\"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。