The tick, the engagement and the quarrel

1 At the noon recess, Tom and Becky have the empty schoolroom to themselves.

2 In the empty noon schoolroom, Tom turns his face away and squeezes his eyes shut.

3 In the empty schoolroom at noon, Becky drops her hands and lifts her glowing face to Tom

4 Becky's happiness breaks off in the middle of the word "Amy."

5 Tom shows the sobbing Becky his most precious treasure, a brass andiron knob

6 Becky knocks Tom's brass andiron knob from his hand, and it rolls across the floor

7 Becky stands alone in the noon play-yard, calling after Tom toward the fence

8 Becky sits very straight at the girls' bench, hiding her tear-reddened face after recess