Pain-killer, the Cat, and Becky's Snub

1 The little river town sleeps under the summer moon; one upstairs window glows

2 Night after night, Tom hangs around Judge Thatcher's silent house, feeling very miserable.

3 At dawn in the woodshed, Aunt Polly raises a bucket of cold water over lovesick Tom

4 Peter hangs in the air, fur on end, letting out a war-whoop after his Pain-killer

5 Aunt Polly freezes in the doorway as the frenzied cat sails out the window

6 Aunt Polly reaches for a pewter teaspoon handle sticking out from under the bed

7 Tom's answer about the cat that "hadn't any aunt" hits home.

8 Tom looks up at Aunt Polly, grave and repentant, with a spark of mischief in his eyes

9 Tom has come to school early again.

10 Tom lies sprawled in the schoolyard dust at Becky's feet after all his showing off.

11 Snubbed by Becky, Tom gets up from the schoolyard dust with burning cheeks