PREFACE
MOSToftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred;oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown,therestthoseofboyswhowereschoolmatesofmine.HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife;TomSawyeralso,butnotfromanindividual——heisacombinationofthecharacteristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew,andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofarchitecture.
TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory——thatistosay,thirtyorfortyyearsago.
Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount,forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin.
THEAUTHOR.
HARTFORD,1876.
CHAPTERI
\"TOM!\"
Noanswer.
\"TOM!\"
Noanswer.
\"What\'sgonewiththatboy,Iwonder?YouTOM!\"
Noanswer.
Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom;thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem.Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor\"style,\"notservice——shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstove-lidsjustaswell.Shelookedperplexedforamoment,andthensaid,notfiercely,butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear:
\"Well,IlayifIgetholdofyouI\'ll——\"
Shedidnotfinish,forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunchingunderthebedwiththebroom,andsosheneededbreathtopunctuatethepuncheswith.Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat.
\"Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy!\"
Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand\"jimpson\"weedsthatconstitutedthegarden.NoTom.Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistanceandshouted:
\"Y-o-u-uTom!\"
Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundaboutandarresthisflight.
\"There!Imight\'athoughtofthatcloset.Whatyoubeendoinginthere?\"
\"Nothing.\"
\"Nothing!Lookatyourhands.Andlookatyourmouth.Whatisthattruck?\"
\"Idon\'tknow,aunt.\"
\"Well,Iknow.It\'sjam——that\'swhatitis.FortytimesI\'vesaidifyoudidn\'tletthatjamaloneI\'dskinyou.Handmethatswitch.\"
Theswitchhoveredintheair——theperilwasdesperate——
\"My!Lookbehindyou,aunt!\"
Theoldladywhirledround,andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdanger.Theladfledontheinstant,scrambledupthehighboard-fence,anddisappearedoverit.
HisauntPollystoodsurprisedamoment,andthenbrokeintoagentlelaugh.
\"Hangtheboy,can\'tIneverlearnanything?Ain\'theplayedmetricksenoughlikethatformetobelookingoutforhimbythistime?Butoldfoolsisthebiggestfoolsthereis.Can\'tlearnanolddognewtricks,asthesayingis.Butmygoodness,heneverplaysthemalike,twodays,andhowisabodytoknowwhat\'scoming?He\'pearstoknowjusthowlonghecantormentmebeforeIgetmydanderup,andheknowsifhecanmakeouttoputmeoffforaminuteormakemelaugh,it\'salldownagainandIcan\'thithimalick.Iain\'tdoingmydutybythatboy,andthat\'stheLord\'struth,goodnessknows.Sparetherodandspilethechild,astheGoodBooksays.I\'malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth,Iknow.He\'sfulloftheOldScratch,butlaws-a-me!
he\'smyowndeadsister\'sboy,poorthing,andIain\'tgotthehearttolashhim,somehow.EverytimeIlethimoff,myconsciencedoeshurtmeso,andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks.Well-a-well,manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays,andIreckonit\'sso.He\'llplayhookeythisevening,*and[*Southwesternfor\"afternoon\"]I\'lljustbeobleegedtomakehimwork,to-morrow,topunishhim.It\'smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays,whenalltheboysishavingholiday,buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse,andI\'vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim,orI\'llbetheruinationofthechild.\"
Tomdidplayhookey,andhehadaverygoodtime.HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim,thesmallcoloredboy,sawnext-day\'swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper——atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree-fourthsofthework.Tom\'syoungerbrother(orratherhalf-brother)Sidwasalreadythroughwithhispartofthework(pickingupchips),forhewasaquietboy,andhadnoadventurous,troublesomeways.
WhileTomwaseatinghissupper,andstealingsugarasopportunityoffered,AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile,andverydeep——forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingrevealments.Likemanyothersimple-heartedsouls,itwasherpetvanitytobelieveshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdiplomacy,andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning.Saidshe:
\"Tom,itwasmiddlingwarminschool,warn\'tit?\"
\"Yes\'m.\"
\"Powerfulwarm,warn\'tit?\"
\"Yes\'m.\"
\"Didn\'tyouwanttogoina-swimming,Tom?\"
AbitofascareshotthroughTom——atouchofuncomfortablesuspicion.HesearchedAuntPolly\'sface,butittoldhimnothing.Sohesaid:
\"No\'m——well,notverymuch.\"
TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom\'sshirt,andsaid:
\"Butyouain\'ttoowarmnow,though.\"Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutanybodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind.Butinspiteofher,Tomknewwherethewindlay,now.Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove:
\"Someofuspumpedonourheads——mine\'sdampyet.See?\"
AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircumstantialevidence,andmissedatrick.Thenshehadanewinspiration:
\"Tom,youdidn\'thavetoundoyourshirtcollarwhereIsewedit,topumponyourhead,didyou?Unbuttonyourjacket!\"
ThetroublevanishedoutofTom\'sface.Heopenedhisjacket.Hisshirtcollarwassecurelysewed.
\"Bother!Well,go\'longwithyou.I\'dmadesureyou\'dplayedhookeyandbeena-swimming.ButIforgiveye,Tom.Ireckonyou\'reakindofasingedcat,asthesayingis——better\'nyoulook.Thistime.\"
Shewashalfsorryhersagacityhadmiscarried,andhalfgladthatTomhadstumbledintoobedientconductforonce.
ButSidneysaid:
\"Well,now,ifIdidn\'tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread,butit\'sblack.\"
\"Why,Ididsewitwithwhite!Tom!\"
ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest.Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid:
\"Siddy,I\'lllickyouforthat.\"
InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwerethrustintothelapelsofhisjacket,andhadthreadboundaboutthem——oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack.Hesaid:
\"She\'dnevernoticedifithadn\'tbeenforSid.Confoundit!sometimesshesewsitwithwhite,andsometimesshesewsitwithblack.Iwishtogeeminyshe\'dsticktooneort\'other——Ican\'tkeeptherunof\'em.ButIbetyouI\'lllamSidforthat.I\'lllearnhim!\"
HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage.Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough——andloathedhim.
Withintwominutes,orevenless,hehadforgottenallhistroubles.Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman\'saretoaman,butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime——justasmen\'smisfortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenterprises.Thisnewinterestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling,whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro,andhewassufferingtopractiseitundisturbed.Itconsistedinapeculiarbird-liketurn,asortofliquidwarble,producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic——thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy.Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit,andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude.Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdiscoveredanewplanet——nodoubt,asfarasstrong,deep,unalloyedpleasureisconcerned,theadvantagewaswiththeboy,nottheastronomer.
Thesummereveningswerelong.Itwasnotdark,yet.PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle.Astrangerwasbeforehim——aboyashadelargerthanhimself.Anew-comerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt.Petersburg.Thisboywaswelldressed,too——welldressedonaweek-day.Thiswassimplyastounding.Hiscapwasadaintything,hisclosebuttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty,andsowerehispantaloons.Hehadshoeson——anditwasonlyFriday.Heevenworeanecktie,abrightbitofribbon.HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom\'svitals.ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel,thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow.Neitherboyspoke.Ifonemoved,theothermoved——butonlysidewise,inacircle;theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime.FinallyTomsaid:
\"Icanlickyou!\"
\"I\'dliketoseeyoutryit.\"
\"Well,Icandoit.\"
\"Noyoucan\'t,either.\"
\"YesIcan.\"
\"Noyoucan\'t.\"
\"Ican.\"
\"Youcan\'t.\"
\"Can!\"
\"Can\'t!\"
Anuncomfortablepause.ThenTomsaid:
\"What\'syourname?\"
\"\'Tisn\'tanyofyourbusiness,maybe.\"
\"WellI\'lowI\'llmakeitmybusiness.\"
\"Wellwhydon\'tyou?\"
\"Ifyousaymuch,Iwill.\"
\"Much——much——MUCH.Therenow.\"
\"Oh,youthinkyou\'remightysmart,don\'tyou?Icouldlickyouwithonehandtiedbehindme,ifIwantedto.\"
\"Wellwhydon\'tyoudoit?Yousayyoucandoit.\"
\"WellIwill,ifyoufoolwithme.\"
\"Ohyes——I\'veseenwholefamiliesinthesamefix.\"
\"Smarty!Youthinkyou\'resome,now,don\'tyou?Oh,whatahat!\"
\"Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon\'tlikeit.Idareyoutoknockitoff——andanybodythat\'lltakeadarewillsuckeggs.\"
\"You\'realiar!\"
\"You\'reanother.\"
\"You\'reafightingliaranddasn\'ttakeitup.\"
\"Aw——takeawalk!\"
\"Say——ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI\'lltakeandbouncearockoff\'nyourhead.\"
\"Oh,ofcourseyouwill.\"
\"WellIwill.\"
\"Wellwhydon\'tyoudoitthen?Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor?Whydon\'tyoudoit?It\'sbecauseyou\'reafraid.\"
\"Iain\'tafraid.\"
\"Youare.\"
\"Iain\'t.\"
\"Youare.\"
Anotherpause,andmoreeyingandsidlingaroundeachother.Presentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder.Tomsaid:
\"Getawayfromhere!\"
\"Goawayyourself!\"
\"Iwon\'t.\"
\"Iwon\'teither.\"
Sotheystood,eachwithafootplacedatanangleasabrace,andbothshovingwithmightandmain,andgloweringateachotherwithhate.Butneithercouldgetanadvantage.Afterstrugglingtillbothwerehotandflushed,eachrelaxedhisstrainwithwatchfulcaution,andTomsaid:
\"You\'reacowardandapup.I\'lltellmybigbrotheronyou,andhecanthrashyouwithhislittlefinger,andI\'llmakehimdoit,too.\"
\"WhatdoIcareforyourbigbrother?I\'vegotabrotherthat\'sbiggerthanheis——andwhat\'smore,hecanthrowhimoverthatfence,too.\"[Bothbrotherswereimaginary.]
\"That\'salie.\"
\"Yoursayingsodon\'tmakeitso.\"
Tomdrewalineinthedustwithhisbigtoe,andsaid:
\"Idareyoutostepoverthat,andI\'lllickyoutillyoucan\'tstandup.Anybodythat\'lltakeadarewillstealsheep.\"
Thenewboysteppedoverpromptly,andsaid:
\"Nowyousaidyou\'ddoit,nowlet\'sseeyoudoit.\"
\"Don\'tyoucrowdmenow;youbetterlookout.\"
\"Well,yousaidyou\'ddoit——whydon\'tyoudoit?\"
\"Byjingo!fortwocentsIwilldoit.\"
Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision.Tomstruckthemtotheground.Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt,grippedtogetherlikecats;andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother\'shairandclothes,punchedandscratchedeachother\'snose,andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory.Presentlytheconfusiontookform,andthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared,seatedastridethenewboy,andpoundinghimwithhisfists.\"Holler\'nuff!\"saidhe.
Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself.Hewascrying——mainlyfromrage.
\"Holler\'nuff!\"——andthepoundingwenton.
Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered\"\'Nuff!\"andTomlethimupandsaid:
\"Nowthat\'lllearnyou.Betterlookoutwhoyou\'refoolingwithnexttime.\"
Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes,sobbing,snuffling,andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe\"nexttimehecaughthimout.\"TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers,andstartedoffinhighfeather,andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone,threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope.Tomchasedthetraitorhome,andthusfoundoutwherehelived.Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime,daringtheenemytocomeoutside,buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined.Atlasttheenemy\'smotherappeared,andcalledTomabad,vicious,vulgarchild,andorderedhimaway.Sohewentaway;buthesaidhe\"\'lowed\"to\"lay\"forthatboy.
Hegothomeprettylatethatnight,andwhenheclimbedcautiouslyinatthewindow,heuncoveredanambuscade,inthepersonofhisaunt;andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness.
CHAPTERII
SATURDAYmorningwascome,andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh,andbrimmingwithlife.Therewasasongineveryheart;andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips.Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep.Thelocust-treeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair.CardiffHill,beyondthevillageandaboveit,wasgreenwithvegetationanditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand,dreamy,reposeful,andinviting.
Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong-handledbrush.Hesurveyedthefence,andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit.Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh.Lifetohimseemedhollow,andexistencebutaburden.Sighing,hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank;repeatedtheoperation;diditagain;comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar-reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence,andsatdownonatree-boxdiscouraged.Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail,andsinging~BuffaloGals.BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom\'seyes,before,butnowitdidnotstrikehimso.Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump.White,mulatto,andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns,resting,tradingplaythings,quarrelling,fighting,skylarking.Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahundredandfiftyyardsoff,Jimnevergotbackwithabucketofwaterunderanhour——andeventhensomebodygenerallyhadtogoafterhim.Tomsaid:
\"Say,Jim,I\'llfetchthewaterifyou\'llwhitewashsome.\"
Jimshookhisheadandsaid:
\"Can\'t,MarsTom.Olemissis,shetolemeIgottogoan\'gitdiswateran\'notstopfoolin\'roun\'widanybody.Shesayshespec\'MarsTomgwinetoaxmetowhitewash,an\'soshetolemego\'longan\'\'tendtomyownbusiness——she\'lowedshe\'d\'tendtodewhitewashin\'.\"
\"Oh,neveryoumindwhatshesaid,Jim.That\'sthewayshealwaystalks.Gimmethebucket——Iwon\'tbegoneonlyaaminute.SHEwon\'teverknow.\"
\"Oh,Idasn\'t,MarsTom.Olemississhe\'dtakean\'tardeheadoff\'nme.\'Deedshewould.\"
\"She!Sheneverlicksanybody——whacks\'emovertheheadwithherthimble——andwhocaresforthat,I\'dliketoknow.Shetalksawful,buttalkdon\'thurt——anywaysitdon\'tifshedon\'tcry.Jim,I\'llgiveyouamarvel.I\'llgiveyouawhitealley!\"
Jimbegantowaver.
\"Whitealley,Jim!Andit\'sabullytaw.\"
\"My!Dat\'samightygaymarvel,Itellyou!ButMarsTomI\'spowerful\'fraidolemissis——\"
\"Andbesides,ifyouwillI\'llshowyoumysoretoe.\"
Jimwasonlyhuman——thisattractionwastoomuchforhim.Heputdownhispail,tookthewhitealley,andbentoverthetoewithabsorbinginterestwhilethebandagewasbeingunwound.Inanothermomenthewasflyingdownthestreetwithhispailandatinglingrear,Tomwaswhitewashingwithvigor,andAuntPollywasretiringfromthefieldwithaslipperinherhandandtriumphinhereye.ButTom\'senergydidnotlast.Hebegantothinkofthefunhehadplannedforthisday,andhissorrowsmultiplied.Soonthefreeboyswouldcometrippingalongonallsortsofdeliciousexpeditions,andtheywouldmakeaworldoffunofhimforhavingtowork——theverythoughtofitburnthimlikefire.Hegotouthisworldlywealthandexaminedit——bitsoftoys,marbles,andtrash;enoughtobuyanexchangeofWORK,maybe,butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom.Sohereturnedhisstraitenedmeanstohispocket,andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys.Atthisdarkandhopelessmomentaninspirationburstuponhim!Nothinglessthanagreat,magnificentinspiration.
Hetookuphisbrushandwenttranquillytowork.BenRogershoveinsightpresently——theveryboy,ofallboys,whoseridiculehehadbeendreading.Ben\'sgaitwasthehop-skip-and-jump——proofenoughthathisheartwaslightandhisanticipationshigh.Hewaseatinganapple,andgivingalong,melodiouswhoop,atintervals,followedbyadeep-tonedding-dong-dong,ding-dong-dong,forhewaspersonatingasteamboat.Ashedrewnear,heslackenedspeed,tookthemiddleofthestreet,leanedfarovertostar-boardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithlaboriouspompandcircumstance——forhewaspersonatingtheBigmissouri,andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater.Hewasboatandcaptainandengine-bellscombined,sohehadtoimaginehimselfstandingonhisownhurricane-deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem:
\"Stopher,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"Theheadwayranalmostout,andhedrewupslowlytowardthesidewalk.
\"Shipuptoback!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"Hisarmsstraightenedandstiffeneddownhissides.
\"Setherbackonthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow!ch-chow-wow!Chow!\"Hisrighthand,meantime,describingstatelycircles——foritwasrepresentingaforty-footwheel.
\"Lethergobackonthelabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ch-chow-chow!\"Thelefthandbegantodescribecircles.
\"Stopthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Stopthelabboard!Comeaheadonthestabboard!Stopher!Letyouroutsideturnoverslow!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ow-ow!Getoutthathead-line!livelynow!Come——outwithyourspring-line——what\'reyouaboutthere!Takeaturnroundthatstumpwiththebightofit!Standbythatstage,now——lethergo!Donewiththeengines,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"
\"Sh\'t!s\'h\'t!sh\'t!\"(tryingthegauge-cocks).
Tomwentonwhitewashing——paidnoattentiontothesteamboat.Benstaredamomentandthensaid:\"Hi-Yi!you\'reupastump,ain\'tyou!\"
Noanswer.Tomsurveyedhislasttouchwiththeeyeofanartist,thenhegavehisbrushanothergentlesweepandsurveyedtheresult,asbefore.Benrangedupalongsideofhim.Tom\'smouthwateredfortheapple,buthestucktohiswork.Bensaid:
\"Hello,oldchap,yougottowork,hey?\"
Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid:
\"Why,it\'syou,Ben!Iwarn\'tnoticing.\"
\"Say——I\'mgoingina-swimming,Iam.Don\'tyouwishyoucould?Butofcourseyou\'ddrutherwork——wouldn\'tyou?Courseyouwould!\"
Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit,andsaid:
\"Whatdoyoucallwork?\"
\"Why,ain\'tthatwork?\"
Tomresumedhiswhitewashing,andansweredcarelessly:
\"Well,maybeitis,andmaybeitain\'t.AllIknow,is,itsuitsTomSawyer.\"
\"Ohcome,now,youdon\'tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit?\"
Thebrushcontinuedtomove.
\"Likeit?Well,Idon\'tseewhyIoughtn\'ttolikeit.Doesaboygetachancetowhitewashafenceeveryday?\"
Thatputthethinginanewlight.Benstoppednibblinghisapple.Tomswepthisbrushdaintilybackandforth——steppedbacktonotetheeffect——addedatouchhereandthere——criticisedtheeffectagain——Benwatchingeverymoveandgettingmoreandmoreinterested,moreandmoreabsorbed.Presentlyhesaid:
\"Say,Tom,letmewhitewashalittle.\"
Tomconsidered,wasabouttoconsent;buthealteredhismind:
\"No——no——Ireckonitwouldn\'thardlydo,Ben.Yousee,AuntPolly\'sawfulparticularaboutthisfence——righthereonthestreet,youknow——butifitwasthebackfenceIwouldn\'tmindandshewouldn\'t.Yes,she\'sawfulparticularaboutthisfence;it\'sgottobedoneverycareful;Ireckonthereain\'toneboyinathousand,maybetwothousand,thatcandoitthewayit\'sgottobedone.\"
\"No——isthatso?Ohcome,now——lemmejusttry.Onlyjustalittle——I\'dletyou,ifyouwasme,Tom.\"
\"Ben,I\'dliketo,honestinjun;butAuntPolly——well,Jimwantedtodoit,butshewouldn\'tlethim;Sidwantedtodoit,andshewouldn\'tletSid.Nowdon\'tyouseehowI\'mfixed?Ifyouwastotacklethisfenceandanythingwastohappentoit——\"
\"Oh,shucks,I\'llbejustascareful.Nowlemmetry.Say——I\'llgiveyouthecoreofmyapple.\"
\"Well,here——No,Ben,nowdon\'t.I\'mafeard——\"
\"I\'llgiveyouallofit!\"
Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisface,butalacrityinhisheart.AndwhilethelatesteamerBigMissouriworkedandsweatedinthesun,theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby,dangledhislegs,munchedhisapple,andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinnocents.Therewasnolackofmaterial;boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile;theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash.BythetimeBenwasfaggedout,TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite,ingoodrepair;andwhenheplayedout,JohnnyMillerboughtinforadeadratandastringtoswingitwith——andsoon,andsoon,hourafterhour.Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame,frombeingapoorpoverty-strickenboyinthemorning,Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth.Hehadbesidesthethingsbeforementioned,twelvemarbles,partofajews-harp,apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,aspoolcannon,akeythatwouldn\'tunlockanything,afragmentofchalk,aglassstopperofadecanter,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,akittenwithonlyoneeye,abrassdoorknob,adog-collar——butnodog——thehandleofaknife,fourpiecesoforange-peel,andadilapidatedoldwindowsash.
Hehadhadanice,good,idletimeallthewhile——plentyofcompany——andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit!Ifhehadn\'trunoutofwhitewashhewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage.
Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld,afterall.Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction,withoutknowingit——namely,thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing,itisonlynecessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain.Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher,likethewriterofthisbook,hewouldnowhavecomprehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo,andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo.Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorperformingonatread-milliswork,whilerollingten-pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement.TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour-horsepassenger-coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline,inthesummer,becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney;butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice,thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign.
Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances,andthenwendedtowardheadquarterstoreport.
CHAPTERIII
TOMpresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbedroom,breakfast-room,dining-room,andlibrary,combined.Thebalmysummerair,therestfulquiet,theodoroftheflowers,andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect,andshewasnoddingoverherknitting——forshehadnocompanybutthecat,anditwasasleepinherlap.Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety.ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago,andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway.Hesaid:\"Mayn\'tIgoandplaynow,aunt?\"
\"What,a\'ready?Howmuchhaveyoudone?\"
\"It\'salldone,aunt.\"
\"Tom,don\'tlietome——Ican\'tbearit.\"
\"Iain\'t,aunt;itisalldone.\"
AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence.Shewentouttoseeforherself;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent.ofTom\'sstatementtrue.Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed,andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated,andevenastreakaddedtotheground,herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable.Shesaid:
\"Well,Inever!There\'snogettingroundit,youcanworkwhenyou\'reamindto,Tom.\"Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding,\"Butit\'spowerfulseldomyou\'reamindto,I\'mboundtosay.Well,go\'longandplay;butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek,orI\'lltanyou.\"
Shewassoovercomebythesplendorofhisachievementthatshetookhimintotheclosetandselectedachoiceappleanddeliveredittohim,alongwithanimprovinglectureupontheaddedvalueandflavoratreattooktoitselfwhenitcamewithoutsinthroughvirtuouseffort.AndwhilesheclosedwithahappyScripturalflourish,he\"hooked\"adoughnut.
Thenheskippedout,andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor.Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling.TheyragedaroundSidlikeahail-storm;andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersurprisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue,sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect,andTomwasoverthefenceandgone.Therewasagate,butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit.Hissoulwasatpeace,nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble.
Tomskirtedtheblock,andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt\'scow-stable.Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment,andhastenedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage,wheretwo\"military\"companiesofboyshadmetforconflict,accordingtopreviousappointment.TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies,JoeHarper(abosomfriend)Generaloftheother.Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcondescendtofightinperson——thatbeingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry——butsattogetheronaneminenceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides-de-camp.Tom\'sarmywonagreatvictory,afteralongandhard-foughtbattle.Thenthedeadwerecounted,prisonersexchanged,thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreedupon,andthedayforthenecessarybattleappointed;afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway,andTomturnedhomewardalone.
AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived,hesawanewgirlinthegarden——alovelylittleblue-eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolong-tails,whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes.Thefresh-crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot.AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind.Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction;hehadregardedhispassionasadoration;andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality.Hehadbeenmonthswinningher;shehadconfessedhardlyaweekago;hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays,andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone.
Heworshippedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye,tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim;thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent,andbeganto\"showoff\"inallsortsofabsurdboyishways,inordertowinheradmiration.Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolishnessforsometime;butby-and-by,whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances,heglancedasideandsawthatthelittlegirlwaswendingherwaytowardthehouse.Tomcameuptothefenceandleanedonit,grieving,andhopingshewouldtarryyetawhilelonger.Shehaltedamomentonthestepsandthenmovedtowardthedoor.Tomheavedagreatsighassheputherfootonthethreshold.Buthisfacelitup,rightaway,forshetossedapansyoverthefenceamomentbeforeshedisappeared.
Theboyranaroundandstoppedwithinafootortwooftheflower,andthenshadedhiseyeswithhishandandbegantolookdownstreetasifhehaddiscoveredsomethingofinterestgoingoninthatdirection.Presentlyhepickedupastrawandbegantryingtobalanceitonhisnose,withhisheadtiltedfarback;andashemovedfromsidetoside,inhisefforts,heedgednearerandnearertowardthepansy;finallyhisbarefootresteduponit,hisplianttoescloseduponit,andhehoppedawaywiththetreasureanddisappearedroundthecorner.Butonlyforaminute——onlywhilehecouldbuttontheflowerinsidehisjacket,nexthisheart——ornexthisstomach,possibly,forhewasnotmuchpostedinanatomy,andnothypercritical,anyway.
Hereturned,now,andhungaboutthefencetillnightfall,\"showingoff,\"asbefore;butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain,thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow,meantime,andbeenawareofhisattentions.Finallyhestrodehomereluctantly,withhispoorheadfullofvisions.
Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered\"whathadgotintothechild.\"HetookagoodscoldingaboutcloddingSid,anddidnotseemtominditintheleast.Hetriedtostealsugarunderhisaunt\'sverynose,andgothisknucklesrappedforit.Hesaid:
\"Aunt,youdon\'twhackSidwhenhetakesit.\"
\"Well,Siddon\'ttormentabodythewayyoudo.You\'dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn\'twatchingyou.\"
Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen,andSid,happyinhisimmunity,reachedforthesugar-bowl——asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswellnighunbearable.ButSid\'sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke.Tomwasinecstasies.Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent.Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword,evenwhenhisauntcamein,butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief;andthenhewouldtell,andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastoseethatpetmodel\"catchit.\"Hewassobrimfulofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhimselfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarginglightningsofwrathfromoverherspectacles.Hesaidtohimself,\"Nowit\'scoming!\"Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor!ThepotentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout:
\"Holdon,now,what\'eryoubeltingmefor?——Sidbrokeit!\"
AuntPollypaused,perplexed,andTomlookedforhealingpity.Butwhenshegothertongueagain,sheonlysaid:
\"Umf!Well,youdidn\'tgetalickamiss,Ireckon.YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn\'taround,likeenough.\"
Thenherconsciencereproachedher,andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving;butshejudgedthatthiswouldbeconstruedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong,anddisciplineforbadethat.Soshekeptsilence,andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart.Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes.Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim,andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit.Hewouldhangoutnosignals,hewouldtakenoticeofnone.Heknewthatayearningglancefelluponhim,nowandthen,throughafilmoftears,butherefusedrecognitionofit.Hepicturedhimselflyingsickuntodeathandhisauntbendingoverhimbeseechingonelittleforgivingword,buthewouldturnhisfacetothewall,anddiewiththatwordunsaid.Ah,howwouldshefeelthen?Andhepicturedhimselfbroughthomefromtheriver,dead,withhiscurlsallwet,andhissoreheartatrest.Howshewouldthrowherselfuponhim,andhowhertearswouldfalllikerain,andherlipsprayGodtogiveherbackherboyandshewouldnever,neverabusehimanymore!Buthewouldlietherecoldandwhiteandmakenosign——apoorlittlesufferer,whosegriefswereatanend.Hesoworkeduponhisfeelingswiththepathosofthesedreams,thathehadtokeepswallowing,hewassoliketochoke;andhiseyesswaminablurofwater,whichoverflowedwhenhewinked,andrandownandtrickledfromtheendofhisnose.Andsuchaluxurytohimwasthispettingofhissorrows,thathecouldnotbeartohaveanyworldlycheerinessoranygratingdelightintrudeuponit;itwastoosacredforsuchcontact;andso,presently,whenhiscousinMarydancedin,allalivewiththejoyofseeinghomeagainafteranage-longvisitofoneweektothecountry,hegotupandmovedincloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother.
Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdesolateplacesthatwereinharmonywithhisspirit.Alograftintheriverinvitedhim,andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcontemplatedthedrearyvastnessofthestream,wishing,thewhile,thathecouldonlybedrowned,allatonceandunconsciously,withoutundergoingtheuncomfortableroutinedevisedbynature.Thenhethoughtofhisflower.Hegotitout,rumpledandwilted,anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity.Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew?Wouldshecry,andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcomforthim?Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld?Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights,tillheworeitthreadbare.Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness.
Abouthalf-pastnineorteno\'clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived;hepausedamoment;nosoundfelluponhislisteningear;acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond-storywindow.Wasthesacredpresencethere?Heclimbedthefence,threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants,tillhestoodunderthatwindow;helookedupatitlong,andwithemotion;thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit,disposinghimselfuponhisback,withhishandsclaspeduponhisbreastandholdinghispoorwiltedflower.Andthushewoulddie——outinthecoldworld,withnoshelteroverhishomelesshead,nofriendlyhandtowipethedeath-dampsfromhisbrow,nolovingfacetobendpityinglyoverhimwhenthegreatagonycame.Andthusshewouldseehimwhenshelookedoutuponthegladmorning,andoh!wouldshedroponelittletearuponhispoor,lifelessform,wouldsheheaveonelittlesightoseeabrightyounglifesorudelyblighted,sountimelycutdown?
