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 Sawyer 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 (a very small insect that bites) out and put it on the desk.
The insect started to walk away. Tom Sawyer used a pin to turn it in a different direction. Joe Harper sat next to Tom Sawyer. Joe Harper was Tom Sawyer'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 Sawyer said they needed a better way to play.
Tom Sawyer took Joe Harper’s slate (a small board used for writing). He drew a line down the middle. "While the insect is on your side, you can move it," Tom Sawyer 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 Sawyer 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 Sawyer, let it alone!" Joe Harper said.
"I only want to move it a little, Joe Harper," Tom Sawyer said. Joe Harper shouted, "No! It is on my side of the line!" Tom Sawyer answered, "It is my insect and I will touch it!"
Suddenly, a loud whack hit Tom Sawyer’s shoulders. Then another whack 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 Sawyer 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 (a small board used for writing).
Tom Sawyer held Becky Thatcher’s hand. He helped her draw another house on the board. When they finished the drawing, they started to talk. Tom Sawyer felt very happy.
"Do you like rats?" Tom Sawyer asked. Becky Thatcher said she hated live rats. But she liked chewing-gum (a type of candy that you chew but do not swallow). She had some in her pocket.
They shared the candy and sat on the bench. Then Tom Sawyer asked a question. "Becky Thatcher, were you ever engaged (a promise to marry someone)?" Becky Thatcher did not know that word.
Tom Sawyer 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 Thatcher was not sure at first.
Tom Sawyer whispered "I love you" in Becky Thatcher’s ear. Then Becky Thatcher whispered it back to him. Tom Sawyer kissed her on the lips. "Now we are engaged," he said. "You must never love anyone else."
"I will only love you, Tom Sawyer," Becky Thatcher said. Tom Sawyer told her they must walk together every day. He said they must choose each other at parties. Becky Thatcher thought it was very nice.
Then Tom Sawyer made a big mistake. "It is very fun," he said. "When I was engaged to Amy Lawrence—" Becky Thatcher’s eyes grew large. She began to cry.
"Oh, Tom Sawyer! Then I am not the first girl!" Becky Thatcher cried. Tom Sawyer tried to stop her. He said he did not love Amy Lawrence anymore. But Becky Thatcher did not listen.
Tom Sawyer tried to put his arm around her. Becky Thatcher pushed him away. She turned her face to the wall and continued to cry. Tom Sawyer felt very bad and uneasy.
Tom Sawyer took out his best treasure. It was a brass knob (a small, round handle) from the top of a heater. He tried to give it to Becky Thatcher. "Please, Becky Thatcher, take this," he said.
Becky Thatcher hit the treasure, and it fell to the floor. Tom Sawyer 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 Thatcher stopped crying. She looked for Tom Sawyer, but he was gone. She ran outside and called his name. "Tom! Tom Sawyer! Come back!" she cried.
There was no answer. Becky Thatcher was all alone. She sat down and started to cry again. Soon, the other students arrived. Becky Thatcher had to hide her sadness and start her afternoon lessons.