“Rebecca Thatcher” [Tom glanced at her face — it was white with terror] — ”did you tear — no, look me in the face” [her hands rose in appeal] — ”did you tear this book?”

A thought shot like lightning through Tom’s brain.

He sprang to his feet and shouted — ”I done it!”

The school stared in perplexity at this incredible folly. Tom stood a moment, to gather his dismembered faculties; and when he stepped forward to go to his punishment the surprise, the gratitude, the adoration that shone upon him out of poor Becky’s eyes seemed pay enough for a hundred floggings. Inspired by the splendor of his own act, he took without an outcry the most merciless