\"Iforgiveyoueverything,Sid.[Groan.]Everythingyou\'veeverdonetome.WhenI\'mgone——\"
\"Oh,Tom,youain\'tdying,areyou?Don\'t,Tom——oh,don\'t.Maybe——\"
\"Iforgiveeverybody,Sid.[Groan.]Tell\'emso,Sid.AndSid,yougivemywindow-sashandmycatwithoneeyetothatnewgirlthat\'scometotown,andtellher——\"
ButSidhadsnatchedhisclothesandgone.Tomwassufferinginreality,now,sohandsomelywashisimaginationworking,andsohisgroanshadgatheredquiteagenuinetone.
Sidflewdown-stairsandsaid:
\"Oh,AuntPolly,come!Tom\'sdying!\"
\"Dying!\"
\"Yes\'m.Don\'twait——comequick!\"
\"Rubbage!Idon\'tbelieveit!\"
Butshefledup-stairs,nevertheless,withSidandMaryatherheels.Andherfacegrewwhite,too,andherliptrembled.Whenshereachedthebedsideshegaspedout:
\"You,Tom!Tom,what\'sthematterwithyou?\"
\"Oh,auntie,I\'m——\"
\"What\'sthematterwithyou——whatisthematterwithyou,child?\"
\"Oh,auntie,mysoretoe\'smortified!\"
Theoldladysankdownintoachairandlaughedalittle,thencriedalittle,thendidbothtogether.Thisrestoredherandshesaid:
\"Tom,whataturnyoudidgiveme.Nowyoushutupthatnonsenseandclimboutofthis.\"
Thegroansceasedandthepainvanishedfromthetoe.Theboyfeltalittlefoolish,andhesaid:
\"AuntPolly,itseemedmortified,andithurtsoInevermindedmytoothatall.\"
\"Yourtooth,indeed!What\'sthematterwithyourtooth?\"
\"Oneofthem\'sloose,anditachesperfectlyawful.\"
\"There,there,now,don\'tbeginthatgroaningagain.Openyourmouth.Well——yourtoothisloose,butyou\'renotgoingtodieaboutthat.Mary,getmeasilkthread,andachunkoffireoutofthekitchen.\"
Tomsaid:
\"Oh,please,auntie,don\'tpullitout.Itdon\'thurtanymore.IwishImayneverstirifitdoes.Pleasedon\'t,auntie.Idon\'twanttostayhomefromschool.\"
\"Oh,youdon\'t,don\'tyou?Soallthisrowwasbecauseyouthoughtyou\'dgettostayhomefromschoolandgoa-fishing?Tom,Tom,Iloveyouso,andyouseemtotryeverywayyoucantobreakmyoldheartwithyouroutrageousness.\"Bythistimethedentalinstrumentswereready.TheoldladymadeoneendofthesilkthreadfasttoTom\'stoothwithaloopandtiedtheothertothebedpost.Thensheseizedthechunkoffireandsuddenlythrustitalmostintotheboy\'sface.Thetoothhungdanglingbythebedpost,now.
Butalltrialsbringtheircompensations.AsTomwendedtoschoolafterbreakfast,hewastheenvyofeveryboyhemetbecausethegapinhisupperrowofteethenabledhimtoexpectorateinanewandadmirableway.Hegatheredquiteafollowingofladsinterestedintheexhibition;andonethathadcuthisfingerandhadbeenacentreoffascinationandhomageuptothistime,nowfoundhimselfsuddenlywithoutanadherent,andshornofhisglory.Hisheartwasheavy,andhesaidwithadisdainwhichhedidnotfeelthatitwasn\'tanythingtospitlikeTomSawyer;butanotherboysaid,\"Sourgrapes!\"andhewanderedawayadismantledhero.
ShortlyTomcameuponthejuvenilepariahofthevillage,HuckleberryFinn,sonofthetowndrunkard.Huckleberrywascordiallyhatedanddreadedbyallthemothersofthetown,becausehewasidleandlawlessandvulgarandbad——andbecausealltheirchildrenadmiredhimso,anddelightedinhisforbiddensociety,andwishedtheydaredtobelikehim.Tomwasliketherestoftherespectableboys,inthatheenviedHuckleberryhisgaudyoutcastcondition,andwasunderstrictordersnottoplaywithhim.Soheplayedwithhimeverytimehegotachance.Huckleberrywasalwaysdressedinthecast-offclothesoffull-grownmen,andtheywereinperennialbloomandflutteringwithrags.Hishatwasavastruinwithawidecrescentloppedoutofitsbrim;hiscoat,whenheworeone,hungnearlytohisheelsandhadtherearwardbuttonsfardowntheback;butonesuspendersupportedhistrousers;theseatofthetrousersbaggedlowandcontainednothing,thefringedlegsdraggedinthedirtwhennotrolledup.
Huckleberrycameandwent,athisownfreewill.Hesleptondoorstepsinfineweatherandinemptyhogsheadsinwet;hedidnothavetogotoschoolortochurch,orcallanybeingmasterorobeyanybody;hecouldgofishingorswimmingwhenandwherehechose,andstayaslongasitsuitedhim;nobodyforbadehimtofight;hecouldsitupaslateashepleased;hewasalwaysthefirstboythatwentbarefootinthespringandthelasttoresumeleatherinthefall;heneverhadtowash,norputoncleanclothes;hecouldswearwonderfully.Inaword,everythingthatgoestomakelifepreciousthatboyhad.Sothoughteveryharassed,hampered,respectableboyinSt.Petersburg.
Tomhailedtheromanticoutcast:
\"Hello,Huckleberry!\"
\"Helloyourself,andseehowyoulikeit.\"
\"What\'sthatyougot?\"
\"Deadcat.\"
\"Lemmeseehim,Huck.My,he\'sprettystiff.Where\'dyougethim?\"
\"Boughthimoff\'naboy.\"
\"Whatdidyougive?\"
\"IgiveablueticketandabladderthatIgotattheslaughter-house.\"
\"Where\'dyougettheblueticket?\"
\"Boughtitoff\'nBenRogerstwoweeksagoforahoop-stick.\"
\"Say——whatisdeadcatsgoodfor,Huck?\"
\"Goodfor?Curewartswith.\"
\"No!Isthatso?Iknowsomethingthat\'sbetter.\"
\"Ibetyoudon\'t.Whatisit?\"
\"Why,spunk-water.\"
\"Spunk-water!Iwouldn\'tgiveadernforspunk-water.\"
\"Youwouldn\'t,wouldn\'tyou?D\'youevertryit?\"
\"No,Ihain\'t.ButBobTannerdid.\"
\"Whotoldyouso!\"
\"Why,hetoldJeffThatcher,andJefftoldJohnnyBaker,andJohnnytoldJimHollis,andJimtoldBenRogers,andBentoldanigger,andtheniggertoldme.Therenow!\"
\"Well,whatofit?They\'llalllie.Leastwaysallbutthenigger.Idon\'tknowhim.ButIneverseeaniggerthatwouldn\'tlie.Shucks!NowyoutellmehowBobTannerdoneit,Huck.\"
\"Why,hetookanddippedhishandinarottenstumpwheretherain-waterwas.\"
\"Inthedaytime?\"
\"Certainly.\"
\"Withhisfacetothestump?\"
\"Yes.LeastIreckonso.\"
\"Didhesayanything?\"
\"Idon\'treckonhedid.Idon\'tknow.\"
\"Aha!Talkabouttryingtocurewartswithspunk-watersuchablamefoolwayasthat!Why,thatain\'ta-goingtodoanygood.Yougottogoallbyyourself,tothemiddleofthewoods,whereyouknowthere\'saspunk-waterstump,andjustasit\'smidnightyoubackupagainstthestumpandjamyourhandinandsay:
\'Barley-corn,barley-corn,injun-mealshorts,
Spunk-water,spunk-water,swallerthesewarts,\'
andthenwalkawayquick,elevensteps,withyoureyesshut,andthenturnaroundthreetimesandwalkhomewithoutspeakingtoanybody.Becauseifyouspeakthecharm\'sbusted.\"
\"Well,thatsoundslikeagoodway;butthatain\'tthewayBobTannerdone.\"
\"No,sir,youcanbethedidn\'t,becuzhe\'sthewartiestboyinthistown;andhewouldn\'thaveawartonhimifhe\'dknowedhowtoworkspunk-water.I\'vetookoffthousandsofwartsoffofmyhandsthatway,Huck.IplaywithfrogssomuchthatI\'vealwaysgotconsiderablemanywarts.SometimesItake\'emoffwithabean.\"
\"Yes,bean\'sgood.I\'vedonethat.\"
\"Haveyou?What\'syourway?\"
\"Youtakeandsplitthebean,andcutthewartsoastogetsomeblood,andthenyouputthebloodononepieceofthebeanandtakeanddigaholeandburyit\'boutmidnightatthecrossroadsinthedarkofthemoon,andthenyouburnuptherestofthebean.Youseethatpiecethat\'sgotthebloodonitwillkeepdrawinganddrawing,tryingtofetchtheotherpiecetoit,andsothathelpsthebloodtodrawthewart,andprettysoonoffshecomes.\"
\"Yes,that\'sit,Huck——that\'sit;thoughwhenyou\'reburyingitifyousay\'Downbean;offwart;comenomoretobotherme!\'it\'sbetter.That\'sthewayJoeHarperdoes,andhe\'sbeennearlytoCoonvilleandmosteverywheres.Butsay——howdoyoucure\'emwithdeadcats?\"
\"Why,youtakeyourcatandgoandgetinthegraveyard\'longaboutmidnightwhensomebodythatwaswickedhasbeenburied;andwhenit\'smidnightadevilwillcome,ormaybetwoorthree,butyoucan\'tsee\'em,youcanonlyhearsomethinglikethewind,ormaybehear\'emtalk;andwhenthey\'retakingthatfelleraway,youheaveyourcatafter\'emandsay,\'Devilfollowcorpse,catfollowdevil,wartsfollowcat,I\'mdonewithye!\'That\'llfetchanywart.\"
\"Soundsright.D\'youevertryit,Huck?\"
\"No,butoldMotherHopkinstoldme.\"
\"Well,Ireckonit\'sso,then.Becuztheysayshe\'sawitch.\"
\"Say!Why,Tom,IKNOWsheis.Shewitchedpap.Papsayssohisownself.Hecomealongoneday,andheseeshewasa-witchinghim,sohetookuparock,andifshehadn\'tdodged,he\'dagother.Well,thatverynightherolledoff\'nashedwher\'hewasalayindrunk,andbrokehisarm.\"
\"Why,that\'sawful.Howdidheknowshewasa-witchinghim?\"
\"Lord,papcantell,easy.Papsayswhentheykeeplookingatyourightstiddy,they\'rea-witchingyou.Speciallyiftheymumble.Becuzwhentheymumblethey\'resayingtheLord\'sPrayerbackards.\"
\"Say,Hucky,whenyougoingtotrythecat?\"
\"To-night.Ireckonthey\'llcomeafteroldHossWilliamsto-night.\"
\"ButtheyburiedhimSaturday.Didn\'ttheygethimSaturdaynight?\"
\"Why,howyoutalk!Howcouldtheircharmsworktillmidnight?——andthenit\'sSunday.Devilsdon\'tslosharoundmuchofaSunday,Idon\'treckon.\"
\"Ineverthoughtofthat.That\'sso.Lemmegowithyou?\"
\"Ofcourse——ifyouain\'tafeard.\"
\"Afeard!\'Tain\'tlikely.Willyoumeow?\"
\"Yes——andyoumeowback,ifyougetachance.time,youkep\'mea-meowingaroundtilloldHayswenttothrowingrocksatmeandsays\'Dernthatcat!\'andsoIhoveabrickthroughhiswindow——butdon\'tyoutell.\"
\"Iwon\'t.Icouldn\'tmeowthatnight,becuzauntiewaswatchingme,butI\'llmeowthistime.Say——what\'sthat?\"
\"Nothingbutatick.\"
\"Where\'dyougethim?\"
\"Outinthewoods.\"
\"What\'llyoutakeforhim?\"
\"Idon\'tknow.Idon\'twanttosellhim.\"
\"Allright.It\'samightysmalltick,anyway.\"
\"Oh,anybodycanrunatickdownthatdon\'tbelongtothem.I\'msatisfiedwithit.It\'sagoodenoughtickforme.\"
\"Sho,there\'sticksaplenty.Icouldhaveathousandof\'emifIwantedto.\"
\"Well,whydon\'tyou?Becuzyouknowmightywellyoucan\'t.Thisisaprettyearlytick,Ireckon.It\'sthefirstoneI\'veseenthisyear.\"
\"Say,Huck——I\'llgiveyoumytoothforhim.\"
\"Lessseeit.\"
Tomgotoutabitofpaperandcarefullyunrolledit.Huckleberryvieweditwistfully.Thetemptationwasverystrong.Atlasthesaid:
\"Isitgenuwyne?\"
Tomliftedhislipandshowedthevacancy.
\"Well,allright,\"saidHuckleberry,\"it\'satrade.\"
Tomenclosedthetickinthepercussion-capboxthathadlatelybeenthepinchbug\'sprison,andtheboysseparated,eachfeelingwealthierthanbefore.
WhenTomreachedthelittleisolatedframeschoolhouse,hestrodeinbriskly,withthemannerofonewhohadcomewithallhonestspeed.Hehunghishatonapegandflunghimselfintohisseatwithbusiness-likealacrity.Themaster,thronedonhighinhisgreatsplint-bottomarm-chair,wasdozing,lulledbythedrowsyhumofstudy.Theinterruptionrousedhim.
\"ThomasSawyer!\"
Tomknewthatwhenhisnamewaspronouncedinfull,itmeanttrouble.
\"Sir!\"
\"Comeuphere.Now,sir,whyareyoulateagain,asusual?\"
Tomwasabouttotakerefugeinalie,whenhesawtwolongtailsofyellowhairhangingdownabackthatherecognizedbytheelectricsympathyoflove;andbythatformwastheonlyvacantplaceonthegirls\'sideoftheschool-house.Heinstantlysaid:
\"ISTOPPEDTOTALKWITHHUCKLEBERRYFINN!\"
Themaster\'spulsestoodstill,andhestaredhelplessly.Thebuzzofstudyceased.Thepupilswonderedifthisfoolhardyboyhadlosthismind.Themastersaid:
\"You——youdidwhat?\"
\"StoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn.\"
Therewasnomistakingthewords.
\"ThomasSawyer,thisisthemostastoundingconfessionIhaveeverlistenedto.Nomereferulewillanswerforthisoffence.Takeoffyourjacket.\"
Themaster\'sarmperformeduntilitwastiredandthestockofswitchesnotablydiminished.Thentheorderfollowed:
\"Now,sir,goandsitwiththegirls!Andletthisbeawarningtoyou.\"
Thetitterthatrippledaroundtheroomappearedtoabashtheboy,butinrealitythatresultwascausedrathermorebyhisworshipfulaweofhisunknownidolandthedreadpleasurethatlayinhishighgoodfortune.Hesatdownupontheendofthepinebenchandthegirlhitchedherselfawayfromhimwithatossofherhead.Nudgesandwinksandwhisperstraversedtheroom,butTomsatstill,withhisarmsuponthelong,lowdeskbeforehim,andseemedtostudyhisbook.
Byandbyattentionceasedfromhim,andtheaccustomedschoolmurmurroseuponthedullaironcemore.Presentlytheboybegantostealfurtiveglancesatthegirl.Sheobservedit,\"madeamouth\"athimandgavehimthebackofherheadforthespaceofaminute.Whenshecautiouslyfacedaroundagain,apeachlaybeforeher.Shethrustitaway.Tomgentlyputitback.Shethrustitawayagain,butwithlessanimosity.Tompatientlyreturnedittoitsplace.Thensheletitremain.Tomscrawledonhisslate,\"Pleasetakeit——Igotmore.\"Thegirlglancedatthewords,butmadenosign.Nowtheboybegantodrawsomethingontheslate,hidinghisworkwithhislefthand.Foratimethegirlrefusedtonotice;butherhumancuriositypresentlybegantomanifestitselfbyhardlyperceptiblesigns.Theboyworkedon,apparentlyunconscious.Thegirlmadeasortofnon-committalattempttosee,buttheboydidnotbetraythathewasawareofit.Atlastshegaveinandhesitatinglywhispered:
\"Letmeseeit.\"
Tompartlyuncoveredadismalcaricatureofahousewithtwogableendstoitandacorkscrewofsmokeissuingfromthechimney.Thenthegirl\'sinterestbegantofastenitselfupontheworkandsheforgoteverythingelse.Whenitwasfinished,shegazedamoment,thenwhispered:
\"It\'snice——makeaman.\"
Theartisterectedamaninthefrontyard,thatresembledaderrick.Hecouldhavesteppedoverthehouse;butthegirlwasnothypercritical;shewassatisfiedwiththemonster,andwhispered:
\"It\'sabeautifulman——nowmakemecomingalong.\"
Tomdrewanhour-glasswithafullmoonandstrawlimbstoitandarmedthespreadingfingerswithaportentousfan.Thegirlsaid:
\"It\'seversonice——IwishIcoulddraw.\"
\"It\'seasy,\"whisperedTom,\"I\'lllearnyou.\"
\"Oh,willyou?When?\"
\"Atnoon.Doyougohometodinner?\"
\"I\'llstayifyouwill.\"
\"Good——that\'sawhack.What\'syourname?\"
\"BeckyThatcher.What\'syours?Oh,Iknow.It\'sThomasSawyer.\"
\"That\'sthenametheylickmeby.I\'mTomwhenI\'mgood.YoucallmeTom,willyou?\"
\"Yes.\"
NowTombegantoscrawlsomethingontheslate,hidingthewordsfromthegirl.Butshewasnotbackwardthistime.Shebeggedtosee.Tomsaid:
\"Oh,itain\'tanything.\"
\"Yesitis.\"
\"Noitain\'t.Youdon\'twanttosee.\"
\"YesIdo,indeedIdo.Pleaseletme.\"
\"You\'lltell.\"
\"NoIwon\'t——deedanddeedanddoubledeedwon\'t.\"
\"Youwon\'ttellanybodyatall?Ever,aslongasyoulive?\"
\"No,Iwon\'tevertellanybody.Nowletme.\"
\"Oh,youdon\'twanttosee!\"
\"Nowthatyoutreatmeso,Iwillsee.\"Andsheputhersmallhanduponhisandalittlescuffleensued,Tompretendingtoresistinearnestbutlettinghishandslipbydegreestillthesewordswererevealed:\"Iloveyou.\"
\"Oh,youbadthing!\"Andshehithishandasmartrap,butreddenedandlookedpleased,nevertheless.
Justatthisjuncturetheboyfeltaslow,fatefulgripclosingonhisear,andasteadyliftingimpulse.Inthatvisehewasborneacrossthehouseanddepositedinhisownseat,underapepperingfireofgigglesfromthewholeschool.Thenthemasterstoodoverhimduringafewawfulmoments,andfinallymovedawaytohisthronewithoutsayingaword.ButalthoughTom\'seartingled,hisheartwasjubilant.
AstheschoolquieteddownTommadeanhonestefforttostudy,buttheturmoilwithinhimwastoogreat.Inturnhetookhisplaceinthereadingclassandmadeabotchofit;theninthegeographyclassandturnedlakesintomountains,mountainsintorivers,andriversintocontinents,tillchaoswascomeagain;theninthespellingclass,andgot\"turneddown,\"byasuccessionofmerebabywords,tillhebroughtupatthefootandyieldedupthepewtermedalwhichhehadwornwithostentationformonths.
CHAPTERVII
THEharderTomtriedtofastenhismindonhisbook,themorehisideaswandered.Soatlast,withasighandayawn,hegaveitup.Itseemedtohimthatthenoonrecesswouldnevercome.Theairwasutterlydead.Therewasnotabreathstirring.Itwasthesleepiestofsleepydays.Thedrowsingmurmurofthefiveandtwentystudyingscholarssoothedthesoullikethespellthatisinthemurmurofbees.Awayoffintheflamingsunshine,CardiffHilllifteditssoftgreensidesthroughashimmeringveilofheat,tintedwiththepurpleofdistance;afewbirdsfloatedonlazywinghighintheair;nootherlivingthingwasvisiblebutsomecows,andtheywereasleep.Tom\'sheartachedtobefree,orelsetohavesomethingofinteresttodotopassthedrearytime.Hishandwanderedintohispocketandhisfacelitupwithaglowofgratitudethatwasprayer,thoughhedidnotknowit.Thenfurtivelythepercussion-capboxcameout.Hereleasedthetickandputhimonthelongflatdesk.Thecreatureprobablyglowedwithagratitudethatamountedtoprayer,too,atthismoment,butitwaspremature:forwhenhestartedthankfullytotraveloff,Tomturnedhimasidewithapinandmadehimtakeanewdirection.
Tom\'sbosomfriendsatnexthim,sufferingjustasTomhadbeen,andnowhewasdeeplyandgratefullyinterestedinthisentertainmentinaninstant.ThisbosomfriendwasJoeHarper.Thetwoboyswereswornfriendsalltheweek,andembattledenemiesonSaturdays.Joetookapinoutofhislapelandbegantoassistinexercisingtheprisoner.Thesportgrewininterestmomently.SoonTomsaidthattheywereinterferingwitheachother,andneithergettingthefullestbenefitofthetick.SoheputJoe\'sslateonthedeskanddrewalinedownthemiddleofitfromtoptobottom.
\"Now,\"saidhe,\"aslongasheisonyoursideyoucanstirhimupandI\'lllethimalone;butifyoulethimgetawayandgetonmyside,you\'retoleavehimaloneaslongasIcankeephimfromcrossingover.\"
\"Allright,goahead;starthimup.\"
ThetickescapedfromTom,presently,andcrossedtheequator.Joeharassedhimawhile,andthenhegotawayandcrossedbackagain.Thischangeofbaseoccurredoften.Whileoneboywasworryingthetickwithabsorbinginterest,theotherwouldlookonwithinterestasstrong,thetwoheadsbowedtogetherovertheslate,andthetwosoulsdeadtoallthingselse.AtlastluckseemedtosettleandabidewithJoe.Theticktriedthis,that,andtheothercourse,andgotasexcitedandasanxiousastheboysthemselves,buttimeandagainjustashewouldhavevictoryinhisverygrasp,sotospeak,andTom\'sfingerswouldbetwitchingtobegin,Joe\'spinwoulddeftlyheadhimoff,andkeeppossession.AtlastTomcouldstanditnolonger.Thetemptationwastoostrong.Sohereachedoutandlentahandwithhispin.Joewasangryinamoment.Saidhe:
\"Tom,youlethimalone.\"
\"Ionlyjustwanttostirhimupalittle,Joe.\"
\"No,sir,itain\'tfair;youjustlethimalone.\"
\"Blameit,Iain\'tgoingtostirhimmuch.\"
\"Lethimalone,Itellyou.\"
\"Iwon\'t!\"
\"Youshall——he\'sonmysideoftheline.\"
\"Lookhere,JoeHarper,whoseisthattick?\"
\"Idon\'tcarewhosetickheis——he\'sonmysideoftheline,andyousha\'n\'ttouchhim.\"
\"Well,I\'lljustbetIwill,though.He\'smytickandI\'lldowhatIblamepleasewithhim,ordie!\"
AtremendouswhackcamedownonTom\'sshoulders,anditsduplicateonJoe\'s;andforthespaceoftwominutesthedustcontinuedtoflyfromthetwojacketsandthewholeschooltoenjoyit.Theboyshadbeentooabsorbedtonoticethehushthathadstolenupontheschoolawhilebeforewhenthemastercametiptoeingdowntheroomandstoodoverthem.Hehadcontemplatedagoodpartoftheperformancebeforehecontributedhisbitofvarietytoit.
Whenschoolbrokeupatnoon,TomflewtoBeckyThatcher,andwhisperedinherear:
\"Putonyourbonnetandletonyou\'regoinghome;andwhenyougettothecorner,givetherestof\'emtheslip,andturndownthroughthelaneandcomeback.I\'llgotheotherwayandcomeitover\'emthesameway.\"
Sotheonewentoffwithonegroupofscholars,andtheotherwithanother.Inalittlewhilethetwometatthebottomofthelane,andwhentheyreachedtheschooltheyhaditalltothemselves.Thentheysattogether,withaslatebeforethem,andTomgaveBeckythepencilandheldherhandinhis,guidingit,andsocreatedanothersurprisinghouse.Whentheinterestinartbegantowane,thetwofelltotalking.Tomwasswimminginbliss.Hesaid:
\"Doyouloverats?\"
\"No!Ihatethem!\"
\"Well,Ido,too——liveones.ButImeandeadones,toswingroundyourheadwithastring.\"
\"No,Idon\'tcareforratsmuch,anyway.WhatIlikeischewing-gum.\"
\"Oh,Ishouldsayso!IwishIhadsomenow.\"
\"Doyou?I\'vegotsome.I\'llletyouchewitawhile,butyoumustgiveitbacktome.\"
Thatwasagreeable,sotheycheweditturnabout,anddangledtheirlegsagainstthebenchinexcessofcontentment.
\"Wasyoueveratacircus?\"saidTom.
\"Yes,andmypa\'sgoingtotakemeagainsometime,ifI\'mgood.\"
\"Ibeentothecircusthreeorfourtimes——lotsoftimes.Churchain\'tshuckstoacircus.There\'sthingsgoingonatacircusallthetime.I\'mgoingtobeaclowninacircuswhenIgrowup.\"
\"Oh,areyou!Thatwillbenice.They\'resolovely,allspottedup.\"
\"Yes,that\'sso.Andtheygetslathersofmoney——mostadollaraday,BenRogerssays.Say,Becky,wasyoueverengaged?\"
\"What\'sthat?\"
\"Why,engagedtobemarried.\"
\"No.\"
\"Wouldyouliketo?\"
\"Ireckonso.Idon\'tknow.Whatisitlike?\"
\"Like?Whyitain\'tlikeanything.Youonlyjusttellaboyyouwon\'teverhaveanybodybuthim,evereverever,andthenyoukissandthat\'sall.Anybodycandoit.\"
\"Kiss?Whatdoyoukissfor?\"
\"Why,that,youknow,isto——well,theyalwaysdothat.\"
\"Everybody?\"
\"Why,yes,everybodythat\'sinlovewitheachother.DoyourememberwhatIwroteontheslate?\"
\"Ye——yes.\"
\"Whatwasit?\"
\"Isha\'n\'ttellyou.\"
\"ShallItellyou?\"
\"Ye——yes——butsomeothertime.\"
\"No,now.\"
\"No,notnow——to-morrow.\"
\"Oh,no,now.Please,Becky——I\'llwhisperit,I\'llwhisperiteversoeasy.\"
Beckyhesitating,Tomtooksilenceforconsent,andpassedhisarmaboutherwaistandwhisperedthetaleeversosoftly,withhismouthclosetoherear.Andthenheadded:
\"Nowyouwhisperittome——justthesame.\"
Sheresisted,forawhile,andthensaid:
\"Youturnyourfaceawaysoyoucan\'tsee,andthenIwill.Butyoumustn\'tevertellanybody——willyou,Tom?Nowyouwon\'t,willyou?\"
\"No,indeed,indeedIwon\'t.Now,Becky.\"
Heturnedhisfaceaway.Shebenttimidlyaroundtillherbreathstirredhiscurlsandwhispered,\"I——love——you!\"
Thenshesprangawayandranaroundandaroundthedesksandbenches,withTomafterher,andtookrefugeinacorneratlast,withherlittlewhiteaprontoherface.Tomclaspedheraboutherneckandpleaded:
\"Now,Becky,it\'salldone——alloverbutthekiss.Don\'tyoubeafraidofthat——itain\'tanythingatall.Please,Becky.\"Andhetuggedatherapronandthehands.
Byandbyshegaveup,andletherhandsdrop;herface,allglowingwiththestruggle,cameupandsubmitted.Tomkissedtheredlipsandsaid:
\"Nowit\'salldone,Becky.Andalwaysafterthis,youknow,youain\'tevertoloveanybodybutme,andyouain\'tevertomarryanybodybutme,everneverandforever.Willyou?\"
\"No,I\'llneverloveanybodybutyou,Tom,andI\'llnevermarryanybodybutyou——andyouain\'ttoevermarryanybodybutme,either.\"
\"Certainly.Ofcourse.That\'spartofit.Andalwayscomingtoschoolorwhenwe\'regoinghome,you\'retowalkwithme,whenthereain\'tanybodylooking——andyouchoosemeandIchooseyouatparties,becausethat\'sthewayyoudowhenyou\'reengaged.\"
\"It\'ssonice.Ineverheardofitbefore.\"
\"Oh,it\'seversogay!Why,meandAmyLawrence——\"
ThebigeyestoldTomhisblunderandhestopped,confused.
\"Oh,Tom!ThenIain\'tthefirstyou\'veeverbeenengagedto!\"
Thechildbegantocry.Tomsaid:
\"Oh,don\'tcry,Becky,Idon\'tcareforheranymore.\"
\"Yes,youdo,Tom——youknowyoudo.\"
Tomtriedtoputhisarmaboutherneck,butshepushedhimawayandturnedherfacetothewall,andwentoncrying.Tomtriedagain,withsoothingwordsinhismouth,andwasrepulsedagain.Thenhispridewasup,andhestrodeawayandwentoutside.Hestoodabout,restlessanduneasy,forawhile,glancingatthedoor,everynowandthen,hopingshewouldrepentandcometofindhim.Butshedidnot.Thenhebegantofeelbadlyandfearthathewasinthewrong.Itwasahardstrugglewithhimtomakenewadvances,now,buthenervedhimselftoitandentered.Shewasstillstandingbackthereinthecorner,sobbing,withherfacetothewall.Tom\'sheartsmotehim.Hewenttoherandstoodamoment,notknowingexactlyhowtoproceed.Thenhesaidhesitatingly:
\"Becky,I——Idon\'tcareforanybodybutyou.\"
Noreply——butsobs.
\"Becky\"——pleadingly.\"Becky,won\'tyousaysomething?\"
Moresobs.
Tomgotouthischiefestjewel,abrassknobfromthetopofanandiron,andpasseditaroundhersothatshecouldseeit,andsaid:
\"Please,Becky,won\'tyoutakeit?\"
Shestruckittothefloor.ThenTommarchedoutofthehouseandoverthehillsandfaraway,toreturntoschoolnomorethatday.PresentlyBeckybegantosuspect.Sherantothedoor;hewasnotinsight;sheflewaroundtotheplay-yard;hewasnotthere.Thenshecalled:
\"Tom!Comeback,Tom!\"
Shelistenedintently,buttherewasnoanswer.Shehadnocompanionsbutsilenceandloneliness.Soshesatdowntocryagainandupbraidherself;andbythistimethescholarsbegantogatheragain,andshehadtohidehergriefsandstillherbrokenheartandtakeupthecrossofalong,dreary,achingafternoon,withnoneamongthestrangersabouthertoexchangesorrowswith.
CHAPTERVIII
TOMdodgedhitherandthitherthroughlanesuntilhewaswelloutofthetrackofreturningscholars,andthenfellintoamoodyjog.Hecrossedasmall\"branch\"twoorthreetimes,becauseofaprevailingjuvenilesuperstitionthattocrosswaterbaffledpursuit.HalfanhourlaterhewasdisappearingbehindtheDouglasmansiononthesummitofCardiffHill,andtheschool-housewashardlydistinguishableawayoffinthevalleybehindhim.Heenteredadensewood,pickedhispathlesswaytothecentreofit,andsatdownonamossyspotunderaspreadingoak.Therewasnotevenazephyrstirring;thedeadnoondayheathadevenstilledthesongsofthebirds;naturelayinatrancethatwasbrokenbynosoundbuttheoccasionalfar-offhammeringofawoodpecker,andthisseemedtorenderthepervadingsilenceandsenseoflonelinessthemoreprofound.Theboy\'ssoulwassteepedinmelancholy;hisfeelingswereinhappyaccordwithhissurroundings.Hesatlongwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands,meditating.Itseemedtohimthatlifewasbutatrouble,atbest,andhemorethanhalfenviedJimmyHodges,solatelyreleased;itmustbeverypeaceful,hethought,tolieandslumberanddreamforeverandever,withthewindwhisperingthroughthetreesandcaressingthegrassandtheflowersoverthegrave,andnothingtobotherandgrieveabout,everanymore.IfheonlyhadacleanSunday-schoolrecordhecouldbewillingtogo,andbedonewithitall.Nowastothisgirl.Whathadhedone?Nothing.Hehadmeantthebestintheworld,andbeentreatedlikeadog——likeaverydog.Shewouldbesorrysomeday——maybewhenitwastoolate.Ah,ifhecouldonlydieTEMPORARILY!
Buttheelasticheartofyouthcannotbecompressedintooneconstrainedshapelongatatime.Tompresentlybegantodriftinsensiblybackintotheconcernsofthislifeagain.Whatifheturnedhisback,now,anddisappearedmysteriously?Whatifhewentaway——eversofaraway,intounknowncountriesbeyondtheseas——andnevercamebackanymore!Howwouldshefeelthen!Theideaofbeingaclownrecurredtohimnow,onlytofillhimwithdisgust.Forfrivolityandjokesandspottedtightswereanoffense,whentheyintrudedthemselvesuponaspiritthatwasexaltedintothevagueaugustrealmoftheromantic.No,hewouldbeasoldier,andreturnafterlongyears,allwar-wornandillustrious.No——betterstill,hewouldjointheIndians,andhuntbuffaloesandgoonthewarpathinthemountainrangesandthetracklessgreatplainsoftheFarWest,andawayinthefuturecomebackagreatchief,bristlingwithfeathers,hideouswithpaint,andpranceintoSunday-school,somedrowsysummermorning,withablood-curdlingwar-whoop,andseartheeyeballsofallhiscompanionswithunappeasableenvy.Butno,therewassomethinggaudiereventhanthis.Hewouldbeapirate!Thatwasit!nowhisfuturelayplainbeforehim,andglowingwithunimaginablesplendor.Howhisnamewouldfilltheworld,andmakepeopleshudder!Howgloriouslyhewouldgoplowingthedancingseas,inhislong,low,black-hulledracer,theSpiritofthestorm,withhisgrislyflagflyingatthefore!Andatthezenithofhisfame,howhewouldsuddenlyappearattheoldvillageandstalkintochurch,brownandweather-beaten,inhisblackvelvetdoubletandtrunks,hisgreatjack-boots,hiscrimsonsash,hisbeltbristlingwithhorse-pistols,hiscrime-rustedcutlassathisside,hisslouchhatwithwavingplumes,hisblackflagunfurled,withtheskullandcrossbonesonit,andhearwithswellingecstasythewhisperings,\"It\'sTomSawyerthePirate!——theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain!\"
Yes,itwassettled;hiscareerwasdetermined.Hewouldrunawayfromhomeandenteruponit.Hewouldstarttheverynextmorning.Thereforehemustnowbegintogetready.Hewouldcollecthisresourcestogether.HewenttoarottenlognearathandandbegantodigunderoneendofitwithhisBarlowknife.Hesoonstruckwoodthatsoundedhollow.Heputhishandthereandutteredthisincantationimpressively:
\"Whathasn\'tcomehere,come!What\'shere,stayhere!\"
Thenhescrapedawaythedirt,andexposedapineshingle.Hetookitupanddisclosedashapelylittletreasure-housewhosebottomandsideswereofshingles.Initlayamarble.Tom\'sastonishmentwasboundless!Hescratchedhisheadwithaperplexedair,andsaid:
\"Well,thatbeatsanything!\"
Thenhetossedthemarbleawaypettishly,andstoodcogitating.Thetruthwas,thatasuperstitionofhishadfailed,here,whichheandallhiscomradeshadalwayslookeduponasinfallible.Ifyouburiedamarblewithcertainnecessaryincantations,andleftitaloneafortnight,andthenopenedtheplacewiththeincantationhehadjustused,youwouldfindthatallthemarblesyouhadeverlosthadgatheredthemselvestogetherthere,meantime,nomatterhowwidelytheyhadbeenseparated.Butnow,thisthinghadactuallyandunquestionablyfailed.Tom\'swholestructureoffaithwasshakentoitsfoundations.Hehadmanyatimeheardofthisthingsucceedingbutneverofitsfailingbefore.Itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadtrieditseveraltimesbefore,himself,butcouldneverfindthehiding-placesafterward.Hepuzzledoverthemattersometime,andfinallydecidedthatsomewitchhadinterferedandbrokenthecharm.Hethoughthewouldsatisfyhimselfonthatpoint;sohesearchedaroundtillhefoundasmallsandyspotwithalittlefunnel-shapeddepressioninit.Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisdepressionandcalled——
\"Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!
Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!\"
Thesandbegantowork,andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright.
\"Hedasn\'ttell!Soitwasawitchthatdoneit.Ijustknowedit.\"
Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches,sohegaveupdiscouraged.Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway,andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit.Buthecouldnotfindit.Nowhewentbacktohistreasure-houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway;thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway,saying:
\"Brother,gofindyourbrother!\"
Hewatchedwhereitstopped,andwentthereandlooked.Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar;sohetriedtwicemore.Thelastrepetitionwassuccessful.Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother.
Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest.Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers,turnedasuspenderintoabelt,rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog,disclosingarudebowandarrow,alathswordandatintrumpet,andinamomenthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway,barelegged,withflutteringshirt.Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm,blewanansweringblast,andthenbegantotiptoeandlookwarilyout,thiswayandthat.Hesaidcautiously——toanimaginarycompany:
\"Hold,mymerrymen!KeephidtillIblow.\"
NowappearedJoeHarper,asairilycladandelaboratelyarmedasTom.Tomcalled:
\"Hold!WhocomeshereintoSherwoodForestwithoutmypass?\"
\"GuyofGuisbornewantsnoman\'spass.Whoartthouthat——that——\"
\"Darestoholdsuchlanguage,\"saidTom,prompting——fortheytalked\"bythebook,\"frommemory.
\"Whoartthouthatdarestoholdsuchlanguage?\"
\"I,indeed!IamRobinHood,asthycaitiffcarcasesoonshallknow.\"
\"Thenartthouindeedthatfamousoutlaw?RightgladlywillIdisputewiththeethepassesofthemerrywood.Haveatthee!\"