"So I did. So I did. Not the first time, neither. And then--"

Then Mrs. Harper she began to cry, and said Joe was just the same,

and she wished she hadn't whipped him for taking cream when she'd

throwed it out her own self--"

Tom! The sperrit was upon you! You was a prophesying--that's what you

was doing! Land alive, go on, Tom!"

Then Sid he said--he said--"

I don't think I said anything," said Sid.

Yes you did, Sid," said Mary.

Shut your heads and let Tom go on! What did he say, Tom?"

He said--I THINK he said he hoped I was better off where I was gone

to, but if I'd been better sometimes--"

THERE, d'you hear that! It was his very words!"

And you shut him up sharp."

I lay I did! There must 'a' been an angel there. There WAS an angel

183

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer