Chapter 3 Summary

Tom is very satisfied in the accomplishment of the whitewashing task and presents himself to Aunt Polly to report in. Aunt Polly is in disbelief that he could be finished already but sees the proof for herself in the form of an elaborately coated fence and is so pleased with him that she gives him a beautiful apple and he grabs a donut for good measure on his way out. Tom does manage to throw a few dirt clods at the goody-goody Sid before leaping over the fence to his next adventure.

The boys are waiting for Tom at the town square where they are assembling their two armies for today's battle. Tom and Joe Harper are generals and don't actually fight but survey the carnage from afar. Today it is Tom's army who wins the imaginary war. After the boys tally the...