Could it be possible that she was not aware that he was there? He carried his exploits to her immediate vicinity; came war-whooping around, snatched a boy’s cap, hurled it to the roof of the schoolhouse, broke through a group of boys, tumbling them in every direction, and fell sprawling, himself, under Becky’s nose, almost upsetting her — and she turned, with her nose in the air, and he heard her say: “Mf!

some people think they’re mighty smart — always showing off!”

Tom’s cheeks burned. He gathered himself up and sneaked off, crushed and crestfallen.