"Oh, don't distress me any more'n I'm already distressed. I don't know what in the world to make of it. I'm at my wit's end, and I don't mind acknowledging 't I'm right down scared. But there's no hope that he's come; for he COULDN'T come and me miss him. Sally, it's terrible--just terrible--something's happened to the boat, sure!"

     "Why, Silas! Look yonder!--up the road!--ain't that somebody coming?"

     He sprung to the window at the head of the bed, and that give Mrs. Phelps the chance she wanted. She stooped down quick at the foot of the bed and give me a pull, and out I come; and when he turned back from the window there she stood, a-beaming and a-smiling like a house afire, and I standing pretty meek and sweaty alongside. The old gentleman stared, and says:

     "Why, who's that?"

     "Who do you reckon 't is?"

     "I hain't no idea. Who IS it?"

     "It's TOM SAWYER!"