第5章

"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。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter19CHAPTERXIXTOMarrivedathomeinadrearymood，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，IwouldbethethankfullestsoulinthisworldifI

couldbelieveyoueverhadasgoodathoughtasthat，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，andI

couldn’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！"

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter20CHAPTERXXTHEREwassomethingaboutAuntPolly’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！"

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter21CHAPTERXXIVACATIONwasapproaching。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。

"Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby，andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld，ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams。Howfairy—likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision！Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast。Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior，allisvanity，theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul，nowgratesharshlyuponherear；theball—roomhaslostitscharms；andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart，sheturnsawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul！"

Andsoforthandsoon。Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading，accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof"Howsweet！""Howeloquent！""Sotrue！"etc。，andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic。

Thenaroseaslim，melancholygirl，whosefacehadthe"interesting"

palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion，andreada"poem。"Twostanzasofitwilldo：

"AMISSOURIMAIDEN’SFAREWELLTOALABAMA"Alabama，good—bye！Ilovetheewell！ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow！Sad，yes，sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell，Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow！ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods；HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa’sstream；HavelistenedtoTallassee’swarringfloods，AndwooedonCoosa’ssideAurora’sbeam。"YetshameInottobearano’er—fullheart，Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes；’TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart，’TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs。WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState，WhosevalesIleave——whosespiresfadefastfrommeAndcoldmustbemineeyes，andheart，andtê；te，When，dearAlabama！theyturncoldonthee！"Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat"tê；te"meant，butthepoemwasverysatisfactory，nevertheless。

Nextappearedadark—complexioned，black—eyed，black—hairedyounglady，whopausedanimpressivemoment，assumedatragicexpression，andbegantoreadinameasured，solemntone：

"AVISION

"Darkandtempestuouswasnight。Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered；butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear；whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven，seemingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin！Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes，andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene。

"Atsuchatime，sodark，sodreary，forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed；butinsteadthereof，"’Mydearestfriend，mycounsellor，mycomforterandguideMyjoyingrief，mysecondblissinjoy，’cametomyside。Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy’sEdenbytheromanticandyoung，aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness。Sosoftwasherstep，itfailedtomakeevenasound，andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch，asotherunobtrusivebeauties，shewouldhaveglidedawayun—perceived——unsought。Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures，likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember，asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout，andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented。"

Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon—Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize。Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening。Themayorofthevillage，indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit，madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost"eloquent"thinghehadeverlistenedto，andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit。

Itmayberemarked，inpassing，thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword"beauteous"wasover—fondled，andhumanexperiencereferredtoas"life’spage，"wasuptotheusualaverage。

Nowthemaster，mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality，puthischairaside，turnedhisbacktotheaudience，andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard，toexercisethegeographyclassupon。Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand，andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse。Heknewwhatthematterwas，andsethimselftorightit。Hespongedoutlinesandremadethem；butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever，andthetitteringwasmorepronounced。Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork，now，asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth。Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim；heimaginedhewassucceeding，andyetthetitteringcontinued；itevenmanifestlyincreased。

Andwellitmight。Therewasagarretabove，piercedwithascuttleoverhishead；anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat，suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring；shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing；assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring，sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair。Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher——thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher’shead——down，down，alittlelower，andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws，clungtoit，andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession！Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster’sbaldpate——forthesign—painter’sboyhadgildedit！

Thatbrokeupthemeeting。Theboyswereavenged。Vacationhadcome。

[NOTE：——Thepretended"compositions"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled"ProseandPoetry，byaWesternLady"——buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern，andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe。]

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter22CHAPTERXXIITOMjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance，beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir"regalia。"Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking，chewing，andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember。Nowhefoundoutanewthing——namely，thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything。Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear；thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder。FourthofJulywascoming；buthesoongavethatup——gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty—eighthours——andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer，justiceofthepeace，whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral，sincehewassohighanofficial。

DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge’sconditionandhungryfornewsofit。Sometimeshishopesranhigh——sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelookingglass。

ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating。Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend——andthenconvalescent。Tomwasdisgusted；andfeltasenseofinjury，too。Hehandedinhisresignationatonce——andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied。Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain。

Thefuneralwasafinething。TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy。Tomwasafreeboyagain，however——

therewassomethinginthat。Hecoulddrinkandswear，now——butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto。Thesimplefactthathecould，tookthedesireaway，andthecharmofit。

Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands。

Heattemptedadiary——butnothinghappenedduringthreedays，andsoheabandonedit。

Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown，andmadeasensation。TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays。

EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure，foritrainedhard，therewasnoprocessioninconsequence，andthegreatestmanintheworld（asTomsupposed），Mr。Benton，anactualUnitedStatesSenator，provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment——forhewasnottwenty—fivefeethigh，norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit。

Acircuscame。Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting——admission，threepinsforboys，twoforgirls——andthencircusingwasabandoned。

Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame——andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever。

Thereweresomeboys—and—girls’parties，buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder。

BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation——sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere。

Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery。Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain。

Thencamethemeasles。

DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner，deadtotheworldanditshappenings。Hewasveryill，hewasinterestedinnothing。Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown—town，amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature。Therehadbeena"revival，"

andeverybodyhad"gotreligion，"notonlytheadults，buteventheboysandgirls。Tomwentabout，hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface，butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere。HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament，andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle。

HesoughtBenRogers，andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts。HehuntedupJimHollis，whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning。Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression；andwhen，indesperation，heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation，hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost，foreverandforever。

Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm，withdrivingrain，awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning。Hecoveredhisheadwiththebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom；

forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim。

Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult。Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery，butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself。

Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject。Theboy’sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful，andreform。Hissecondwastowait——fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms。

Thenextdaythedoctorswereback；Tomhadrelapsed。Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage。Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared，rememberinghowlonelywashisestate，howcompanionlessandforlornhewas。HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder，inthepresenceofhervictim，abird。HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon。

Poorlads！they——likeTom——hadsufferedarelapse。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter23CHAPTERXXIIIATlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred——andvigorously：themurdertrialcameoninthecourt。Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately。Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit。Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart，forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas"feelers"；

hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder，butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip。

Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime。HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim。Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile；todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer。

Moreover，hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet。

"Huck，haveyouevertoldanybodyabout——that？"

"’Boutwhat？"

"Youknowwhat。"

"Oh——’courseIhaven’t。"

"Neveraword？"

"Neverasolitaryword，sohelpme。Whatmakesyouask？"

"Well，Iwasafeard。"

"Why，TomSawyer，wewouldn’tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout。Youknowthat。"

Tomfeltmorecomfortable。Afterapause：

"Huck，theycouldn’tanybodygetyoutotell，couldthey？"

"Getmetotell？Why，ifIwantedthathalf—breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell。Theyain’tnodifferentway。"

"Well，that’sallright，then。Ireckonwe’resafeaslongaswekeepmum。Butlet’sswearagain，anyway。It’smoresurer。"

"I’magreed。"

Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities。

"Whatisthetalkaround，Huck？I’veheardapowerofit。"

"Talk？Well，it’sjustMuffPotter，MuffPotter，MuffPotterallthetime。Itkeepsmeinasweat，constant，so’sIwanttohidesom’ers。"

"That’sjustthesamewaytheygoonroundme。Ireckonhe’sagoner。Don’tyoufeelsorryforhim，sometimes？"

"Mostalways——mostalways。Heain’tnoaccount；butthenhehain’teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody。Justfishesalittle，togetmoneytogetdrunkon——andloafsaroundconsiderable；butlord，wealldothat——leastwaysmostofus——preachersandsuchlike。Buthe’skindofgood——hegivemehalfafish，once，whentherewarn’tenoughfortwo；

andlotsoftimeshe’skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck。"

"Well，he’smendedkitesforme，Huck，andknittedhooksontomyline。Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere。"

"My！wecouldn’tgethimout，Tom。Andbesides，’twouldn’tdoanygood；they’dketchhimagain。"

"Yes——sotheywould。ButIhatetohear’emabusehimsolikethedickenswhenheneverdone——that。"

"Idotoo，Tom。Lord，Ihear’emsayhe’sthebloodiestlookingvillaininthiscountry，andtheywonderhewasn’teverhungbefore。"

"Yes，theytalklikethat，allthetime。I’veheard’emsaythatifhewastogetfreethey’dlynchhim。"

"Andthey’ddoit，too。"

Theboyshadalongtalk，butitbroughtthemlittlecomfort。

Asthetwilightdrewon，theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail，perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties。Butnothinghappened；

thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive。

Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore——wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches。Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards。

Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore——itcutdeeperthanever，thistime。TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid：

"You’vebeenmightygoodtome，boys——better’nanybodyelseinthistown。AndIdon’tforgetit，Idon’t。OftenIsaystomyself，saysI，’Iusedtomendalltheboys’kitesandthings，andshow’emwherethegoodfishin’placeswas，andbefriend’emwhatIcould，andnowthey’veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe’sintrouble；butTomdon’t，andHuckdon’t——theydon’tforgethim，saysI，’andIdon’tforgetthem。’Well，boys，Idoneanawfulthing——drunkandcrazyatthetime——that’stheonlywayIaccountforit——andnowIgottoswingforit，andit’sright。

Right，andbest，too，Ireckon——hopeso，anyway。Well，wewon’ttalkaboutthat。Idon’twanttomakeyoufeelbad；you’vebefriendedme。ButwhatIwanttosay，is，don’tyouevergetdrunk——thenyouwon’tevergethere。Standalitterfurderwest——so——that’sit；

it’saprimecomforttoseefacesthat’sfriendlywhenabody’sinsuchamuckoftrouble，andtheredon’tnonecomeherebutyourn。Goodfriendlyfaces——goodfriendlyfaces。Gitupononeanother’sbacksandletmetouch’em。That’sit。Shakehands——yourn’llcomethroughthebars，butmine’stoobig。Littlehands，andweak——butthey’vehelpedMuffPotterapower，andthey’dhelphimmoreiftheycould。"

Tomwenthomemiserable，andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors。Thenextdayandthedayafter，hehungaboutthecourt—room，drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin，butforcinghimselftostayout。Huckwashavingthesameexperience。Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother。Eachwanderedaway，fromtimetotime，butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently。Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom，butinvariablyhearddistressingnews——thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter。

AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe’sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken，andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury’sverdictwouldbe。

Tomwasoutlate，thatnight，andcametobedthroughthewindow。

Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement。Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep。Allthevillageflockedtothecourt—housethenextmorning，forthiswastobethegreatday。Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience。Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces；shortlyafterward，Potter，paleandhaggard，timidandhopeless，wasbroughtin，withchainsuponhim，andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim；nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe，stolidasever。

Therewasanotherpause，andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt。Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed。Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating。

NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook，atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered，andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway。Aftersomefurtherquestioning，counselfortheprosecutionsaid：

"Takethewitness。"

Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment，butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid：

"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim。"

Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse。

Counselfortheprosecutionsaid：

"Takethewitness。"

"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim，"Potter’slawyerreplied。

AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter’spossession。

"Takethewitness。"

CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim。Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance。Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient’slifewithoutaneffort？

SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter’sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder。Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross—questioned。

Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses，butnoneofthemwerecrossexaminedbyPotter’slawyer。Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench。Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid：

"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion，wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime，beyondallpossibilityofquestion，upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar。Werestourcasehere。"

AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter，andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro，whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt—room。Manymenweremoved，andmanywomen’scompassiontestifieditselfintears。Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid：

"Yourhonor，inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial，weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink。

Wehavechangedourmind。Weshallnotofferthatplea。"[Thentotheclerk：]

"CallThomasSawyer！"

Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse，notevenexceptingPotter’s。EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand。Theboylookedwildenough，forhewasbadlyscared。Theoathwasadministered。

"ThomasSawyer，wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune，aboutthehourofmidnight？"

TomglancedatInjunJoe’sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim。

Theaudiencelistenedbreathless，butthewordsrefusedtocome。Afterafewmoments，however，theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback，andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear：

"Inthegraveyard！"

"Alittlebitlouder，please。Don’tbeafraid。Youwere——"

"Inthegraveyard。"

AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe’sface。

"WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams’grave？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Speakup——justatriflelouder。Hownearwereyou？"

"NearasIamtoyou。"

"Wereyouhidden，ornot？"

"Iwashid。"

"Where？"

"Behindtheelmsthat’sontheedgeofthegrave。"

InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart。

"Anyonewithyou？"

"Yes，sir。Iwenttherewith——"

"Wait——waitamoment。Nevermindmentioningyourcompanion’sname。Wewillproducehimatthepropertime。Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou。"

Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused。

"Speakout，myboy——don’tbediffident。Thetruthisalwaysrespectable。Whatdidyoutakethere？"

"Onlya——a——deadcat。"

Therewasarippleofmirth，whichthecourtchecked。

"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat。Now，myboy，telluseverythingthatoccurred——tellitinyourownway——don’tskipanything，anddon’tbeafraid。"

Tombegan——hesitatinglyatfirst，butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily；inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice；everyeyefixeditselfuponhim；withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords，takingnonoteoftime，raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale。Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid：

"——andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell，InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand——"

Crash！Quickaslightningthehalf—breedsprangforawindow，torehiswaythroughallopposers，andwasgone！

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter24CHAPTERXXIVTOMwasaglitteringherooncemore——thepetoftheold，theenvyoftheyoung。Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint，forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim。ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident，yet，ifheescapedhanging。

Asusual，thefickle，unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore。Butthatsortofconductistotheworld’scredit；thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit。

Tom’sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim，buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror。InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams，andalwayswithdoominhiseye。Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall。PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror，forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial，andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout，yet，notwithstandingInjunJoe’sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt。Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy，butwhatofthat？SinceTom’sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer’shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths，Huck’sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell—nighobliterated。

DailyMuffPotter’sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken；butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue。