Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

Tom is struggling to stay awake in class and eventually gives in to the lure of the outside world through the schoolroom window. Tom longs for something to pass the time until lunch and happily remembers the tick in the tiny box in his pocket. Soon Tom's friend Joe Harper joins Tom in tormenting the poor tick in a game, which employs some pins and a great deal of competitive spirit.

Finally, it is lunchtime and Tom tells Becky to put on her bonnet and pretend that she is going home but to circle back and meet Tom back at the school. When Becky returns, Tom is in bliss and the two of them sit in the schoolroom and talk of important things like rats and circuses. Tom then changes the subject to a most serious topic and asks Becky is...