The exhibition Franklin Pierce had given of his strength and pluck made Tom stand in awe of him, and sincerely hope that he might never be left alone with him even for a moment; but when the boys were sent up to bed that night, what was his dismay to discover that Franklin Pierce was to be one of his bed-fellows.
“Me an’ you an’ Winfield Scott has got to sleep together,” said he. “Mind you, now, no crowdin’, or I’ll tell dad.”
Much to his surprise, however, the boy did not renew his overtures of battle; and Tom, contrary to his expectations, was allowed to sleep in peace. But after all, he got very little rest, for the bed was narrow, and Franklin Pierce, with a sharp eye to the comfort of himself and brother, had compelled Tom to sleep in the middle. The night was very warm, and when Tom endeavored to find a more comfortable position, he always succeeded in awaking Winfield Scott, who shouted:
“Now, dad, just look at that ar’ Tommy; he’s crowdin’ me out of bed.”
This would be followed by the caution from the room below:
“You, Tommy, quit crowdin’.”
The night was a long one to Tom, and he scarcely knew how he lived through it. He arose the next morning cross and fretful, and, as if to add to his discomfort, the farmer, in laying out his programme for the day’s work, assigned Tom a most disagreeable task.
“Me an’ the boys will go to the hay-field,” said he, “an’ you, Tommy, as you haint never been used to hard work, we’ll give you an easy job. You may stay in the house an’ help Sally Ann. She’s got a big day’s washin’ to do, an’ you will be of more use here than in the field.”
“O, now, I didn’t come to the country to learn to do washing,” drawled Tom, as soon as he had recovered from his astonishment. “I can’t do such work as that. I came here to—”
“Now, Tommy,” interrupted Mrs. Hayes, “you can stay here just as well as not. Somebody has to help me, for I can’t wash all them clothes, an’ pack all the water from the spring, an’ take care of Thomas Jefferson besides. You can’t mow or spread hay, so you can just stay here an’ help me.”