Welshman started--stared in return--three seconds--five seconds--ten

--then replied:

Of burglar's tools. Why, what's the MATTER with you?"

Huck sank back, panting gently, but deeply, unutterably grateful. The

Welshman eyed him gravely, curiously--and presently said:

"Yes, burglar's tools. That appears to relieve you a good deal. But

what did give you that turn? What were YOU expecting we'd found?"

Huck was in a close place--the inquiring eye was upon him--he would

have given anything for material for a plausible answer--nothing

suggested itself--the inquiring eye was boring deeper and deeper--a

senseless reply offered--there was no time to weigh it, so at a venture

he uttered it--feebly:

Sunday-school books, maybe."

Poor Huck was too distressed to smile, but the old man laughed loud

and joyously, shook up the details of his anatomy from head to foot,

and ended by saying that such a laugh was money in a-man's pocket,

because it cut down the doctor's bill like everything. Then he added:

Poor old chap, you're white and jaded--you ain't well a bit--no

wonder you're a little flighty and off your balance. But you'll come

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer