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