Nascent Drama

[The Dork Lord]

She had thought that of course Tom had deserted long ago, and she wondered at seeing him place himself in her power again in this intrepid way.

 

[The Dork Lord]

He said: "Mayn't I go and play now, aunt?"

 

[The Dork Lord]

"What, a'ready?

 

[The Dork Lord]

How much have you done?"

 

[The Dork Lord]

"It's all done, aunt."

 

[The Dork Lord]

"Tom, don't lie to me -- I can't bear it."

 

[The Dork Lord]

"I ain't, aunt; it is all done."

 

[The Dork Lord]

Aunt Polly placed small trust in such evidence.

 

[The Dork Lord]

She went out to see for herself; and she would have been content to find twenty per cent. of Tom's statement true.

 

[The Dork Lord]

When she found the entire fence whitewashed, and not only white-washed but elaborately coated and recoated, and even a streak added to the ground, her astonishment was almost unspeakable.

 

[The Dork Lord]

She said:

 

[The Dork Lord]

"Well, I never!

 

[The Dork Lord]

There's no getting round it, you can work when you're a mind to, Tom."

 

[The Dork Lord]

And then she diluted the compliment by adding,

 

[The Dork Lord]

"But it's powerful seldom you're a mind to, I'm bound to say.

 

[The Dork Lord]

Well, go 'long and play; but mind you get back some time in a week, or I'll tan you."

 

[The Dork Lord]

She was so overcome by the splendor of his achievement that she took him into the closet and selected a choice apple and delivered it to him, along with an improving lecture upon the added value and flavor a treat took to itself when it came without sin through virtuous effort.

 

[The Dork Lord]

And while she closed with a happy Scriptural flourish, he "hooked" a doughnut.

 

[The Dork Lord]

Then he skipped out, and saw Sid just starting up the outside stairway that led to the back rooms on the second floor.

 

[The Dork Lord]

Clods were handy and the air was full of them in a twinkling.