Tom Sawyer tried to study his book. But he could not stop thinking about other things. He sighed and waited for the noon break. It seemed like the time would never come.
It was a very hot and sleepy day. The air was still and quiet. The sound of twenty-five children studying was like the sound of bees. Far away, Cardiff Hill looked green and beautiful in the sun.
Tom felt very bored. He put his hand in his pocket and felt his small box. He felt thankful for the treasure inside. He took the tick out and put it on the desk.
The insect started to walk away. Tom used a pin to turn it in a different direction. Joe Harper sat next to Tom. Joe Harper was Tom's best friend.
Joe Harper saw the insect and became interested immediately. Joe Harper took a pin from his coat to help. Soon, the two boys were playing together. Tom said they needed a better way to play.
Tom took Joe Harper’s slate. He drew a line down the middle. "While the insect is on your side, you can move it," Tom said. "But do not touch it when it is on my side."
The insect moved back and forth across the line. The boys watched it with great interest. They forgot about school and their books. Finally, the insect stayed on Joe Harper’s side for a long time.
Tom wanted to touch the insect. He could not wait any longer. He reached out with his pin to move it. Joe Harper became very angry. "Tom, let it alone!" Joe Harper said.
"I only want to move it a little, Joe," Tom said. Joe Harper shouted, "No! It is on my side of the line!" Tom answered, "It is my insect and I will touch it!"
Suddenly, the teacher's stick hit Tom’s shoulders with a loud whack. Then another blow hit Joe Harper. The teacher was standing over them. He had watched their game for a long time. The teacher was very angry.
At noon, school finished for the lunch break. Tom ran to find Becky Thatcher. He whispered in her ear. He told her to meet him at the corner of the lane.
They walked in different directions so the other children did not see them. Soon, they met and walked back to the schoolhouse. They were all alone in the building. They sat together with a slate.
Tom held Becky’s hand. He helped her draw another house on the board. When they finished the drawing, they started to talk. Tom felt very happy.
"Do you like rats?" Tom asked. Becky said she hated rats. But she liked chewing-gum. She had some in her pocket.
They shared the candy and sat on the bench. Then Tom asked a question. "Becky, were you ever engaged?" Becky did not know that word.
Tom explained it to her. "You only tell a boy you love him. Then you kiss. That is all. Everyone who is in love does it." Becky was not sure at first.
Tom whispered "I love you" in Becky’s ear. Then Becky whispered it back to him. Tom kissed her on the lips. "Now we are engaged," he said. "You must never love anyone else."
"I will only love you, Tom," Becky said. Tom told her they must walk together every day. He said they must choose each other at parties. Becky thought it was very nice.
Then Tom made a big mistake. "It is a lot of fun," he said. "When I was engaged to Amy Lawrence—" Becky’s eyes grew large. She began to cry.
"Oh, Tom! Then I am not the first girl!" Becky cried. Tom tried to stop her. He said he did not love Amy Lawrence anymore. But Becky did not listen.
Tom tried to put his arm around her. Becky pushed him away. She turned her face to the wall and continued to cry. Tom felt very bad and uneasy.
Tom took out his best treasure. It was a brass knob from the fireplace. He tried to give it to Becky. "Please, Becky, take this," he said.
Becky hit the treasure, and it fell to the floor. Tom was angry now. He walked out of the school and went into the hills. He decided not to go back to school that day.
Later, Becky stopped crying. She looked for Tom, but he was gone. She ran outside and called his name. "Tom! Tom! Come back!" she cried.
There was no answer. Becky was all alone. She sat down and started to cry again. Soon, the other students arrived. Becky had to hide her sadness and start her afternoon lessons.