He dreaded his meals; the "nigger" in him was ashamed to sit white folk's table, and feared discovery all the time; and once when Judge Driscoll said, "What's the matter ? You look as meek as nigger," as secret murderers are said accuser says, "Thou art the man ! " Tom said not well, and left the table

His ostensible "aunt's" solicitudes and endearments were become terror to him, and he avoided them

And all the time, hatred ostensible "uncle" was steadily growing heart; for to himself, " white; and his chattel, his property, his goods, and sell me, just as his dog "

For as week , Tom imagined that his character had undergone pretty radical change But that was because know himself

In several ways his opinions were totally changed, and would never go back to what they were before, but the main structure character was not changed, and changed features of it were altered, and effects would result , if opportunity offered--effects of quite serious nature, too Under the influence of great mental and moral upheaval, his character habits had taken appearance of complete change, but after while subsidence storm, both began to settle toward their former places He dropped gradually back into his old frivolous and easygoing ways and conditions of feeling and manner of speech, and no familiar detected anything in him that differentiated him weak and careless Tom of other days

The theft raid which he had made village turned out better than he had ventured to hope It produced the sum necessary his gaming debts, and saved him from exposure uncle and another smashing will He mother learned to like fairly well She couldn't love him, , because there "warn't nothing to him," as she expressed it, but her nature needed something or somebody to rule over, and better than nothing Her strong character and aggressive and commanding ways compelled Tom's admiration fact that he got more illustrations than comfort However, as rule her conversation up of racy tale privacies chief families town (for she went harvesting among their kitchens every time she came village), and Tom enjoyed this just line She always collected her half pension punctually, and always haunted house chat with her occasions Every , she paid him visit there on between-days also

Occasions run St Louis for few weeks, and at last temptation caught him again He won lot of money, but lost it, and with it deal more besides, which he promised to raise

purpose he projected new raid town He never meddled with town, for afraid to venture into houses whose ins and outs know habits of whose households not acquainted with He arrived haunted house in disguise Wednesday advent twins--after writing his Aunt Pratt that arrive until two days after--and laying in hiding there mother until toward daylight Friday morning, when he went uncle's house and entered back way own key, and slipped up room where he the use mirror and toilet articles He had suit of girl's clothes in bundle as disguise raid, and was wearing suit mother's clothing, with black gloves and veil By dawn tricked out raid, but he caught glimpse of Pudd'nhead Wilson window over the way, and knew that Pudd'nhead had caught glimpse of him So he entertained Wilson with some airs and graces and attitudes for while, then stepped out of sight and resumed the other disguise, and by and by went down and out the back way and started downtown to reconnoiter the scene intended labors

But ill at ease He had changed back to Roxy's dress, stoop of age added to he disguise, Wilson bother himself about humble old women leaving neighbor's house back way early morning, still spying But supposing Wilson had seen him leave, and had thought it suspicious, and had also followed him ? The thought made Tom cold up the raid day, and hurried back haunted house obscurest route His mother was gone; but she came back, by and by, news grand reception at Patsy Cooper's, and soon persuaded him opportunity was like special Providence, so inviting and perfect So he went raiding, after all, and made nice success of it while everybody was gone to Patsy Cooper's Success gave him nerve and even actual intrepidity; insomuch, indeed, that after he had conveyed his harvest mother in back alley, he went reception himself, and added several valuables house takings

long digression now arrived once more point where Pudd'nhead Wilson, while waiting arrival twins same Friday evening, sat puzzling over the strange apparition morning--a girl in young Tom Driscoll's bedroom; fretting, and guessing, and puzzling over it, and wondering who the shameless creature

CHAPTER 11

Pudd'nhead's Thrilling Discovery

three infallible ways of pleasing an author, three form rising scale of compliment: 1-- him read one books; 2-- him read all books; 3--to ask him to let you read the manuscript forthcoming book No 1 admits you respect; No 2 admits you admiration; No 3 carries you clear into his heart

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

The twins arrived presently, and talk began It flowed along chattily and sociably, and under its influence the new friendship gathered ease and strength Wilson got out his Calendar, by request, and read passage or two , which the twins praised quite cordially This pleased the author that he complied gladly asked him to lend them batch work to read at home course wide travels, they had found out three sure ways of pleasing an author; they were now working the best three

an interruption now Young Driscoll appeared, and joined the party He pretended seeing the distinguished strangers first time rose to shake hands; but only blind, as he had already had glimpse , reception, while robbing the house The twins made mental note that smooth-faced and rather handsome, and smooth and undulatory movements--graceful, Angelo thought he had good eye; Luigi thought something veiled and sly Angelo thought he had pleasant free-and-easy way of talking; Luigi thought more so than was agreeable Angelo thought sufficiently nice young man; Luigi reserved his decision Tom's first contribution conversation was question which he had put to Wilson hundred times before always cheerily and good-natured put, and always inflicted little pang, touched secret sore; but the pang was sharp, since strangers were present

"Well, how does the law come on ? Had case yet ? "

Wilson bit his lip, but answered, "No--not yet," with indifference as assume Judge Driscoll had generously left the law feature out of Wilson's biography which he had furnished twins Young Tom laughed pleasantly, and said:

"Wilson's lawyer, gentlemen, but he doesn't practice now "

The sarcasm bit, but Wilson kept himself under control, and said without passion:

"I don't practice, true true that never had case, and to earn poor living for twenty years as an expert accountant in town where 't get hold of set of books to untangle as often as like But also true that myself well practice law your age, Tom, I had chosen profession, and was soon competent to enter upon it " Tom winced "I never got chance my hand at it, and never get chance; and yet if I ever do get it, found ready, for kept up my law studies all these years "