplicateonJoe"s;andforthespaceoftwominutesthedustcontinuedtoflyfromthetwojacketsandthewholeschooltoenjoyit.Theboyshadbeentooabsorbedtonoticethehushthathadstolenupontheschoolawhilebeforewhenthemastercametiptoeingdowntheroomandstoodoverthem.Hehadcontemplatedagoodpartoftheperformancebeforehecontributedhisbitofvarietytoit.

Whenschoolbrokeupatnoon,TomflewtoBeckyThatcher,andwhisperedinherear:

"Putonyourbonnetandletonyou"regoinghome;andwhenyougettothecorner,givetherestof"emtheslip,andturndownthroughthelaneandcomeback.I"llgotheotherwayandcomeitover"emthesameway."

Sotheonewentoffwithonegroupofscholars,andtheotherwithanother.Inalittlewhilethetwometatthebottomofthelane,andwhentheyreachedtheschooltheyhaditalltothemselves.Thentheysattogether,withaslatebeforethem,andTomgaveBeckythepencilandheldherhandinhis,guidingit,andsocreatedanothersurprisinghouse.Whentheinterestinartbegantowane,thetwofelltotalking.Tomwasswimminginbliss.Hesaid:

"Doyouloverats?"

"No!Ihatethem!"

"Well,Ido,too——liveones.ButImeandeadones,toswingroundyourheadwithastring."

"No,Idon"tcareforratsmuch,anyway.WhatIlikeischewing-gum."

"Oh,Ishouldsayso!IwishIhadsomenow."

"Doyou?I"vegotsome.I"llletyouchewitawhile,butyoumustgiveitbacktome."

Thatwasagreeable,sotheycheweditturnabout,anddangledtheirlegsagainstthebenchinexcessofcontentment.

"Wasyoueveratacircus?"saidTom.

"Yes,andmypa"sgoingtotakemeagainsometime,ifI"mgood."

"Ibeentothecircusthreeorfourtimes——lotsoftimes.Churchain"tshuckstoacircus.There"sthingsgoingonatacircusallthetime.I"mgoingtobeaclowninacircuswhenIgrowup."

"Oh,areyou!Thatwillbenice.They"resolovely,allspottedup."

"Yes,that"sso.Andtheygetslathersofmoney——mostadollaraday,BenRogerssays.Say,Becky,wasyoueverengaged?"

"What"sthat?"

"Why,engagedtobemarried."

"No."

"Wouldyouliketo?"

"Ireckonso.Idon"tknow.Whatisitlike?"

"Like?Whyitain"tlikeanything.Youonlyjusttellaboyyouwon"teverhaveanybodybuthim,evereverever,andthenyoukissandthat"sall.Anybodycandoit."

"Kiss?Whatdoyoukissfor?"

"Why,that,youknow,isto——well,theyalwaysdothat."

"Everybody?"

"Why,yes,everybodythat"sinlovewitheachother.DoyourememberwhatIwroteontheslate?"

"Ye——yes."

"Whatwasit?"

"Isha"n"ttellyou."

"ShallItellyou?"

"Ye——yes——butsomeothertime."

"No,now."

"No,notnow——to-morrow."

"Oh,no,now.Please,Becky——I"llwhisperit,I"llwhisperiteversoeasy."

Beckyhesitating,Tomtooksilenceforconsent,andpassedhisarmaboutherwaistandwhisperedthetaleeversosoftly,withhismouthclosetoherear.Andthenheadded:

"Nowyouwhisperittome——justthesame."

Sheresisted,forawhile,andthensaid:

"Youturnyourfaceawaysoyoucan"tsee,andthenIwill.Butyoumustn"tevertellanybody——willyou,Tom?Nowyouwon"t,willyou?"

"No,indeed,indeedIwon"t.Now,Becky."

Heturnedhisfaceaway.Shebenttimidlyaroundtillherbreathstirredhiscurlsandwhispered,"I——love——you!"

Thenshesprangawayandranaroundandaroundthedesksandbenches,withTomafterher,andtookrefugeinacorneratlast,withherlittlewhiteaprontoherface.Tomclaspedheraboutherneckandpleaded:

"Now,Becky,it"salldone——alloverbutthekiss.Don"tyoubeafraidofthat——itain"tanythingatall.Please,Becky."Andhetuggedatherapronandthehands.

Byandbyshegaveup,andletherhandsdrop;herface,allglowingwiththestruggle,cameupandsubmitted.Tomkissedtheredlipsandsaid:

"Nowit"salldone,Becky.Andalwaysafterthis,youknow,youain"tevertoloveanybodybutme,andyouain"tevertomarryanybodybutme,everneverandforever.Willyou?"

"No,I"llneverloveanybodybutyou,Tom,andI"llnevermarryanybodybutyou——andyouain"ttoevermarryanybodybutme,either."

"Certainly.Ofcourse.That"spartofit.Andalwayscomingtoschoolorwhenwe"regoinghome,you"retowalkwithme,whenthereain"tanybodylooking——andyouchoosemeandIchooseyouatparties,becausethat"sthewayyoudowhenyou"reengaged."

"It"ssonice.Ineverheardofitbefore."

"Oh,it"seversogay!Why,meandAmyLawrence——"

ThebigeyestoldTomhisblunderandhestopped,confused.

"Oh,Tom!ThenIain"tthefirstyou"veeverbeenengagedto!"

Thechildbegantocry.Tomsaid:

"Oh,don"tcry,Becky,Idon"tcareforheranymore."

"Yes,youdo,Tom——youknowyoudo."

Tomtriedtoputhisarmaboutherneck,butshepushedhimawayandturnedherfacetothewall,andwentoncrying.Tomtriedagain,withsoothingwordsinhismouth,andwasrepulsedagain.Thenhispridewasup,andhestrodeawayandwentoutside.Hestoodabout,restlessanduneasy,forawhile,glancingatthedoor,everynowandthen,hopingshewouldrepentandcometofindhim.Butshedidnot.Thenhebegantofeelbadlyandfearthathewasinthewrong.Itwasahardstrugglewithhimtomakenewadvances,now,buthenervedhimselftoitandentered.Shewasstillstandingbackthereinthecorner,sobbing,withherfacetothewall.Tom"sheartsmotehim.Hewenttoherandstoodamoment,notknowingexactlyhowtoproceed.Thenhesaidhesitatingly:

"Becky,I——Idon"tcareforanybodybutyou."

Noreply——butsobs.

"Becky"——pleadingly."Becky,won"tyousaysomething?"

Moresobs.

Tomgotouthischiefestjewel,abrassknobfromthetopofanandiron,andpasseditaroundhersothatshecouldseeit,andsaid:

"Please,Becky,won"tyoutakeit?"

Shestruckittothefloor.ThenTommarchedoutofthehouseandoverthehillsandfaraway,toreturntoschoolnomorethatday.PresentlyBeckybegantosuspect.Sherantothedoor;hewasnotinsight;sheflewaroundtotheplay-yard;hewasnotthere.Thenshecalled:

"Tom!Comeback,Tom!"

Shelistenedintently,buttherewasnoanswer.Shehadnocompanionsbutsilenceandloneliness.Soshesatdowntocryagainandupbraidherself;andbythistimethescholarsbegantogatheragain,andshehadtohidehergriefsandstillherbrokenheartandtakeupthecrossofalong,dreary,achingafternoon,withnoneamongthestrangersabouthertoexchangesorrowswith.

CHAPTERVIII

TOMdodgedhitherandthitherthroughlanesuntilhewaswelloutofthetrackofreturningscholars,andthenfellintoamoodyjog.Hecrossedasmall"branch"twoorthreetimes,becauseofaprevailingjuvenilesuperstitionthattocrosswaterbaffledpursuit.HalfanhourlaterhewasdisappearingbehindtheDouglasmansiononthesummitofCardiffHill,andtheschool-housewashardlydistinguishableawayoffinthevalleybehindhim.Heenteredadensewood,pickedhispathlesswaytothecentreofit,andsatdownonamossyspotunderaspreadingoak.Therewasnotevenazephyrstirring;thedeadnoondayheathadevenstilledthesongsofthebirds;naturelayinatrancethatwasbrokenbynosoundbuttheoccasionalfar-offhammeringofawoodpecker,andthisseemedtorenderthepervadingsilenceandsenseoflonelinessthemoreprofound.Theboy"ssoulwassteepedinmelancholy;hisfeelingswereinhappyaccordwithhissurroundings.Hesatlongwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands,meditating.Itseemedtohimthatlifewasbutatrouble,atbest,andhemorethanhalfenviedJimmyHodges,solatelyreleased;itmustbeverypeaceful,hethought,tolieandslumberanddreamforeverandever,withthewindwhisperingthroughthetreesandcaressingthegrassandtheflowersoverthegrave,andnothingtobotherandgrieveabout,everanymore.IfheonlyhadacleanSunday-schoolrecordhecouldbewillingtogo,andbedonewithitall.Nowastothisgirl.Whathadhedone?Nothing.Hehadmeantthebestintheworld,andbeentreatedlikeadog——likeaverydog.Shewouldbesorrysomeday——maybewhenitwastoolate.Ah,ifhecouldonlydieTEMPORARILY!

Buttheelasticheartofyouthcannotbecompressedintooneconstrainedshapelongatatime.Tompresentlybegantodriftinsensiblybackintotheconcernsofthislifeagain.Whatifheturnedhisback,now,anddisappearedmysteriously?Whatifhewentaway——eversofaraway,intounknowncountriesbeyondtheseas——andnevercamebackanymore!Howwouldshefeelthen!Theideaofbeingaclownrecurredtohimnow,onlytofillhimwithdisgust.Forfrivolityandjokesandspottedtightswereanoffense,whentheyintrudedthemselvesuponaspiritthatwasexaltedintothevagueaugustrealmoftheromantic.No,hewouldbeasoldier,andreturnafterlongyears,allwar-wornandillustrious.No——betterstill,hewouldjointheIndians,andhuntbuffaloesandgoonthewarpathinthemountainrangesandthetracklessgreatplainsoftheFarWest,andawayinthefuturecomebackagreatchief,bristlingwithfeathers,hideouswithpaint,andpranceintoSunday-school,somedrowsysummermorning,withablood-curdlingwar-whoop,andseartheeyeballsofallhiscompanionswithunappeasableenvy.Butno,therewassomethinggaudiereventhanthis.Hewouldbeapirate!Thatwasit!nowhisfuturelayplainbeforehim,andglowingwithunimaginablesplendor.Howhisnamewouldfilltheworld,andmakepeopleshudder!Howgloriouslyhewouldgoplowingthedancingseas,inhislong,low,black-hulledracer,theSpiritofthestorm,withhisgrislyflagflyingatthefore!Andatthezenithofhisfame,howhewouldsuddenlyappearattheoldvillageandstalkintochurch,brownandweather-beaten,inhisblackvelvetdoubletandtrunks,hisgreatjack-boots,hiscrimsonsash,hisbeltbristlingwithhorse-pistols,hiscrime-rustedcutlassathisside,hisslouchhatwithwavingplumes,hisblackflagunfurled,withtheskullandcrossbonesonit,andhearwithswellingecstasythewhisperings,"It"sTomSawyerthePirate!——theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain!"

Yes,itwassettled;hiscareerwasdetermined.Hewouldrunawayfromhomeandenteruponit.Hewouldstarttheverynextmorning.Thereforehemustnowbegintogetready.Hewouldcollecthisresourcestogether.HewenttoarottenlognearathandandbegantodigunderoneendofitwithhisBarlowknife.Hesoonstruckwoodthatsoundedhollow.Heputhishandthereandutteredthisincantationimpressively:

"Whathasn"tcomehere,come!What"shere,stayhere!"

Thenhescrapedawaythedirt,andexposedapineshingle.Hetookitupanddisclosedashapelylittletreasure-housewhosebottomandsideswereofshingles.Initlayamarble.Tom"sastonishmentwasboundless!Hescratchedhisheadwithaperplexedair,andsaid:

"Well,thatbeatsanything!"

Thenhetossedthemarbleawaypettishly,andstoodcogitating.Thetruthwas,thatasuperstitionofhishadfailed,here,whichheandallhiscomradeshadalwayslookeduponasinfallible.Ifyouburiedamarblewithcertainnecessaryincantations,andleftitaloneafortnight,andthenopenedtheplacewiththeincantationhehadjustused,youwouldfindthatallthemarblesyouhadeverlosthadgatheredthemselvestogetherthere,meantime,nomatterhowwidelytheyhadbeenseparated.Butnow,thisthinghadactuallyandunquestionablyfailed.Tom"swholestructureoffaithwasshakentoitsfoundations.Hehadmanyatimeheardofthisthingsucceedingbutneverofitsfailingbefore.Itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadtrieditseveraltimesbefore,himself,butcouldneverfindthehiding-placesafterward.Hepuzzledoverthemattersometime,andfinallydecidedthatsomewitchhadinterferedandbrokenthecharm.Hethoughthewouldsatisfyhimselfonthatpoint;sohesearchedaroundtillhefoundasmallsandyspotwithalittlefunnel-shapeddepressioninit.Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisdepressionandcalled——

"Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!

Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!"

Thesandbegantowork,andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright.

"Hedasn"ttell!Soitwasawitchthatdoneit.Ijustknowedit."

Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches,sohegaveupdiscouraged.Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway,andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit.Buthecouldnotfindit.Nowhewentbacktohistreasure-houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway;thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway,saying:

"Brother,gofindyourbrother!"

Hewatchedwhereitstopped,andwentthereandlooked.Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar;sohetriedtwicemore.Thelastrepetitionwassuccessful.Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother.

Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest.Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers,turnedasuspenderintoabelt,rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog,disclosingarudebowandarrow,alathswordandatintrumpet,andinamomenthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway,barelegged,withflutteringshirt.Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm,blewanansweringblast,andthenbegantotiptoeandlookwarilyout,thiswayandthat.Hesaidcautiously——toanimaginarycompany:

"Hold,mymerrymen!KeephidtillIblow."

NowappearedJoeHarper,asairilycladandelaboratelyarmedasTom.Tomcalled:

"Hold!WhocomeshereintoSherwoodForestwithoutmypass?"

"GuyofGuisbornewantsnoman"spass.Whoartthouthat——that——"

"Darestoholdsuchlanguage,"saidTom,prompting——fortheytalked"bythebook,"frommemory.

"Whoartthouthatdarestoholdsuchlanguage?"

"I,indeed!IamRobinHood,asthycaitiffcarcasesoonshallknow."

"Thenartthouindeedthatfamousoutlaw?RightgladlywillIdisputewiththeethepassesofthemerrywood.Haveatthee!"