Chapter 7.
Brave Tom.
At recess time, Tom liked nothing better than to head home for one of Aunt Polly's tasty lunches.
Today, however, he barely touched his food.
Finally, Tom decided once and for all to make things right with Becky, and he felt his spirits began to lift.
A half hour later, he was headed back to school when he came across Becky walking down Meadow Lane.
Without a moment's hesitation, he ran over to her.
I acted mighty mean today, Becky, and I'm so sorry.
I won't ever, ever act that way again as long as I ever live.
Please make up with me, won't you?
The girl stopped and looked at him with her eyes full of scorn.
I'll thank you to keep to yourself, Mr. Thomas Sawyer.
I'll never speak to you again.
She then tossed her head and walked on.
Tom was so stunned that he didn't even think to say Who cares, Miss Smarty, until long after she had left him.
Instead, he moped into the schoolyard feeling angrier and angrier and even wishing she were a boy and how he would trounce her in a fight if she were.
But Becky would soon enough find herself in trouble.
Every day, their schoolmaster, Mr. Dobbins, would take a mysterious book out of his desk.
The book was his prized possession and he kept it under lock and key and read it when the class was busy.
Every child in the school had a different theory about the book, and all of them were dying to get a glimpse of it.
Now, as Becky was passing Dobbins' desk, she noticed that the key was in the lock.
The next instant, she had the book in her hands.
The title page?
Professor Somebody's History of Old England meant nothing to her, so she began to turn the pages.
The first thing she saw was a handsomely engraved color image of a knight in armor sitting on his horse.
Just then, a shadow fell on the page.
Tom Sawyer was behind her.
Becky quickly grabbed the book to close it, and doing so, she tore the picture half down the middle.
She put the book back into Dobbin's desk, turned the key, and burst out crying with anger.
'Tom Sawyer, you are just as mean as can be to sneak up on a person and look at what they're looking at'.
"'How could I know you were looking at anything?'
Not to be ashamed of yourself, Tom Sawyer.
Now you're going to tell on me.
Oh, what shall I do?
What shall I do?
I've never been punished in school.
And with that, she ran out of the room.
Tom, however, stood still.
Feeling rather flustered, he mumbled to himself, What a curious kind of fool girl she is.
Of course, I ain't going to tell old Dobbins on this little fool, but what of it?
He'll ask who tore his book.
Nobody will answer.
Then he'll just do as he always does, asking one and then another.
And when he comes to the right girl, he'll know it without any telling.
Girls' faces always tell on them.
They ain't got no backbone, so let her sweat it out.
Tom then joined a mob of his classmates who were chattering and playing games outside.
A few moments later the schoolmaster Dobbins arrived and all his pupils quieted down and followed him inside.
Class started, but Tom was too distracted by his latest fight to pay attention.
He kept looking at the girls' side of the room, and Becky's worried face troubled him.
He did not want to feel sorry for her, but he couldn't help it.
A whole hour somehow drifted past.
By and by, Mr. Dobbins yawned, unlocked his desk, and reached for his book.
As soon as he took it out of the desk, Tom shot a look at Becky.
Her face reminded him of how a rabbit looks when a hound dog starts chasing it.
Instantly, he forgot his fight with her.
Something must be done, and done quick.
But what?
He racked his brain but came up with nothing.
There was a brief silence, long enough to count to ten.
Then the schoolmaster spoke.
Who tore this book?
There wasn't a single sound as Dobbins searched face after face for signs of guilt.
Benjamin Rogers, did you tear this book?
No, sir.
Joseph Harper, did you?
Another denial.
The schoolmaster scanned the ranks of the boys, thought a while, and then turned to the girls.
Amy Lawrence?
I shake up the head and then no.
Gracie Miller?
The same reply.
Susan Harper, did you do this?
Another no.
The next girl was Becky.
Tom was trembling from head to toe.
Rebecca Thatcher?
Becky's face was white with terror.
The poor girl tried to turn away from Dobbin's stare, but he said Miss Thatcher, look me in the face and tell me, did you tear this book?
A thought like lightning shot through Tom's brain.
He sprang to his feet and shouted, I done it!
No one in the school could believe this amazing act of folly, but the look of gratitude and love that now shone from Becky's eyes was enough reward for a hundred lickings.
Strengthened by that look, Tom took his punishment, and also the added cruelty of two hours' detention after school, without a single word of protest.
He did so knowing who would be waiting for him outside once detention was over.
That night, Tom fell asleep with Becky's words still echoing dreamily in his ear.
Tom, how could you be so noble?
