He sat down upon the end of the pine bench and the girl hitched herself away from him with a toss of her head.

Nudges and winks and whispers traversed the room, but Tom sat still, with his arms upon the long, low desk before him, and seemed to study his book.
By and by attention ceased from him, and the accustomed school murmur rose upon the dull air once more.

Presently the boy began to steal furtive glances at the girl.

She observed it, "made a mouth" at him and gave him the back of her head for the space of a minute.

When she cautiously faced around again, a peach lay before her.