Thewindowwentup,amaid-servant\'sdiscordantvoiceprofanedtheholycalm,andadelugeofwaterdrenchedthepronemartyr\'sremains!
Thestranglingherosprangupwitharelievingsnort.Therewasawhizasofamissileintheair,mingledwiththemurmurofacurse,asoundasofshiveringglassfollowed,andasmall,vagueformwentoverthefenceandshotawayinthegloom.
Notlongafter,asTom,allundressedforbed,wassurveyinghisdrenchedgarmentsbythelightofatallowdip,Sidwokeup;butifhehadanydimideaofmakingany\"referencestoallusions,\"hethoughtbetterofitandheldhispeace,fortherewasdangerinTom\'seye.
Tomturnedinwithouttheaddedvexationofprayers,andSidmadementalnoteoftheomission.
CHAPTERIV
THEsunroseuponatranquilworld,andbeameddownuponthepeacefulvillagelikeabenediction.Breakfastover,AuntPollyhadfamilyworship:itbeganwithaprayerbuiltfromthegroundupofsolidcoursesofScripturalquotations,weldedtogetherwithathinmortaroforiginality;andfromthesummitofthisshedeliveredagrimchapteroftheMosaicLaw,asfromSinai.
ThenTomgirdeduphisloins,sotospeak,andwenttoworkto\"gethisverses.\"Sidhadlearnedhislessondaysbefore.Tombentallhisenergiestothememorizingoffiveverses,andhechosepartoftheSermonontheMount,becausehecouldfindnoversesthatwereshorter.AttheendofhalfanhourTomhadavaguegeneralideaofhislesson,butnomore,forhismindwastraversingthewholefieldofhumanthought,andhishandswerebusywithdistractingrecreations.Marytookhisbooktohearhimrecite,andhetriedtofindhiswaythroughthefog:
\"Blessedarethe——a——a——\"
\"Poor\"——
\"Yes——poor;blessedarethepoor——a——a——\"
\"Inspirit——\"
\"Inspirit;blessedarethepoorinspirit,forthey——they——\"
\"Theirs——\"
\"Fortheirs.Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.Blessedaretheythatmourn,forthey——they——\"
\"Sh——\"
\"Forthey——a——\"
\"S,H,A——\"
\"FortheyS,H——Oh,Idon\'tknowwhatitis!\"
\"Shall!\"
\"Oh,shall!fortheyshall——fortheyshall——a——a——shallmourn——a——a——blessedaretheythatshall——theythat——a——theythatshallmourn,fortheyshall——a——shallwhat?Whydon\'tyoutellme,Mary?——whatdoyouwanttobesomeanfor?\"
\"Oh,Tom,youpoorthick-headedthing,I\'mnotteasingyou.Iwouldn\'tdothat.Youmustgoandlearnitagain.Don\'tyoubediscouraged,Tom,you\'llmanageit——andifyoudo,I\'llgiveyousomethingeversonice.There,now,that\'sagoodboy.\"
\"Allright!Whatisit,Mary,tellmewhatitis.\"
\"Neveryoumind,Tom.YouknowifIsayit\'snice,itisnice.\"
\"Youbetyouthat\'sso,Mary.Allright,I\'lltackleitagain.\"
Andhedid\"tackleitagain\"——andunderthedoublepressureofcuriosityandprospectivegainhediditwithsuchspiritthatheaccomplishedashiningsuccess.Marygavehimabrand-new\"Barlow\"knifeworthtwelveandahalfcents;andtheconvulsionofdelightthatswepthissystemshookhimtohisfoundations.True,theknifewouldnotcutanything,butitwasa\"sure-enough\"Barlow,andtherewasinconceivablegrandeurinthat——thoughwheretheWesternboysevergottheideathatsuchaweaponcouldpossiblybecounterfeitedtoitsinjuryisanimposingmysteryandwillalwaysremainso,perhaps.Tomcontrivedtoscarifythecupboardwithit,andwasarrangingtobeginonthebureau,whenhewascalledofftodressforSunday-school.
Marygavehimatinbasinofwaterandapieceofsoap,andhewentoutsidethedoorandsetthebasinonalittlebenchthere;thenhedippedthesoapinthewaterandlaiditdown;turneduphissleeves;pouredoutthewaterontheground,gently,andthenenteredthekitchenandbegantowipehisfacediligentlyonthetowelbehindthedoor.ButMaryremovedthetowelandsaid:
\"Nowain\'tyouashamed,Tom.Youmustn\'tbesobad.Waterwon\'thurtyou.\"
Tomwasatrifledisconcerted.Thebasinwasrefilled,andthistimehestoodoveritalittlewhile,gatheringresolution;tookinabigbreathandbegan.Whenheenteredthekitchenpresently,withbotheyesshutandgropingforthetowelwithhishands,anhonorabletestimonyofsudsandwaterwasdrippingfromhisface.Butwhenheemergedfromthetowel,hewasnotyetsatisfactory,forthecleanterritorystoppedshortathischinandhisjaws,likeamask;belowandbeyondthislinetherewasadarkexpanseofunirrigatedsoilthatspreaddownwardinfrontandbackwardaroundhisneck.Marytookhiminhand,andwhenshewasdonewithhimhewasamanandabrother,withoutdistinctionofcolor,andhissaturatedhairwasneatlybrushed,anditsshortcurlswroughtintoadaintyandsymmetricalgeneraleffect.[Heprivatelysmoothedoutthecurls,withlaboranddifficulty,andplasteredhishairclosedowntohishead;forheheldcurlstobeeffeminate,andhisownfilledhislifewithbitterness.]ThenMarygotoutasuitofhisclothingthathadbeenusedonlyonSundaysduringtwoyears——theyweresimplycalledhis\"otherclothes\"——andsobythatweknowthesizeofhiswardrobe.Thegirl\"puthimtorights\"afterhehaddressedhimself;shebuttonedhisneatroundaboutuptohischin,turnedhisvastshirtcollardownoverhisshoulders,brushedhimoffandcrownedhimwithhisspeckledstrawhat.Henowlookedexceedinglyimprovedanduncomfortable.Hewasfullyasuncomfortableashelooked;fortherewasarestraintaboutwholeclothesandcleanlinessthatgalledhim.HehopedthatMarywouldforgethisshoes,butthehopewasblighted;shecoatedthemthoroughlywithtallow,aswasthecustom,andbroughtthemout.Helosthistemperandsaidhewasalwaysbeingmadetodoeverythinghedidn\'twanttodo.ButMarysaid,persuasively:
\"Please,Tom——that\'sagoodboy.\"
Sohegotintotheshoessnarling.Marywassoonready,andthethreechildrensetoutforSunday-school——aplacethatTomhatedwithhiswholeheart;butSidandMarywerefondofit.
Sabbath-schoolhourswerefromninetohalf-pastten;andthenchurchservice.Twoofthechildrenalwaysremainedforthesermonvoluntarily,andtheotheralwaysremainedtoo——forstrongerreasons.Thechurch\'shigh-backed,uncushionedpewswouldseataboutthreehundredpersons;theedificewasbutasmall,plainaffair,withasortofpineboardtree-boxontopofitforasteeple.AtthedoorTomdroppedbackastepandaccostedaSunday-dressedcomrade:
\"Say,Billy,gotayallerticket?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"What\'llyoutakeforher?\"
\"What\'llyougive?\"
\"Pieceoflickrishandafish-hook.\"
\"Lesssee\'em.\"
Tomexhibited.Theyweresatisfactory,andthepropertychangedhands.ThenTomtradedacoupleofwhitealleysforthreeredtickets,andsomesmalltrifleorotherforacoupleofblueones.Hewaylaidotherboysastheycame,andwentonbuyingticketsofvariouscolorstenorfifteenminuteslonger.Heenteredthechurch,now,withaswarmofcleanandnoisyboysandgirls,proceededtohisseatandstartedaquarrelwiththefirstboythatcamehandy.Theteacher,agrave,elderlyman,interfered;thenturnedhisbackamomentandTompulledaboy\'shairinthenextbench,andwasabsorbedinhisbookwhentheboyturnedaround;stuckapininanotherboy,presently,inordertohearhimsay\"Ouch!\"andgotanewreprimandfromhisteacher.Tom\'swholeclasswereofapattern——restless,noisy,andtroublesome.Whentheycametorecitetheirlessons,notoneofthemknewhisversesperfectly,buthadtobepromptedallalong.However,theyworriedthrough,andeachgothisreward——insmallbluetickets,eachwithapassageofScriptureonit;eachblueticketwaspayfortwoversesoftherecitation.Tenblueticketsequalledaredone,andcouldbeexchangedforit;tenredticketsequalledayellowone;fortenyellowticketsthesuperintendentgaveaveryplainlyboundBible(worthfortycentsinthoseeasytimes)tothepupil.Howmanyofmyreaderswouldhavetheindustryandapplicationtomemorizetwothousandverses,evenforaDoreBible?AndyetMaryhadacquiredtwoBiblesinthisway——itwasthepatientworkoftwoyears——andaboyofGermanparentagehadwonfourorfive.Heoncerecitedthreethousandverseswithoutstopping;butthestrainuponhismentalfacultieswastoogreat,andhewaslittlebetterthananidiotfromthatdayforth——agrievousmisfortunefortheschool,forongreatoccasions,beforecompany,thesuperintendent(asTomexpressedit)hadalwaysmadethisboycomeoutand\"spreadhimself.\"OnlytheolderpupilsmanagedtokeeptheirticketsandsticktotheirtediousworklongenoughtogetaBible,andsothedeliveryofoneoftheseprizeswasarareandnoteworthycircumstance;thesuccessfulpupilwassogreatandconspicuousforthatdaythatonthespoteveryscholar\'sheartwasfiredwithafreshambitionthatoftenlastedacoupleofweeks.ItispossiblethatTom\'smentalstomachhadneverreallyhungeredforoneofthoseprizes,butunquestionablyhisentirebeinghadformanyadaylongedforthegloryandtheeclatthatcamewithit.
Induecoursethesuperintendentstoodupinfrontofthepulpit,withaclosedhymn-bookinhishandandhisforefingerinsertedbetweenitsleaves,andcommandedattention.WhenaSunday-schoolsuperintendentmakeshiscustomarylittlespeech,ahymn-bookinthehandisasnecessaryasistheinevitablesheetofmusicinthehandofasingerwhostandsforwardontheplatformandsingsasoloataconcert——thoughwhy,isamystery:forneitherthehymn-booknorthesheetofmusiciseverreferredtobythesufferer.Thissuperintendentwasaslimcreatureofthirty-five,withasandygoateeandshortsandyhair;heworeastiffstanding-collarwhoseupperedgealmostreachedhisearsandwhosesharppointscurvedforwardabreastthecornersofhismouth——afencethatcompelledastraightlookoutahead,andaturningofthewholebodywhenasideviewwasrequired;hischinwasproppedonaspreadingcravatwhichwasasbroadandaslongasabank-note,andhadfringedends;hisboottoeswereturnedsharplyup,inthefashionoftheday,likesleigh-runners——aneffectpatientlyandlaboriouslyproducedbytheyoungmenbysittingwiththeirtoespressedagainstawallforhourstogether.Mr.Walterswasveryearnestofmien,andverysincereandhonestatheart;andheheldsacredthingsandplacesinsuchreverence,andsoseparatedthemfromworldlymatters,thatunconsciouslytohimselfhisSunday-schoolvoicehadacquiredapeculiarintonationwhichwaswhollyabsentonweek-days.Hebeganafterthisfashion:
\"Now,children,Iwantyoualltositupjustasstraightandprettyasyoucanandgivemeallyourattentionforaminuteortwo.There——thatisit.Thatisthewaygoodlittleboysandgirlsshoulddo.Iseeonelittlegirlwhoislookingoutofthewindow——IamafraidshethinksIamouttheresomewhere——perhapsupinoneofthetreesmakingaspeechtothelittlebirds.[Applausivetitter.]Iwanttotellyouhowgooditmakesmefeeltoseesomanybright,cleanlittlefacesassembledinaplacelikethis,learningtodorightandbegood.\"Andsoforthandsoon.Itisnotnecessarytosetdowntherestoftheoration.Itwasofapatternwhichdoesnotvary,andsoitisfamiliartousall.
Thelatterthirdofthespeechwasmarredbytheresumptionoffightsandotherrecreationsamongcertainofthebadboys,andbyfidgetingsandwhisperingsthatextendedfarandwide,washingeventothebasesofisolatedandincorruptiblerockslikeSidandMary.Butnoweverysoundceasedsuddenly,withthesubsidenceofMr.Walters\'voice,andtheconclusionofthespeechwasreceivedwithaburstofsilentgratitude.
Agoodpartofthewhisperinghadbeenoccasionedbyaneventwhichwasmoreorlessrare——theentranceofvisitors:lawyerThatcher,accompaniedbyaveryfeebleandagedman;afine,portly,middle-agedgentlemanwithiron-grayhair;andadignifiedladywhowasdoubtlessthelatter\'swife.Theladywasleadingachild.Tomhadbeenrestlessandfullofchafingsandrepinings;conscience-smitten,too——hecouldnotmeetAmyLawrence\'seye,hecouldnotbrookherlovinggaze.Butwhenhesawthissmallnew-comerhissoulwasallablazewithblissinamoment.Thenextmomenthewas\"showingoff\"withallhismight——cuffingboys,pullinghair,makingfaces——inaword,usingeveryartthatseemedlikelytofascinateagirlandwinherapplause.Hisexaltationhadbutonealloy——thememoryofhishumiliationinthisangel\'sgarden——andthatrecordinsandwasfastwashingout,underthewavesofhappinessthatweresweepingoveritnow.
Thevisitorsweregiventhehighestseatofhonor,andassoonasMr.Walters\'speechwasfinished,heintroducedthemtotheschool.Themiddle-agedmanturnedouttobeaprodigiouspersonage——nolessaonethanthecountyjudge——altogetherthemostaugustcreationthesechildrenhadeverlookedupon——andtheywonderedwhatkindofmaterialhewasmadeof——andtheyhalfwantedtohearhimroar,andwerehalfafraidhemight,too.HewasfromConstantinople,twelvemilesaway——sohehadtravelled,andseentheworld——theseveryeyeshadlookeduponthecountycourt-house——whichwassaidtohaveatinroof.Theawewhichthesereflectionsinspiredwasattestedbytheimpressivesilenceandtheranksofstaringeyes.ThiswasthegreatJudgeThatcher,brotheroftheirownlawyer.JeffThatcherimmediatelywentforward,tobefamiliarwiththegreatmanandbeenviedbytheschool.Itwouldhavebeenmusictohissoultohearthewhisperings:
\"Lookathim,Jim!He\'sagoingupthere.Say——look!he\'sagoingtoshakehandswithhim——heisshakinghandswithhim!Byjings,don\'tyouwishyouwasJeff?\"
Mr.Waltersfellto\"showingoff,\"withallsortsofofficialbustlingsandactivities,givingorders,deliveringjudgments,dischargingdirectionshere,there,everywherethathecouldfindatarget.Thelibrarian\"showedoff\"——runninghitherandthitherwithhisarmsfullofbooksandmakingadealofthesplutterandfussthatinsectauthoritydelightsin.Theyoungladyteachers\"showedoff\"——bendingsweetlyoverpupilsthatwerelatelybeingboxed,liftingprettywarningfingersatbadlittleboysandpattinggoodoneslovingly.Theyounggentlementeachers\"showedoff\"withsmallscoldingsandotherlittledisplaysofauthorityandfineattentiontodiscipline——andmostoftheteachers,ofbothsexes,foundbusinessupatthelibrary,bythepulpit;anditwasbusinessthatfrequentlyhadtobedoneoveragaintwoorthreetimes(withmuchseemingvexation).Thelittlegirls\"showedoff\"invariousways,andthelittleboys\"showedoff\"withsuchdiligencethattheairwasthickwithpaperwadsandthemurmurofscufflings.Andaboveitallthegreatmansatandbeamedamajesticjudicialsmileuponallthehouse,andwarmedhimselfinthesunofhisowngrandeur——forhewas\"showingoff,\"too.
TherewasonlyonethingwantingtomakeMr.Walters\'ecstasycomplete,andthatwasachancetodeliveraBible-prizeandexhibitaprodigy.Severalpupilshadafewyellowtickets,butnonehadenough——hehadbeenaroundamongthestarpupilsinquiring.Hewouldhavegivenworlds,now,tohavethatGermanladbackagainwithasoundmind.
Andnowatthismoment,whenhopewasdead,TomSawyercameforwardwithnineyellowtickets,nineredtickets,andtenblueones,anddemandedaBible.Thiswasathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Walterswasnotexpectinganapplicationfromthissourceforthenexttenyears.Buttherewasnogettingaroundit——herewerethecertifiedchecks,andtheyweregoodfortheirface.TomwasthereforeelevatedtoaplacewiththeJudgeandtheotherelect,andthegreatnewswasannouncedfromheadquarters.Itwasthemoststunningsurpriseofthedecade,andsoprofoundwasthesensationthatitliftedthenewherouptothejudicialone\'saltitude,andtheschoolhadtwomarvelstogazeuponinplaceofone.Theboyswerealleatenupwithenvy——butthosethatsufferedthebitterestpangswerethosewhoperceivedtoolatethattheythemselveshadcontributedtothishatedsplendorbytradingticketstoTomforthewealthhehadamassedinsellingwhitewashingprivileges.Thesedespisedthemselves,asbeingthedupesofawilyfraud,aguilefulsnakeinthegrass.
TheprizewasdeliveredtoTomwithasmucheffusionasthesuperintendentcouldpumpupunderthecircumstances;butitlackedsomewhatofthetruegush,forthepoorfellow\'sinstincttaughthimthattherewasamysteryherethatcouldnotwellbearthelight,perhaps;itwassimplypreposterousthatthisboyhadwarehousedtwothousandsheavesofScripturalwisdomonhispremises——adozenwouldstrainhiscapacity,withoutadoubt.
AmyLawrencewasproudandglad,andshetriedtomakeTomseeitinherface——buthewouldn\'tlook.Shewondered;thenshewasjustagraintroubled;nextadimsuspicioncameandwent——cameagain;shewatched;afurtiveglancetoldherworlds——andthenherheartbroke,andshewasjealous,andangry,andthetearscameandshehatedeverybody.Tommostofall(shethought).
TomwasintroducedtotheJudge;buthistonguewastied,hisbreathwouldhardlycome,hisheartquaked——partlybecauseoftheawfulgreatnessoftheman,butmainlybecausehewasherparent.Hewouldhavelikedtofalldownandworshiphim,ifitwereinthedark.TheJudgeputhishandonTom\'sheadandcalledhimafinelittleman,andaskedhimwhathisnamewas.Theboystammered,gasped,andgotitout:
\"Tom.\"
\"Oh,no,notTom——itis——\"
\"Thomas.\"
\"Ah,that\'sit.Ithoughttherewasmoretoit,maybe.That\'sverywell.Butyou\'veanotheroneIdaresay,andyou\'lltellittome,won\'tyou?\"
\"Tellthegentlemanyourothername,Thomas,\"saidWalters,\"andsaysir.Youmustn\'tforgetyourmanners.\"
\"ThomasSawyer——sir.\"
\"That\'sit!That\'sagoodboy.Fineboy.Fine,manlylittlefellow.Twothousandversesisagreatmany——very,verygreatmany.Andyounevercanbesorryforthetroubleyoutooktolearnthem;forknowledgeisworthmorethananythingthereisintheworld;it\'swhatmakesgreatmenandgoodmen;you\'llbeagreatmanandagoodmanyourself,someday,Thomas,andthenyou\'lllookbackandsay,It\'sallowingtothepreciousSunday-schoolprivilegesofmyboyhood——it\'sallowingtomydearteachersthattaughtmetolearn——it\'sallowingtothegoodsuperintendent,whoencouragedme,andwatchedoverme,andgavemeabeautifulBible——asplendidelegantBible——tokeepandhaveitallformyown,always——it\'sallowingtorightbringingup!Thatiswhatyouwillsay,Thomas——andyouwouldn\'ttakeanymoneyforthosetwothousandverses——noindeedyouwouldn\'t.Andnowyouwouldn\'tmindtellingmeandthisladysomeofthethingsyou\'velearned——no,Iknowyouwouldn\'t——forweareproudoflittleboysthatlearn.Now,nodoubtyouknowthenamesofallthetwelvedisciples.Won\'tyoutellusthenamesofthefirsttwothatwereappointed?\"
Tomwastuggingatabutton-holeandlookingsheepish.Heblushed,now,andhiseyesfell.Mr.Walters\'heartsankwithinhim.Hesaidtohimself,itisnotpossiblethattheboycananswerthesimplestquestion——whydidtheJudgeaskhim?Yethefeltobligedtospeakupandsay:
\"Answerthegentleman,Thomas——don\'tbeafraid.\"
Tomstillhungfire.
\"NowIknowyou\'lltellme,\"saidthelady.\"Thenamesofthefirsttwodiscipleswere——\"
\"DAVIDANDGOLIAH!\"
Letusdrawthecurtainofcharityovertherestofthescene.
CHAPTERV
ABOUThalf-pasttenthecrackedbellofthesmallchurchbegantoring,andpresentlythepeoplebegantogatherforthemorningsermon.TheSunday-schoolchildrendistributedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoccupiedpewswiththeirparents,soastobeundersupervision.AuntPollycame,andTomandSidandMarysatwithher——Tombeingplacednexttheaisle,inorderthathemightbeasfarawayfromtheopenwindowandtheseductiveoutsidesummerscenesaspossible.Thecrowdfileduptheaisles:theagedandneedypostmaster,whohadseenbetterdays;themayorandhiswife——fortheyhadamayorthere,amongotherunnecessaries;thejusticeofthepeace;thewidowDouglass,fair,smart,andforty,agenerous,good-heartedsoulandwell-to-do,herhillmansiontheonlypalaceinthetown,andthemosthospitableandmuchthemostlavishinthematteroffestivitiesthatSt.Petersburgcouldboast;thebentandvenerableMajorandMrs.Ward;lawyerRiverson,thenewnotablefromadistance;nextthebelleofthevillage,followedbyatroopoflawn-cladandribbon-deckedyoungheart-breakers;thenalltheyoungclerksintowninabody——fortheyhadstoodinthevestibulesuckingtheircane-heads,acirclingwallofoiledandsimperingadmirers,tillthelastgirlhadruntheirgantlet;andlastofallcametheModelBoy,WillieMufferson,takingasheedfulcareofhismotherasifshewerecutglass.Healwaysbroughthismothertochurch,andwastheprideofallthematrons.Theboysallhatedhim,hewassogood.Andbesides,hehadbeen\"thrownuptothem\"somuch.Hiswhitehandkerchiefwashangingoutofhispocketbehind,asusualonSundays——accidentally.Tomhadnohandkerchief,andhelookeduponboyswhohadassnobs.
Thecongregationbeingfullyassembled,now,thebellrangoncemore,towarnlaggardsandstragglers,andthenasolemnhushfelluponthechurchwhichwasonlybrokenbythetitteringandwhisperingofthechoirinthegallery.Thechoiralwaystitteredandwhisperedallthroughservice.Therewasonceachurchchoirthatwasnotill-bred,butIhaveforgottenwhereitwas,now.Itwasagreatmanyyearsago,andIcanscarcelyrememberanythingaboutit,butIthinkitwasinsomeforeigncountry.
Theministergaveoutthehymn,andreaditthroughwitharelish,inapeculiarstylewhichwasmuchadmiredinthatpartofthecountry.Hisvoicebeganonamediumkeyandclimbedsteadilyuptillitreachedacertainpoint,whereitborewithstrongemphasisuponthetopmostwordandthenplungeddownasiffromaspring-board:
ShallIbecar-ri-edtoetheskies,onflow\'rybeds
ofease,
Whilstothersfighttowintheprize,andsailthro\'blood-
yseas?
Hewasregardedasawonderfulreader.Atchurch\"sociables\"hewasalwayscalledupontoreadpoetry;andwhenhewasthrough,theladieswouldliftuptheirhandsandletthemfallhelplesslyintheirlaps,and\"wall\"theireyes,andshaketheirheads,asmuchastosay,\"Wordscannotexpressit;itistoobeautiful,toobeautifulforthismortalearth.\"
Afterthehymnhadbeensung,theRev.Mr.Spragueturnedhimselfintoabulletin-board,andreadoff\"notices\"ofmeetingsandsocietiesandthingstillitseemedthatthelistwouldstretchouttothecrackofdoom——aqueercustomwhichisstillkeptupinAmerica,evenincities,awayhereinthisageofabundantnewspapers.Often,thelessthereistojustifyatraditionalcustom,theharderitistogetridofit.
Andnowtheministerprayed.Agood,generousprayeritwas,andwentintodetails:itpleadedforthechurch,andthelittlechildrenofthechurch;fortheotherchurchesofthevillage;forthevillageitself;forthecounty;fortheState;fortheStateofficers;fortheUnitedStates;forthechurchesoftheUnitedStates;forCongress;forthePresident;fortheofficersoftheGovernment;forpoorsailors,tossedbystormyseas;fortheoppressedmillionsgroaningundertheheelofEuropeanmonarchiesandOrientaldespotisms;forsuchashavethelightandthegoodtidings,andyethavenoteyestoseenorearstohearwithal;fortheheatheninthefarislandsofthesea;andclosedwithasupplicationthatthewordshewasabouttospeakmightfindgraceandfavor,andbeasseedsowninfertileground,yieldingintimeagratefulharvestofgood.Amen.
Therewasarustlingofdresses,andthestandingcongregationsatdown.Theboywhosehistorythisbookrelatesdidnotenjoytheprayer,heonlyenduredit——ifheevendidthatmuch.Hewasrestiveallthroughit;hekepttallyofthedetailsoftheprayer,unconsciously——forhewasnotlistening,butheknewthegroundofold,andtheclergyman\'sregularrouteoverit——andwhenalittletrifleofnewmatterwasinterlarded,hiseardetecteditandhiswholenatureresentedit;heconsideredadditionsunfair,andscoundrelly.Inthemidstoftheprayeraflyhadlitonthebackofthepewinfrontofhimandtorturedhisspiritbycalmlyrubbingitshandstogether,embracingitsheadwithitsarms,andpolishingitsovigorouslythatitseemedtoalmostpartcompanywiththebody,andtheslenderthreadofaneckwasexposedtoview;scrapingitswingswithitshindlegsandsmoothingthemtoitsbodyasiftheyhadbeencoat-tails;goingthroughitswholetoiletastranquillyasifitknewitwasperfectlysafe.Asindeeditwas;forassorelyasTom\'shandsitchedtograbforittheydidnotdare——hebelievedhissoulwouldbeinstantlydestroyedifhedidsuchathingwhiletheprayerwasgoingon.Butwiththeclosingsentencehishandbegantocurveandstealforward;andtheinstantthe\"Amen\"wasouttheflywasaprisonerofwar.Hisauntdetectedtheactandmadehimletitgo.
Theministergaveouthistextanddronedalongmonotonouslythroughanargumentthatwassoprosythatmanyaheadbyandbybegantonod——andyetitwasanargumentthatdealtinlimitlessfireandbrimstoneandthinnedthepredestinedelectdowntoacompanysosmallastobehardlyworththesaving.Tomcountedthepagesofthesermon;afterchurchhealwaysknewhowmanypagestherehadbeen,butheseldomknewanythingelseaboutthediscourse.However,thistimehewasreallyinterestedforalittlewhile.Theministermadeagrandandmovingpictureoftheassemblingtogetheroftheworld\'shostsatthemillenniumwhenthelionandthelambshouldliedowntogetherandalittlechildshouldleadthem.Butthepathos,thelesson,themoralofthegreatspectaclewerelostupontheboy;heonlythoughtoftheconspicuousnessoftheprincipalcharacterbeforetheon-lookingnations;hisfacelitwiththethought,andhesaidtohimselfthathewishedhecouldbethatchild,ifitwasatamelion.
Nowhelapsedintosufferingagain,asthedryargumentwasresumed.Presentlyhebethoughthimofatreasurehehadandgotitout.Itwasalargeblackbeetlewithformidablejaws——a\"pinchbug,\"hecalledit.Itwasinapercussion-capbox.Thefirstthingthebeetledidwastotakehimbythefinger.Anaturalfillipfollowed,thebeetlewentflounderingintotheaisleandlitonitsback,andthehurtfingerwentintotheboy\'smouth.Thebeetlelaythereworkingitshelplesslegs,unabletoturnover.Tomeyedit,andlongedforit;butitwassafeoutofhisreach.Otherpeopleuninterestedinthesermonfoundreliefinthebeetle,andtheyeyedittoo.Presentlyavagrantpoodledogcameidlingalong,sadatheart,lazywiththesummersoftnessandthequiet,wearyofcaptivity,sighingforchange.Hespiedthebeetle;thedroopingtailliftedandwagged.Hesurveyedtheprize;walkedaroundit;smeltatitfromasafedistance;walkedarounditagain;grewbolder,andtookaclosersmell;thenliftedhislipandmadeagingerlysnatchatit,justmissingit;madeanother,andanother;begantoenjoythediversion;subsidedtohisstomachwiththebeetlebetweenhispaws,andcontinuedhisexperiments;grewwearyatlast,andthenindifferentandabsent-minded.Hisheadnodded,andlittlebylittlehischindescendedandtouchedtheenemy,whoseizedit.Therewasasharpyelp,aflirtofthepoodle\'shead,andthebeetlefellacoupleofyardsaway,andlitonitsbackoncemore.Theneighboringspectatorsshookwithagentleinwardjoy,severalfaceswentbehindfansandhandkerchiefs,andTomwasentirelyhappy.Thedoglookedfoolish,andprobablyfeltso;buttherewasresentmentinhisheart,too,andacravingforrevenge.Sohewenttothebeetleandbeganawaryattackonitagain;jumpingatitfromeverypointofacircle,lightingwithhisfore-pawswithinaninchofthecreature,makingevenclosersnatchesatitwithhisteeth,andjerkinghisheadtillhisearsflappedagain.Buthegrewtiredoncemore,afterawhile;triedtoamusehimselfwithaflybutfoundnorelief;followedanantaround,withhisnoseclosetothefloor,andquicklyweariedofthat;yawned,sighed,forgotthebeetleentirely,andsatdownonit.Thentherewasawildyelpofagonyandthepoodlewentsailinguptheaisle;theyelpscontinued,andsodidthedog;hecrossedthehouseinfrontofthealtar;heflewdowntheotheraisle;hecrossedbeforethedoors;heclamoredupthehome-stretch;hisanguishgrewwithhisprogress,tillpresentlyhewasbutawoollycometmovinginitsorbitwiththegleamandthespeedoflight.Atlastthefranticsufferersheeredfromitscourse,andsprangintoitsmaster\'slap;heflungitoutofthewindow,andthevoiceofdistressquicklythinnedawayanddiedinthedistance.
Bythistimethewholechurchwasred-facedandsuffocatingwithsuppressedlaughter,andthesermonhadcometoadeadstandstill.Thediscoursewasresumedpresently,butitwentlameandhalting,allpossibilityofimpressivenessbeingatanend;foreventhegravestsentimentswereconstantlybeingreceivedwithasmotheredburstofunholymirth,undercoverofsomeremotepew-back,asifthepoorparsonhadsaidararelyfacetiousthing.Itwasagenuinerelieftothewholecongregationwhentheordealwasoverandthebenedictionpronounced.
TomSawyerwenthomequitecheerful,thinkingtohimselfthattherewassomesatisfactionaboutdivineservicewhentherewasabitofvarietyinit.Hehadbutonemarringthought;hewaswillingthatthedogshouldplaywithhispinchbug,buthedidnotthinkitwasuprightinhimtocarryitoff.
CHAPTERVI
MONDAYmorningfoundTomSawyermiserable.Mondaymorningalwaysfoundhimso——becauseitbegananotherweek\'sslowsufferinginschool.Hegenerallybeganthatdaywithwishinghehadhadnointerveningholiday,itmadethegoingintocaptivityandfettersagainsomuchmoreodious.
Tomlaythinking.Presentlyitoccurredtohimthathewishedhewassick;thenhecouldstayhomefromschool.Herewasavaguepossibility.Hecanvassedhissystem.Noailmentwasfound,andheinvestigatedagain.Thistimehethoughthecoulddetectcolickysymptoms,andhebegantoencouragethemwithconsiderablehope.Buttheysoongrewfeeble,andpresentlydiedwhollyaway.Hereflectedfurther.Suddenlyhediscoveredsomething.Oneofhisupperfrontteethwasloose.Thiswaslucky;hewasabouttobegintogroan,asa\"starter,\"ashecalledit,whenitoccurredtohimthatifhecameintocourtwiththatargument,hisauntwouldpullitout,andthatwouldhurt.Sohethoughthewouldholdthetoothinreserveforthepresent,andseekfurther.Nothingofferedforsomelittletime,andthenherememberedhearingthedoctortellaboutacertainthingthatlaidupapatientfortwoorthreeweeksandthreatenedtomakehimloseafinger.Sotheboyeagerlydrewhissoretoefromunderthesheetandhelditupforinspection.Butnowhedidnotknowthenecessarysymptoms.However,itseemedwellworthwhiletochanceit,sohefelltogroaningwithconsiderablespirit.
ButSidsleptonunconscious.
Tomgroanedlouder,andfanciedthathebegantofeelpaininthetoe.
NoresultfromSid.
Tomwaspantingwithhisexertionsbythistime.Hetookarestandthenswelledhimselfupandfetchedasuccessionofadmirablegroans.
Sidsnoredon.
Tomwasaggravated.Hesaid,\"Sid,Sid!\"andshookhim.Thiscourseworkedwell,andTombegantogroanagain.Sidyawned,stretched,thenbroughthimselfuponhiselbowwithasnort,andbegantostareatTom.Tomwentongroaning.Sidsaid:
\"Tom!Say,Tom!\"[Noresponse.]\"Here,Tom!Tom!Whatisthematter,Tom?\"Andheshookhimandlookedinhisfaceanxiously.
Tommoanedout:
\"Oh,don\'t,Sid.Don\'tjoggleme.\"
\"Why,what\'sthematter,Tom?Imustcallauntie.\"
\"No——nevermind.It\'llbeoverbyandby,maybe.Don\'tcallanybody.\"
\"ButImust!don\'tgroanso,Tom,it\'sawful.Howlongyoubeenthisway?\"
\"Hours.Ouch!Oh,don\'tstirso,Sid,you\'llkillme.\"
\"Tom,whydidn\'tyouwakemesooner?Oh,Tom,don\'t!Itmakesmyfleshcrawltohearyou.Tom,whatisthematter?\"
