Tomwasinacoldpanicinamoment。
\"Comeback，comeback！\"hewailed。\"Ididn’tmeanit，Roxy;
Itakeitallback，andI’llneversayitagain！Pleasecomeback，Roxy！\"
Thewomanstoodamoment，thenshesaidgravely：
\"Dat’sonethingyou’sgottostop，ValetdeChambers。Youcan’tcallme_Roxy_，sameasifyouwasmyequal。Chillendon’tspeaktodeymammieslikedat。You’llcallmemaormammy，dat’swhatyou’llcallme——leastwayswhendeain’tnobodyaroun’。_Say_it！\"
ItcostTomastruggle，buthegotitout。
\"Dat’sallright。don’tyoueverforgititag’in，ifyouknowswhat’sgoodforyou。Nowden，youhadsaidyouwouldn’tevercallitliesenmoonshineag’in。I’lltellyoudis，forawarnin’：
ifyoueverdoessayitag’in，it’sdeLAS’timeyou’lleversayittome;I’lltrampasstraighttodejudgeasIkinwalk，entellhimwhoyouis，en_prove_it。Doesyoub’lievemewhenIsaysdat？\"
\"Oh，\"groanedTom，\"Imorethanbelieveit;I_know_it。\"
Roxyknewherconquestwascomplete。Shecouldhaveprovednothingtoanybody，andherthreatofwritingswasalie;butsheknewthepersonshewasdealingwith，andhadmadebothstatementswithoutanydoubtastotheeffecttheywouldproduce。
Shewentandsatdownonhercandlebox，andtheprideandpompofhervictoriousattitudemadeitathrone。Shesaid：
\"Nowden，Chambers，we’sgwinetotalkbusiness，endeyain’tgwinetobenomo’foolishness。Indefustplace，yougitsfiftydollahsamonth;you’sgwinetohan’overhalfofittoyo’ma。Plankitout！\"
ButTomhadonlysixdollarsintheworld。Hegaveherthat，andpromisedtostartfaironnextmonth’spension。
\"Chambers，howmuchisyouindebt？\"
Tomshuddered，andsaid：
\"Nearlythreehundreddollars。\"
\"Howisyougwinetopayit？\"
Tomgroanedout：\"Oh，Idon’tknow;don’taskmesuchawfulquestions。\"
Butshestucktoherpointuntilsheweariedaconfessionoutofhim：
hehadbeenprowlingaboutindisguise，stealingsmallvaluablesfromprivatehouses;infact，hemadeagooddealofaraidonhisfellowvillagersafortnightbefore，whenhewassupposedtobeinSt。Louis;
buthedoubtedifhehadsentawayenoughstufftorealizetherequiredamount，andwasafraidtomakeafurtherventureinthepresentexcitedstateofthetown。Hismotherapprovedofhisconduct，andofferedtohelp，butthisfrightenedhim。Hetremblinglyventuredtosaythatifshewouldretirefromthetownheshouldfeelbetterandsafer，andcouldholdhisheadhigher——andwasgoingontomakeanargument，butsheinterruptedandsurprisedhimpleasantlybysayingshewasready;itdidn’tmakeanydifferencetoherwhereshestayed，sothatshegothershareofthepensionregularly。Shesaidshewouldnotgofar，andwouldcallatthehauntedhouseonceamonthforhermoney。
Thenshesaid：
\"Idon’thateyousomuchnow，butI’vehatedyouamanyayear——
andanybodywould。Didn’tIchangeyouoff，engiveyouagoodfamblyenagoodname，enmadeyouawhitegen’l’manenrich，widstoreclotheson——enwhatdidIgitforit？Youdespisedmealldetime，enwasal’ayssayin’meanhardthingstomebefo’folks，enwouldn’teverletmeforgitI’sanigger——en——en——\"
Shefelltosobbing，andbrokedown。Tomsaid：\"ButyouknowI
didn’tknowyouweremymother;andbesides——\"
\"Well，nemmine’boutdat，now;letitgo。I’sgwinetofo’gitit。\"
Thensheaddedfiercely，\"Endon’tevermakemerememberitag’in，oryou’llbesorry，_I_tellyou。\"
Whentheywereparting，Tomsaid，inthemostpersuasivewayhecouldcommand：
\"Ma，wouldyoumindtellingmewhowasmyfather？\"
Hehadsupposedhewasaskinganembarrassingquestion。Hewasmistaken。
Roxydrewherselfupwithaproudtossofherhead，andsaid：
\"DoesIminetellin’you？No，datIdon’t！Youain’tgotno’casiontobeshame’o’yo’father，_I_kintellyou。Hewuzdehighestqualityindiswholetown——oleVirginnystock。Fustfamblies，hewuz。
JesasgoodstockasdeDriscollsendeHowards，debes’daydeyeverseed。\"Sheputonalittleprouderair，ifpossible，andaddedimpressively：\"Doesyou’memberCunnelCecilBurleighEssex，datdieddesameyearyo’youngMarseTomDriscoll’spappydied，enalldeMasonsenOddFellersenChurchesturnedoutengivehimdebigges’funeraldistowneverseed？Dat’sdeman。\"
Undertheinspirationofhersoaringcomplacencythedepartedgracesofherearlierdaysreturnedtoher，andherbearingtooktoitselfadignityandstatethatmighthavepassedforqueenlyifhersurroundingshadbeenalittlemoreinkeepingwithit。
\"Deyain’tanotherniggerindistowndat’sashighbawnasyouis。
Nowden，go’long！Enjesyouholdyo’headupashighasyouwantto——
youhasderight，endatIkinswah。\"
CHAPTER10
TheNymphRevealedAllsay，\"Howharditisthatwehavetodie\"——astrangecomplainttocomefromthemouthsofpeoplewhohavehadtolive。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWhenangry，countfour;whenveryangry，swear。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarEverynowandthen，afterTomwenttobed，hehadsuddenwakingsoutofhissleep，andhisfirstthoughtwas，\"Oh，joy，itwasalladream！\"Thenhelaidhimselfheavilydownagain，withagroanandthemutteredwords，\"Anigger！Iamanigger！Oh，IwishIwasdead！\"
Hewokeatdawnwithonemorerepetitionofthishorror，andthenheresolvedtomeddlenomorewiththattreacheroussleep。
Hebegantothink。Sufficientlybitterthinkingstheywere。
Theywanderedalongsomethingafterthisfashion：
Whywereniggers_and_whitesmade？Whatcrimedidtheuncreatedfirstniggercommitthatthecurseofbirthwasdecreedforhim？
Andwhyisthisawfuldifferencemadebetweenwhiteandblack？……
Howhardthenigger’sfateseems，thismorning！——yetuntillastnightsuchathoughtneverenteredmyhead。\"
Hesighedandgroanedanhourormoreaway。Then\"Chambers\"camehumblyintosaythatbreakfastwasnearlyready。\"Tom\"blushedscarlettoseethisaristocraticwhiteyouthcringetohim，anigger，andcallhim\"YoungMarster。\"Hesaidroughly：
\"Getoutofmysight！\"andwhentheyouthwasgone，hemuttered，\"Hehasdonemenoharm，poorwrench，butheisaneyesoretomenow，forheisDriscoll，theyounggentleman，andIama——oh，IwishIwasdead！\"
Agiganticeruption，likethatofKrakatoaafewyearsago，withtheaccompanyingearthquakes，tidalwaves，andcloudsofvolcanicdust，changesthefaceofthesurroundinglandscapebeyondrecognition，bringingdownthehighlands，elevatingthelow，makingfairlakeswheredesertshadbeen，anddesertswheregreenprairieshadsmiledbefore。ThetremendouscatastrophewhichhadbefallenTomhadchangedhismorallandscapeinmuchthesameway。
Someofhislowplaceshefoundliftedtoideals，someofhisideashadsunktothevalleys，andlaytherewiththesackclothandashesofpumicestoneandsulphurontheirruinedheads。
Fordayshewanderedinlonelyplaces，thinking，thinking，thinking——
tryingtogethisbearings。Itwasnewwork。Ifhemetafriend，hefoundthatthehabitofalifetimehadinsomemysteriouswayvanished——
hisarmhunglimp，insteadofinvoluntarilyextendingthehandforashake。
Itwasthe\"nigger\"inhimassertingitshumility，andheblushedandwasabashed。Andthe\"nigger\"inhimwassurprisedwhenthewhitefriendputouthishandforashakewithhim。Hefoundthe\"nigger\"
inhiminvoluntarilygivingtheroad，onthesidewalk，toawhiterowdyandloafer。WhenRowena，thedearestthinghisheartknew，theidolofhissecretworship，invitedhimin，the\"nigger\"inhimmadeanembarrassedexcuseandwasafraidtoenterandsitwiththedreadwhitefolksonequalterms。The\"nigger\"inhimwentshrinkingandskulkinghereandthereandyonder，andfancyingitsawsuspicionandmaybedetectioninallfaces，tones，andgestures。SostrangeanduncharacteristicwasTom’sconductthatpeoplenoticedit，andturnedtolookafterhimwhenhepassedon;andwhenheglancedback——ashecouldnothelpdoing，inspiteofhisbestresistance——andcaughtthatpuzzledexpressioninaperson’sface，itgavehimasickfeeling，andhetookhimselfoutofviewasquicklyashecould。Hepresentlycametohaveahuntedsenseandahuntedlook，andthenhefledawaytothehilltopsandthesolitudes。
HesaidtohimselfthatthecurseofHamwasuponhim。
Hedreadedhismeals;the\"nigger\"inhimwasashamedtositatthewhitefolk’stable，andfeareddiscoveryallthetime;andoncewhenJudgeDriscollsaid，\"What’sthematterwithyou？Youlookasmeekasanigger，\"hefeltassecretmurderersaresaidtofeelwhentheaccusersays，\"Thouarttheman！\"Tomsaidhewasnotwell，andleftthetable。
Hisostensible\"aunt’s\"solicitudesandendearmentswerebecomeaterrortohim，andheavoidedthem。
Andallthetime，hatredofhisostensible\"uncle\"wassteadilygrowinginhisheart;forhesaidtohimself，\"Heiswhite;andIamhischattel，hisproperty，hisgoods，andhecansellme，justashecouldhisdog。\"
Forasmuchasaweekafterthis，Tomimaginedthathischaracterhadundergoneaprettyradicalchange。Butthatwasbecausehedidnotknowhimself。
Inseveralwayshisopinionsweretotallychanged，andwouldnevergobacktowhattheywerebefore，butthemainstructureofhischaracterwasnotchanged，andcouldnotbechanged。Oneortwoveryimportantfeaturesofitwerealtered，andintimeeffectswouldresultfromthis，ifopportunityoffered——effectsofaquiteseriousnature，too。
Undertheinfluenceofagreatmentalandmoralupheaval，hischaracterandhishabitshadtakenontheappearanceofcompletechange，butafterawhilewiththesubsidenceofthestorm，bothbegantosettletowardtheirformerplaces。Hedroppedgraduallybackintohisoldfrivolousandeasygoingwaysandconditionsoffeelingandmannerofspeech，andnofamiliarofhiscouldhavedetectedanythinginhimthatdifferentiatedhimfromtheweakandcarelessTomofotherdays。
Thetheftraidwhichhehadmadeuponthevillageturnedoutbetterthanhehadventuredtohope。Itproducedthesumnecessarytopayhisgamingdebts，andsavedhimfromexposuretohisuncleandanothersmashingofthewill。Heandhismotherlearnedtolikeeachotherfairlywell。Shecouldn’tlovehim，asyet，becausethere\"warn’tnothing_to_him，\"assheexpressedit，buthernatureneededsomethingorsomebodytoruleover，andhewasbetterthannothing。HerstrongcharacterandaggressiveandcommandingwayscompelledTom’sadmirationinspiteofthefactthathegotmoreillustrationsofthemthanheneededforhiscomfort。
However，asaruleherconversationwasmadeupofracytaleabouttheprivaciesofthechieffamiliesofthetown（forshewentharvestingamongtheirkitchenseverytimeshecametothevillage），andTomenjoyedthis。Itwasjustinhisline。Shealwayscollectedherhalfofhispensionpunctually，andhewasalwaysatthehauntedhousetohaveachatwithherontheseoccasions。Everynowandthen，shepaidhimavisitthereonbetween—daysalso。
OccasionshewouldrunuptoSt。Louisforafewweeks，andatlasttemptationcaughthimagain。Hewonalotofmoney，butlostit，andwithitadealmorebesides，whichhepromisedtoraiseassoonaspossible。
Forthispurposeheprojectedanewraidonhistown。Henevermeddledwithanyothertown，forhewasafraidtoventureintohouseswhoseinsandoutshedidnotknowandthehabitsofwhosehouseholdshewasnotacquaintedwith。HearrivedatthehauntedhouseindisguiseontheWednesdaybeforetheadventofthetwins——afterwritinghisAuntPrattthathewouldnotarriveuntiltwodaysafter——andlayinginhidingtherewithhismotheruntiltowarddaylightFridaymorning，whenhewenttohisuncle’shouseandenteredbythebackwaywithhisownkey，andslippeduptohisroomwherehecouldhavetheuseofthemirrorandtoiletarticles。Hehadasuitofgirl’sclotheswithhiminabundleasadisguiseforhisraid，andwaswearingasuitofhismother’sclothing，withblackglovesandveil。Bydawnhewastrickedoutforhisraid，buthecaughtaglimpseofPudd’nheadWilsonthroughthewindowovertheway，andknewthatPudd’nheadhadcaughtaglimpseofhim。
SoheentertainedWilsonwithsomeairsandgracesandattitudesforawhile，thensteppedoutofsightandresumedtheotherdisguise，andbyandbywentdownandoutthebackwayandstarteddowntowntoreconnoiterthesceneofhisintendedlabors。
Buthewasillatease。HehadchangedbacktoRoxy’sdress，withthestoopofageaddedtohedisguise，sothatWilsonwouldnotbotherhimselfaboutahumbleoldwomenleavinganeighbor’shousebythebackwayintheearlymorning，incasehewasstillspying。ButsupposingWilsonhadseenhimleave，andhadthoughtitsuspicious，andhadalsofollowedhim？
ThethoughtmadeTomcold。Hegaveuptheraidfortheday，andhurriedbacktothehauntedhousebytheobscurestrouteheknew。
Hismotherwasgone;butshecameback，byandby，withthenewsofthegrandreceptionatPatsyCooper’s，andsoonpersuadedhimthattheopportunitywaslikeaspecialProvidence，itwassoinvitingandperfect。Sohewentraiding，afterall，andmadeanicesuccessofitwhileeverybodywasgonetoPatsyCooper’s。
Successgavehimnerveandevenactualintrepidity;insomuch，indeed，thatafterhehadconveyedhisharvesttohismotherinabackalley，hewenttothereceptionhimself，andaddedseveralofthevaluablesofthathousetohistakings。
AfterthislongdigressionwehavenowarrivedoncemoreatthepointwherePudd’nheadWilson，whilewaitingforthearrivalofthetwinsonthatsameFridayevening，satpuzzlingoverthestrangeapparitionofthatmorning——agirlinyoungTomDriscoll’sbedroom;fretting，andguessing，andpuzzlingoverit，andwonderingwhotheshamelesscreaturemightbe。
CHAPTER11
Pudd’nhead’sThrillingDiscoveryTherearethreeinfalliblewaysofpleasinganauthor，andthethreeformarisingscaleofcompliment：1——totellhimyouhavereadoneofhisbooks;2——totellhimyouhavereadallofhisbooks;
3——toaskhimtoletyoureadthemanuscriptofhisforthcomingbook。
No。1admitsyoutohisrespect;No。2admitsyoutohisadmiration;
No。3carriesyouclearintohisheart。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAstotheAdjective：whenindoubt，strikeitout。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThetwinsarrivedpresently，andtalkbegan。Itflowedalongchattilyandsociably，andunderitsinfluencethenewfriendshipgatheredeaseandstrength。WilsongotouthisCalendar，byrequest，andreadapassageortwofromit，whichthetwinspraisedquitecordially。
Thispleasedtheauthorsomuchthathecompliedgladlywhentheaskedhimtolendthemabatchoftheworktoreadathome。Inthecourseoftheirwidetravels，theyhadfoundoutthattherearethreesurewaysofpleasinganauthor;theywerenowworkingthebestofthethree。
Therewasaninterruptionnow。YoungDriscollappeared，andjoinedtheparty。Hepretendedtobeseeingthedistinguishedstrangersforthefirsttimewhentheyrosetoshakehands;butthiswasonlyablind，ashehadalreadyhadaglimpseofthem，atthereception，whilerobbingthehouse。Thetwinsmadementalnotethathewassmooth—facedandratherhandsome，andsmoothandundulatoryinhismovements——graceful，infact。Angelothoughthehadagoodeye;Luigithoughttherewassomethingveiledandslyaboutit。Angelothoughthehadapleasantfree—and—easywayoftalking;Luigithoughtitwasmoresothanwasagreeable。
Angelothoughthewasasufficientlyniceyoungman;Luigireservedhisdecision。Tom’sfirstcontributiontotheconversationwasaquestionwhichhehadputtoWilsonahundredtimesbefore。
Itwasalwayscheerilyandgood—naturedput，andalwaysinflictedalittlepang，forittouchedasecretsore;butthistimethepangwassharp，sincestrangerswerepresent。
\"Well，howdoesthelawcomeon？Hadacaseyet？\"
Wilsonbithislip，butanswered，\"No——notyet，\"withasmuchindifferenceashecouldassume。JudgeDriscollhadgenerouslyleftthelawfeatureoutofWilson’sbiographywhichhehadfurnishedtothetwins。YoungTomlaughedpleasantly，andsaid：
\"Wilson’salawyer，gentlemen，buthedoesn’tpracticenow。\"
Thesarcasmbit，butWilsonkepthimselfundercontrol，andsaidwithoutpassion：
\"Idon’tpractice，itistrue。ItistruethatIhaveneverhadacase，andhavehadtoearnapoorlivingfortwentyyearsasanexpertaccountantinatownwhereIcan’tgetaholdofasetofbookstountangleasoftenasIshouldlike。ButitisalsotruethatIdidmyselfwellforthepracticeofthelaw。BythetimeIwasyourage，Tom，Ihadchosenaprofession，andwassooncompetenttoenteruponit。\"
Tomwinced。\"Inevergotachancetotrymyhandatit，andImaynevergetachance;andyetifIeverdogetit，Ishallbefoundready，forIhavekeptupmylawstudiesalltheseyears。\"
\"That’sit;that’sgoodgrit！Iliketoseeit。I’veanotiontothrowallmybusinessyourway。Mybusinessandyourlawpracticeoughttomakeaprettygayteam，Dave，\"andtheyoungfellowlaughedagain。
\"Ifyouwillthrow——\"WilsonhadthoughtofthegirlinTom’sbedroom，andwasgoingtosay，\"Ifyouwillthrowthesurreptitiousanddisreputablepartofyourbusinessmyway，itmayamounttosomething，\"
butthoughtbetterofitandsaid，\"However，thismatterdoesn’tfitwellinageneralconversation。\"
\"Allright，we’llchangethesubject;Iguessyouwereabouttogivemeanotherdig，anyway，soI’mwillingtochange。
How’stheAwfulMysteryflourishingthesedays？Wilson’sgotaschemefordrivingplainwindowglasspanesoutofthemarketbydecoratingitwithgreasyfingermarks，andgettingrichbysellingitatfaminepricestothecrownedheadsoverinEuropetooutfittheirpalaceswith。
Fetchitout，Dave。\"
Wilsonbroughtthreeofhisglassstrips，andsaid：
\"Igetthesubjecttopassthefingersofhisrightthroughhishair，soastogetalittlecoatingofthenaturaloilonthem，andthenpresstheballsofthemontheglass。Afineandelicateprintofthelinesintheskinresults，andispermanent，ifitdoesn’tcomeincontactwithsomethingabletorubitoff。
Youbegin，Tom。\"
\"Why，Ithinkyoutookmyfingermarksonceortwicebefore。\"
\"Yes，butyouwerealittleboythelasttime，onlyabouttwelveyearsold。\"
\"That’sso。Ofcourse，I’vechangedentirelysincethen，andvarietyiswhatthecrownedheadswant，Iguess。\"
Hepassedhisfingersthroughhiscropofshorthair，andpressedthemoneatatimeontheglass。Angelomadeaprintofhisfingersonanotherglass，andLuigifollowedwithathird。Wilsonmarkedtheglasseswithnamesanddates，andputthemaway。Tomgaveoneofhislittlelaughs，andsaid：
\"IthoughtIwouldn’tsayanything，butifvarietyiswhatyouareafter，youhavewastedapieceofglass。Thehandprintofonetwinisthesameasthehandprintofthefellowtwin。\"
\"Well，it’sdonenow，andIliketohavethemboth，anyway，\"
saidWilson，returnedtohisplace。
\"Butlookhere，Dave，\"saidTom，youusedtotellpeople’sfortunes，too，whenyoutooktheirfingermarks。Dave’sjustanall—roundgenius——
ageniusofthefirstwater，gentlemen;agreatscientistrunningtoseedhereinthisvillage，aprophetwiththekindofhonorthatprophetsgenerallygetathome——forheretheydon’tgiveshucksforhisscientifics，andtheycallhisskullanotionfactory——hey，Dave，ain’titso？Butnevermind，he’llmakehismarksomeday——fingermark，youknow，he—he！Butreally，youwanttolethimtakeashyatyourpalmsonce;it’sworthtwicethepriceofadmissionoryourmoney’sreturnedatthedoor。Why，he’llreadyourwrinklesaseasyasabook，andnotonlytellyoufiftyorsixtythingsthat’sgoingtohappentoyou，butfiftyorsixtythousandthatain’t。Come，Dave，showthegentlemenwhataninspiredjack—at—all—sciencewe’vegotinthistown，anddon’tknowit。\"
Wilsonwincedunderthisnaggingandnotverycourteouschaff，andthetwinssufferedwithhimandforhim。Theyrightlyjudged，now，thatthebestwaywastorelievehimwouldbetotakethethinginearnestandtreatitwithrespect，ignoringTom’sratheroverdoneraillery;soLuigisaid：
\"Wehaveseensomethingofpalmistryinourwanderings，andknowverywellwhatastonishingthingsitcando。Ifitisn’tascience，andoneofthegreatestofthemtoo，Idon’tknowwhatitsothernameoughttobe。IntheOrient——\"
Tomlookedsurprisedandincredulous。Hesaid：
\"Thatjugglingascience？Butreally，youain’tserious，areyou？\"
\"Yes，entirelyso。Fouryearsagowehadourhandsreadouttousasifourplanshadbeencoveredwithprint。\"
\"Well，doyoumeantosaytherewasactuallyanythinginit？\"askedTom，hisincredulitybeginningtoweakenalittle。
\"Therewasthismuchinit，\"saidAngelo：\"whatwastoldusofourcharacterswasminutelyexact——wecouldhavenothavebettereditourselves。Next，twoorthreememorablethingsthathavehappenedtouswerelaidbare——thingswhichnoonepresentbutourselvescouldhaveknownabout。\"
\"Why，it’sranksorcery！\"exclaimedTom，whowasnowbecomingverymuchinterested。\"Andhowdidtheymakeoutwithwhatwasgoingtohappentoyouinthefuture？\"
\"Onthewhole，quitefairly，\"saidLuigi。\"Twoorthreeofthemoststrikingthingsforetoldhavehappenedsince;muchthemoststrikingoneofallhappenedwithinthatsameyear。Someoftheminorprophesieshavecometrue;someoftheminorandsomeofthemajoroneshavenotbeenfulfilledyet，andofcoursemayneverbe：still，Ishouldbemoresurprisediftheyfailedtoarrivethaniftheydidn’t。\"
Tomwasentirelysobered，andprofoundlyimpressed。Hesaid，apologetically：
\"Dave，Iwasn’tmeaningtobelittlethatscience;Iwasonlychaffing——
chattering，IreckonI’dbettersay。Iwishyouwouldlookattheirpalms。
Come，won’tyou？\"
\"Whycertainly，ifyouwantmeto;butyouknowI’vehadnochancetobecomeanexpert，anddon’tclaimtobeone。Whenapasteventissomewhatprominentlyrecordedinthepalm，Icangenerallydetectthat，butminoronesoftenescapeme——notalways，ofcourse，butoften——
butIhaven’tmuchconfidenceinmyselfwhenitcomestoreadingthefuture。Iamtalkingasifpalmistrywasadailystudywithme，butthatisnotso。Ihaven’texaminedhalfadozenhandsinthelasthalfdozenyears;yousee，thepeoplegottojokingaboutit，andIstoppedtoletthetalkdiedown。I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo，CountLuigi：I’llmakeatryatyourpast，andifIhaveanysuccessthere——no，onthewhole，I’llletthefuturealone;that’sreallytheaffairofanexpert。\"
HetookLuigi’shand。Tomsaid：
\"Wait——don’tlookyet，Dave！CountLuigi，here’spaperandpencil。
Setdownthatthingthatyousaidwasthemoststrikingonethatwasforetoldtoyou，andhappenedlessthanayearafterward，andgiveittomesoIcanseeifDavefindsitinyourhand。\"
Luigiwrotealineprivately，andfoldedupthepieceofpaper，andhandedittoTom，saying：
\"I’lltellyouwhentolookatit，ifhefindsit。\"
WilsonbegantostudyLuigi’spalm，tracinglifelines，heartlines，headlines，andsoon，andnotingcarefullytheirrelationswiththecobweboffinerandmoredelicatemarksandlinesthatenmeshedthemonallsides;hefeltofthefleshycushionatthebaseofthethumbandnoteditsshape;hefeltofthefleshysideofthehandbetweenthewristandthebaseofthelittlefingerandnoteditsshapealso;
hepainstakinglyexaminedthefingers，observingtheirform，proportions，andnaturalmannerofdisposingthemselveswheninrepose。
Allthisprocesswaswatchedbythethreespectatorswithabsorbinginterest，theirheadsbenttogetheroverLuigi’spalm，andnobodydisturbingthestillnesswithaword。Wilsonnowentereduponaclosesurveyofthepalmagain，andhisrevelationsbegan。
HemappedoutLuigi’scharacteranddisposition，histastes，aversions，proclivities，ambitions，andeccentricitiesinawaywhichsometimesmadeLuigiwinceandtheotherslaugh，butbothtwinsdeclaredthatthechartwasartisticallydrawnandwascorrect。
Next，WilsontookupLuigi’history。Heproceededcautiouslyandwithhesitationnow，movinghisfingerslowlyalongthegreatlinesofthepalm，andnowandthenhaltingitata\"star\"orsomesuchlandmark，andexaminingthatneighborhoodminutely。
Heproclaimedoneortwopastevents，Luigiconfirmedhiscorrectness，andthesearchwenton。PresentlyWilsonglancedupsuddenlywithasurprisedexpression。
\"Hereisarecordofanincidentwhichyouwouldperhapsnotwishmeto——\"
\"Bringitout，\"saidLuigi，good—naturedly。\"Ipromiseyousha’n’tembarrassme。\"
ButWilsonstillhesitated，anddidnotseemquitetoknowwhattodo。
Thenhesaid：
\"Ithinkitistoodelicateamatterto——to——IbelieveIwouldratherwriteitorwhisperittoyou，andletyoudecideforyourselfwhetheryouwantittalkedoutornot。\"
\"Thatwillanswer，\"saidLuigi。\"Writeit。\"
WilsonwrotesomethingonaslipofpaperandhandedittoLuigi，whoreadittohimselfandsaidtoTom：
\"Unfoldyourslipandreadit，Mr。Driscoll。\"
Tomsaid：
\"’ITWASPROPHESIEDTHATIWOULDKILLAMAN。ITCAMETRUE
BEFORETHEYEARWASOUT。’\"
Tomadded，\"GreatScott！\"
LuigihandedWilson’spapertoTom，andsaid：
\"Nowreadthisone。\"
Tomread：
\"’YOUHAVEKILLEDSOMEONE，BUTWHETHERMAN，WOMAN，ORCHILD，IDONOTMAKEOUT。’\"
\"Caesar’sghost！\"commentedTom，withastonishment。
\"Itbeatsanythingthatwaseverheardof！Why，aman’sownhandishisdeadliestenemy！Justthinkofthat——aman’sownhandkeepsarecordofthedeepestandfatalestsecretsofhislife，andistreacherouslyreadytoexposehimselftoanyblack—magicstrangerthatcomesalong。Butwhatdoyouletapersonlookatyourhandfor，withthatawfulthingprintedonit？\"
\"Oh，\"saidLuigi，reposefully，\"Idon’tmindit。Ikilledthemanforgoodreasons，andIdon’tregretit。\"
\"Whatwerethereasons？\"
\"Well，heneededkilling。\"
\"I’lltellyouwhyhedidit，sincehewon’tsayhimself，\"saidAngelo，warmly。\"Hedidittosavemylife，that’swhathediditfor。
Soitwasanobleact，andnotathingtobehidinthedark。\"
\"Soitwas，soitwas，\"saidWilson。\"Todosuchathingtosaveabrother’slifeisagreatandfineaction。\"
\"Nowcome，\"saidLuigi，\"itisverypleasanttohearyousaythesethings，butforunselfishness，orheroism，ormagnanimity，thecircumstanceswon’tstandscrutiny。Youoverlookonedetail;
supposeIhadn’tsavedAngelo’slife，whatwouldhavebecomeofmine？
IfIhadletthemankillhim，wouldn’thehavekilledme，too？
Isavedmyownlife，yousee。\"
\"Yes，thatisyourwayoftalking，\"saidAngelo，\"butIknowyou——
Idon’tbelieveyouthoughtofyourselfatall。IkeepthatweaponyetthatLuigikilledthemanwith，andI’llshowittoyousometime。
Thatincidentmakesitinteresting，andithadahistorybeforeitcameintoLuigi’shandswhichaddstoitsinterest。ItwasgiventoLuigibyagreatIndianprince，theGaikowarofBaroda，andithadbeeninhisfamilytwoorthreecenturies。Itkilledagoodmanydisagreeablepeoplewhotroubledthehearthstoneatonetimeoranother。Itisn’tmuchtoolookat，exceptitisn’tshapedlikeotherknives，ordirks，orwhateveritmaybecalled——here，I’lldrawitforyou。\"Hetookasheetofpaperandmadearapidsketch。\"Thereitis——abroadandmurderousblade，withedgeslikearazorforsharpness。
Thedevicesengravedonitaretheciphersornamesofitslonglineofpossessors——IhadLuigi’snameaddedinRomanlettersmyselfwithourcoatofarms，asyousee。Younoticewhatacurioushandlethethinghas。Itissolidivory，polishedlikeamirror，andisfourorfiveincheslong——round，andasthickasalargeman’swrist，withtheendsquaredoffflat，foryourthumbtoreston;foryougraspit，withyourthumbrestingonthebluntend——
so——andliftitalongandstrikedownward。TheGaikowarshowedushowthethingwasdonewhenhegaveittoLuigi，andbeforethatnightwasended，Luigihadusedtheknife，andtheGaikowarwasamanshortbyreasonofit。Thesheathismagnificentlyornamentedwithgemsofgreatvalue。Youwillfindasheathmoreworthlookingatthantheknifeitself，ofcourse。\"
Tomsaidtohimself：
\"It’sluckyIcamehere。Iwouldhavesoldthatknifeforasong;
Isupposedthejewelswereglass。\"
\"Butgoon;don’tstop，\"saidWilson。\"Ourcuriosityisupnow，tohearaboutthehomicide。Tellusaboutthat。\"
\"Well，briefly，theknifewastoblameforthat，allaround。
Anativeservantslippedintoourroominthepalaceinthenight，tokillusandstealtheknifeonaccountofthefortuneencrustedonitssheath，withoutadoubt。Luigihaditunderhispillow;
wewereinbedtogether。Therewasadimnight—lightburning。
Iwasasleep，butLuigiwasawake，andhethoughthedetectedavagueformnearingthebed。Heslippedtheknifeoutofthesheathandwasreadyandunembarrassedbyhamperingbedclothes，fortheweatherwashotandwehadn’tany。Suddenlythatnativeroseatthebedside，andbentovermewithhisrighthandliftedandadirkinitaimedatmythroat;butLuigigrabbedhiswrist，pulledhimdownward，anddrovehisownknifeintotheman’sneck。
Thatisthewholestory。\"
WilsonandTomdrewdeepbreaths，andaftersomegeneralchataboutthetragedy，Pudd’nheadsaid，takingTom’shand：
\"Now，Tom，I’veneverhadalookatyourpalms，asithappens;
perhapsyou’vegotsomelittlequestionableprivaciesthatneed——hel—lo！\"
Tomhadsnatchedawayhishand，andwaslookingagooddealconfused。
\"Why，he’sblushing！\"saidLuigi。
Tomdartedanuglylookathim，andsaidsharply：
\"Well，ifIam，itain’tbecauseI’mamurderer！\"Luigi’sdarkfaceflushed，butbeforehecouldspeakormove，Tomaddedwithanxioushaste：\"Oh，Ibegathousandpardons。Ididn’tmeanthat;
itwasoutbeforeIthought，andI’mvery，verysorry——youmustforgiveme！\"
Wilsoncametotherescue，andsmoothedthingsdownaswellashecould;
andinfactwasentirelysuccessfulasfarasthetwinswereconcerned，fortheyfeltsorrierfortheaffrontputuponhimbyhisguest’soutburstofillmannersthanfortheinsultofferedtoLuigi。
Butthesuccesswasnotsopronouncedwiththeoffender。Tomtriedtoseemathisease，andhewentthroughthemotionsfairlywell，butatbottomhefeltresentfultowardallthethreewitnessesofhisexhibition;infact，hefeltsoannoyedatthemforhavingwitnesseditandnoticeditthathealmostforgottofeelannoyedathimselfforplacingitbeforethem。However，somethingpresentlyhappenedwhichmadehimalmostcomfortable，andbroughthimnearlybacktoastateofcharityandfriendliness。Thiswasalittlespatbetweenthetwins;notmuchofaspat，butstillaspat;andbeforetheygotfarwithit，theywereinadecidedconditionofirritationwhilepretendingtobeactuatedbymorerespectablemotives。Byhishelpthefiregotwarmeduptotheblazingpoint，andhemighthavehadthehappinessofseeingtheflamesshowupinanothermoment，butfortheinterruptionofaknockonthedoor——aninterruptionwhichfrettedhimasmuchasitgratifiedWilson。Wilsonopenedthedoor。
Thevisitorwasagood—natured，ignorant，energeticmiddle—agedIrishmannamedJohnBuckstone，whowasagreatpoliticianinasmallway，andalwaystookalargeshareinpublicmattersofeverysort。Oneofthetown’schiefexcitements，justnow，wasoverthematterofrum。Therewasastrongrumpartyandastronganti—rumparty。Buckstonewastrainingwiththerumparty，andhehadbeensenttohuntupthetwinsandinvitethemtoattendamassmeetingofthatfaction。Hedeliveredhiserrand，andsaidtheclanswerealreadygatheringinthebighalloverthemarkethouse。
Luigiacceptedtheinvitationcordially。Angelolesscordially，sincehedislikedcrowds，anddidnotdrinkthepowerfulintoxicantsofAmerica。Infact，hewasevenateetotalersometimes——
whenitwasjudicioustobeone。
ThetwinsleftwithBuckstone，andTomDriscolljoinedthecompanywiththemuninvited。
Inthedistance，onecouldseealongwaveringlineoftorchesdriftingdownthemainstreet，andcouldhearthethrobbingofthebassdrum，theclashofcymbals，thesqueakingofafifeortwo，andthefaintroarofremotehurrahs。Thetailendofthisprocessionwasclimbingthemarkethousestairswhenthetwinsarrivedinitsneighborhood;whentheyreachedthehall，itwasfullofpeople，torches，smoke，noise，andenthusiasm。
TheywereconductedtotheplatformbyBuckstone——TomDriscollstillfollowing——andweredeliveredtothechairmaninthemidstofaprodigiousexplosionofwelcome。Whenthenoisehadmoderatedalittle，thechairproposedthat\"ourillustriousguestsbeatonceelected，bycomplimentaryacclamation，tomembershipinourever—gloriousorganization，theparadiseofthefreeandtheperditionoftheslave。\"
Thiseloquentdischargeopenedthefloodgatesofenthusiasmagain，andtheelectionwascarriedwiththunderingunanimity。Thenaroseastormofcries：
\"Wetthemdown！Wetthemdown！Givethemadrink！\"
Glassesofwhiskywerehandedtothetwins。Luigiwaveshisaloft，thenbroughtittohislips;butAngelosethisdown。
Therewasanotherstormofcries。
\"What’sthematterwiththeotherone？\"\"Whatistheblondonegoingbackonusfor？\"\"Explain！Explain！\"
Thechairmaninquired，andthenreported：
\"Wehavemadeanunfortunatemistake，gentlemen。IfindthattheCountAngeloCapelloisopposedtoourcreed——isateetotaler，infact，andwasnotintendingtoapplyformembershipwithus。Hedesiresthatwereconsiderthevotebywhichhewaselected。Whatisthepleasureofthehouse？\"
Therewasageneralburstoflaughter，plentifullyaccentedwithwhistlingsandcatcalls，buttheenergeticuseofthegavelpresentlyrestoredsomethinglikeorder。Thenamanspokefromthecrowd，andsaidthatwhilehewasverysorrythatthemistakehadbeenmade，itwouldnotbepossibletorectifyitatthepresentmeeting。Accordingtothebylaws，itmustgoovertothenextregularmeetingforaction。Hewouldnotofferamotion，asnonewasrequired。Hedesiredtoapologizetothegentlemeninthenameofthehouse，andbeggedtoassurehimthatasfarasitmightlieinthepoweroftheSonsofLiberty，histemporarymembershipintheorderwouldbemadepleasanttohim。
Thisspeechwasreceivedwithgreatapplause，mixedwithcriesof：
\"That’sthetalk！\"He’sagoodfellow，anyway，ifhe_is_ateetotaler！\"
\"Drinkhishealth！\"\"Givehimarouser，andnoheeltaps！\"
Glasseswerehandedaround，andeverybodyontheplatformdrankAngelo’shealth，whilethehousebellowedforthinsong：
Forhe’sajollygoodfel—low，Forhe’sajollygoodfel—low，Forhe’sajollygoodfe—el—low，Whichnobodycandeny。
TomDriscolldrank。Itwashissecondglass，forhehaddrunkAngelo’sthemomentthatAngelohadsetitdown。Thetwodrinksmadehimverymerry——almostidioticallyso，andhebegantotakeamostlivelyandprominentpartintheproceedings，particularlyinthemusicandcatcallsandsideremarks。
Thechairmanwasstillstandingatthefront，thetwinsathisside。
TheextraordinarilycloseresemblanceofthebrotherstoeachothersuggestedawitticismtoTomDriscoll，andjustasthechairmanbeganaspeechheskippedforwardandsaid，withanairoftipsyconfidence，totheaudience：
\"Boys，Imovethathekeepsstillandletsthishumanphilopenasnipyououtaspeech。\"
Thedescriptiveaptnessofthephrasecaughtthehouse，andamightyburstoflaughterfollowed。
Luigi’ssouthernbloodleapedtotheboilingpointinamomentunderthesharphumiliationofthisinsultdeliveredinthepresenceoffourhundredstrangers。Itwasnotintheyoungman’snaturetoletthematterpass，ortodelaythesquaringoftheaccount。
Hetookacoupleofstridesandhaltedbehindtheunsuspectingjoker。
ThenhedrewbackanddeliveredakickofsuchtitanicvigorthatitliftedTomclearoverthefootlightsandlandedhimontheheadsofthefrontrowoftheSonsofLiberty。
Evenasoberpersondoesnotliketohaveahumanbeingemptiedonhimwhenheisnotgoinganyharm;apersonwhoisnotsobercannotenduresuchanattentionatall。ThenestofSonsofLibertythatDriscolllandedinhadnotasoberbirdinit;infacttherewasprobablynotanentirelysoberoneintheauditorium。DriscollwaspromptlyandindignantlyflungontheheadsofSonsinthenextrow，andtheseSonspassedhimontowardtherear，andthenimmediatelybegantopummelthefrontrowSonswhohadpassedhimtothem。ThiscoursewasstrictlyfollowedbybenchafterbenchasDriscolltraveledinhistumultuousandairyflighttowardthedoor;soheleftbehindhimanever—lengtheningwakeofragingandplungingandfightingandswearinghumanity。
Downwentgroupaftergroupoftorches，andpresentlyabovethedeafeningclatterofthegavel，roarofangryvoices，andcrashofsuccumbingbenches，rosetheparalyzingcryof\"_fire！_\"
Thefightingceasedinstantly;thecursingceased;foronedistinctlydefinedmoment，therewasadeadhush，amotionlesscalm，wherethetempesthadbeen;thenwithoneimpulsethemultitudeawoketolifeandenergyagain，andwentsurgingandstrugglingandswaying，thiswayandthat，itsouteredgesmeltingawaythroughwindowsanddoorsandgraduallylesseningthepressureandrelievingthemass。
Thefireboyswereneveronhandsosuddenlybefore;fortherewasnodistancetogothistime，theirquartersbeingintherearendofthemarkethouse，Therewasanenginecompanyandahook—and—laddercompany。Halfofeachwascomposedofrummiesandtheotherhalfofanti—rummies，afterthemoralandpoliticalshare—and—share—alikefashionofthefrontiertownoftheperiod。
Enoughanti—rummieswereloafinginquarterstomantheengineandtheladders。Intwominutestheyhadtheirredshirtsandhelmetson——
theyneverstirredofficiallyinunofficialcostume——andasthemassmeetingoverheadsmashedthroughthelongrowofwindowsandpouredoutupontheroofofthearcade，thedelivererswerereadyforthemwithapowerfulstreamofwater，whichwashedsomeofthemofftheroofandnearlydrownedtherest。Butwaterwaspreferabletofire，andstillthestampedefromthewindowscontinued，andstillthepitilessdrenchingassailedituntilthebuildingwasempty;
thenthefireboysmountedtothehallandfloodeditwithwaterenoughtoannihilatefortytimesasmuchfireastherewasthere;
foravillagefirecompanydoesnotoftengetachancetoshowoff，andsowhenitdoesgetachance，itmakesthemostofit。
Suchcitizensofthatvillageaswereofathoughtfulandjudicioustemperamentdidnotinsureagainstfire;theyinsuredagainstthefirecompany。
CHAPTER12
TheShameofJudgeDriscollCourageisresistancetofear，masteryoffear——notabsenceoffear。
Exceptacreaturebepartcoward，itisnotacomplimenttosayitisbrave;itismerelyaloosemisapplicationoftheword。
Considertheflea！——incomparablythebravestofallthecreaturesofGod，ifignoranceoffearwerecourage。Whetheryouareasleeporawakehewillattackyou，caringnothingforthefactthatinbulkandstrengthyouaretohimasarethemassedarmiesoftheearthtoasuckingchild;
helivesbothdayandnightandalldaysandnightsintheverylapofperilandtheimmediatepresenceofdeath，andyetisnomoreafraidthanisthemanwhowalksthestreetsofacitythatwasthreatenedbyanearthquaketencenturiesbefore。WhenwespeakofClive，Nelson，andPutnamasmenwho\"didn’tknowwhatfearwas，\"
weoughtalwaystoaddtheflea——andputhimattheheadoftheprocession。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarJudgeDriscollwasinbedandasleepbyteno’clockonFridaynight，andhewasupandgonea—fishingbeforedaylightinthemorningwithhisfriendPembrokeHoward。ThesetwohadbeenboystogetherinVirginiawhenthatstatestillrankedasthechiefandmostimposingmemberoftheUnion，andtheystillcoupledtheproudandaffectionateadjective\"old\"withhernamewhentheyspokeofher。
InMissouriarecognizedsuperiorityattachedtoanypersonwhohailedfromOldVirginia;andthissuperioritywasexaltedtosupremacywhenapersonofsuchnativitycouldalsoprovedescentfromtheFirstFamiliesofthatgreatcommonwealth。TheHowardsandDriscollswereofthisaristocracy。Intheireyes，itwasanobility。
Ithaditsunwrittenlaws，andtheywereasclearlydefinedandasstrictasanythatcouldbefoundamongtheprintedstatuesoftheland。
TheF。F。V。wasbornagentleman;hishighestdutyinlifewastowatchoverthatgreatinheritanceandkeepitunsmirched。
Hemustkeephishonorspotless。Thoselawswerehischart;
hiscoursewasmarkedoutonit;ifheswervedfromitbysomuchashalfapointofthecompass，itmeantshipwrecktohishonor;
thatistosay，degradationfromhisrankasagentleman。
Theselawsrequiredcertainthingsofhimwhichhisreligionmightforbid：
thenhisreligionmustyield——thelawscouldnotberelaxedtoaccommodatereligionsoranythingelse。Honorstoodfirst;
andthelawsdefinedwhatitwasandwhereinitdifferedincertaindetailsfromhonorasdefinedbychurchcreedsandbythesociallawsandcustomsofsomeoftheminordivisionsoftheglobethathadgotcrowdedoutwhenthesacredboundariesofVirginiawerestakedout。
IfJudgeDriscollwastherecognizedfirstcitizenofDawson’sLanding，PembrokeHowardwaseasilyitsrecognizedsecondcitizen。
Hewascalled\"thegreatlawyer\"——anearnedtitle。HeandDriscollwereofthesameage——ayearortwopastsixty。
AlthoughDriscollwasafreethinkerandHowardastronganddeterminedPresbyterian，theirwarmintimacysufferednoimpairmentinconsequence。Theyweremenwhoseopinionsweretheirownpropertyandnotsubjecttorevisionandamendment，suggestionorcriticism，byanybody，eventheirfriends。
Theday’sfishingfinished，theycamefloatingdownstreamintheirskiff，talkingnationalpoliticsandotherhighmatters，andpresentlymetaskiffcomingupfromtown，withamaninitwhosaid：
\"Ireckonyouknowoneofthenewtwinsgaveyournephewakickinglastnight，Judge？\"
\"DidWHAT？\"
\"Gavehimakicking。\"
Theoldjudge’slipspaled，andhiseyesbegantoflame。Hechokedwithangerforamoment，thenhegotoutwhathewastryingtosay：
\"Well——well——goon！Givemethedetails！\"
Themandidit。Atthefinishthejudgewassilentaminute，turningoverinhismindtheshamefulpictureofTom’sflightoverthefootlights;thenhesaid，asifmusingaloud，\"H’m——Idon’tunderstandit。Iwasasleepathome。Hedidn’twakeme。
Thoughthewascompetenttomanagehisaffairwithoutmyhelp，Ireckon。\"
Hisfacelitupwithprideandpleasureatthatthought，andhesaidwithacheerycomplacency，\"Ilikethat——it’sthetrueoldblood——
hey，Pembroke？\"
Howardsmiledanironsmile，andnoddedhisheadapprovingly。
Thenthenews—bringerspokeagain。
\"ButTombeatthetwinonthetrial。\"
Thejudgelookedatthemanwonderingly，andsaid：
\"Thetrial？Whattrial？\"
\"Why，TomhadhimupbeforeJudgeRobinsonforassaultandbattery。\"
Theoldmanshranksuddenlytogetherlikeonewhohasreceivedadeathstroke。Howardsprangforhimashesankforwardinaswoon，andtookhiminhisarms，andbeddedhimonhisbackintheboat。
Hesprinkledwaterinhisface，andsaidtothestartledvisitor：
\"Go，now——don’tlethimcometoandfindyouhere。Youseewhataneffectyourheedlessspeechhashad;yououghttohavebeenmoreconsideratethantoblurtoutsuchacruelpieceofslanderasthat。\"
\"I’mrightdownsorryIdiditnow，Mr。Howard，andIwouldn’thavedoneitifIhadthought;butitain’tslander;
it’sperfectlytrue，justasItoldhim。\"
Herowedaway。Presentlytheoldjudgecameoutofhisfaintandlookeduppiteouslyintothesympatheticfacethatwasbentoverhim。
\"Sayitain’ttrue，Pembroke;tellmeitain’ttrue！\"hesaidinaweakvoice。
Therewasnothingweakinthedeeporgantonesthatresponded：
\"Youknowit’salieaswellasIdo，oldfriend。HeisofthebestbloodoftheOldDominion。\"
\"Godblessyouforsayingit！\"saidtheoldgentleman，fervently。
\"Ah，Pembroke，itwassuchablow！\"
Howardstayedbyhisfriend，andsawhimhome，andenteredthehousewithhim。Itwasdark，andpastsupper—time，butthejudgewasnotthinkingofsupper;hewaseagertoheartheslanderrefutedfromheadquarters，andaseagertohaveHowardhearit，too。
Tomwassentfor，andhecameimmediately。Hewasbruisedandlame，andwasnotahappy—lookingobject。Hisunclemadehimsitdown，andsaid：
\"Wehavebeenhearingaboutyouradventure，Tom，withahandsomelieaddedforembellishment。Nowpulverizethatlietodust！
Whatmeasureshaveyoutaken？Howdoesthethingstand？\"
Tomansweredguilelessly：\"Itdon’tstandatall;it’sallover。
Ihadhimupincourtandbeathim。Pudd’nheadWilsondefendedhim——
firstcaseheeverhad，andlostit。Thejudgefinedthemiserablehoundfivedollarsfortheassault。\"
Howardandthejudgesprangtotheirfeetwiththeopeningsentence——
why，neitherknew;thentheystoodgazingvacantlyateachother。
Howardstoodamoment，thensatmournfullydownwithoutsayinganything。
Thejudge’swrathbegantokindle，andheburstout：
\"Youcur！Youscum！Youvermin！Doyoumeantotellmethatbloodofmyracehassufferedablowandcrawledtoacourtoflawaboutit？
Answerme！\"
Tom’sheaddrooped，andheansweredwithaneloquentsilence。