“Say, Tom, let me whitewash a little.”
Tom considered, was about to consent; but he altered his mind:
“No – no – I reckon it wouldn’t hardly do, Ben. You see, Aunt Polly’s awful particular about this fence – right here on the street, you know – but if it was the back fence I wouldn’t mind and she wouldn’t. Yes, she’s awful particular about this fence; it’s got to be done very careful; I reckon there ain’t one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it the way it’s got to be done.”
“No – is that so? Oh come, now – lemme, just try. Only just a little – I’d let you, if you was me, Tom.”
“Ben, I’d like to, honest injun; but Aunt Polly – well, Jim wanted to do it, but she wouldn’t let him; Sid wanted to do it, and she wouldn’t let Sid. Now don’t you see how I’m fixed? If you was to tackle this fence and anything was to happen to it – ”
“Oh, shucks, I’ll be just as careful. Now lemme try. Say – I’ll give you the core of my apple.”
“Well, here – No, Ben, now don’t. I’m afeard – ”
“I’ll give you all of it!”
Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face, but alacrity in his heart. ...
Like Tom's friend, I am sure many of you have been dying to help with Whitney...well here is your chance. :) And unlike Tom, I won't take your food; I'll feed you. All references to Tom Sawyer aside, I am working on Whitney Memorial Day Weekend, and really would love some help. My father and a couple brothers are coming down, and hopefully, some friends. I'll provide food, and even gas money, if needed. When will you ever have another opportunity to learn how to restore an old Victorian home? I plan to have a painting party later in the summer, but at this stage you have a chance to see the "inner workings" of the house. Although I am hoping to make this weekend a big work weekend, I will be working on the house almost ever weekend for the next two months, and I need all the help I can get; so feel free to come by any weekend. Post a comment or send an email if you can help. If you need my email address, post a comment asking for it.
P.S. For those of you interested in trivia, Whitney and Tom are the same age. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer came out in 1876...approximately the same time Whitney was built.
