Summary

Chapter I, The Bet – Alan and Billy visit with Tom to reveal that Old Man Tator caught them and their friend Joe climbing through his fence stealing peaches, so he made them give the peaches back and called their moms. Tom explains he was unable to join in because he was grounded for not eating supper, which consisted of salmon casserole. Billy says that one bite couldn’t possibly hurt Tom. Alan asks Billy if he would eat mud. Billy says he would. Alan then asks Billy if he would eat worms. Billy says he would, but they would have to be cooked because they bleed. He also says he would eat 15 worms for $100. Alan offers him $50 instead. Joe shows up a moment later so Alan declares the bet, with Joe acting as a second for Alan, and Tom acting as a...