Chapter 3

           TompresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbedroom,breakfast-room,dining-room,andlibrary,combined. Thebalmysummerair,therestfulquiet,theodoroftheflowers,andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect,andshewasnoddingoverherknitting—forshehadnocompanybutthecat,anditwasasleepinherlap. Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety. ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago,andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway. Hesaid: "Mayn’tIgoandplaynow,aunt?" 

           "What,a’ready? Howmuchhaveyoudone?" 

           "It’salldone,aunt." 

           "Tom,don’tlietome—Ican’tbearit." 

           "Iain’t,aunt;itISalldone." 

           AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence. Shewentouttoseeforherself;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent,ofTom’sstatementtrue. Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed,andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated,andevenastreakaddedtotheground,herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable. Shesaid: 

           "Well,Inever! There’snogettingroundit,youcanworkwhenyou’reamindto,Tom. "Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding, "Butit’spowerfulseldomyou’reamindto,I’mboundtosay. Well,go’longandplay;butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek,orI’lltanyou."