第7章
"Why,WednesdaynightIdreamtthatyouwassittingovertherebythebed,andSidwassittingbythewoodbox,andMarynexttohim."
"Well,sowedid.Sowealwaysdo.I"mgladyourdreamscouldtakeeventhatmuchtroubleaboutus."
"AndIdreamtthatJoeHarper"smotherwashere."
"Why,shewashere!Didyoudreamanymore?"
"Oh,lots.Butit"ssodim,now."
"Well,trytorecollect——can"tyou?"
"Somehowitseemstomethatthewind——thewindblowedthe——the——"
"Tryharder,Tom!Thewinddidblowsomething.Come!"
Tompressedhisfingersonhisforeheadananxiousminute,andthensaid:
"I"vegotitnow!I"vegotitnow!Itblowedthecandle!"
"Mercyonus!Goon,Tom——goon!"
"Anditseemstomethatyousaid,"Why,Ibelievethatthatdoor——""
"Goon,Tom!"
"Justletmestudyamoment——justamoment.Oh,yes——yousaidyoubelievedthedoorwasopen."
"AsI"msittinghere,Idid!Didn"tI,Mary!Goon!"
"Andthen——andthen——wellIwon"tbecertain,butitseemslikeasifyoumadeSidgoand——and——"
"Well?Well?WhatdidImakehimdo,Tom?WhatdidImakehimdo?"
"Youmadehim——you——Oh,youmadehimshutit."
"Well,fortheland"ssake!Ineverheardthebeatofthatinallmydays!Don"ttellmethereain"tanythingindreams,anymore.SerenyHarpershallknowofthisbeforeI"manhourolder.I"dliketoseehergetaroundthiswithherrubbage"boutsuperstition.Goon,Tom!"
"Oh,it"sallgettingjustasbrightasday,now.NextyousaidIwarn"tBAD,onlymischeevousandharum-scarum,andnotanymoreresponsiblethan——than——Ithinkitwasacolt,orsomething."
"Andsoitwas!Well,goodnessgracious!Goon,Tom!"
"Andthenyoubegantocry."
"SoIdid.SoIdid.Notthefirsttime,neither.Andthen——"
"ThenMrs.Harpershebegantocry,andsaidJoewasjustthesame,andshewishedshehadn"twhippedhimfortakingcreamwhenshe"dthroweditoutherownself——"
"Tom!Thesperritwasuponyou!Youwasaprophesying——that"swhatyouwasdoing!Landalive,goon,Tom!"
"ThenSidhesaid——hesaid——"
"Idon"tthinkIsaidanything,"saidSid.
"Yesyoudid,Sid,"saidMary.
"ShutyourheadsandletTomgoon!Whatdidhesay,Tom?"
"Hesaid——IthinkhesaidhehopedIwasbetteroffwhereIwasgoneto,butifI"dbeenbettersometimes——"
"There,d"youhearthat!Itwashisverywords!"
"Andyoushuthimupsharp."
"IlayIdid!Theremust"a"beenanangelthere.Therewasanangelthere,somewheres!"
"AndMrs.HarpertoldaboutJoescaringherwithafirecracker,andyoutoldaboutPeterandthePainkiller——"
"JustastrueasIlive!"
"Andthentherewasawholelotoftalk"boutdraggingtheriverforus,and"bouthavingthefuneralSunday,andthenyouandoldMissHarperhuggedandcried,andshewent."
"Ithappenedjustso!Ithappenedjustso,assureasI"ma-sittingintheseverytracks.Tom,youcouldn"ttolditmorelikeifyou"d"a"seenit!Andthenwhat?Goon,Tom!"
"ThenIthoughtyouprayedforme——andIcouldseeyouandheareverywordyousaid.Andyouwenttobed,andIwassosorrythatItookandwroteonapieceofsycamorebark,"Weain"tdead——weareonlyoffbeingpirates,"andputitonthetablebythecandle;andthenyoulookedsogood,layingthereasleep,thatIthoughtIwentandleanedoverandkissedyouonthelips."
"Didyou,Tom,didyou!Ijustforgiveyoueverythingforthat!"Andsheseizedtheboyinacrushingembracethatmadehimfeelliketheguiltiestofvillains.
"Itwasverykind,eventhoughitwasonlya——dream,"Sidsoliloquizedjustaudibly.
"Shutup,Sid!Abodydoesjustthesameinadreamashe"ddoifhewasawake.Here"sabigMilumappleI"vebeensavingforyou,Tom,ifyouwaseverfoundagain——nowgo"longtoschool.I"mthankfultothegoodGodandFatherofusallI"vegotyouback,that"slong-sufferingandmercifultothemthatbelieveonHimandkeepHisword,thoughgoodnessknowsI"munworthyofit,butifonlytheworthyonesgotHisblessingsandhadHishandtohelpthemovertheroughplaces,there"sfewenoughwouldsmilehereoreverenterintoHisrestwhenthelongnightcomes.Go"longSid,Mary,Tom——takeyourselvesoff——you"vehenderedmelongenough."
Thechildrenleftforschool,andtheoldladytocallonMrs.HarperandvanquishherrealismwithTom"smarvellousdream.Sidhadbetterjudgmentthantoutterthethoughtthatwasinhismindasheleftthehouse.Itwasthis:"Prettythin——aslongadreamasthat,withoutanymistakesinit!"
WhataheroTomwasbecome,now!Hedidnotgoskippingandprancing,butmovedwithadignifiedswaggerasbecameapiratewhofeltthatthepubliceyewasonhim.Andindeeditwas;hetriednottoseemtoseethelooksorheartheremarksashepassedalong,buttheywerefoodanddrinktohim.Smallerboysthanhimselfflockedathisheels,asproudtobeseenwithhim,andtoleratedbyhim,asifhehadbeenthedrummerattheheadofaprocessionortheelephantleadingamenagerieintotown.Boysofhisownsizepretendednottoknowhehadbeenawayatall;buttheywereconsumingwithenvy,nevertheless.Theywouldhavegivenanythingtohavethatswarthysuntannedskinofhis,andhisglitteringnotoriety;andTomwouldnothavepartedwitheitherforacircus.
AtschoolthechildrenmadesomuchofhimandofJoe,anddeliveredsucheloquentadmirationfromtheireyes,thatthetwoheroeswerenotlonginbecominginsufferably"stuck-up."Theybegantotelltheiradventurestohungrylisteners——buttheyonlybegan;itwasnotathinglikelytohaveanend,withimaginationsliketheirstofurnishmaterial.Andfinally,whentheygotouttheirpipesandwentserenelypuffingaround,theverysummitofglorywasreached.
TomdecidedthathecouldbeindependentofBeckyThatchernow.Glorywassufficient.Hewouldliveforglory.Nowthathewasdistinguished,maybeshewouldbewantingto"makeup."Well,lether——sheshouldseethathecouldbeasindifferentassomeotherpeople.Presentlyshearrived.Tompretendednottoseeher.Hemovedawayandjoinedagroupofboysandgirlsandbegantotalk.Soonheobservedthatshewastrippinggaylybackandforthwithflushedfaceanddancingeyes,pretendingtobebusychasingschoolmates,andscreamingwithlaughterwhenshemadeacapture;buthenoticedthatshealwaysmadehercapturesinhisvicinity,andthatsheseemedtocastaconsciouseyeinhisdirectionatsuchtimes,too.Itgratifiedalltheviciousvanitythatwasinhim;andso,insteadofwinninghim,itonly"sethimup"themoreandmadehimthemorediligenttoavoidbetrayingthatheknewshewasabout.Presentlyshegaveoversky-larking,andmovedirresolutelyabout,sighingonceortwiceandglancingfurtivelyandwistfullytowardTom.ThensheobservedthatnowTomwastalkingmoreparticularlytoAmyLawrencethantoanyoneelse.Shefeltasharppangandgrewdisturbedanduneasyatonce.Shetriedtogoaway,butherfeetweretreacherous,andcarriedhertothegroupinstead.ShesaidtoagirlalmostatTom"selbow——withshamvivacity:
"Why,MaryAustin!youbadgirl,whydidn"tyoucometoSunday-school?"
"Ididcome——didn"tyouseeme?"
"Why,no!Didyou?Wheredidyousit?"
"IwasinMissPeters"class,whereIalwaysgo.Isawyou."
"Didyou?Why,it"sfunnyIdidn"tseeyou.Iwantedtotellyouaboutthepicnic."
"Oh,that"sjolly.Who"sgoingtogiveit?"
"Myma"sgoingtoletmehaveone."
"Oh,goody;Ihopeshe"llletmecome."
"Well,shewill.Thepicnic"sforme.She"llletanybodycomethatIwant,andIwantyou."
"That"seversonice.Whenisitgoingtobe?"
"Byandby.Maybeaboutvacation."
"Oh,won"titbefun!Yougoingtohaveallthegirlsandboys?"
"Yes,everyonethat"sfriendstome——orwantstobe";andsheglancedeversofurtivelyatTom,buthetalkedrightalongtoAmyLawrenceabouttheterriblestormontheisland,andhowthelightningtorethegreatsycamoretree"alltoflinders"whilehewas"standingwithinthreefeetofit."
"Oh,mayIcome?"saidGraceMiller.
"Yes."
"Andme?"saidSallyRogers.
"Yes."
"Andme,too?"saidSusyHarper."AndJoe?"
"Yes."
Andsoon,withclappingofjoyfulhandstillallthegrouphadbeggedforinvitationsbutTomandAmy.ThenTomturnedcoollyaway,stilltalking,andtookAmywithhim.Becky"slipstrembledandthetearscametohereyes;shehidthesesignswithaforcedgayetyandwentonchattering,butthelifehadgoneoutofthepicnic,now,andoutofeverythingelse;shegotawayassoonasshecouldandhidherselfandhadwhathersexcall"agoodcry."Thenshesatmoody,withwoundedpride,tillthebellrang.Sherousedup,now,withavindictivecastinhereye,andgaveherplaitedtailsashakeandsaidsheknewwhatshe"ddo.
AtrecessTomcontinuedhisflirtationwithAmywithjubilantself-satisfaction.AndhekeptdriftingabouttofindBeckyandlacerateherwiththeperformance.Atlasthespiedher,buttherewasasuddenfallingofhismercury.Shewassittingcosilyonalittlebenchbehindtheschoolhouselookingatapicture-bookwithAlfredTemple——andsoabsorbedwerethey,andtheirheadssoclosetogetheroverthebook,thattheydidnotseemtobeconsciousofanythingintheworldbesides.Jealousyranred-hotthroughTom"sveins.HebegantohatehimselfforthrowingawaythechanceBeckyhadofferedforareconciliation.Hecalledhimselfafool,andallthehardnameshecouldthinkof.Hewantedtocrywithvexation.Amychattedhappilyalong,astheywalked,forherheartwassinging,butTom"stonguehadlostitsfunction.HedidnothearwhatAmywassaying,andwhenevershepausedexpectantlyhecouldonlystammeranawkwardassent,whichwasasoftenmisplacedasotherwise.Hekeptdriftingtotherearoftheschoolhouse,againandagain,tosearhiseyeballswiththehatefulspectaclethere.Hecouldnothelpit.Anditmaddenedhimtosee,ashethoughthesaw,thatBeckyThatcherneveroncesuspectedthathewaseveninthelandoftheliving.Butshedidsee,nevertheless;andsheknewshewaswinningherfight,too,andwasgladtoseehimsufferasshehadsuffered.
Amy"shappyprattlebecameintolerable.Tomhintedatthingshehadtoattendto;thingsthatmustbedone;andtimewasfleeting.Butinvain——thegirlchirpedon.Tomthought,"Oh,hangher,ain"tIevergoingtogetridofher?"Atlasthemustbeattendingtothosethings——andshesaidartlesslythatshewouldbe"around"whenschoolletout.Andhehastenedaway,hatingherforit.
"Anyotherboy!"Tomthought,gratinghisteeth."AnyboyinthewholetownbutthatSaintLouissmartythatthinkshedressessofineandisaristocracy!Oh,allright,Ilickedyouthefirstdayyoueversawthistown,mister,andI"lllickyouagain!YoujustwaittillIcatchyouout!I"lljusttakeand——"
Andhewentthroughthemotionsofthrashinganimaginaryboy——pummellingtheair,andkickingandgouging."Oh,youdo,doyou?Youholler"nough,doyou?Now,then,letthatlearnyou!"Andsotheimaginaryfloggingwasfinishedtohissatisfaction.
Tomfledhomeatnoon.HisconsciencecouldnotendureanymoreofAmy"sgratefulhappiness,andhisjealousycouldbearnomoreoftheotherdistress.BeckyresumedherpictureinspectionswithAlfred,butastheminutesdraggedalongandnoTomcametosuffer,hertriumphbegantocloudandshelostinterest;gravityandabsent-mindednessfollowed,andthenmelancholy;twoorthreetimessheprickedupherearatafootstep,butitwasafalsehope;noTomcame.Atlastshegrewentirelymiserableandwishedshehadn"tcarrieditsofar.WhenpoorAlfred,seeingthathewaslosingher,hedidnotknowhow,keptexclaiming:"Oh,here"sajollyone!lookatthis!"shelostpatienceatlast,andsaid,"Oh,don"tbotherme!Idon"tcareforthem!"andburstintotears,andgotupandwalkedaway.
Alfreddroppedalongsideandwasgoingtotrytocomforther,butshesaid:
"Goawayandleavemealone,can"tyou!Ihateyou!"
Sotheboyhalted,wonderingwhathecouldhavedone——forshehadsaidshewouldlookatpicturesallthroughthenooning——andshewalkedon,crying.ThenAlfredwentmusingintothedesertedschoolhouse.Hewashumiliatedandangry.Heeasilyguessedhiswaytothetruth——thegirlhadsimplymadeaconvenienceofhimtoventherspiteuponTomSawyer.HewasfarfromhatingTomthelesswhenthisthoughtoccurredtohim.Hewishedtherewassomewaytogetthatboyintotroublewithoutmuchrisktohimself.Tom"sspelling-bookfellunderhiseye.Herewashisopportunity.Hegratefullyopenedtothelessonfortheafternoonandpouredinkuponthepage.
Becky,glancinginatawindowbehindhimatthemoment,sawtheact,andmovedon,withoutdiscoveringherself.Shestartedhomeward,now,intendingtofindTomandtellhim;Tomwouldbethankfulandtheirtroubleswouldbehealed.Beforeshewashalfwayhome,however,shehadchangedhermind.ThethoughtofTom"streatmentofherwhenshewastalkingaboutherpicniccamescorchingbackandfilledherwithshame.Sheresolvedtolethimgetwhippedonthedamagedspelling-book"saccount,andtohatehimforever,intothebargain.
CHAPTERXIX
TOMarrivedathomeinadrearymood,andthefirstthinghisauntsaidtohimshowedhimthathehadbroughthissorrowstoanunpromisingmarket:
"Tom,I"veanotiontoskinyoualive!"
"Auntie,whathaveIdone?"
"Well,you"vedoneenough.HereIgoovertoSerenyHarper,likeanoldsofty,expectingI"mgoingtomakeherbelieveallthatrubbageaboutthatdream,whenloandbeholdyoushe"dfoundoutfromJoethatyouwasoverhereandheardallthetalkwehadthatnight.Tom,Idon"tknowwhatistobecomeofaboythatwillactlikethat.ItmakesmefeelsobadtothinkyoucouldletmegotoSerenyHarperandmakesuchafoolofmyselfandneversayaword."
Thiswasanewaspectofthething.HissmartnessofthemorninghadseemedtoTomagoodjokebefore,andveryingenious.Itmerelylookedmeanandshabbynow.Hehunghisheadandcouldnotthinkofanythingtosayforamoment.Thenhesaid:
"Auntie,IwishIhadn"tdoneit——butIdidn"tthink."
"Oh,child,youneverthink.Youneverthinkofanythingbutyourownselfishness.YoucouldthinktocomeallthewayoverherefromJackson"sIslandinthenighttolaughatourtroubles,andyoucouldthinktofoolmewithalieaboutadream;butyoucouldn"teverthinktopityusandsaveusfromsorrow."
"Auntie,Iknownowitwasmean,butIdidn"tmeantobemean.Ididn"t,honest.Andbesides,Ididn"tcomeoverheretolaughatyouthatnight."
"Whatdidyoucomefor,then?"
"Itwastotellyounottobeuneasyaboutus,becausewehadn"tgotdrownded."
"Tom,Tom,IwouldbethethankfullestsoulinthisworldifIcouldbelieveyoueverhadasgoodathoughtasthat,butyouknowyouneverdid——andIknowit,Tom."
"Indeedand"deedIdid,auntie——IwishImayneverstirifIdidn"t."
"Oh,Tom,don"tlie——don"tdoit.Itonlymakesthingsahundredtimesworse."
"Itain"talie,auntie;it"sthetruth.Iwantedtokeepyoufromgrieving——thatwasallthatmademecome."
"I"dgivethewholeworldtobelievethat——itwouldcoverupapowerofsins,Tom.I"d"mostbegladyou"drunoffandactedsobad.Butitain"treasonable;because,whydidn"tyoutellme,child?"
"Why,yousee,whenyougottotalkingaboutthefuneral,Ijustgotallfulloftheideaofourcomingandhidinginthechurch,andIcouldn"tsomehowbeartospoilit.SoIjustputthebarkbackinmypocketandkeptmum."
"Whatbark?"
"ThebarkIhadwroteontotellyouwe"dgonepirating.Iwish,now,you"dwakedupwhenIkissedyou——Ido,honest."
Thehardlinesinhisaunt"sfacerelaxedandasuddentendernessdawnedinhereyes.
"Didyoukissme,Tom?"
"Why,yes,Idid."
"Areyousureyoudid,Tom?"
"Why,yes,Idid,auntie——certainsure."
"Whatdidyoukissmefor,Tom?"
"BecauseIlovedyouso,andyoulaidtheremoaningandIwassosorry."
Thewordssoundedliketruth.Theoldladycouldnothideatremorinhervoicewhenshesaid:
"Kissmeagain,Tom!——andbeoffwithyoutoschool,now,anddon"tbothermeanymore."
Themomenthewasgone,sherantoaclosetandgotouttheruinofajacketwhichTomhadgonepiratingin.Thenshestopped,withitinherhand,andsaidtoherself:
"No,Idon"tdare.Poorboy,Ireckonhe"sliedaboutit——butit"sablessed,blessedlie,there"ssuchacomfortcomefromit.IhopetheLord——IknowtheLordwillforgivehim,becauseitwassuchgoodheartednessinhimtotellit.ButIdon"twanttofindoutit"salie.Iwon"tlook."
Sheputthejacketaway,andstoodbymusingaminute.Twicesheputoutherhandtotakethegarmentagain,andtwicesherefrained.Oncemoresheventured,andthistimeshefortifiedherselfwiththethought:"It"sagoodlie——it"sagoodlie——Iwon"tletitgrieveme."Soshesoughtthejacketpocket.AmomentlatershewasreadingTom"spieceofbarkthroughflowingtearsandsaying:"Icouldforgivetheboy,now,ifhe"dcommittedamillionsins!"
CHAPTERXX
THEREwassomethingaboutAuntPolly"smanner,whenshekissedTom,thatsweptawayhislowspiritsandmadehimlightheartedandhappyagain.HestartedtoschoolandhadtheluckofcominguponBeckyThatcherattheheadofMeadowLane.Hismoodalwaysdeterminedhismanner.Withoutamoment"shesitationherantoherandsaid:
"Iactedmightymeanto-day,Becky,andI"msosorry.Iwon"tever,everdothatwayagain,aslongaseverIlive——pleasemakeup,won"tyou?"
Thegirlstoppedandlookedhimscornfullyintheface:
"I"llthankyoutokeepyourselftoyourself,Mr.ThomasSawyer.I"llneverspeaktoyouagain."
Shetossedherheadandpassedon.Tomwassostunnedthathehadnotevenpresenceofmindenoughtosay"Whocares,MissSmarty?"untiltherighttimetosayithadgoneby.Sohesaidnothing.Buthewasinafinerage,nevertheless.Hemopedintotheschoolyardwishingshewereaboy,andimagininghowhewouldtrounceherifshewere.Hepresentlyencounteredheranddeliveredastingingremarkashepassed.Shehurledoneinreturn,andtheangrybreachwascomplete.ItseemedtoBecky,inherhotresentment,thatshecouldhardlywaitforschoolto"takein,"shewassoimpatienttoseeTomfloggedfortheinjuredspelling-book.IfshehadhadanylingeringnotionofexposingAlfredTemple,Tom"soffensiveflinghaddrivenitentirelyaway.
Poorgirl,shedidnotknowhowfastshewasnearingtroubleherself.Themaster,Mr.Dobbins,hadreachedmiddleagewithanunsatisfiedambition.Thedarlingofhisdesireswas,tobeadoctor,butpovertyhaddecreedthatheshouldbenothinghigherthanavillageschoolmaster.Everydayhetookamysteriousbookoutofhisdeskandabsorbedhimselfinitattimeswhennoclasseswerereciting.Hekeptthatbookunderlockandkey.Therewasnotanurchininschoolbutwasperishingtohaveaglimpseofit,butthechancenevercame.Everyboyandgirlhadatheoryaboutthenatureofthatbook;butnotwotheorieswerealike,andtherewasnowayofgettingatthefactsinthecase.Now,asBeckywaspassingbythedesk,whichstoodnearthedoor,shenoticedthatthekeywasinthelock!Itwasapreciousmoment.Sheglancedaround;foundherselfalone,andthenextinstantshehadthebookinherhands.Thetitle-page——ProfessorSomebody"sAnatomy——carriednoinformationtohermind;soshebegantoturntheleaves.Shecameatonceuponahandsomelyengravedandcoloredfrontispiece——ahumanfigure,starknaked.AtthatmomentashadowfellonthepageandTomSawyersteppedinatthedoorandcaughtaglimpseofthepicture.Beckysnatchedatthebooktocloseit,andhadthehardlucktotearthepicturedpagehalfdownthemiddle.Shethrustthevolumeintothedesk,turnedthekey,andburstoutcryingwithshameandvexation.
"TomSawyer,youarejustasmeanasyoucanbe,tosneakuponapersonandlookatwhatthey"relookingat."
"HowcouldIknowyouwaslookingatanything?"
"Yououghttobeashamedofyourself,TomSawyer;youknowyou"regoingtotellonme,andoh,whatshallIdo,whatshallIdo!I"llbewhipped,andIneverwaswhippedinschool."
Thenshestampedherlittlefootandsaid:
"Besomeanifyouwantto!Iknowsomethingthat"sgoingtohappen.Youjustwaitandyou"llsee!Hateful,hateful,hateful!"——andsheflungoutofthehousewithanewexplosionofcrying.
Tomstoodstill,ratherflusteredbythisonslaught.Presentlyhesaidtohimself:
"Whatacuriouskindofafoolagirlis!Neverbeenlickedinschool!Shucks!What"salicking!That"sjustlikeagirl——they"resothin-skinnedandchicken-hearted.Well,ofcourseIain"tgoingtotelloldDobbinsonthislittlefool,becausethere"sotherwaysofgettingevenonher,thatain"tsomean;butwhatofit?OldDobbinswillaskwhoitwastorehisbook.Nobody"llanswer.Thenhe"lldojustthewayhealwaysdoes——askfirstoneandthent"other,andwhenhecomestotherightgirlhe"llknowit,withoutanytelling.Girls"facesalwaystellonthem.Theyain"tgotanybackbone.She"llgetlicked.Well,it"sakindofatightplaceforBeckyThatcher,becausethereain"tanywayoutofit."Tomconnedthethingamomentlonger,andthenadded:"Allright,though;she"dliketoseemeinjustsuchafix——lethersweatitout!"
Tomjoinedthemobofskylarkingscholarsoutside.Inafewmomentsthemasterarrivedandschool"tookin."Tomdidnotfeelastronginterestinhisstudies.Everytimehestoleaglanceatthegirls"sideoftheroomBecky"sfacetroubledhim.Consideringallthings,hedidnotwanttopityher,andyetitwasallhecoulddotohelpit.Hecouldgetupnoexultationthatwasreallyworthythename.Presentlythespelling-bookdiscoverywasmade,andTom"smindwasentirelyfullofhisownmattersforawhileafterthat.Beckyrousedupfromherlethargyofdistressandshowedgoodinterestintheproceedings.ShedidnotexpectthatTomcouldgetoutofhistroublebydenyingthathespilttheinkonthebookhimself;andshewasright.ThedenialonlyseemedtomakethethingworseforTom.Beckysupposedshewouldbegladofthat,andshetriedtobelieveshewasgladofit,butshefoundshewasnotcertain.Whentheworstcametotheworst,shehadanimpulsetogetupandtellonAlfredTemple,butshemadeaneffortandforcedherselftokeepstill——because,saidshetoherself,"he"lltellaboutmetearingthepicturesure.Iwouldn"tsayaword,nottosavehislife!"
Tomtookhiswhippingandwentbacktohisseatnotatallbroken-hearted,forhethoughtitwaspossiblethathehadunknowinglyupsettheinkonthespelling-bookhimself,insomeskylarkingbout——hehaddenieditforform"ssakeandbecauseitwascustom,andhadstucktothedenialfromprinciple.
Awholehourdriftedby,themastersatnoddinginhisthrone,theairwasdrowsywiththehumofstudy.Byandby,Mr.Dobbinsstraightenedhimselfup,yawned,thenunlockedhisdesk,andreachedforhisbook,butseemedundecidedwhethertotakeitoutorleaveit.Mostofthepupilsglanceduplanguidly,butthereweretwoamongthemthatwatchedhismovementswithintenteyes.Mr.Dobbinsfingeredhisbookabsentlyforawhile,thentookitoutandsettledhimselfinhischairtoread!TomshotaglanceatBecky.Hehadseenahuntedandhelplessrabbitlookasshedid,withagunlevelledatitshead.Instantlyheforgothisquarrelwithher.Quick——somethingmustbedone!doneinaflash,too!Buttheveryimminenceoftheemergencyparalyzedhisinvention.Good!——hehadaninspiration!Hewouldrunandsnatchthebook,springthroughthedoorandfly.Buthisresolutionshookforonelittleinstant,andthechancewaslost——themasteropenedthevolume.IfTomonlyhadthewastedopportunitybackagain!Toolate.TherewasnohelpforBeckynow,hesaid.Thenextmomentthemasterfacedtheschool.Everyeyesankunderhisgaze.Therewasthatinitwhichsmoteeventheinnocentwithfear.Therewassilencewhileonemightcountten——themasterwasgatheringhiswrath.Thenhespoke:"Whotorethisbook?"
Therewasnotasound.Onecouldhaveheardapindrop.Thestillnesscontinued;themastersearchedfaceafterfaceforsignsofguilt.
"BenjaminRogers,didyoutearthisbook?"
Adenial.Anotherpause.
"JosephHarper,didyou?"
Anotherdenial.Tom"suneasinessgrewmoreandmoreintenseundertheslowtortureoftheseproceedings.Themasterscannedtheranksofboys——consideredawhile,thenturnedtothegirls:
"AmyLawrence?"
Ashakeofthehead.
"GracieMiller?"
Thesamesign.
"SusanHarper,didyoudothis?"
Anothernegative.ThenextgirlwasBeckyThatcher.Tomwastremblingfromheadtofootwithexcitementandasenseofthehopelessnessofthesituation.
"RebeccaThatcher"[Tomglancedatherface——itwaswhitewithterror]——"didyoutear——no,lookmeintheface"[herhandsroseinappeal]——"didyoutearthisbook?"
AthoughtshotlikelightningthroughTom"sbrain.Hesprangtohisfeetandshouted——"Idoneit!"
Theschoolstaredinperplexityatthisincrediblefolly.Tomstoodamoment,togatherhisdismemberedfaculties;andwhenhesteppedforwardtogotohispunishmentthesurprise,thegratitude,theadorationthatshoneuponhimoutofpoorBecky"seyesseemedpayenoughforahundredfloggings.Inspiredbythesplendorofhisownact,hetookwithoutanoutcrythemostmercilessflayingthatevenMr.Dobbinshadeveradministered;andalsoreceivedwithindifferencetheaddedcrueltyofacommandtoremaintwohoursafterschoolshouldbedismissed——forheknewwhowouldwaitforhimoutsidetillhiscaptivitywasdone,andnotcountthetedioustimeasloss,either.
TomwenttobedthatnightplanningvengeanceagainstAlfredTemple;forwithshameandrepentanceBeckyhadtoldhimall,notforgettingherowntreachery;buteventhelongingforvengeancehadtogiveway,soon,topleasantermusings,andhefellasleepatlastwithBecky"slatestwordslingeringdreamilyinhisear——
"Tom,howcouldyoubesonoble!"
CHAPTERXXI
VACATIONwasapproaching.Theschoolmaster,alwayssevere,grewsevererandmoreexactingthanever,forhewantedtheschooltomakeagoodshowingon"Examination"day.Hisrodandhisferulewereseldomidlenow——atleastamongthesmallerpupils.Onlythebiggestboys,andyoungladiesofeighteenandtwenty,escapedlashing.Mr.Dobbins"lashingswereveryvigorousones,too;foralthoughhecarried,underhiswig,aperfectlybaldandshinyhead,hehadonlyreachedmiddleage,andtherewasnosignoffeeblenessinhismuscle.Asthegreatdayapproached,allthetyrannythatwasinhimcametothesurface;heseemedtotakeavindictivepleasureinpunishingtheleastshortcomings.Theconsequencewas,thatthesmallerboysspenttheirdaysinterrorandsufferingandtheirnightsinplottingrevenge.Theythrewawaynoopportunitytodothemasteramischief.Buthekeptaheadallthetime.Theretributionthatfollowedeveryvengefulsuccesswassosweepingandmajesticthattheboysalwaysretiredfromthefieldbadlyworsted.Atlasttheyconspiredtogetherandhituponaplanthatpromisedadazzlingvictory.Theysworeinthesign-painter"sboy,toldhimthescheme,andaskedhishelp.Hehadhisownreasonsforbeingdelighted,forthemasterboardedinhisfather"sfamilyandhadgiventheboyamplecausetohatehim.Themaster"swifewouldgoonavisittothecountryinafewdays,andtherewouldbenothingtointerferewiththeplan;themasteralwayspreparedhimselfforgreatoccasionsbygettingprettywellfuddled,andthesign-painter"sboysaidthatwhenthedominiehadreachedtheproperconditiononExaminationEveninghewould"managethething"whilehenappedinhischair;thenhewouldhavehimawakenedattherighttimeandhurriedawaytoschool.
Inthefulnessoftimetheinterestingoccasionarrived.Ateightintheeveningtheschoolhousewasbrilliantlylighted,andadornedwithwreathsandfestoonsoffoliageandflowers.Themastersatthronedinhisgreatchairuponaraisedplatform,withhisblackboardbehindhim.Hewaslookingtolerablymellow.Threerowsofbenchesoneachsideandsixrowsinfrontofhimwereoccupiedbythedignitariesofthetownandbytheparentsofthepupils.Tohisleft,backoftherowsofcitizens,wasaspacioustemporaryplatformuponwhichwereseatedthescholarswhoweretotakepartintheexercisesoftheevening;rowsofsmallboys,washedanddressedtoanintolerablestateofdiscomfort;rowsofgawkybigboys;snowbanksofgirlsandyoungladiescladinlawnandmuslinandconspicuouslyconsciousoftheirbarearms,theirgrandmothers"ancienttrinkets,theirbitsofpinkandblueribbonandtheflowersintheirhair.Alltherestofthehousewasfilledwithnon-participatingscholars.
Theexercisesbegan.Averylittleboystoodupandsheepishlyrecited,"You"dscarceexpectoneofmyagetospeakinpubliconthestage,"etc——accompanyinghimselfwiththepainfullyexactandspasmodicgestureswhichamachinemighthaveused——supposingthemachinetobeatrifleoutoforder.Buthegotthroughsafely,thoughcruellyscared,andgotafineroundofapplausewhenhemadehismanufacturedbowandretired.
Alittleshamefacedgirllisped,"Maryhadalittlelamb,"etc.,performedacompassion-inspiringcurtsy,gothermeedofapplause,andsatdownflushedandhappy.
TomSawyersteppedforwardwithconceitedconfidenceandsoaredintotheunquenchableandindestructible"Givemelibertyorgivemedeath"speech,withfinefuryandfranticgesticulation,andbrokedowninthemiddleofit.Aghastlystage-frightseizedhim,hislegsquakedunderhimandhewasliketochoke.True,hehadthemanifestsympathyofthehousebuthehadthehouse"ssilence,too,whichwasevenworsethanitssympathy.Themasterfrowned,andthiscompletedthedisaster.Tomstruggledawhileandthenretired,utterlydefeated.Therewasaweakattemptatapplause,butitdiedearly.
"TheBoyStoodontheBurningDeck"followed;also"TheAssyrianCameDown,"andotherdeclamatorygems.Thentherewerereadingexercises,andaspellingfight.ThemeagreLatinclassrecitedwithhonor.Theprimefeatureoftheeveningwasinorder,now——original"compositions"bytheyoungladies.Eachinherturnsteppedforwardtotheedgeoftheplatform,clearedherthroat,helduphermanuscript(tiedwithdaintyribbon),andproceededtoread,withlaboredattentionto"expression"andpunctuation.Thethemeswerethesamethathadbeenilluminateduponsimilaroccasionsbytheirmothersbeforethem,theirgrandmothers,anddoubtlessalltheirancestorsinthefemalelineclearbacktotheCrusades."Friendship"wasone;"MemoriesofOtherDays";"ReligioninHistory";"DreamLand";"TheAdvantagesofCulture";"FormsofPoliticalGovernmentComparedandContrasted";"Melancholy";"FilialLove";"HeartLongings,"etc.,etc.
Aprevalentfeatureinthesecompositionswasanursedandpettedmelancholy;anotherwasawastefulandopulentgushof"finelanguage";anotherwasatendencytoluginbytheearsparticularlyprizedwordsandphrasesuntiltheywerewornentirelyout;andapeculiaritythatconspicuouslymarkedandmarredthemwastheinveterateandintolerablesermonthatwaggeditscrippledtailattheendofeachandeveryoneofthem.Nomatterwhatthesubjectmightbe,abrain-rackingeffortwasmadetosquirmitintosomeaspectorotherthatthemoralandreligiousmindcouldcontemplatewithedification.Theglaringinsincerityofthesesermonswasnotsufficienttocompassthebanishmentofthefashionfromtheschools,anditisnotsufficientto-day;itneverwillbesufficientwhiletheworldstands,perhaps.Thereisnoschoolinallourlandwheretheyoungladiesdonotfeelobligedtoclosetheircompositionswithasermon;andyouwillfindthatthesermonofthemostfrivolousandtheleastreligiousgirlintheschoolisalwaysthelongestandthemostrelentlesslypious.Butenoughofthis.Homelytruthisunpalatable.
Letusreturntothe"Examination."Thefirstcompositionthatwasreadwasoneentitled"Isthis,then,Life?"Perhapsthereadercanendureanextractfromit:
"Inthecommonwalksoflife,withwhatdelightfulemotionsdoestheyouthfulmindlookforwardtosomeanticipatedsceneoffestivity!Imaginationisbusysketchingrose-tintedpicturesofjoy.Infancy,thevoluptuousvotaryoffashionseesherselfamidthefestivethrong,"theobservedofallobservers."Hergracefulform,arrayedinsnowyrobes,iswhirlingthroughthemazesofthejoyousdance;hereyeisbrightest,herstepislightestinthegayassembly.