Tomwasinacoldpanicinamoment。
　　"Comeback，comeback！"hewailed。"Ididn’tmeanit，Roxy;
　　Itakeitallback，andI’llneversayitagain！Pleasecomeback，Roxy！"
　　Thewomanstoodamoment，thenshesaidgravely：
　　"Dat’sonethingyou’sgottostop，ValetdeChambers。Youcan’tcallme_Roxy_，sameasifyouwasmyequal。Chillendon’tspeaktodeymammieslikedat。You’llcallmemaormammy，dat’swhatyou’llcallme——leastwayswhendeain’tnobodyaroun’。_Say_it！"
　　ItcostTomastruggle，buthegotitout。
　　"Dat’sallright。don’tyoueverforgititag’in，ifyouknowswhat’sgoodforyou。Nowden，youhadsaidyouwouldn’tevercallitliesenmoonshineag’in。I’lltellyoudis，forawarnin’：
　　ifyoueverdoessayitag’in，it’sdeLAS’timeyou’lleversayittome;I’lltrampasstraighttodejudgeasIkinwalk，entellhimwhoyouis，en_prove_it。Doesyoub’lievemewhenIsaysdat？"
　　"Oh，"groanedTom，"Imorethanbelieveit;I_know_it。"
　　Roxyknewherconquestwascomplete。Shecouldhaveprovednothingtoanybody，andherthreatofwritingswasalie;butsheknewthepersonshewasdealingwith，andhadmadebothstatementswithoutanydoubtastotheeffecttheywouldproduce。
　　Shewentandsatdownonhercandlebox，andtheprideandpompofhervictoriousattitudemadeitathrone。Shesaid：
　　"Nowden，Chambers，we’sgwinetotalkbusiness，endeyain’tgwinetobenomo’foolishness。Indefustplace，yougitsfiftydollahsamonth;you’sgwinetohan’overhalfofittoyo’ma。Plankitout！"
　　ButTomhadonlysixdollarsintheworld。Hegaveherthat，andpromisedtostartfaironnextmonth’spension。
　　"Chambers，howmuchisyouindebt？"
　　Tomshuddered，andsaid：
　　"Nearlythreehundreddollars。"
　　"Howisyougwinetopayit？"
　　Tomgroanedout："Oh，Idon’tknow;don’taskmesuchawfulquestions。"
　　Butshestucktoherpointuntilsheweariedaconfessionoutofhim：
　　hehadbeenprowlingaboutindisguise，stealingsmallvaluablesfromprivatehouses;infact，hemadeagooddealofaraidonhisfellowvillagersafortnightbefore，whenhewassupposedtobeinSt。Louis;
　　buthedoubtedifhehadsentawayenoughstufftorealizetherequiredamount，andwasafraidtomakeafurtherventureinthepresentexcitedstateofthetown。Hismotherapprovedofhisconduct，andofferedtohelp，butthisfrightenedhim。Hetremblinglyventuredtosaythatifshewouldretirefromthetownheshouldfeelbetterandsafer，andcouldholdhisheadhigher——andwasgoingontomakeanargument，butsheinterruptedandsurprisedhimpleasantlybysayingshewasready;itdidn’tmakeanydifferencetoherwhereshestayed，sothatshegothershareofthepensionregularly。Shesaidshewouldnotgofar，andwouldcallatthehauntedhouseonceamonthforhermoney。
　　Thenshesaid：
　　"Idon’thateyousomuchnow，butI’vehatedyouamanyayear——
　　andanybodywould。Didn’tIchangeyouoff，engiveyouagoodfamblyenagoodname，enmadeyouawhitegen’l’manenrich，widstoreclotheson——enwhatdidIgitforit？Youdespisedmealldetime，enwasal’ayssayin’meanhardthingstomebefo’folks，enwouldn’teverletmeforgitI’sanigger——en——en——"
　　Shefelltosobbing，andbrokedown。Tomsaid："ButyouknowI
　　didn’tknowyouweremymother;andbesides——"
　　"Well，nemmine’boutdat，now;letitgo。I’sgwinetofo’gitit。"
　　Thensheaddedfiercely，"Endon’tevermakemerememberitag’in，oryou’llbesorry，_I_tellyou。"
　　Whentheywereparting，Tomsaid，inthemostpersuasivewayhecouldcommand：
　　"Ma，wouldyoumindtellingmewhowasmyfather？"
　　Hehadsupposedhewasaskinganembarrassingquestion。Hewasmistaken。
　　Roxydrewherselfupwithaproudtossofherhead，andsaid：
　　"DoesIminetellin’you？No，datIdon’t！Youain’tgotno’casiontobeshame’o’yo’father，_I_kintellyou。Hewuzdehighestqualityindiswholetown——oleVirginnystock。Fustfamblies，hewuz。
　　JesasgoodstockasdeDriscollsendeHowards，debes’daydeyeverseed。"Sheputonalittleprouderair，ifpossible，andaddedimpressively："Doesyou’memberCunnelCecilBurleighEssex，datdieddesameyearyo’youngMarseTomDriscoll’spappydied，enalldeMasonsenOddFellersenChurchesturnedoutengivehimdebigges’funeraldistowneverseed？Dat’sdeman。"
　　Undertheinspirationofhersoaringcomplacencythedepartedgracesofherearlierdaysreturnedtoher，andherbearingtooktoitselfadignityandstatethatmighthavepassedforqueenlyifhersurroundingshadbeenalittlemoreinkeepingwithit。
　　"Deyain’tanotherniggerindistowndat’sashighbawnasyouis。
　　Nowden，go’long！Enjesyouholdyo’headupashighasyouwantto——
　　youhasderight，endatIkinswah。"
　　CHAPTER10
　　TheNymphRevealedAllsay，"Howharditisthatwehavetodie"——astrangecomplainttocomefromthemouthsofpeoplewhohavehadtolive。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWhenangry，countfour;whenveryangry，swear。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarEverynowandthen，afterTomwenttobed，hehadsuddenwakingsoutofhissleep，andhisfirstthoughtwas，"Oh，joy，itwasalladream！"Thenhelaidhimselfheavilydownagain，withagroanandthemutteredwords，"Anigger！Iamanigger！Oh，IwishIwasdead！"
　　Hewokeatdawnwithonemorerepetitionofthishorror，andthenheresolvedtomeddlenomorewiththattreacheroussleep。
　　Hebegantothink。Sufficientlybitterthinkingstheywere。
　　Theywanderedalongsomethingafterthisfashion：
　　Whywereniggers_and_whitesmade？Whatcrimedidtheuncreatedfirstniggercommitthatthecurseofbirthwasdecreedforhim？
　　Andwhyisthisawfuldifferencemadebetweenwhiteandblack？……
　　Howhardthenigger’sfateseems，thismorning！——yetuntillastnightsuchathoughtneverenteredmyhead。"
　　Hesighedandgroanedanhourormoreaway。Then"Chambers"camehumblyintosaythatbreakfastwasnearlyready。"Tom"blushedscarlettoseethisaristocraticwhiteyouthcringetohim，anigger，andcallhim"YoungMarster。"Hesaidroughly：
　　"Getoutofmysight！"andwhentheyouthwasgone，hemuttered，"Hehasdonemenoharm，poorwrench，butheisaneyesoretomenow，forheisDriscoll，theyounggentleman，andIama——oh，IwishIwasdead！"
　　Agiganticeruption，likethatofKrakatoaafewyearsago，withtheaccompanyingearthquakes，tidalwaves，andcloudsofvolcanicdust，changesthefaceofthesurroundinglandscapebeyondrecognition，bringingdownthehighlands，elevatingthelow，makingfairlakeswheredesertshadbeen，anddesertswheregreenprairieshadsmiledbefore。ThetremendouscatastrophewhichhadbefallenTomhadchangedhismorallandscapeinmuchthesameway。
　　Someofhislowplaceshefoundliftedtoideals，someofhisideashadsunktothevalleys，andlaytherewiththesackclothandashesofpumicestoneandsulphurontheirruinedheads。
　　Fordayshewanderedinlonelyplaces，thinking，thinking，thinking——
　　tryingtogethisbearings。Itwasnewwork。Ifhemetafriend，hefoundthatthehabitofalifetimehadinsomemysteriouswayvanished——
　　hisarmhunglimp，insteadofinvoluntarilyextendingthehandforashake。
　　Itwasthe"nigger"inhimassertingitshumility，andheblushedandwasabashed。Andthe"nigger"inhimwassurprisedwhenthewhitefriendputouthishandforashakewithhim。Hefoundthe"nigger"
　　inhiminvoluntarilygivingtheroad，onthesidewalk，toawhiterowdyandloafer。WhenRowena，thedearestthinghisheartknew，theidolofhissecretworship，invitedhimin，the"nigger"inhimmadeanembarrassedexcuseandwasafraidtoenterandsitwiththedreadwhitefolksonequalterms。The"nigger"inhimwentshrinkingandskulkinghereandthereandyonder，andfancyingitsawsuspicionandmaybedetectioninallfaces，tones，andgestures。SostrangeanduncharacteristicwasTom’sconductthatpeoplenoticedit，andturnedtolookafterhimwhenhepassedon;andwhenheglancedback——ashecouldnothelpdoing，inspiteofhisbestresistance——andcaughtthatpuzzledexpressioninaperson’sface，itgavehimasickfeeling，andhetookhimselfoutofviewasquicklyashecould。Hepresentlycametohaveahuntedsenseandahuntedlook，andthenhefledawaytothehilltopsandthesolitudes。
　　HesaidtohimselfthatthecurseofHamwasuponhim。
　　Hedreadedhismeals;the"nigger"inhimwasashamedtositatthewhitefolk’stable，andfeareddiscoveryallthetime;andoncewhenJudgeDriscollsaid，"What’sthematterwithyou？Youlookasmeekasanigger，"hefeltassecretmurderersaresaidtofeelwhentheaccusersays，"Thouarttheman！"Tomsaidhewasnotwell，andleftthetable。
　　Hisostensible"aunt’s"solicitudesandendearmentswerebecomeaterrortohim，andheavoidedthem。
　　Andallthetime，hatredofhisostensible"uncle"wassteadilygrowinginhisheart;forhesaidtohimself，"Heiswhite;andIamhischattel，hisproperty，hisgoods，andhecansellme，justashecouldhisdog。"
　　Forasmuchasaweekafterthis，Tomimaginedthathischaracterhadundergoneaprettyradicalchange。Butthatwasbecausehedidnotknowhimself。
　　Inseveralwayshisopinionsweretotallychanged，andwouldnevergobacktowhattheywerebefore，butthemainstructureofhischaracterwasnotchanged，andcouldnotbechanged。Oneortwoveryimportantfeaturesofitwerealtered，andintimeeffectswouldresultfromthis，ifopportunityoffered——effectsofaquiteseriousnature，too。
　　Undertheinfluenceofagreatmentalandmoralupheaval，hischaracterandhishabitshadtakenontheappearanceofcompletechange，butafterawhilewiththesubsidenceofthestorm，bothbegantosettletowardtheirformerplaces。Hedroppedgraduallybackintohisoldfrivolousandeasygoingwaysandconditionsoffeelingandmannerofspeech，andnofamiliarofhiscouldhavedetectedanythinginhimthatdifferentiatedhimfromtheweakandcarelessTomofotherdays。
　　Thetheftraidwhichhehadmadeuponthevillageturnedoutbetterthanhehadventuredtohope。Itproducedthesumnecessarytopayhisgamingdebts，andsavedhimfromexposuretohisuncleandanothersmashingofthewill。Heandhismotherlearnedtolikeeachotherfairlywell。Shecouldn’tlovehim，asyet，becausethere"warn’tnothing_to_him，"assheexpressedit，buthernatureneededsomethingorsomebodytoruleover，andhewasbetterthannothing。HerstrongcharacterandaggressiveandcommandingwayscompelledTom’sadmirationinspiteofthefactthathegotmoreillustrationsofthemthanheneededforhiscomfort。
　　However，asaruleherconversationwasmadeupofracytaleabouttheprivaciesofthechieffamiliesofthetown（forshewentharvestingamongtheirkitchenseverytimeshecametothevillage），andTomenjoyedthis。Itwasjustinhisline。Shealwayscollectedherhalfofhispensionpunctually，andhewasalwaysatthehauntedhousetohaveachatwithherontheseoccasions。Everynowandthen，shepaidhimavisitthereonbetween—daysalso。
　　OccasionshewouldrunuptoSt。Louisforafewweeks，andatlasttemptationcaughthimagain。Hewonalotofmoney，butlostit，andwithitadealmorebesides，whichhepromisedtoraiseassoonaspossible。
　　Forthispurposeheprojectedanewraidonhistown。Henevermeddledwithanyothertown，forhewasafraidtoventureintohouseswhoseinsandoutshedidnotknowandthehabitsofwhosehouseholdshewasnotacquaintedwith。HearrivedatthehauntedhouseindisguiseontheWednesdaybeforetheadventofthetwins——afterwritinghisAuntPrattthathewouldnotarriveuntiltwodaysafter——andlayinginhidingtherewithhismotheruntiltowarddaylightFridaymorning，whenhewenttohisuncle’shouseandenteredbythebackwaywithhisownkey，andslippeduptohisroomwherehecouldhavetheuseofthemirrorandtoiletarticles。Hehadasuitofgirl’sclotheswithhiminabundleasadisguiseforhisraid，andwaswearingasuitofhismother’sclothing，withblackglovesandveil。Bydawnhewastrickedoutforhisraid，buthecaughtaglimpseofPudd’nheadWilsonthroughthewindowovertheway，andknewthatPudd’nheadhadcaughtaglimpseofhim。
　　SoheentertainedWilsonwithsomeairsandgracesandattitudesforawhile，thensteppedoutofsightandresumedtheotherdisguise，andbyandbywentdownandoutthebackwayandstarteddowntowntoreconnoiterthesceneofhisintendedlabors。
　　Buthewasillatease。HehadchangedbacktoRoxy’sdress，withthestoopofageaddedtohedisguise，sothatWilsonwouldnotbotherhimselfaboutahumbleoldwomenleavinganeighbor’shousebythebackwayintheearlymorning，incasehewasstillspying。ButsupposingWilsonhadseenhimleave，andhadthoughtitsuspicious，andhadalsofollowedhim？
　　ThethoughtmadeTomcold。Hegaveuptheraidfortheday，andhurriedbacktothehauntedhousebytheobscurestrouteheknew。
　　Hismotherwasgone;butshecameback，byandby，withthenewsofthegrandreceptionatPatsyCooper’s，andsoonpersuadedhimthattheopportunitywaslikeaspecialProvidence，itwassoinvitingandperfect。Sohewentraiding，afterall，andmadeanicesuccessofitwhileeverybodywasgonetoPatsyCooper’s。
　　Successgavehimnerveandevenactualintrepidity;insomuch，indeed，thatafterhehadconveyedhisharvesttohismotherinabackalley，hewenttothereceptionhimself，andaddedseveralofthevaluablesofthathousetohistakings。
　　AfterthislongdigressionwehavenowarrivedoncemoreatthepointwherePudd’nheadWilson，whilewaitingforthearrivalofthetwinsonthatsameFridayevening，satpuzzlingoverthestrangeapparitionofthatmorning——agirlinyoungTomDriscoll’sbedroom;fretting，andguessing，andpuzzlingoverit，andwonderingwhotheshamelesscreaturemightbe。
　　CHAPTER11
　　Pudd’nhead’sThrillingDiscoveryTherearethreeinfalliblewaysofpleasinganauthor，andthethreeformarisingscaleofcompliment：1——totellhimyouhavereadoneofhisbooks;2——totellhimyouhavereadallofhisbooks;
　　3——toaskhimtoletyoureadthemanuscriptofhisforthcomingbook。
　　No。1admitsyoutohisrespect;No。2admitsyoutohisadmiration;
　　No。3carriesyouclearintohisheart。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAstotheAdjective：whenindoubt，strikeitout。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThetwinsarrivedpresently，andtalkbegan。Itflowedalongchattilyandsociably，andunderitsinfluencethenewfriendshipgatheredeaseandstrength。WilsongotouthisCalendar，byrequest，andreadapassageortwofromit，whichthetwinspraisedquitecordially。
　　Thispleasedtheauthorsomuchthathecompliedgladlywhentheaskedhimtolendthemabatchoftheworktoreadathome。Inthecourseoftheirwidetravels，theyhadfoundoutthattherearethreesurewaysofpleasinganauthor;theywerenowworkingthebestofthethree。
　　Therewasaninterruptionnow。YoungDriscollappeared，andjoinedtheparty。Hepretendedtobeseeingthedistinguishedstrangersforthefirsttimewhentheyrosetoshakehands;butthiswasonlyablind，ashehadalreadyhadaglimpseofthem，atthereception，whilerobbingthehouse。Thetwinsmadementalnotethathewassmooth—facedandratherhandsome，andsmoothandundulatoryinhismovements——graceful，infact。Angelothoughthehadagoodeye;Luigithoughttherewassomethingveiledandslyaboutit。Angelothoughthehadapleasantfree—and—easywayoftalking;Luigithoughtitwasmoresothanwasagreeable。
　　Angelothoughthewasasufficientlyniceyoungman;Luigireservedhisdecision。Tom’sfirstcontributiontotheconversationwasaquestionwhichhehadputtoWilsonahundredtimesbefore。
　　Itwasalwayscheerilyandgood—naturedput，andalwaysinflictedalittlepang，forittouchedasecretsore;butthistimethepangwassharp，sincestrangerswerepresent。
　　"Well，howdoesthelawcomeon？Hadacaseyet？"
　　Wilsonbithislip，butanswered，"No——notyet，"withasmuchindifferenceashecouldassume。JudgeDriscollhadgenerouslyleftthelawfeatureoutofWilson’sbiographywhichhehadfurnishedtothetwins。YoungTomlaughedpleasantly，andsaid：
　　"Wilson’salawyer，gentlemen，buthedoesn’tpracticenow。"
　　Thesarcasmbit，butWilsonkepthimselfundercontrol，andsaidwithoutpassion：
　　"Idon’tpractice，itistrue。ItistruethatIhaveneverhadacase，andhavehadtoearnapoorlivingfortwentyyearsasanexpertaccountantinatownwhereIcan’tgetaholdofasetofbookstountangleasoftenasIshouldlike。ButitisalsotruethatIdidmyselfwellforthepracticeofthelaw。BythetimeIwasyourage，Tom，Ihadchosenaprofession，andwassooncompetenttoenteruponit。"
　　Tomwinced。"Inevergotachancetotrymyhandatit，andImaynevergetachance;andyetifIeverdogetit，Ishallbefoundready，forIhavekeptupmylawstudiesalltheseyears。"
　　"That’sit;that’sgoodgrit！Iliketoseeit。I’veanotiontothrowallmybusinessyourway。Mybusinessandyourlawpracticeoughttomakeaprettygayteam，Dave，"andtheyoungfellowlaughedagain。
　　"Ifyouwillthrow——"WilsonhadthoughtofthegirlinTom’sbedroom，andwasgoingtosay，"Ifyouwillthrowthesurreptitiousanddisreputablepartofyourbusinessmyway，itmayamounttosomething，"
　　butthoughtbetterofitandsaid，"However，thismatterdoesn’tfitwellinageneralconversation。"
　　"Allright，we’llchangethesubject;Iguessyouwereabouttogivemeanotherdig，anyway，soI’mwillingtochange。
　　How’stheAwfulMysteryflourishingthesedays？Wilson’sgotaschemefordrivingplainwindowglasspanesoutofthemarketbydecoratingitwithgreasyfingermarks，andgettingrichbysellingitatfaminepricestothecrownedheadsoverinEuropetooutfittheirpalaceswith。
　　Fetchitout，Dave。"
　　Wilsonbroughtthreeofhisglassstrips，andsaid：
　　"Igetthesubjecttopassthefingersofhisrightthroughhishair，soastogetalittlecoatingofthenaturaloilonthem，andthenpresstheballsofthemontheglass。Afineandelicateprintofthelinesintheskinresults，andispermanent，ifitdoesn’tcomeincontactwithsomethingabletorubitoff。
　　Youbegin，Tom。"
　　"Why，Ithinkyoutookmyfingermarksonceortwicebefore。"
　　"Yes，butyouwerealittleboythelasttime，onlyabouttwelveyearsold。"
　　"That’sso。Ofcourse，I’vechangedentirelysincethen，andvarietyiswhatthecrownedheadswant，Iguess。"
　　Hepassedhisfingersthroughhiscropofshorthair，andpressedthemoneatatimeontheglass。Angelomadeaprintofhisfingersonanotherglass，andLuigifollowedwithathird。Wilsonmarkedtheglasseswithnamesanddates，andputthemaway。Tomgaveoneofhislittlelaughs，andsaid：
　　"IthoughtIwouldn’tsayanything，butifvarietyiswhatyouareafter，youhavewastedapieceofglass。Thehandprintofonetwinisthesameasthehandprintofthefellowtwin。"
　　"Well，it’sdonenow，andIliketohavethemboth，anyway，"
　　saidWilson，returnedtohisplace。
　　"Butlookhere，Dave，"saidTom，youusedtotellpeople’sfortunes，too，whenyoutooktheirfingermarks。Dave’sjustanall—roundgenius——
　　ageniusofthefirstwater，gentlemen;agreatscientistrunningtoseedhereinthisvillage，aprophetwiththekindofhonorthatprophetsgenerallygetathome——forheretheydon’tgiveshucksforhisscientifics，andtheycallhisskullanotionfactory——hey，Dave，ain’titso？Butnevermind，he’llmakehismarksomeday——fingermark，youknow，he—he！Butreally，youwanttolethimtakeashyatyourpalmsonce;it’sworthtwicethepriceofadmissionoryourmoney’sreturnedatthedoor。Why，he’llreadyourwrinklesaseasyasabook，andnotonlytellyoufiftyorsixtythingsthat’sgoingtohappentoyou，butfiftyorsixtythousandthatain’t。Come，Dave，showthegentlemenwhataninspiredjack—at—all—sciencewe’vegotinthistown，anddon’tknowit。"
　　Wilsonwincedunderthisnaggingandnotverycourteouschaff，andthetwinssufferedwithhimandforhim。Theyrightlyjudged，now，thatthebestwaywastorelievehimwouldbetotakethethinginearnestandtreatitwithrespect，ignoringTom’sratheroverdoneraillery;soLuigisaid：
　　"Wehaveseensomethingofpalmistryinourwanderings，andknowverywellwhatastonishingthingsitcando。Ifitisn’tascience，andoneofthegreatestofthemtoo，Idon’tknowwhatitsothernameoughttobe。IntheOrient——"
　　Tomlookedsurprisedandincredulous。Hesaid：
　　"Thatjugglingascience？Butreally，youain’tserious，areyou？"
　　"Yes，entirelyso。Fouryearsagowehadourhandsreadouttousasifourplanshadbeencoveredwithprint。"
　　"Well，doyoumeantosaytherewasactuallyanythinginit？"askedTom，hisincredulitybeginningtoweakenalittle。
　　"Therewasthismuchinit，"saidAngelo："whatwastoldusofourcharacterswasminutelyexact——wecouldhavenothavebettereditourselves。Next，twoorthreememorablethingsthathavehappenedtouswerelaidbare——thingswhichnoonepresentbutourselvescouldhaveknownabout。"
　　"Why，it’sranksorcery！"exclaimedTom，whowasnowbecomingverymuchinterested。"Andhowdidtheymakeoutwithwhatwasgoingtohappentoyouinthefuture？"
　　"Onthewhole，quitefairly，"saidLuigi。"Twoorthreeofthemoststrikingthingsforetoldhavehappenedsince;muchthemoststrikingoneofallhappenedwithinthatsameyear。Someoftheminorprophesieshavecometrue;someoftheminorandsomeofthemajoroneshavenotbeenfulfilledyet，andofcoursemayneverbe：still，Ishouldbemoresurprisediftheyfailedtoarrivethaniftheydidn’t。"
　　Tomwasentirelysobered，andprofoundlyimpressed。Hesaid，apologetically：
　　"Dave，Iwasn’tmeaningtobelittlethatscience;Iwasonlychaffing——
　　chattering，IreckonI’dbettersay。Iwishyouwouldlookattheirpalms。
　　Come，won’tyou？"
　　"Whycertainly，ifyouwantmeto;butyouknowI’vehadnochancetobecomeanexpert，anddon’tclaimtobeone。Whenapasteventissomewhatprominentlyrecordedinthepalm，Icangenerallydetectthat，butminoronesoftenescapeme——notalways，ofcourse，butoften——
　　butIhaven’tmuchconfidenceinmyselfwhenitcomestoreadingthefuture。Iamtalkingasifpalmistrywasadailystudywithme，butthatisnotso。Ihaven’texaminedhalfadozenhandsinthelasthalfdozenyears;yousee，thepeoplegottojokingaboutit，andIstoppedtoletthetalkdiedown。I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo，CountLuigi：I’llmakeatryatyourpast，andifIhaveanysuccessthere——no，onthewhole，I’llletthefuturealone;that’sreallytheaffairofanexpert。"
　　HetookLuigi’shand。Tomsaid：
　　"Wait——don’tlookyet，Dave！CountLuigi，here’spaperandpencil。
　　Setdownthatthingthatyousaidwasthemoststrikingonethatwasforetoldtoyou，andhappenedlessthanayearafterward，andgiveittomesoIcanseeifDavefindsitinyourhand。"
　　Luigiwrotealineprivately，andfoldedupthepieceofpaper，andhandedittoTom，saying：
　　"I’lltellyouwhentolookatit，ifhefindsit。"
　　WilsonbegantostudyLuigi’spalm，tracinglifelines，heartlines，headlines，andsoon，andnotingcarefullytheirrelationswiththecobweboffinerandmoredelicatemarksandlinesthatenmeshedthemonallsides;hefeltofthefleshycushionatthebaseofthethumbandnoteditsshape;hefeltofthefleshysideofthehandbetweenthewristandthebaseofthelittlefingerandnoteditsshapealso;
　　hepainstakinglyexaminedthefingers，observingtheirform，proportions，andnaturalmannerofdisposingthemselveswheninrepose。
　　Allthisprocesswaswatchedbythethreespectatorswithabsorbinginterest，theirheadsbenttogetheroverLuigi’spalm，andnobodydisturbingthestillnesswithaword。Wilsonnowentereduponaclosesurveyofthepalmagain，andhisrevelationsbegan。
　　HemappedoutLuigi’scharacteranddisposition，histastes，aversions，proclivities，ambitions，andeccentricitiesinawaywhichsometimesmadeLuigiwinceandtheotherslaugh，butbothtwinsdeclaredthatthechartwasartisticallydrawnandwascorrect。
　　Next，WilsontookupLuigi’history。Heproceededcautiouslyandwithhesitationnow，movinghisfingerslowlyalongthegreatlinesofthepalm，andnowandthenhaltingitata"star"orsomesuchlandmark，andexaminingthatneighborhoodminutely。
　　Heproclaimedoneortwopastevents，Luigiconfirmedhiscorrectness，andthesearchwenton。PresentlyWilsonglancedupsuddenlywithasurprisedexpression。
　　"Hereisarecordofanincidentwhichyouwouldperhapsnotwishmeto——"
　　"Bringitout，"saidLuigi，good—naturedly。"Ipromiseyousha’n’tembarrassme。"
　　ButWilsonstillhesitated，anddidnotseemquitetoknowwhattodo。
　　Thenhesaid：
　　"Ithinkitistoodelicateamatterto——to——IbelieveIwouldratherwriteitorwhisperittoyou，andletyoudecideforyourselfwhetheryouwantittalkedoutornot。"
　　"Thatwillanswer，"saidLuigi。"Writeit。"
　　WilsonwrotesomethingonaslipofpaperandhandedittoLuigi，whoreadittohimselfandsaidtoTom：
　　"Unfoldyourslipandreadit，Mr。Driscoll。"
　　Tomsaid：
　　"’ITWASPROPHESIEDTHATIWOULDKILLAMAN。ITCAMETRUE
　　BEFORETHEYEARWASOUT。’"
　　Tomadded，"GreatScott！"
　　LuigihandedWilson’spapertoTom，andsaid：
　　"Nowreadthisone。"
　　Tomread：
　　"’YOUHAVEKILLEDSOMEONE，BUTWHETHERMAN，WOMAN，ORCHILD，IDONOTMAKEOUT。’"
　　"Caesar’sghost！"commentedTom，withastonishment。
　　"Itbeatsanythingthatwaseverheardof！Why，aman’sownhandishisdeadliestenemy！Justthinkofthat——aman’sownhandkeepsarecordofthedeepestandfatalestsecretsofhislife，andistreacherouslyreadytoexposehimselftoanyblack—magicstrangerthatcomesalong。Butwhatdoyouletapersonlookatyourhandfor，withthatawfulthingprintedonit？"
　　"Oh，"saidLuigi，reposefully，"Idon’tmindit。Ikilledthemanforgoodreasons，andIdon’tregretit。"
　　"Whatwerethereasons？"
　　"Well，heneededkilling。"
　　"I’lltellyouwhyhedidit，sincehewon’tsayhimself，"saidAngelo，warmly。"Hedidittosavemylife，that’swhathediditfor。
　　Soitwasanobleact，andnotathingtobehidinthedark。"
　　"Soitwas，soitwas，"saidWilson。"Todosuchathingtosaveabrother’slifeisagreatandfineaction。"
　　"Nowcome，"saidLuigi，"itisverypleasanttohearyousaythesethings，butforunselfishness，orheroism，ormagnanimity，thecircumstanceswon’tstandscrutiny。Youoverlookonedetail;
　　supposeIhadn’tsavedAngelo’slife，whatwouldhavebecomeofmine？
　　IfIhadletthemankillhim，wouldn’thehavekilledme，too？
　　Isavedmyownlife，yousee。"
　　"Yes，thatisyourwayoftalking，"saidAngelo，"butIknowyou——
　　Idon’tbelieveyouthoughtofyourselfatall。IkeepthatweaponyetthatLuigikilledthemanwith，andI’llshowittoyousometime。
　　Thatincidentmakesitinteresting，andithadahistorybeforeitcameintoLuigi’shandswhichaddstoitsinterest。ItwasgiventoLuigibyagreatIndianprince，theGaikowarofBaroda，andithadbeeninhisfamilytwoorthreecenturies。Itkilledagoodmanydisagreeablepeoplewhotroubledthehearthstoneatonetimeoranother。Itisn’tmuchtoolookat，exceptitisn’tshapedlikeotherknives，ordirks，orwhateveritmaybecalled——here，I’lldrawitforyou。"Hetookasheetofpaperandmadearapidsketch。"Thereitis——abroadandmurderousblade，withedgeslikearazorforsharpness。
　　Thedevicesengravedonitaretheciphersornamesofitslonglineofpossessors——IhadLuigi’snameaddedinRomanlettersmyselfwithourcoatofarms，asyousee。Younoticewhatacurioushandlethethinghas。Itissolidivory，polishedlikeamirror，andisfourorfiveincheslong——round，andasthickasalargeman’swrist，withtheendsquaredoffflat，foryourthumbtoreston;foryougraspit，withyourthumbrestingonthebluntend——
　　so——andliftitalongandstrikedownward。TheGaikowarshowedushowthethingwasdonewhenhegaveittoLuigi，andbeforethatnightwasended，Luigihadusedtheknife，andtheGaikowarwasamanshortbyreasonofit。Thesheathismagnificentlyornamentedwithgemsofgreatvalue。Youwillfindasheathmoreworthlookingatthantheknifeitself，ofcourse。"
　　Tomsaidtohimself：
　　"It’sluckyIcamehere。Iwouldhavesoldthatknifeforasong;
　　Isupposedthejewelswereglass。"
　　"Butgoon;don’tstop，"saidWilson。"Ourcuriosityisupnow，tohearaboutthehomicide。Tellusaboutthat。"
　　"Well，briefly，theknifewastoblameforthat，allaround。
　　Anativeservantslippedintoourroominthepalaceinthenight，tokillusandstealtheknifeonaccountofthefortuneencrustedonitssheath，withoutadoubt。Luigihaditunderhispillow;
　　wewereinbedtogether。Therewasadimnight—lightburning。
　　Iwasasleep，butLuigiwasawake，andhethoughthedetectedavagueformnearingthebed。Heslippedtheknifeoutofthesheathandwasreadyandunembarrassedbyhamperingbedclothes，fortheweatherwashotandwehadn’tany。Suddenlythatnativeroseatthebedside，andbentovermewithhisrighthandliftedandadirkinitaimedatmythroat;butLuigigrabbedhiswrist，pulledhimdownward，anddrovehisownknifeintotheman’sneck。
　　Thatisthewholestory。"
　　WilsonandTomdrewdeepbreaths，andaftersomegeneralchataboutthetragedy，Pudd’nheadsaid，takingTom’shand：
　　"Now，Tom，I’veneverhadalookatyourpalms，asithappens;
　　perhapsyou’vegotsomelittlequestionableprivaciesthatneed——hel—lo！"
　　Tomhadsnatchedawayhishand，andwaslookingagooddealconfused。
　　"Why，he’sblushing！"saidLuigi。
　　Tomdartedanuglylookathim，andsaidsharply：
　　"Well，ifIam，itain’tbecauseI’mamurderer！"Luigi’sdarkfaceflushed，butbeforehecouldspeakormove，Tomaddedwithanxioushaste："Oh，Ibegathousandpardons。Ididn’tmeanthat;
　　itwasoutbeforeIthought，andI’mvery，verysorry——youmustforgiveme！"
　　Wilsoncametotherescue，andsmoothedthingsdownaswellashecould;
　　andinfactwasentirelysuccessfulasfarasthetwinswereconcerned，fortheyfeltsorrierfortheaffrontputuponhimbyhisguest’soutburstofillmannersthanfortheinsultofferedtoLuigi。
　　Butthesuccesswasnotsopronouncedwiththeoffender。Tomtriedtoseemathisease，andhewentthroughthemotionsfairlywell，butatbottomhefeltresentfultowardallthethreewitnessesofhisexhibition;infact，hefeltsoannoyedatthemforhavingwitnesseditandnoticeditthathealmostforgottofeelannoyedathimselfforplacingitbeforethem。However，somethingpresentlyhappenedwhichmadehimalmostcomfortable，andbroughthimnearlybacktoastateofcharityandfriendliness。Thiswasalittlespatbetweenthetwins;notmuchofaspat，butstillaspat;andbeforetheygotfarwithit，theywereinadecidedconditionofirritationwhilepretendingtobeactuatedbymorerespectablemotives。Byhishelpthefiregotwarmeduptotheblazingpoint，andhemighthavehadthehappinessofseeingtheflamesshowupinanothermoment，butfortheinterruptionofaknockonthedoor——aninterruptionwhichfrettedhimasmuchasitgratifiedWilson。Wilsonopenedthedoor。
　　Thevisitorwasagood—natured，ignorant，energeticmiddle—agedIrishmannamedJohnBuckstone，whowasagreatpoliticianinasmallway，andalwaystookalargeshareinpublicmattersofeverysort。Oneofthetown’schiefexcitements，justnow，wasoverthematterofrum。Therewasastrongrumpartyandastronganti—rumparty。Buckstonewastrainingwiththerumparty，andhehadbeensenttohuntupthetwinsandinvitethemtoattendamassmeetingofthatfaction。Hedeliveredhiserrand，andsaidtheclanswerealreadygatheringinthebighalloverthemarkethouse。
　　Luigiacceptedtheinvitationcordially。Angelolesscordially，sincehedislikedcrowds，anddidnotdrinkthepowerfulintoxicantsofAmerica。Infact，hewasevenateetotalersometimes——
　　whenitwasjudicioustobeone。
　　ThetwinsleftwithBuckstone，andTomDriscolljoinedthecompanywiththemuninvited。
　　Inthedistance，onecouldseealongwaveringlineoftorchesdriftingdownthemainstreet，andcouldhearthethrobbingofthebassdrum，theclashofcymbals，thesqueakingofafifeortwo，andthefaintroarofremotehurrahs。Thetailendofthisprocessionwasclimbingthemarkethousestairswhenthetwinsarrivedinitsneighborhood;whentheyreachedthehall，itwasfullofpeople，torches，smoke，noise，andenthusiasm。
　　TheywereconductedtotheplatformbyBuckstone——TomDriscollstillfollowing——andweredeliveredtothechairmaninthemidstofaprodigiousexplosionofwelcome。Whenthenoisehadmoderatedalittle，thechairproposedthat"ourillustriousguestsbeatonceelected，bycomplimentaryacclamation，tomembershipinourever—gloriousorganization，theparadiseofthefreeandtheperditionoftheslave。"
　　Thiseloquentdischargeopenedthefloodgatesofenthusiasmagain，andtheelectionwascarriedwiththunderingunanimity。Thenaroseastormofcries：
　　"Wetthemdown！Wetthemdown！Givethemadrink！"
　　Glassesofwhiskywerehandedtothetwins。Luigiwaveshisaloft，thenbroughtittohislips;butAngelosethisdown。
　　Therewasanotherstormofcries。
　　"What’sthematterwiththeotherone？""Whatistheblondonegoingbackonusfor？""Explain！Explain！"
　　Thechairmaninquired，andthenreported：
　　"Wehavemadeanunfortunatemistake，gentlemen。IfindthattheCountAngeloCapelloisopposedtoourcreed——isateetotaler，infact，andwasnotintendingtoapplyformembershipwithus。Hedesiresthatwereconsiderthevotebywhichhewaselected。Whatisthepleasureofthehouse？"
　　Therewasageneralburstoflaughter，plentifullyaccentedwithwhistlingsandcatcalls，buttheenergeticuseofthegavelpresentlyrestoredsomethinglikeorder。Thenamanspokefromthecrowd，andsaidthatwhilehewasverysorrythatthemistakehadbeenmade，itwouldnotbepossibletorectifyitatthepresentmeeting。Accordingtothebylaws，itmustgoovertothenextregularmeetingforaction。Hewouldnotofferamotion，asnonewasrequired。Hedesiredtoapologizetothegentlemeninthenameofthehouse，andbeggedtoassurehimthatasfarasitmightlieinthepoweroftheSonsofLiberty，histemporarymembershipintheorderwouldbemadepleasanttohim。
　　Thisspeechwasreceivedwithgreatapplause，mixedwithcriesof：
　　"That’sthetalk！"He’sagoodfellow，anyway，ifhe_is_ateetotaler！"
　　"Drinkhishealth！""Givehimarouser，andnoheeltaps！"
　　Glasseswerehandedaround，andeverybodyontheplatformdrankAngelo’shealth，whilethehousebellowedforthinsong：
　　Forhe’sajollygoodfel—low，Forhe’sajollygoodfel—low，Forhe’sajollygoodfe—el—low，Whichnobodycandeny。
　　TomDriscolldrank。Itwashissecondglass，forhehaddrunkAngelo’sthemomentthatAngelohadsetitdown。Thetwodrinksmadehimverymerry——almostidioticallyso，andhebegantotakeamostlivelyandprominentpartintheproceedings，particularlyinthemusicandcatcallsandsideremarks。
　　Thechairmanwasstillstandingatthefront，thetwinsathisside。
　　TheextraordinarilycloseresemblanceofthebrotherstoeachothersuggestedawitticismtoTomDriscoll，andjustasthechairmanbeganaspeechheskippedforwardandsaid，withanairoftipsyconfidence，totheaudience：
　　"Boys，Imovethathekeepsstillandletsthishumanphilopenasnipyououtaspeech。"
　　Thedescriptiveaptnessofthephrasecaughtthehouse，andamightyburstoflaughterfollowed。
　　Luigi’ssouthernbloodleapedtotheboilingpointinamomentunderthesharphumiliationofthisinsultdeliveredinthepresenceoffourhundredstrangers。Itwasnotintheyoungman’snaturetoletthematterpass，ortodelaythesquaringoftheaccount。
　　Hetookacoupleofstridesandhaltedbehindtheunsuspectingjoker。
　　ThenhedrewbackanddeliveredakickofsuchtitanicvigorthatitliftedTomclearoverthefootlightsandlandedhimontheheadsofthefrontrowoftheSonsofLiberty。
　　Evenasoberpersondoesnotliketohaveahumanbeingemptiedonhimwhenheisnotgoinganyharm;apersonwhoisnotsobercannotenduresuchanattentionatall。ThenestofSonsofLibertythatDriscolllandedinhadnotasoberbirdinit;infacttherewasprobablynotanentirelysoberoneintheauditorium。DriscollwaspromptlyandindignantlyflungontheheadsofSonsinthenextrow，andtheseSonspassedhimontowardtherear，andthenimmediatelybegantopummelthefrontrowSonswhohadpassedhimtothem。ThiscoursewasstrictlyfollowedbybenchafterbenchasDriscolltraveledinhistumultuousandairyflighttowardthedoor;soheleftbehindhimanever—lengtheningwakeofragingandplungingandfightingandswearinghumanity。
　　Downwentgroupaftergroupoftorches，andpresentlyabovethedeafeningclatterofthegavel，roarofangryvoices，andcrashofsuccumbingbenches，rosetheparalyzingcryof"_fire！_"
　　Thefightingceasedinstantly;thecursingceased;foronedistinctlydefinedmoment，therewasadeadhush，amotionlesscalm，wherethetempesthadbeen;thenwithoneimpulsethemultitudeawoketolifeandenergyagain，andwentsurgingandstrugglingandswaying，thiswayandthat，itsouteredgesmeltingawaythroughwindowsanddoorsandgraduallylesseningthepressureandrelievingthemass。
　　Thefireboyswereneveronhandsosuddenlybefore;fortherewasnodistancetogothistime，theirquartersbeingintherearendofthemarkethouse，Therewasanenginecompanyandahook—and—laddercompany。Halfofeachwascomposedofrummiesandtheotherhalfofanti—rummies，afterthemoralandpoliticalshare—and—share—alikefashionofthefrontiertownoftheperiod。
　　Enoughanti—rummieswereloafinginquarterstomantheengineandtheladders。Intwominutestheyhadtheirredshirtsandhelmetson——
　　theyneverstirredofficiallyinunofficialcostume——andasthemassmeetingoverheadsmashedthroughthelongrowofwindowsandpouredoutupontheroofofthearcade，thedelivererswerereadyforthemwithapowerfulstreamofwater，whichwashedsomeofthemofftheroofandnearlydrownedtherest。Butwaterwaspreferabletofire，andstillthestampedefromthewindowscontinued，andstillthepitilessdrenchingassailedituntilthebuildingwasempty;
　　thenthefireboysmountedtothehallandfloodeditwithwaterenoughtoannihilatefortytimesasmuchfireastherewasthere;
　　foravillagefirecompanydoesnotoftengetachancetoshowoff，andsowhenitdoesgetachance，itmakesthemostofit。
　　Suchcitizensofthatvillageaswereofathoughtfulandjudicioustemperamentdidnotinsureagainstfire;theyinsuredagainstthefirecompany。
　　CHAPTER12
　　TheShameofJudgeDriscollCourageisresistancetofear，masteryoffear——notabsenceoffear。
　　Exceptacreaturebepartcoward，itisnotacomplimenttosayitisbrave;itismerelyaloosemisapplicationoftheword。
　　Considertheflea！——incomparablythebravestofallthecreaturesofGod，ifignoranceoffearwerecourage。Whetheryouareasleeporawakehewillattackyou，caringnothingforthefactthatinbulkandstrengthyouaretohimasarethemassedarmiesoftheearthtoasuckingchild;
　　helivesbothdayandnightandalldaysandnightsintheverylapofperilandtheimmediatepresenceofdeath，andyetisnomoreafraidthanisthemanwhowalksthestreetsofacitythatwasthreatenedbyanearthquaketencenturiesbefore。WhenwespeakofClive，Nelson，andPutnamasmenwho"didn’tknowwhatfearwas，"
　　weoughtalwaystoaddtheflea——andputhimattheheadoftheprocession。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarJudgeDriscollwasinbedandasleepbyteno’clockonFridaynight，andhewasupandgonea—fishingbeforedaylightinthemorningwithhisfriendPembrokeHoward。ThesetwohadbeenboystogetherinVirginiawhenthatstatestillrankedasthechiefandmostimposingmemberoftheUnion，andtheystillcoupledtheproudandaffectionateadjective"old"withhernamewhentheyspokeofher。
　　InMissouriarecognizedsuperiorityattachedtoanypersonwhohailedfromOldVirginia;andthissuperioritywasexaltedtosupremacywhenapersonofsuchnativitycouldalsoprovedescentfromtheFirstFamiliesofthatgreatcommonwealth。TheHowardsandDriscollswereofthisaristocracy。Intheireyes，itwasanobility。
　　Ithaditsunwrittenlaws，andtheywereasclearlydefinedandasstrictasanythatcouldbefoundamongtheprintedstatuesoftheland。
　　TheF。F。V。wasbornagentleman;hishighestdutyinlifewastowatchoverthatgreatinheritanceandkeepitunsmirched。
　　Hemustkeephishonorspotless。Thoselawswerehischart;
　　hiscoursewasmarkedoutonit;ifheswervedfromitbysomuchashalfapointofthecompass，itmeantshipwrecktohishonor;
　　thatistosay，degradationfromhisrankasagentleman。
　　Theselawsrequiredcertainthingsofhimwhichhisreligionmightforbid：
　　thenhisreligionmustyield——thelawscouldnotberelaxedtoaccommodatereligionsoranythingelse。Honorstoodfirst;
　　andthelawsdefinedwhatitwasandwhereinitdifferedincertaindetailsfromhonorasdefinedbychurchcreedsandbythesociallawsandcustomsofsomeoftheminordivisionsoftheglobethathadgotcrowdedoutwhenthesacredboundariesofVirginiawerestakedout。
　　IfJudgeDriscollwastherecognizedfirstcitizenofDawson’sLanding，PembrokeHowardwaseasilyitsrecognizedsecondcitizen。
　　Hewascalled"thegreatlawyer"——anearnedtitle。HeandDriscollwereofthesameage——ayearortwopastsixty。
　　AlthoughDriscollwasafreethinkerandHowardastronganddeterminedPresbyterian，theirwarmintimacysufferednoimpairmentinconsequence。Theyweremenwhoseopinionsweretheirownpropertyandnotsubjecttorevisionandamendment，suggestionorcriticism，byanybody，eventheirfriends。
　　Theday’sfishingfinished，theycamefloatingdownstreamintheirskiff，talkingnationalpoliticsandotherhighmatters，andpresentlymetaskiffcomingupfromtown，withamaninitwhosaid：
　　"Ireckonyouknowoneofthenewtwinsgaveyournephewakickinglastnight，Judge？"
　　"DidWHAT？"
　　"Gavehimakicking。"
　　Theoldjudge’slipspaled，andhiseyesbegantoflame。Hechokedwithangerforamoment，thenhegotoutwhathewastryingtosay：
　　"Well——well——goon！Givemethedetails！"
　　Themandidit。Atthefinishthejudgewassilentaminute，turningoverinhismindtheshamefulpictureofTom’sflightoverthefootlights;thenhesaid，asifmusingaloud，"H’m——Idon’tunderstandit。Iwasasleepathome。Hedidn’twakeme。
　　Thoughthewascompetenttomanagehisaffairwithoutmyhelp，Ireckon。"
　　Hisfacelitupwithprideandpleasureatthatthought，andhesaidwithacheerycomplacency，"Ilikethat——it’sthetrueoldblood——
　　hey，Pembroke？"
　　Howardsmiledanironsmile，andnoddedhisheadapprovingly。
　　Thenthenews—bringerspokeagain。
　　"ButTombeatthetwinonthetrial。"
　　Thejudgelookedatthemanwonderingly，andsaid：
　　"Thetrial？Whattrial？"
　　"Why，TomhadhimupbeforeJudgeRobinsonforassaultandbattery。"
　　Theoldmanshranksuddenlytogetherlikeonewhohasreceivedadeathstroke。Howardsprangforhimashesankforwardinaswoon，andtookhiminhisarms，andbeddedhimonhisbackintheboat。
　　Hesprinkledwaterinhisface，andsaidtothestartledvisitor：
　　"Go，now——don’tlethimcometoandfindyouhere。Youseewhataneffectyourheedlessspeechhashad;yououghttohavebeenmoreconsideratethantoblurtoutsuchacruelpieceofslanderasthat。"
　　"I’mrightdownsorryIdiditnow，Mr。Howard，andIwouldn’thavedoneitifIhadthought;butitain’tslander;
　　it’sperfectlytrue，justasItoldhim。"
　　Herowedaway。Presentlytheoldjudgecameoutofhisfaintandlookeduppiteouslyintothesympatheticfacethatwasbentoverhim。
　　"Sayitain’ttrue，Pembroke;tellmeitain’ttrue！"hesaidinaweakvoice。
　　Therewasnothingweakinthedeeporgantonesthatresponded：
　　"Youknowit’salieaswellasIdo，oldfriend。HeisofthebestbloodoftheOldDominion。"
　　"Godblessyouforsayingit！"saidtheoldgentleman，fervently。
　　"Ah，Pembroke，itwassuchablow！"
　　Howardstayedbyhisfriend，andsawhimhome，andenteredthehousewithhim。Itwasdark，andpastsupper—time，butthejudgewasnotthinkingofsupper;hewaseagertoheartheslanderrefutedfromheadquarters，andaseagertohaveHowardhearit，too。
　　Tomwassentfor，andhecameimmediately。Hewasbruisedandlame，andwasnotahappy—lookingobject。Hisunclemadehimsitdown，andsaid：
　　"Wehavebeenhearingaboutyouradventure，Tom，withahandsomelieaddedforembellishment。Nowpulverizethatlietodust！
　　Whatmeasureshaveyoutaken？Howdoesthethingstand？"
　　Tomansweredguilelessly："Itdon’tstandatall;it’sallover。
　　Ihadhimupincourtandbeathim。Pudd’nheadWilsondefendedhim——
　　firstcaseheeverhad，andlostit。Thejudgefinedthemiserablehoundfivedollarsfortheassault。"
　　Howardandthejudgesprangtotheirfeetwiththeopeningsentence——
　　why，neitherknew;thentheystoodgazingvacantlyateachother。
　　Howardstoodamoment，thensatmournfullydownwithoutsayinganything。
　　Thejudge’swrathbegantokindle，andheburstout：
　　"Youcur！Youscum！Youvermin！Doyoumeantotellmethatbloodofmyracehassufferedablowandcrawledtoacourtoflawaboutit？
　　Answerme！"
　　Tom’sheaddrooped，andheansweredwithaneloquentsilence。