"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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter19CHAPTERXIXTOMarrivedathomeinadrearymood，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，IwouldbethethankfullestsoulinthisworldifI
　　couldbelieveyoueverhadasgoodathoughtasthat，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，andI
　　couldn’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！"
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter20CHAPTERXXTHEREwassomethingaboutAuntPolly’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！"
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter21CHAPTERXXIVACATIONwasapproaching。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。
　　"Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby，andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld，ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams。Howfairy—likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision！Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast。Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior，allisvanity，theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul，nowgratesharshlyuponherear；theball—roomhaslostitscharms；andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart，sheturnsawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul！"
　　Andsoforthandsoon。Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading，accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof"Howsweet！""Howeloquent！""Sotrue！"etc。，andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic。
　　Thenaroseaslim，melancholygirl，whosefacehadthe"interesting"
　　palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion，andreada"poem。"Twostanzasofitwilldo：
　　"AMISSOURIMAIDEN’SFAREWELLTOALABAMA"Alabama，good—bye！Ilovetheewell！ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow！Sad，yes，sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell，Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow！ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods；HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa’sstream；HavelistenedtoTallassee’swarringfloods，AndwooedonCoosa’ssideAurora’sbeam。"YetshameInottobearano’er—fullheart，Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes；’TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart，’TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs。WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState，WhosevalesIleave——whosespiresfadefastfrommeAndcoldmustbemineeyes，andheart，andtê；te，When，dearAlabama！theyturncoldonthee！"Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat"tê；te"meant，butthepoemwasverysatisfactory，nevertheless。
　　Nextappearedadark—complexioned，black—eyed，black—hairedyounglady，whopausedanimpressivemoment，assumedatragicexpression，andbegantoreadinameasured，solemntone：
　　"AVISION
　　"Darkandtempestuouswasnight。Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered；butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear；whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven，seemingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin！Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes，andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene。
　　"Atsuchatime，sodark，sodreary，forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed；butinsteadthereof，"’Mydearestfriend，mycounsellor，mycomforterandguideMyjoyingrief，mysecondblissinjoy，’cametomyside。Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy’sEdenbytheromanticandyoung，aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness。Sosoftwasherstep，itfailedtomakeevenasound，andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch，asotherunobtrusivebeauties，shewouldhaveglidedawayun—perceived——unsought。Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures，likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember，asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout，andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented。"
　　Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon—Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize。Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening。Themayorofthevillage，indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit，madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost"eloquent"thinghehadeverlistenedto，andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit。
　　Itmayberemarked，inpassing，thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword"beauteous"wasover—fondled，andhumanexperiencereferredtoas"life’spage，"wasuptotheusualaverage。
　　Nowthemaster，mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality，puthischairaside，turnedhisbacktotheaudience，andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard，toexercisethegeographyclassupon。Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand，andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse。Heknewwhatthematterwas，andsethimselftorightit。Hespongedoutlinesandremadethem；butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever，andthetitteringwasmorepronounced。Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork，now，asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth。Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim；heimaginedhewassucceeding，andyetthetitteringcontinued；itevenmanifestlyincreased。
　　Andwellitmight。Therewasagarretabove，piercedwithascuttleoverhishead；anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat，suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring；shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing；assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring，sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair。Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher——thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher’shead——down，down，alittlelower，andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws，clungtoit，andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession！Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster’sbaldpate——forthesign—painter’sboyhadgildedit！
　　Thatbrokeupthemeeting。Theboyswereavenged。Vacationhadcome。
　　[NOTE：——Thepretended"compositions"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled"ProseandPoetry，byaWesternLady"——buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern，andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe。]
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter22CHAPTERXXIITOMjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance，beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir"regalia。"Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking，chewing，andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember。Nowhefoundoutanewthing——namely，thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything。Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear；thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder。FourthofJulywascoming；buthesoongavethatup——gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty—eighthours——andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer，justiceofthepeace，whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral，sincehewassohighanofficial。
　　DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge’sconditionandhungryfornewsofit。Sometimeshishopesranhigh——sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelookingglass。
　　ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating。Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend——andthenconvalescent。Tomwasdisgusted；andfeltasenseofinjury，too。Hehandedinhisresignationatonce——andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied。Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain。
　　Thefuneralwasafinething。TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy。Tomwasafreeboyagain，however——
　　therewassomethinginthat。Hecoulddrinkandswear，now——butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto。Thesimplefactthathecould，tookthedesireaway，andthecharmofit。
　　Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands。
　　Heattemptedadiary——butnothinghappenedduringthreedays，andsoheabandonedit。
　　Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown，andmadeasensation。TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays。
　　EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure，foritrainedhard，therewasnoprocessioninconsequence，andthegreatestmanintheworld（asTomsupposed），Mr。Benton，anactualUnitedStatesSenator，provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment——forhewasnottwenty—fivefeethigh，norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit。
　　Acircuscame。Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting——admission，threepinsforboys，twoforgirls——andthencircusingwasabandoned。
　　Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame——andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever。
　　Thereweresomeboys—and—girls’parties，buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder。
　　BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation——sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere。
　　Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery。Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain。
　　Thencamethemeasles。
　　DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner，deadtotheworldanditshappenings。Hewasveryill，hewasinterestedinnothing。Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown—town，amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature。Therehadbeena"revival，"
　　andeverybodyhad"gotreligion，"notonlytheadults，buteventheboysandgirls。Tomwentabout，hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface，butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere。HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament，andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle。
　　HesoughtBenRogers，andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts。HehuntedupJimHollis，whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning。Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression；andwhen，indesperation，heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation，hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost，foreverandforever。
　　Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm，withdrivingrain，awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning。Hecoveredhisheadwiththebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom；
　　forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim。
　　Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult。Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery，butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself。
　　Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject。Theboy’sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful，andreform。Hissecondwastowait——fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms。
　　Thenextdaythedoctorswereback；Tomhadrelapsed。Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage。Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared，rememberinghowlonelywashisestate，howcompanionlessandforlornhewas。HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder，inthepresenceofhervictim，abird。HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon。
　　Poorlads！they——likeTom——hadsufferedarelapse。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter23CHAPTERXXIIIATlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred——andvigorously：themurdertrialcameoninthecourt。Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately。Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit。Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart，forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas"feelers"；
　　hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder，butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip。
　　Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime。HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim。Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile；todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer。
　　Moreover，hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet。
　　"Huck，haveyouevertoldanybodyabout——that？"
　　"’Boutwhat？"
　　"Youknowwhat。"
　　"Oh——’courseIhaven’t。"
　　"Neveraword？"
　　"Neverasolitaryword，sohelpme。Whatmakesyouask？"
　　"Well，Iwasafeard。"
　　"Why，TomSawyer，wewouldn’tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout。Youknowthat。"
　　Tomfeltmorecomfortable。Afterapause：
　　"Huck，theycouldn’tanybodygetyoutotell，couldthey？"
　　"Getmetotell？Why，ifIwantedthathalf—breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell。Theyain’tnodifferentway。"
　　"Well，that’sallright，then。Ireckonwe’resafeaslongaswekeepmum。Butlet’sswearagain，anyway。It’smoresurer。"
　　"I’magreed。"
　　Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities。
　　"Whatisthetalkaround，Huck？I’veheardapowerofit。"
　　"Talk？Well，it’sjustMuffPotter，MuffPotter，MuffPotterallthetime。Itkeepsmeinasweat，constant，so’sIwanttohidesom’ers。"
　　"That’sjustthesamewaytheygoonroundme。Ireckonhe’sagoner。Don’tyoufeelsorryforhim，sometimes？"
　　"Mostalways——mostalways。Heain’tnoaccount；butthenhehain’teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody。Justfishesalittle，togetmoneytogetdrunkon——andloafsaroundconsiderable；butlord，wealldothat——leastwaysmostofus——preachersandsuchlike。Buthe’skindofgood——hegivemehalfafish，once，whentherewarn’tenoughfortwo；
　　andlotsoftimeshe’skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck。"
　　"Well，he’smendedkitesforme，Huck，andknittedhooksontomyline。Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere。"
　　"My！wecouldn’tgethimout，Tom。Andbesides，’twouldn’tdoanygood；they’dketchhimagain。"
　　"Yes——sotheywould。ButIhatetohear’emabusehimsolikethedickenswhenheneverdone——that。"
　　"Idotoo，Tom。Lord，Ihear’emsayhe’sthebloodiestlookingvillaininthiscountry，andtheywonderhewasn’teverhungbefore。"
　　"Yes，theytalklikethat，allthetime。I’veheard’emsaythatifhewastogetfreethey’dlynchhim。"
　　"Andthey’ddoit，too。"
　　Theboyshadalongtalk，butitbroughtthemlittlecomfort。
　　Asthetwilightdrewon，theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail，perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties。Butnothinghappened；
　　thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive。
　　Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore——wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches。Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards。
　　Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore——itcutdeeperthanever，thistime。TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid：
　　"You’vebeenmightygoodtome，boys——better’nanybodyelseinthistown。AndIdon’tforgetit，Idon’t。OftenIsaystomyself，saysI，’Iusedtomendalltheboys’kitesandthings，andshow’emwherethegoodfishin’placeswas，andbefriend’emwhatIcould，andnowthey’veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe’sintrouble；butTomdon’t，andHuckdon’t——theydon’tforgethim，saysI，’andIdon’tforgetthem。’Well，boys，Idoneanawfulthing——drunkandcrazyatthetime——that’stheonlywayIaccountforit——andnowIgottoswingforit，andit’sright。
　　Right，andbest，too，Ireckon——hopeso，anyway。Well，wewon’ttalkaboutthat。Idon’twanttomakeyoufeelbad；you’vebefriendedme。ButwhatIwanttosay，is，don’tyouevergetdrunk——thenyouwon’tevergethere。Standalitterfurderwest——so——that’sit；
　　it’saprimecomforttoseefacesthat’sfriendlywhenabody’sinsuchamuckoftrouble，andtheredon’tnonecomeherebutyourn。Goodfriendlyfaces——goodfriendlyfaces。Gitupononeanother’sbacksandletmetouch’em。That’sit。Shakehands——yourn’llcomethroughthebars，butmine’stoobig。Littlehands，andweak——butthey’vehelpedMuffPotterapower，andthey’dhelphimmoreiftheycould。"
　　Tomwenthomemiserable，andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors。Thenextdayandthedayafter，hehungaboutthecourt—room，drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin，butforcinghimselftostayout。Huckwashavingthesameexperience。Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother。Eachwanderedaway，fromtimetotime，butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently。Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom，butinvariablyhearddistressingnews——thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter。
　　AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe’sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken，andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury’sverdictwouldbe。
　　Tomwasoutlate，thatnight，andcametobedthroughthewindow。
　　Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement。Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep。Allthevillageflockedtothecourt—housethenextmorning，forthiswastobethegreatday。Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience。Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces；shortlyafterward，Potter，paleandhaggard，timidandhopeless，wasbroughtin，withchainsuponhim，andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim；nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe，stolidasever。
　　Therewasanotherpause，andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt。Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed。Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating。
　　NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook，atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered，andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway。Aftersomefurtherquestioning，counselfortheprosecutionsaid：
　　"Takethewitness。"
　　Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment，butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid：
　　"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim。"
　　Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse。
　　Counselfortheprosecutionsaid：
　　"Takethewitness。"
　　"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim，"Potter’slawyerreplied。
　　AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter’spossession。
　　"Takethewitness。"
　　CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim。Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance。Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient’slifewithoutaneffort？
　　SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter’sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder。Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross—questioned。
　　Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses，butnoneofthemwerecrossexaminedbyPotter’slawyer。Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench。Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid：
　　"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion，wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime，beyondallpossibilityofquestion，upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar。Werestourcasehere。"
　　AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter，andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro，whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt—room。Manymenweremoved，andmanywomen’scompassiontestifieditselfintears。Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid：
　　"Yourhonor，inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial，weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink。
　　Wehavechangedourmind。Weshallnotofferthatplea。"[Thentotheclerk：]
　　"CallThomasSawyer！"
　　Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse，notevenexceptingPotter’s。EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand。Theboylookedwildenough，forhewasbadlyscared。Theoathwasadministered。
　　"ThomasSawyer，wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune，aboutthehourofmidnight？"
　　TomglancedatInjunJoe’sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim。
　　Theaudiencelistenedbreathless，butthewordsrefusedtocome。Afterafewmoments，however，theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback，andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear：
　　"Inthegraveyard！"
　　"Alittlebitlouder，please。Don’tbeafraid。Youwere——"
　　"Inthegraveyard。"
　　AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe’sface。
　　"WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams’grave？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Speakup——justatriflelouder。Hownearwereyou？"
　　"NearasIamtoyou。"
　　"Wereyouhidden，ornot？"
　　"Iwashid。"
　　"Where？"
　　"Behindtheelmsthat’sontheedgeofthegrave。"
　　InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart。
　　"Anyonewithyou？"
　　"Yes，sir。Iwenttherewith——"
　　"Wait——waitamoment。Nevermindmentioningyourcompanion’sname。Wewillproducehimatthepropertime。Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou。"
　　Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused。
　　"Speakout，myboy——don’tbediffident。Thetruthisalwaysrespectable。Whatdidyoutakethere？"
　　"Onlya——a——deadcat。"
　　Therewasarippleofmirth，whichthecourtchecked。
　　"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat。Now，myboy，telluseverythingthatoccurred——tellitinyourownway——don’tskipanything，anddon’tbeafraid。"
　　Tombegan——hesitatinglyatfirst，butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily；inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice；everyeyefixeditselfuponhim；withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords，takingnonoteoftime，raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale。Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid：
　　"——andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell，InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand——"
　　Crash！Quickaslightningthehalf—breedsprangforawindow，torehiswaythroughallopposers，andwasgone！
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter24CHAPTERXXIVTOMwasaglitteringherooncemore——thepetoftheold，theenvyoftheyoung。Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint，forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim。ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident，yet，ifheescapedhanging。
　　Asusual，thefickle，unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore。Butthatsortofconductistotheworld’scredit；thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit。
　　Tom’sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim，buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror。InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams，andalwayswithdoominhiseye。Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall。PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror，forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial，andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout，yet，notwithstandingInjunJoe’sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt。Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy，butwhatofthat？SinceTom’sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer’shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths，Huck’sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell—nighobliterated。
　　DailyMuffPotter’sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken；butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue。