CHAPTER XII
ONE of the reasons why Tom's mind had drifted away from its secret troubles was, that it had found a new and weighty matter to interest itself about.

Becky Thatcher had stopped coming to school.

Tom had struggled with his pride a few days, and tried to "whistle her down the wind," but failed.

He began to find himself hanging around her father's house, nights, and feeling very miserable.

She was ill.