How to Eat Fried Worms...“And he can eat them any way he wants,” said Tom. “Boiled, stewed,...
Transcript of How to Eat Fried Worms...“And he can eat them any way he wants,” said Tom. “Boiled, stewed,...
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Contents
TitlePage
I:TheBet
II:Digging
III:TrainingCamp
IV:TheFirstWorm
V:TheGatheringStorm
VI:TheSecondWorm
VII:RedCrashHelmetsandWhiteJumpSuits
VIII:TheThirdWorm
IX:ThePlotters
X:TheFourthWorm
XI:Tom
XII:TheFifthWorm
XIII:NothingtoWorryAbout
XIV:ThePainandtheBloodandtheGore
XV:3:15A.M.
XVI:TheSixthWorm
XVII:TheSeventhWorm
XVIII:TheEighthWorm
XIX:TheNinthWorm
XX:Billy’sMother
XXI:TheTenthWorm
XXII:TheEleventhWorm
XXIII:AdmiralsNagumoandKusakaontheBridgeoftheAkaiga,December
6,1941
XXIV:TheTwelfthWorm
XXV:PearlHarbor
XXVI:Guadalcanal
XXVII:TheThirteenthWorm
XXVIII:Hello,We’re….
XXIX
XXX:ThePeaceTreaty
XXXI:TheLetter
XXXII:Croak
XXXIII:TheFourteenthWorm
XXXIV:TheFifteenth….
XXXV:Burp
XXXVI:TheFifteenthWo….
XXXVII:OutoftheFryingPanintotheOven
XXXVIII:$%//!?Blip*/&!
XXXIX:TheUnitedStatesCavalryRidesovertheHilltop
XL:TheFifteenthWorm
XLI:Epilogue
AbouttheAuthors
Copyright
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I
TheBet
HEY,Tom!Wherewereyoulastnight?”“Yeah,youmissedit.”AlanandBillycameupthefrontwalk.Tomwassittingonhisporch
steps,bouncingatennisball.“OldManTatorcaughtJoeaswewereclimbingthroughthefence,sowe
allhadtogoback,andhemadeuspilethepeachesonhiskitchentable,andthenhecalledourmothers.”
“Joe’smotherhasn’tlethimoutyet.”“Wherewereyou?”Tomstoppedbouncingthetennisball.Hewasatall,skinnyboywhotook
histroublesveryseriously.“Mymotherkeptmein.”“Whatfor?”“Iwouldn’teatmydinner.”AlansatdownonthestepbelowTomandbegantochewhisthumbnail.“Whatwasit?”“Salmoncasserole.”Billyfloppeddownonthegrass,chunky,snubnosed,freckled.“Salmoncasserole’snotsobad.”“Wouldn’tsheletyoujusteattwobites?”askedAlan.“Sometimesmy
mothersays,well,allright,ifI’lljusteattwobites.”“Iwouldn’teatevenone.”“That’sstupid,”saidBilly.“Onebitecan’thurtyou.I’deatonebiteof
anythingbeforeI’dletthemsendmeuptomyroomrightaftersupper.”Tomshrugged.“Howaboutmud?”AlanaskedBilly.“Youwouldn’teatabiteofmud.”Alanarguedalot,small,knobby-kneed,nervous,gnawingathis
thumbnail,hisfacesmudged,hisredhairmussed,shirttailhangingout,shoelacesuntied.
“Sure,Iwould,”Billysaid.“Mud.What’smud?Justdirtwithalittlewaterinit.Myfathersayseveryoneeatsapoundofdirteveryyearanyway.”
“Howaboutpoison?”“That’sdifferent.”Billyrolledoveronhisback.“Isyourmothergoingtomakeyoueattheleftoverstodayatlunch?”he
askedTom.“Sheneverhasbefore.”“Howaboutworms?”AlanaskedBilly.Tom’ssister’scatsquirmedoutfromundertheporchandrubbedagainst
Billy’sknee.“Sure,”saidBilly.“Whynot?Wormsarejustdirt.”“Yeah,buttheybleed.”“Soyou’dhavetocookthem.Cowsbleed.”“Ibetahundreddollarsyouwouldn’treallyeataworm.Youtalkbig
now.butyouwouldn’tifyouweresittingatthedinnertablewithawormonyourplate.”
“IbetIwould.I’deatfifteenwormsifsomebody’dbetmeahundreddollars.”
“Youreallywanttobet?I’llbetyoufiftydollarsyoucan’teatfifteenworms.Ireallywill.”
“Where’reyougoingtogetfiftydollars?”“Inmysavingsaccount.I’vegotonehundredandthirtydollarsand
seventy-ninecentsinmysavingsaccount.Iknow,becauselastweekIputinthefivedollarsmygrandmothergavemeformybirthday.”
“Yourmotherwouldn’tletyoutakeitout.”“ShewouldifIlostthebet.She’dhaveto.I’dtellherIwasgoingtosell
mystampcollectionotherwise.AndIboughtthatwithallmyownmoneythatIearnedmowinglawns,soIcandowhateverIwantwithit.I’llbetyoufiftydollarsyoucan’teatfifteenworms.Comeon.You’rechicken.Youknowyoucan’tdoit.”
“Iwouldn’tdoit,”saidTom.“Ifsalmoncasserolemakesmesick,thinkwhatfifteenwormswoulddo.”
JoecamescuffingupthewalkandfloppeddownbesideBilly.Hewasa
smallboy,withdarkhairandalongnoseandbigbrowneyes.“What’sgoingon?”“Comeon,”saidAlantoBilly.“TomcanbeyoursecondandJoe’llbe
mine,justlikeinaduel.Youthinkit’ssoeasy—here’syourchancetomakefiftybucks.”
Billydangledaleafinfrontofthecat,butthecatjustrubbedagainsthisknee,purring.
“Whatkindofworms?”“Regularworms.”“Notthosebiggreenonesthatgetonthetomatoes.Iwon’teatthose.And
Iwon’teatthemallatonce.Itmightmakemesick.Onewormadayforfifteendays.”
“Andhecaneatthemanywayhewants,”saidTom.“Boiled,stewed,fried,fricasseed.”
“Yeah,butweprovidetheworms,”saidJoe.“Andtherehavetobewitnessedpresentwhenheeatsthem;eithermeorAlanorsomebodywecantrust.NotjustyouandBilly.”
“Okay?”AlansaidtoBilly.Billyscratchedthecat’sears.Fiftydollars.Thatwasalotofmoney.How
badcouldawormtaste?He’deatenfriedliver,salmonloaf,mushrooms,tongue,pig’sfeet.Otherkids’parentswerealwaysnaggingthemtoeat,eat;hishadbeguntoworryabouthowmuchheate.Notthathewasfat.Hejusthadn’tworkedoffallhiswinterblubberyet.
Heslidhishandintohisshirtandfurtivelysqueezedthesideofhisstomach.Wormswerejustdirt;dirtwasn’tfattening.
Ifhewonfiftydollars,hecouldbuythatmini-bikeGeorgeCunningham’sbrotherhadpromisedtosellhiminSeptemberbeforehewentawaytocollege.Heck,hecouldgaganythingdownforfiftydollars,couldn’the?
Helookedup.“Icanuseketchupormustardoranythinglikethat?AsmuchasIwant?”
Alannodded.“Okay?”Billystoodup.“Okay.”
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II
Digging
No,”saidTom.“That’snotfair.”HeandAlanandJoewerewanderingaroundbehindthebarnsatBilly’s
house,arguingoverwheretodigthefirstworm.“Whatd’yamean,it’snotfair?”saidJoe.“Nobodysaidanythingabout
wherethewormsweresupposedtocomefrom.Wecangetthemanywherewewant.”
“Notfromamanurepile,”saidTom.“That’snotfair.Evenifwedidn’tmakearuleaboutsomething,youstillhavetobefair.”
“Whatdifferencedoesitmakewherethewormcomesfrom?”saidAlan.“Aworm’saworm.”
“There’snothingwrongwithmanure,”saidJoe.“Itcomesfromcows,justlikemilk.”Joewassly,devious,aschemer.Themanurepilehadbeenhisidea.
“YouandBillyhavegottobefair,too,”saidAlantoTom.“Besides,we’lldigintheoldpartofthepile,whereitdoesn’tsmellmuchanymore.”
“Comeon,”saidTom,startingoffacrossthefielddragginghisshovel.“Ifitwasfair,youwouldn’tbesoanxiousaboutit.Wouldyoueatawormfromamanurepile?”
JoeandAlanrantocatchup.“Iwouldn’teataworm,period,”saidJoe.“Soyoucan’tgobythat.”“Yeah,butifyourmothertoldyoutogooutandpicksomedaisiesforthe
suppertable,wouldyoupickthedaisiesoffamanurepile?”“Mymotherwouldn’taskme.She’daskmysister.”“YouknowwhatImean.”
***
AlanandTomandJoeleanedontheirshovelsunderatreeintheapple
orchard,watchingthewormstheyhaddugsquirmingonaflatrock.
“Nothim,”saidTom,pointingtoanightcrawler.“Whynot?”“Lookathim.He’dchokeadog.”“Geez!”explodedAlan.“YouexpectustopickoneBillycanjustgulp
down,likeanantoranit?”“Gulping’snoteating,”saidJoe.“Theworm’sgottobebigenoughso
Billyhastocutitintobitesandeatitwithafork.Offaplate.”“It’sthisoneornothing,”saidAlan,pickingupthenightcrawler.Tomconsideredthematter.ItwouldbemorefunwatchingBillytryingto
eatthenightcrawler.Hegrinned.Boy,itwashuge!Aregularpython.WaittillBillysawit.
“Weletyouchoosewheretodig,”saidAlan.
Afterall,thoughtTom,Billycouldn’texpecttowinfiftydollarsbyjustgulpingdownafewmeaslylittlebabyworms.
“Allright.Comeon.”Heturnedandstartedbacktowardthebarns,dragginghisshovel.
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III
TrainingCamp
SIX,seven,eight,nine,ten!”Billywasdoingpush-upsinthedesertedhorsebarn.Hewasn’tworried
abouteatingthefirstworm.Butpeoplewerealwaysdaringhimtodothings,andhe’dfounditwasbettertolookahead,totrytofigurethingsout,gethimselfready.LastwinterAlanhaddaredhimtosleepoutallnightintheigloothey’dbuiltinTom’sbackyard.Whynot?Billyhadthoughttohimself.Whatcouldhappen?Aboutmidnight,huddledshiveringunderhisblanketsinthedarkness,he’dbeguntowonderifheshouldgiveupandgohome.Hisfeetfeltlikeachingstonesinhisboots;evenhistongue,insidehismouth,wascold.Buthalfanhourlater,ashewasstubbornlydancingaboutoutsideinthemoonlighttowarmhimself,Tom’sdogMarthahadcomealongwithsixotherdogs,allinapack,andBillyhadcoaxedthemintotheiglooandblockedthedoorwithanorangecrate,andafterthedogshadstoppedwrestlingandnippingandbarkingandsniffingaround,they’dallgonetosleepinaheapwithBillyinthemiddle,aswarmasanonioninastew.
Buthehadn’tbeenabletothinkofanythingspecialtodotopreparehimselfforeatingaworm,sohewasjustlimberingupingeneral—push-ups,kneebends,jumpingjacks—red-faced,perspiring.
Nearby,onanorangecrate,he’dsetoutbottlesofketchupandWorchestershiresauce,jarsofpiccalilliandmustard,aboxofcrackers,saltandpeppershakers,alemon,asliceofcheese,hismother’stincinnamon-and-sugarshaker,aboxofKleenex,ajarofmaraschinocherries,somehorseradish,andaplastichoneybear.
Tom’sheadappearedaroundthedoor.“Ready?”Billyscrambledup,brushingbackhishair.“Yeah.”
“TARAHHHHHHHHH!”Tomflungthedooropen;Alanmarchedincarryingacoveredsilver
platterinbothhands,Joeslouchingalongbesidehimwithanapkinoveronearm,noddingandsmilingobsequiously.Tomdraggedanotherorangecrateoverbesidethefirst;Alansetthesilverplatteronit.
“Achair,”criedAlan.“Achairforthemonshure!”“Comeon,”saidBilly.“Cuttheclowning.”Tomfoundanoldmilkingstoolinoneofthehorsestalls.Joedusteditoff
withhisnapkin,showinghisteeth,andthenusheredBillyontoit.“Luddiesandgintlemin!”shoutedAlan.“Iprezintmymusterpiece:Vurm
alaMud!”Hesweptthecoverofftheplatter.“Awrgh!”criedBillyrecoiling.
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IV
TheFirstWorm
THEhugenightcrawlersprawledlimplyinthecenteroftheplatter,brownandsteaming.
“Boiled,”saidTom.“Weboiledit.”Billystormedaboutthebarn,kickingbarrelsandposts,arguing.“Anight
crawlerisn’taworm!Ifitwasaworm,it’dbecalledaworm.Anightcrawler’sanightcrawler.”
FinallyJoeranofftogethisfather’sdictionary:
nightcrawlern:EARTHWORM;esp:alargeearthwormfoundonthesoilsurfaceatnight
Billykickedabarrel.Itstillwasn’tfair;hedidn’tcarewhatanydictionarysaid;everybodyknewthedifferencebetweenanightcrawlerandaworm—lookatthething.Yergh!ItwasasbigasasouvenirpencilfromtheEmpireStateBuilding!Yugh!Hepokeditwithhisfinger.
Alansaidthey’dagreedrightatthestartthatheandJoecouldchoosetheworms.IfBillywasgoingtocheat,thebetwasoff.Hegotupandstartedforthedoor.Heguessedhehadotherthingstodobesidesarguealldaywithafink.
SoTomtookBillyasideintoahorsestallandputhisarmaroundBilly’sshouldersandtalkedtohimaboutGeorgeCunningham’sbrother’sminibike,andhowtheycouldrideitonthetrailunderthepowerlinesbehindOdell’sfarm,upanddownthehills,boundingoverrocks,rhum-rhum.Sure,itwasabigworm,butit’donlybeacouplemorebites.DidhewanttoloseaminibikeoverTwobites?Slopenoughmustardandketchupandhorseradishonitandhewouldn’teventasteit.
“Yeah,”saidBilly.“Icouldprobablyeatthisone.ButIgottoeatfifteen.”
“Youcan’tquitnow,”saidTom.“Lookatthem.”HenoddedatAlanandJoe,waitingbesidetheorangecrates.“They’lltelleverybodyyouwerechicken.It’llbealloverschool.Comeon.”
HeledBillybacktotheorangecrates,sathimdown,tiedthenapkinaroundhisneck.
Alanflourishedtheknifeandfork.“Wouldmonshurelikeeetcarvedlingthviseorcrussvise?”“Kitchip?”askedJoe,showinghisteeth.“Cutitout,”saidTom.“Here.”Hegloppedketchupandmustardand
horseradishonthenightcrawler,squeezedonafewdropsoflemonjuice,andsaltedandpepperedit.
Billyclosedhiseyesandopenedhismouth.“Ouwootin.”Tomslicedofftheendofthenightcrawlerandforkeditup.Butjustashe
wasabouttopokeitintoBilly’sopenmouth,Billyclosedhismouthandopenedhiseyes.
“No,letmedoit.”Tomhandedhimthefork.Billygazedatthedrippingketchupand
mustard,thinking,Awrgh!It’sallrighttalkingabouteatingworms,butdoingit!?!
Tomwhisperedinhisear.“Minibike.”“Glug.”Billypokedtheforkintohismouth,chewedfuriously,gulped!…
gulped!…Hiseyescrossed,swam,squinchedshut.Heflappedhisarmswildly.Andthen,openinghiseyes,hegrinnedbeatificallyupatTom.
“Superb,Gaston.”Tomcutanotherpiece,ketchuped,mustarded,salted,peppered,
horseradished,andlemonedit,andhandedtheforktoBilly.Billysluggeditdown,smackinghislips.Andsotheyproceeded,nowsprinklingoncinnamonandsugarorabitofcheese,somecrackercrumbsorWorcestershiresauce,untiltherewasnothingontheplatebutafewstraydabsofketchupandmustard.
“Vell,”saidBilly,standingupandwipinghismouthwithhisnapkin.“So.Vearedonemitdefirstcurse.Nawseconds?”
“Lemmelookinyourmouth,”saidAlan.“Yeah,”saidJoe.“Seeifheswalloweditall.”“Soitinly,soitinly,”saidBilly.“Lukeaslongasyouvant.”
AlanandJoescrutinizedtheinsideofhismouth.“Okay,okay,”saidTom.“Leavehimalonenow.Comeon.Onedown,
fourteentogo.”“How’dittaste?”askedAlan“Gute,gute,”saidBilly.“Ver’fine,ver’fine.Hoohoo.”Heflappedhis
armslikeabigbirdandbegantohoparoundthebarn,crying,“Gute,gute.Ver’fine,ver’fine.Gute,gute.”
AlanandJoeandTomlookedworried.“Uh,yeah—gute,gute.Howyoufeeling,Billy?”Tomasked.“Yeah,stopflappingaroundandcometellushowyou’refeeling,”said
Joe.
TheyhuddledtogetherbytheorangecratesasBillyhoppedaroundandaroundthem,flappinghisarms.
“Gute,gute.Ver’fine,ver’fine.Hoohoo.”Alanwhispered,“He’scrackers.”Joeedgedtowardthedoor.“Don’tlethimseewe’reafraid.Crazypeople
arelikedogs.Iftheyseeyou’reafraid,they’llattack.”“Itcouldn’tbe,”whisperedTom,standinghisground.“Oneworm?”“Gute,gute,”screechedBilly,hoppinghigherandhigheranddrooling
fromthemouth.“Comeon,”whisperedJoetoTom.“Hey,Billy!”burstoutTomsuddenlyinahearty,quaveringvoice.“Cutit
out,willyou?Iwanttoaskyousomething.”Billy’sarmsflappedslower.HetiptoedmenacinglyaroundTom,hishead
cockedononeside,hischeekspuffedout.Tomhuggedhimself,chucklingnervously.
“Heh,heh.Cutitout,willyou,Billy?Heh,heh.”Billypounced.JoeandAlanfled,thebarndoorbangingbehindthem.
Billyrolledonthefloor,helplesswithlaughter.Tomclamberedup,brushinghimselfoff.“Didyouseetheirfaces?”Billysaid,laughing.“Climbingovereach
otheroutthedoor?Oh!Geez!Joewaspaleasanonion.”“Yeah,”saidTom.“Ha,ha.Youfooledthem.”“Ho!Geez!”Billysatup.Thenhecrawledovertothedoorandpeered
outthroughaknothole.“Lookatthem,peekingupoverthestonewall.Watchthis.”
Thedoorswungslowlyopen.Screeching,Billyhoppedontothedoorsill!—intotheyard!—upontoa
stump!—splashintoapuddle!—flappinghisarms,rollinghishead.AlanandJoegallopedupthehillthroughthehighgrass,yelling,“Herehe
comes!Getoutoftheway!”AndthenBillystoppedhopping,andclimbinguponthestump,calledin
ashrill,girlishvoice,“Oh,boy-oys,whereareyougo-ing?Idsomefingtareyou,iddleboys?”
AlanandJoestoppedandlookedback.“Idoodoughinghome,iddleboys?”yelledBilly.“Idootared?”“Who’sscared,youlunk?”calledAlan.“Yeah,”yelledJoe.“IguessIcangohomewithoutbeingcalledscared,if
Iwantto.”“Butain’tooinadawfulhur-ry?”shoutedBilly.“IjustrememberedIwassupposedtohelpmymotherwashwindowsthis
afternoon,”saidAlan.“That’sall.”Heturnedandstartedupthroughthemeadow,hishandsinhispockets.
“Yeah,”saidJoe.“Me,too.”HetrudgedafterAlan.
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V
TheGatheringStorm
ALANandJoestoppedintheorchardbythepileoffreshdirt.“Youthinkhe’llbeabletodoit?”askedAlan,bitinghisthumbnail.“Idon’tknow,”saidJoe.“Hecan’tdoit,”saidAlan.“Howcouldanybodyeatfifteenworms?My
father’llkillme.Fiftydollars?Heatethatoneawfuleasy.”“Forgetit,”saidJoe.“Ifhedoesn’tgiveuphimself,I’llfiguresomething
out.Wecouldspikethenextwormwithpepper.He’deatonepieceandthenanother,talkingtoTom—Thenallofasuddenhe’dsneeze:ka-chum!Thenhe’dsneezeagain:ka-chum!Thenagain:ka-chumka-chum!Afaintlookofpanicwouldcreepoverhisface;he’sbeginningtowonderifhe’lleverstop.Heclutcheshisstomach;hiseyesbegintowater.Ka-chum!Ka-chum!”
“Billy’sawfulstubborn,”saidAlan.“Evenifitwaskillinghim,hemightnotgiveup.”
“Ka-chum!Ka-chum!”criedJoe.“Hefallstothefloor.Ibendoverhim.‘Gawd,’Isay.‘Callhismother.It’sthetroglodycrosis.’Hiseyesbleatupatme.Ka-chum!”
“Rememberthatbusinesslastsummer?”saidAlan,gnawingonhisthumbnail.“Whenitwasninety-fivedegreesintheshadeandIdaredhimtoputonallhiswinterclothesandhisfather’sraccooncoatandhisskibootsandwalkupanddownMainStreetallafternoon?”
“Ka-chum!Ka-chum!”Theywentoffthroughtheorchard,Joesneezing,sighing,rollinghiseyes
—pretendingtobeBillysufferingfromadoseofpepperedworm;AlanmoaningtohimselfabouthowstubbornBillycouldbe—fiftydollars?
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VI
TheSecondWorm
BILLYsighed.Ontheplatebeforehimlaythelastbiteofwormunderadaubofketchupandmustard.
“What’sthematter?”askedTom.“Idon’tknow,”sighedBilly.Hepickeduptheforkagain.“Doesittastebad?”“No,”saidBillywearily.“Ijusttasteketchupandmustardmostly.Butit
makesmefeelsortofsick.EvenbeforeIeatit.Justthinkingaboutit.”HesighedagainandthenglancedatJoeandAlan,talkingtoeachotherinwhispersoverbythewindow.
“Whatareyouwhisperingabout?”“Nothing.”“Thenwhatareyouwhisperingfor?”“Nothing.It’snotimportant.JustsomethingJoe’sfathertoldhimlast
night.”“What?”“Comeon.Finishup.Itwasnothing.We’llmissthecartoons.”Billyshuthiseyesandpoppedthelastpieceofwormintohismouth,
chewed,gagged,clappedhishandsoverhismouth,gulped!gulped!toppledbackwardofftheorangecrate.Sprawlingonhisbackinthechaff,hegazedpeacefullyupattheceiling.
JoeandAlanstoodoverhim.“Openup.”Billyopenedhismouth.“Wider.Seeany,Joe?”“Naw,heswallowedit.”“Okay,let’sgo.”
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VII
RedCrashHelmetsandWhiteJumpSuits
AFTERthemovies,TomwalkedhomewithBilly.“TomorrowI’llrollthecrawlerincornmealandfryit.Likeatrout.”“It’snotreallythetaste,”saidBilly.“It’smorethethought.WhenIstart
toeatit,eventhoughit’ssmotheredinketchupandmustardandgratedcheese,Ican’tstopthinkingworm.Worm,worm,worm,worm,worm,worm:
gagglesofwormsinbaitboxes,drownedwormsdryinguponsidewalks,awormsquirmingasthefishhookgoresintohim,thesoggyendofawormdragglingoutofadeadfish’smouth,robinsyankingwormsoutofalawn.Ican’tstopthinkingworm.”
“Yeah,butifIfryitincornmeal,itwon’tlooklikeacrawler,”saidTom.“I’llputparsleyaroundit,andsomeslicesoflemon.Andthenyoucanconcentrate,thinkfish.Allthetimeyou’rewaitinginthebarn,allthetimeyou’reeatingit,keepsayingtoyourself:fishfishfishfishfishfishfishfish;hereIameatingfish,goodfish.
“Trout,salmon,flounder,perch,I’llridemyminibikeintochurch.Dace,tuna,haddock,trout,Wait’llyouheartheministershout.
“Fishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfish.
“Shark,haddock,sucker,eel,I’llracemyfatherinhisautomobile.Eel,flounder,bluegill,shark,We’llracealldaytillafterdark.”
Billycheeredup.“Thinkhowthey’dallstare.I’drevuptheaisle,ziparoundthefront
pews,downasideaisleunderthestained-glasswindows.Myparentswouldkillme.ReverendYarder’dpeerdownoverthebiblestand.‘William,’he’dcry.‘William,youtakethatenginethingoutofherethisminute!’”
“Yeah,andthenthey’dcomechasingoutafterus,”saidTom.Billylaughed.“Wavingtheirarmsandyelling.Andwe’dleadthem
zigzagroundandroundandinandoutamongthegravestonesandmonumentsinthecemeteryandthenroaroffdowntheSandgateRoad,leavingthemdrapedovertombs,pantingandshakingtheirfists.”
“Huphup!”yelledTom,dancingaroundandboxingtheair.“AndthatMondaywe’dsmuggleitintoclassdisguisedasRaymond
Dwelley,becausehe’ssofat,andhideitinthecoatcloset.AndthenwhenMillyButlersaidanything,anythingatall,evensomethinglike‘excuseme,’
orifsheevensniffed,we’ddumpawholebottleofinkoverherheadandrunforthecoatcloset,overturningchairsanddesksbehindustoslowupMrs.Howard.She’dcomeafterus,fumingandshoutingthreats,andsuddenlythedoorsofthecoatclosetwouldslamopen,andoutwe’droaronourminibikeinblood-redcrashhelmetsandwhitejumpsuits,ourscarvesstreamingoutbehindus!Andwe’droarroundandroundtheclassroomwhileMrs.Howardkneltamongtheoverturneddesksandchairs,sobbinghelplesslyintoherhands,andthenrhum-rhumoutthedoorandupthehall,thumbingournosesatthemonitors.Brackety-brackety-bracketyupthestairs,stiff-armingtacklers,intoMr.Simmons’soffice—upontohisdesk!Broom!Broom!—abackfireintohisface,andzoooom!outthewindowashetopplesbackwardinhischairinahurricaneofquizpapersandreportcards.Andthen,crunch,landingonthedriveway,weroaroffdownthehighwaytoBenningtonandjointheNavysoMrs.HowardandMr.Simmonsandourparentscan’tpunishus.”
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VIII
TheThirdWorm
TOMranoutofthekitchenofBilly’shouse,holdingthesizzlingfryingpanoutinfrontofhimwithbothhands,thescreendoorbangingbehindhim.
Alanthrewopenthebarndoorwhenhesawhimcoming.Tomthumpedthefryingpandownontheorangecrate.
“There!”hesaidbreathlessly.“DonetoaT.Lookather,allgolden-brownandsizzling.Itlooksgoodenoughtoeat.”
“Yeah,”saidBilly.Hepokedthewormwithhisfork.Tomtookoffthepot-holderglovehewaswearing.“Thinkfish,”hesaid.
“Remember:thinkfish.
“Trout,salmon,flounder,perch,I’llridemyminibikeintochurch.Eel,salmon,bluegill,trout,Wait’llyouheartheministershout.
“Clam,flounder,tuna,sucker,Lookoutherewecome,oldMrs.Tucker.Lobster,blackbass,oysterstew,TheregoesNewOrleans,herecomesPeru.”
HeleanedoverBillyandwhisperedinhisear,“Fishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfish,goon,takeabite,fishfishfishfishfish,okay,secondbite,fish,fish,fish,fish….”
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IX
ThePlotters
GEEZ,youthinkit’llwork?”saidAlantoJoe.“Supposeitdoesn’t?Hedidn’tseemtopaymuchattentiontoday.”
“Don’tworry,”saidJoe.“Wegothimthinking.Ittakestime.Igotitalldopedout.Trustme.”
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X
TheFourthWorm
BILLYatesteadily,grimacing,rubbinghisnose,spreadingonmorehorseradishsauce.Tombentoverhim,hissinginhisear,“Fishfishfishfishfishfish.”
Billypaused,watchingAlanandJoewhisperingbythedoor.Heswishedthelastbiteroundandroundintheketchupandmustard.Allofasuddenhesaid,“That’snotfair.Theycan’tactlikethatanymore.EverytimeIswallowtheyleanforwardasiftheyexpectedmetokeeloverorsomething!AndthenwhenIdon’t,theylooksurprisedandshrugtheirshouldersandnudgeeachother.”
“Comeon,”saidJoe.“Cutitout.Wecanwatchyou,forcripes’sake.We’rejuststandingoverherebythewindowwatchingyou.”
“No,you’renot,”saidBilly.“You’rewhispering.AndactingasifyouexpectedsomethingtohappeneverytimeIswallow.”
“It’snothing,”saidJoe.“Forgetit.Look,we’llturnaroundandlookoutthewindowwhileyouswallow.”
“Whatdoyoumean,it’snothing?”saidBilly.“What’snothing?”“Oh,comeon,”saidAlan.“It’sjustsomethingJoe’sfathertoldhimthe
othernight.It’snothing.”“What?What?”“It’lljustworryyou,”saidAlan.“It’scrazy.It’snothing.Forgetit.”Billytorethenapkinawayfromhisthroat.“Tellme!”“It’snothing,”saidJoe.“Youknowhowmyfatheris.He’salwaysyelling
aboutsomething.”“Tellmeorit’salloff.”“Well,look,it’snothing,butthenightbeforelast,IwastellingJanie
aboutyoueatingthewormsandmyfatherwasontheporchandheardus.So
hethrewdownhisnewspaperandsays,‘Joseph!’SoIsays,‘Yes,Pa?’Andhesays,‘Haveyouetaworm,Joseph?’Andthenhegrabbedmyshouldersandshookmetillmyhandsdancedattheendsofmyarmslikeapuppet’s.‘It’sforyourowngood,’hesays.SoIstutteredout,‘It’ssssnnnnotgoingtoddddomeanyggggoodifIIIIIsssshaketopppppieces,isit?’Janiewaswailing;mymotherwaschewingheraproninthedoorway.‘Alfred,’shecries,‘what’shedone?You’llderacinatehim.HashehauleddowntheAmericanflagatschoolandeatenitagain?Hashe—’”
“Sowhat’sthepoint?”yelledBilly.“Gettothepoint!What’sitallhavetodowithme?”
“I’mcomingtoit,”saidJoe,wipinghisnose.“ButIwantedtoshowyouhowimportantitwas,myfathernearlykillingmeandall.”
Hesneezed.AndthenAlanbegantosneezeandfinallyhadtohobbleoffintooneofthehorsestalls,hugginghisstomach,torecover.
“Anyway,”saidJoe,wipinghisnoseagainandhitchinguphisLevi’s,“somyfathertoldmymotherhethoughtI’deatenaworm.‘Awhat?’saysmymother,droppingherapronandclutchingthesidesofherhead.‘Aworm,’saysmyfather,noddingsolemnly.Somymotherfainted,collapsedallhelter-skelterrightthereinthedoorway,andlaystill,hertonguelollingoutofhermouth,herredhairspreadoutbeautifullyoverthedoorsill.SoI—”
“Willyoucutitout?”Billyyelled.“Whocaresaboutyourmother?WhatdoesithavetodowithME?”
“Ithinkhe’slying,”saidTom.“Whoeverheardofsomeone’smotherfaintingandhertonguehangingout?”
“AllRIGHT!”yelledJoeapoplectically,stampingaround.“ALLRIGHT!NowIwon’ttell.Youcandie,BillyForrester,andyou’llhavetocarryhimhome,TomGrout,allbyyourself!Nobodysaystome:‘Whocaresaboutyourmother.’ALLRIGHT!I’mgoing.Alan,”heyelled,“they’reinsultingmymother.I’mgoing.”
“Don’t,”saidAlan,runningoutofthehorsestallandgrabbingJoebytheshirttail.“Don’t.Yougottotellhim.Evenyourmother’dsayso.Mine,too.Nomatterwhathesaid.Ain’titamatteroflifeanddeath?”
“Iwon’t,”saidJoe,startingtowardthedoor.Alanpulledhimback.“Yougotto.HowlonghaveweknownpoorBill?
Six,sevenyears?Foroldtime’ssake,Joe,becausewewerealloncein
kindergartentogether.Thinkoftheagonyhe’llface,Joe,thepainandthebloodandthegore.”
Billywasonhiskneesbytheorangecrate,wringinghishands,notdaringtointerfere.ButwhenJoeglancedsullenlybackathim,hewhispered,“Please,Joe?Foroldtime’ssake?”
“Well,willyouapologizeforinsultingmymother?”
“Ido,”saidBilly.“Ido.Iapologize.”
SoAlanandJoebegantosneezeagainandthistimehadtobendoverandputtheirheadsbetweentheirlegstorecover.
Tom,whohadbeenwatchingthemsuspiciously,tryingtomakeoutwhatwasgoingon,startedtosaysomething.“Shutup!”hissedBillyfiercely,turningonhim.“Youkeepoutofit!”
SoJoewentonwithhisstory:howhismotherhadbeencarriedupstairstoherroom;howthedoctorhadcome,shakinghishead;howhisaunthadsobbed,pullingdownalltheshadesintheirhouse;howthatmorninghismotherhadfinallycomedownstairsforthefirsttimeleaningonhisaunt’sarm,paleandsorrowful;how…
“Yeah,”saidTom.“Sure.Sowhy?Whatdoeseatingwormsdotoyou?”“Nobodywilltellme,”saidJoe,openinghiseyeswide.“It’sbeenthree
daysnow,andnobody’llsay.It’sjustlikethetimemycousinLucygotcaughtinthebackseatofherfather’sCheveroletwiththeencyclopediasalesman.Nobody’lltellmewhytherewassuchanuproar.”Hewipedhismouth.“Butonething’ssure:it’sworsethanpoison.Probably—”
“Crap,”saidTom.“Oh,yeah?”saidJoe.ButthenheandAlanhadanothersneezingfit,sprawlinghelplessly
againsteachother.“Lookatthem,”saidTomtoBilly.“They’renotsneezing—they’re
laughing.Comeon.Eatthelastpieceandlet’sgetoutofhere.”“Youreallythinkso?”saidBillydoubtfully.Thesneezingdidlookan
awfullotlikegiggling.“Sure.Lookatthem.”TomgaveAlanandJoeashove.Theycollapsedinaheap,sneezing
uncontrollably.Billywatchedthem.Yeah,sure,theyweren’tsneezing—theywere
laughing….Weren’tthey?“Hayfever,”gaspedAlan,“hayfever.”“Aw,youneverhadhayfeverbefore,”saidTom.“Howaboutyesterday
orthedaybefore?Comeon,Billy.Openup.”SoBilly,halfbelievingTomandhalfnot,glancingdoubtfullyatAlanand
Joe,allowedTomtopokethelastbiteofwormintohismouthandleadhimoutofthebarn.
***
AlanandJoesatup.“Itdidn’twork,”saidAlan.Joebegantobrushthechaffoutofhishair.“Youwait.Hewasn’tsure.Tomwas,butheisn’teatingtheworms.You
wait.Billy’sworried.Hewasbefore,that’swhyhesaidhefeltlikehewasgoingtothrowup.Butnowhe’sreallyworried.SupposeIwasn’tlying?DidyouseehisfacewhenIsaidmyfathershookme?Ithoughthiseyeswouldbugrightoutofhishead.”
Alanlaughed.“Oh,geez,yeah.Andwhenyousaidyourmotherfainted.”Joestoppedbrushingthechaffoutofhishair.“Exceptwhy’dyoulaugh
somuch,forcripes’sake?Ifyou’dkeptastraightfaceevenTomwouldn’thaveguessed.”
“Aw,youlaughedfirst.Whatdoyoumean?”“Me?Ilaughedfirst?Ididnot.”“Youdidso.Youlaughedwhenheyelledatyouthefirsttime.Youwiped
yournose.”Theywentoffthroughthemeadow,arguing.
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XI
Tom
BILLYpushedthefryingpantowardTom.“Okay,fink.Ifit’snotsupposedtohurtyou,youeatapiece.”“Oh,no,”saidAlan.HeandJoewerelyingontheirstomachsinthe
hayloft,watching.“Ifheeatsapiece,youlose,Billy.Thebetwasyouweregoingtoeatfifteenworms,notyouandhimtogether.”
Billydidn’tlookup,hiseyesfixedgrimlyonTom.“Allright.ThenI’llgodiganotherworm,justforhim.He’ssobig,
tellingme:‘Hurryup,hurryup,Ican’twaitaroundallday—don’tbeasissy.’Allright.Now—”
“Ididn’tsaysissy,”saidTomuncomfortably.“Ijustsaidifthefirstfourwormsdidn’tkillyou,thisonewouldn’t.Ican’thelpitifmymothertoldmetobehomebytwotoday.She’sgoingshopping,soIhavetomindmybrother.”
“Yeah?”saidBilly.“Okay.Sowe’lljusthavetimeforyoutoeatawormbeforeyougo.Comeon.Where’stheshovel?”
“Here,”saidAlanfromtheloft.“Webrunganextratoday.”Awormdangledsquirmingfromhisfingers.HedroppedittoBilly.“It’snotcooked,”saidTom.“I’lldoit,I’lldoit,”saidJoe,scramblingdowntheladder.Hetookthe
wormfromBillyandranout,thenranbackandgrabbedthefryingpan.Tomsatdownonanoverturnedpailtowait.Hedidn’twanttoeatany
worm.Itwasn’thisbet.Heglancedatthedoorcreakinginthewind.Maybeheshouldmakeabreakforit.
Ofcourse,hecouldseeBilly’spoint.Billydidn’tbelieveJoe’sstory,butstill…he’dfinditreassuringifTomatesomeworm,too.
“He’lleatit,”BillywassayingtoAlan.“Ifhedon’t,he’schicken,”saidAlan.“Afterallhistalk.”
Whydon’tIeatit?thoughtTom.Imean,it’sayuckythingtodo,butitwouldn’tkillme.
Hescratchedhisneck,shiftinghisseatonthepail.Idon’tknow,thoughtTom.Ijustwon’t,Iguess.Hegagged,imaginingwhatitwouldbeliketobitedownonasoft,fat,
boiledworm.Heglancedatthedooragain.Billykickedthedoorshut.“Leaveitopen,”saidTom.“Why?”“BecauseIsaidso.”“Yeah?Well,youdon’townthisbarn.”“Neitherdoyou.Yourfatherdoes.”Billyrubbedhisnose,watchingTom,figuring:He’stryingtopickafight
sohewon’thavetoeattheworm.“Okay.”Billyopenedthedoorandsetabrickagainstit.Tomshiftedhisseatonthepailagain.Hecouldn’tstopthinkingabout
whatitwouldbeliketobitedownonasoft,fat,boiledworm.Hescratchedhisear.WhodidBillythinkhewas,tryingtoorderpeoplearound,tellingthemwhattheyhadtoeatandall?Billywasn’tanybody’sfather.Tombegantofeelput-uponandindignantandstubborn.
Ascreendoorslammed:Joecomingbackwiththeworm.Tomlickedhislips.HeheardJoerunningacrossthebarnyardtowardthem…
“Billy!”Alanshouted.BillyspunaroundjustintimetocatchaglimpseofTompeltingoutthe
door,thedoorbangingshut.Heflungtothewindow:Joesprawledinthemiddleofthebarnyardonhisback,Tomwasclamberingoverthewallintothemeadow,thefryingpanlayupsidedownbesidethehorsetrough.
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XII
TheFifthWorm
LOOK,saidBillytohimself,staringdownatthefriedwormontheplate.Besensible.Howcanithurtme?I’veeatenfouralready.Tomwasjustscared.He’slikethat.Heeggsotherpeopleon,butheneverwantstodoanythinghimself.
“Giveup?”askedAlan.“Comeon,”saidJoe.“Wehaven’tgotallday.”“Fivemoreminutes,”saidAlan.“ThenIwin.”“There’snotimelimit,”saidBilly.Forthefirsttimehewonderedwhat
he’ddoifhelost.Wherecouldheevergetfiftydollars?Buthowcouldheeattenmore?Big,fat,ugly,soft,brownthings.Hecouldn’taskhisfatherforfiftydollars.
HeheardAlanandJoewhisperingtogether.“He’sgonnaquit.”“Yeah.Iknewhe’dnevermakeitwhenIbetwithhim.Hetalksbig.Him
andTomarejustthesame.Buttheyneverdoanything.”Billygrittedhisteeth,gloppedonketchup,mustard,salt,gratedcheese,
whateverwasonthecrate,anything,everything,andthengrabbedupthewormandtoreitapartwithhishands,stuffingitintohismouth,chewingandchewingandswallowing,gulping….
Then,panting,hereachedoutandwipedhisgooeyhandsonAlan’strousersandgrinnedmessilyupathimandsaid,
“There.Five.”
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XIII
NothingtoWorryAbout
THATnightAlanaskedhisfathertoshowhimfiftydollars.Afterthat,hecouldn’tsleep,tossingandturninginhisrumpledbed.
Supposehelost?Hecouldjustseehimselfaskinghisfatherforfiftydollars—beggingforit,onhisknees,tearsstreamingdownhischeeks;andthen,atThanksgivingdinner,cringingwhileallhisauntsandunclesandcousinsroaredoverhisfather’sstoryof“Alan’sbet.”
Heslidoutofbedandsnuckdownthecarpetedhalltohisparents’bedroom.
“Yougottowakehim,Mrs.O’Hara,yougotto,”hewhisperedintothephone.“It’sanemergency.Igottospeaktohim.”Pause.“Igotahoarsethroat,Mrs.O’Hara,that’swhyI’mwhispering.Please.”Pause.“Gee,thanks,Mrs.O’Hara.No,Iwon’tevercallthislateagain,it’sjustit’s—”
Hewaited,gnawingathisthumbnail.Aboardcreakedonthestairs.Hestiffened.Silence.
“Whatd’yawant?”saidJoesuddenlyoverthetelephone.“Geez,Iwassleeping.Youwokemeup.”
“Joe,supposeIlose?Myfather’llneverletmetakethemoneyoutofmysavingsaccount.Iknowhewon’t.YouthinkI’lllose,Joe?Huh?Huh?Joe,tellme.Giveittomestraight.Joe,Igottoknow.Ican’tsleep.”
Joesighed.“Look.Itoldyouthisafternoon.Yougotnothingtoworryabout.He’scracking.Sure,heatethatonetoday.Sure,hemight—”
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XIV
ThePainandtheBloodandtheGore
FOURblocksawayBillysuddenlyfoundhimselfinabrightlylitbutchershop,jostledbyacrowdofenormous,pigeon-breasted,middle-agedwomen,shoutingtomakehimselfheardoverthedinoftheirchatterandtheroarsofbutchersorderingabouttheweasel-facedboyswhowerelugginghaunchesandtubsofmeatinandoutoftherefrigeratorroomintherear.ThenabutchersawBillyjumpingandjumpingamongthewomenandaskedforhisorderandBillygaveit,andsuddenlyhewasshovedupclosetothechoppingblockandthebutcherslappeddowntenblackwormsasbigassnakesandBillytriedtosaytheyweretoobig,he’dchokeonthem,butthebutchercouldn’thearhimoverthethumpsofhiscleaverandthedinofthewomenandthehoarseshoutsoftheotherbutchers,andbeforeBillyknewwhatwashappening,hewasseatedatatableinLongchampsRestaurantonTimesSquareinNewYorkCitywithalargenapkintiedunderhischin,andawaiterwasuncoveringaplatteronwhichlayoneofthehugeblackworms,coiledsnakily,ared,redrosewobblinginthecenterofitscoils.
“HowcanIeverfinishit?”saidBillyandcutintoamammothcoil.Steamingpinkjuicefloodedout.Billyateandateandateandateandthenlooked…and…and…hemusthaveeatenmorethanthat?Andthenhelookedagainandtherewasnoholeatall.Hehadeatenandeatenandeaten…nothingatall!
Andthenhefeltsomethingcoldonhisanklesandlookedunderthetableclothandthereweretwomoreofthehugewormswoundaroundandaroundhisankles.Andthenhefeltsomethingweighingdownhisarmandhelookedandtherewasanotherwormwoundaroundhisarm,glaringhungrily
athimwithitsbloodshooteyes,andfromeverywhereinthevastroom,windingbetweenthetables,waitersapproachedcarryinghugesilverservingplatters….
***
Billyopenedhiseyes.Forthefirstmoment,inthemoonlightfloodinghisbedroom,histwobare
feet,stickingupoutofthebottomofthecovers,lookedliketwohugewhiteworms’heads.
Andthenherealizedthathehadbeendreamingandsankbackontohispillow,thenightmaremeltingaway.Therewerenohugewormsasbigaspythons,hewashomeinbed,hisparentswereasleepinthenextroom….
Hisstomachrumbled.ButsupposeJoehadn’tbeenlying?Thehairstooduponthebackofhisneck.OrsupposeJoehadmadeitallupbuthadbeenrightanyway,without
knowingit?Ashutterbanged.Billyglancedoutthewindowandsawthemoonriding
amongthetossingleaves.Hisstomachrumbledandgurgled.Hegroaned.Supposehewasdying?He’dheardofpeoplewakingupinthemiddleof
thenightwithpainsintheirstomachs,andthen,asthewindowsturnedgrayinthedawn,theydied.Toadstools,souredlobster,taintedpork.
Thatwasapain!Heclutchedhisstomach,andgroaning,halffell,halfstaggeredoutofbed
andhobbledtowardthedoor,bentdouble.Maybetherewasanantidote.Hewhimpered.Itdidn’thurtalot,butnothingeverdidtobeginwith,didit?
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3:15A.M.
HISmotherreachedoutandswitchedonthelight.“Whatkindofpain,Billy?”
Hestoodbesidethebed,clutchinghisstomach.“Inmystomach.Oooo,thereitgoesagain,Ithink.”
“Didyoueatsomethingbeforebed?”Shewaspullingonherbathrobe.“John,John.”Sheshookherhusband’s
shoulder.Hemumbledsleepily.“Didyoueatcandyorsomethingbeforebed,Billy?”
“Worms,”groanedBilly.“Worms?John!John!Billy,whatkindofworms?”“Regularworms,nightcrawlers.”
Shefelthisforehead,liftedhischintolookinhisface.“Youdon’thaveatemperature.Howmanywormsdidyoueat?”
“Five.Twoboiledandthreefried.Withketchup,mustard,horseradish,salt,pepper,butter.Tomakethemtastebetter.”
“Fried?Ketchup?Tastebetter?John!Wakeup.”“IhadthisbetwithAlan.Ohhhhh.”Hegroanedagain.“Takeyourhandsaway.Wheredoesithurtnow?Showme.”“Itdoesn’treallyhurtsomuchnow.It’sjustrumblingandgurgling
somethingawful.It’s—”“Thenwhyareyougroaning?”askedhisfather,sittingup.“BecauseI’mafraidit’sgoingtostarthurting.DoyouthinkI’mgoingto
die,Daddy?”“Worms?”hisfatherasked.“Ordinaryworms?Earthworms?”Billynodded.“Andhowmanydidyoueatthisevening?”“Onethisafternoon.I’veeatenoneeverydayforthelastfivedays.But
theyweren’tlittleones;theywerenightcrawlers,hugeones,asbigassnakesalmost.”
Hisfatherlaybackdown,pullingthecoversuparoundhisshoulders.“Don’tworry.Eatingonenightcrawleradayforsixweekswouldn’thurtyou.Gobacktobed.It’sprobablyalltheketchupandmustardthat’supsettingyourstomach.Drinkaglassofwarmwater.”
“John,areyousure?”saidBilly’smother.“Itdoesn’tseemtomethatwormscouldbeaveryhealthythingtoeat.John?”
Hisfathersnuggleddeeperunderthecovers.“Ididn’tsayeatingwormswouldturnhimintoanAll-Americanfullback.Ijustsaidtheywouldn’thurthim.Nowlet’sgotosleep.”
Billy’smotherglancedatBilly,shiveringbesidethebedinbarefeetandpajamas,andthenshookherhusbandagain.“John?John,wakeup.IthinkyoushouldcallDr.McGrath.Youdon’treallyknowwhetherornoteatingwormsisharmful.Iknowyoudon’t.”
Billy’sfathergroanedandsatup.“Now,look.IamnotgoingtocallDr.McGrathatthreethirtyinthemorningtoaskifit’sallrightformysontoeatworms.That’sflat.Secondly,IdoknowthatBilly’snotgoingtodiebeforemorning.Ifwormswerepoisonous,whichthey’renot,hewouldhavebeen
laidupbeforethis.Billy,you’vebeeneatingwormsforfivedays?”Billynodded.“Allright.Andthirdly,IatealivecrayfishwhenIwasincollegeand
havesufferednodiscernibleilleffects.Andfourthly:Iamgoingtosleep.”Billy’smotherslippedherfeetintoherslippers,stoodupandbuttonedher
bathrobe,andthenleanedoverthebedandshookherhusband’sshoulder.“John?John,Iwon’tbeabletosleepuntilyoucall.John?John,whatabouttapewormsorafungus?John?Wakeup.Billy,yougobacktobed.YourfatherwillcallDr.McGrath.John?John?”
Billylayinbedlisteningtohismotherandfatherarguingintheirbedroom.Hecouldonlymakeoutawordhereandthere,usuallywhenhisfatherstartedtoshout,onlytobeshushedimmediatelybyhismother.Billygotsleepierandsleepier.Hisstomachhadstoppedrumblingandgurgling.Itwaswarmandcozyunderthecoversafterstandingonthecoldfloorinhisbarefeet.Then,inthemidstofafoggydrowse,heheardsomeonedialingthephoneinthehalloutsidehisparents’bedroom,andthenhisfathersay,“PoisonControl?”andexplainthecase.
Thentherewasasilence.Billyheardthewaterrunninginthebathroom.Andthenhisfathersaid,“You’resure?Theseweren’tlittleones.Thesewerenightcrawlers.”Pause.“Andnolong-rangeilleffects?”Pause.Hisfatherlaughed.“Abet,Ithink.”
AndthenextthingBillyknew,sunlightwasstreamingthroughhiswindowandEmilywasskippingdownthehallpasthisdoorsinging,
“Halfapoundoftupennyrice,Halfapoundoftreacle,That’sthewaythemoneygoes—”
Hisfathershouteddownthestairs,“Helen,doyouknowwheremygreentiewiththeredstripesis?”
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XVI
TheSixthWorm
BILLYgulpedittriumphantly,serene,untroubled.BythedoorAlanglowered,hismindracing:He’sgonnadoit,he’llwin,
what’llIdo?Fiftydollars.Joesatonanoverturnedpail,whistling,gazingcarelesslyabout…
sneakingaglancenowandthenatBilly.Whathadgonewrong?Whyhadn’thecracked?
Outside,Tomlurkedsheepishlyinthebushesbehindthestonewall,peeringatthebarn.
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XVII
TheSeventhWorm
BILLYateitoffhand,sideways,readingacomicbook.AlanandJoesquattedglumlyinthebarndoor,watchinghim.AsBillywasdaubinghorseradishsauceonthelastbite,Tom’shead
appearedinacornerofthegrimywindow.HewavedtentativelyatBilly.Ignoringhim,Billygulpeddownthelastbite,wipedhismouth,and
tuckinghiscomicbookunderhisarm,strolledairilyoutofthebarn,remarkingoverhisshoulder,“Seeyoutomorrow,fellows.”
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XVIII
TheEighthWorm
WHERE’SJoe?”askedBilly,spreadingmustarddownthelengthofthefriedworm.
“Hewouldn’tcome,”saidAlansullenly.“It’snofairputtingonthatmuchmustard.”
“Ha,ha,”saidBilly.“Whosays?IcanputonasmuchasIlikeofwhateverIlike,andyouknowit.Whywouldn’thecome?”
“HowshouldIknow?”Billyswooshedabitofwormaroundinketchupandhorseradishsauce.“I
knowwhyhedidn’t.”“Yeah.You’resosmart.Bigdeal.”Alancouldn’tgetthefiftydollarsout
ofhishead.Whatwashisfathergoingtosaywhenhetoldhimhe’dbetfiftydollarsandlost?Geez!Hegnawedathisthumbnail.
“Hewouldn’tcomebecauseheknowsI’vewon.HeknowsIcouldeattwentywormsifIhadto.”
“Yeah?Yeah?Well,youain’twonyet.There’sstillseventogo.Youactsobig.Wait’llyoubegintofeelitinyourstomach.Youthinkyouknoweverything.Yeah.You’llsee.Youwait.”
“Ha,ha,”saidBilly.“Youthinkyoucanscaremetalkinglikethat?Phooey.”HestrolledpastAlanoutintothesunlight.
“Hi,”saidTom,poppingupfrombehindabarrel.“Pfffffft!”saidBillydisdainfullyandwalkedon.
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XIX
TheNinthWorm
THAT’Snotaworm!”yelledBilly.“Howcanitbeaworm?Geez,itmustbetwofeetlong!”
“It’saworm,”saidAlanstubbornly.“It’sjustlikealltheothers.Irolleditincornmealandfriedit.”
“It’sovertwofeetlong!”screechedBilly.Heknewsomethingwasup.OtherwiseJoewouldn’thavecomeback,
slouchinginthedoorwaypretendingtobegazingupattheclouds.ButBillynoticedhekeptglancingatAlanandhim.AndTomwaspeeringinthewindowagain.Somethingwasup.
“Look,”saidAlan.“I’llcutit.Youcanseeforyourselfit’saworm.There.See?Comeon.Eatup.Weain’tgotallday.JoeandmehavetogotoShushanwithhisfather.”
Billypokedatthehugewormwithhisfork.Somethingsurewasup.HeatethepieceAlanhadcut,lookingtherestofthewormovercarefullyashechewed.Heateanotherbite.Fauh!He’dforgottentodipitinthehorseradishsauce.
“Comeon,comeon,comeon,”saidAlan.“Yeah,”saidJoe.“Eatup,Billy,wegottogo.”I’llneverbeabletoeatthewholething,thoughtBilly.It’dchokeme;it’s
toomuchyuckatonce.“Half,”hecroaked.“I’lleathalf.Thisissomesortofaringer.There’s
neverbeenawormthislong.”“Okay,”saidAlan.“Thenthebet’soff.Suityourself.Comeon,Joe,he
chickenedout.Let’sgo.”“Allright,allright,”saidBilly,playingfortime.“Thewholething.”“You’llmakeyourselfsick,”saidAlan.He’stooanxious,thoughtBilly.What’sgoingon?
“Leavehimalone,”saidJoe.“Lethimeatit.It’shisstomach.”He’stryingtocoverforAlan,thoughtBilly.Heateanotherbite.Thenhe
begantoscrapethecornmealcarefullyoffthewormwithhisknife.“Whatareyoudoing?”saidAlan.“IthinkI’llhaveitplaintoday.Nocornmeal.”“That’snotfair!Youcan’t—”“Glue!”screamedBillyallofasudden.“Glue!Yougluedtwocrawlers
together!Geez!Youbunchoflousycheats!Tom!Tom,lookwhattheytriedtopull!Glue!”
Panting,Tombentovertheplate.“You’reright.Geez!”
Alankickedapailclatteringagainstthewall.“Itoldyouitwouldn’twork!”hescreamedatJoe.
“Allright.Soitdidn’twork.Youcouldn’tthinkofanythingbetter.”“That’scheating!”saidBilly.“Ioughttowinrightnow.Youcheated.”“Fifteenwormsinfifteendays!”yelledJoe.“Youain’twonyet!”“Butyoucheated!”shoutedTom.“Sowhat?”Theyarguedandyelled,stridinghereandthereaboutthebarn,sprawling
againstposts,flinginguptheirarms,kickingwalls,bangingdownonapailororangecrateandsqueezingtheirheadsbetweentheirhands.
“Itdoesn’tmakeanydifference!”JoeyelledatBilly.“Itdidn’twork!Youdidn’tfallforit!Ifyou’deatenthewholethingandthenfoundoutitwastwowormsgluedtogether,thenyoucouldhaveclaimedtowinbecauseAlanwascheating.”
“Bigmouth!”shoutedAlanfromthehorsestall,wherehewaskickingtheslatsin.“Whothoughtitup?Notme!”
“Whocareswhothoughtitup?”shoutedTom.“It’sstillcheating!”Apiglookedinatthedoorandthenwanderedaway.Joeranoutandstuckhisheadunderthefaucetbythekitchensteps.A
minutelaterhecamerunningbackdripping,yelling,“That’snottrue!”“What’snottrue?”saidBilly,turningaroundfromshoutingatAlan.“Whateveryousaid.”“What’dIsay?”“Itdoesn’tmakeanydifference.You’realiarandacheatandsoanything
yousayisn’ttrue.”“You’recrazy.EvenHitleror—orJacktheRipper—sometimessaid
thingsthatweretrue.It’simpossibletolieallthetime.”BehindthemTomlaydownonhisbackandsaid,“Arrgh!”AlanandJoeandBillyturnedtolookathim.“What’sthematterwithyou?”“ARRRGH!”“Argh?”“ARRRGH!”Silence.Abirdflewinandthenoutthroughabrokenwindowintheloft.“Well,”saidBilly.“Yeah.Iseewhatyoumean.”HeandAlanandJoesatdownontheoverturnedorangecrates.Aftera
whileJoesaid,“Anyway,Iwasright.IfBilly’deatenit,itwouldhavebeencheating.Buthedidn’t,soit’snot.Thebet’sstillon.”
Thepiglookedinatthedooragain.“Apig’sloose,”saidAlan.“Look.”“Where?”saidBilly.“Ohboy,comeon.Wegottacatchit.”Hejumped
up.Thepigbolted.“Whoooooeeeeee!”yelledBilly,dashingout.TomandJoeandAlan
XX
Billy’sMother
BILLYslumpedatthekitchentableononeelbow,pawinginhisbowlofWheatieswithhisspoon.Hismotherwaswashingthebreakfastdishesatthesink.
“Butwhyisn’titgoodtoeathotdogsforbreakfast?Iknownobodydoes.Butwhydon’tthey?”
“Oh,Billy,”saidhismother.“Stopit.Finishyourcereal.”“Well,but—”Aknockonthescreendoor.Billy’smotherglancedaround.“Oh,hello,Alan,Joe.Isyoursisterbetter,
Joe?”“Yes,thankyou.”“Billycan’tcomeoutuntilhe’sfinishedhisbreakfast.Wouldyouliketo
waitforhimonthefrontporch?”“Wecametoseeyou,Mrs.Forrester.”“Oh?Comein.”“Mrs.Forrester,”saidJoe,asAlanshutthedoorcarefullybehindthem.“I
don’tknowifyouknowaboutitalready,butsee,aboutaweekagoAlanmadethisbetwithBillyabouteatingworms.IfBillycouldeatfifteenworms,oneeachdayforfifteendays,then—”
“Billy!You’renotstilleatingthem?”BillystuffedaspoonfulofWheatiesintohismouth.“Notjustworms,Mom.Ibeeneatinglotsofotherstuff,too.Lookatme.
I’mhealthy.Dr.McGrathtoldyouthewormswouldn’thurtme.”“ButBilly,Dr.McGrathdidn’tthinkyouweregoingtokeeponeating
worms.”JoenudgedAlanandgrinned.“Aw,Mom,iffivewormswouldn’thurtme,afewmorewon’teither.
They’relittleworms.Besides,it’sabet.IfI—”“They’rebigworms,Mrs.Forrester,”saidJoe,lookingvirtuous.“We
won’tlietoyou.Mymothertoldmenevertotellalie.”“Manure,”saidBilly.“Mom,it’sabet.Itoldyou.IfIwin,Alan’sgotto
paymefiftydollars.”“Fiftydollars!Youngman,don’tyoumovefromthatchair.”Shewentoff
intothefronthall.“Finks!”whisperedBilly.“Butyou’llsee.Itwon’twork.”AlanandJoegazednonchalantlyattheceiling.Billy’smother’svoicecamefromthefronthall.“Dr.McGrath,I’m
awfullysorrytobotheryouagain,it’ssucharidiculousmatter,butsinceIspoketoyou,Billyhascontinuedtoeatworms.”Pause.“No,no,it’snothinglikethat.He’sactingperfectlynormalotherwise.Itseemshe’smadeabetwithsomeotherboys.”Pause.“Oneeveryday.Hehastoeatfifteentowinhisbet.”Pause.“Oh,thankyou,Dr.McGrath.I’msosorrytobother—”
Shereturnedtothekitchen.“Butnomorebetsafterthisone,Billy.AlanandJoe,don’tyouegghimonanymore.He’sfartooeagertodowildthings.”
BillyyukkedsilentlyatJoeandAlan.Alanmadearudegestureathim.“Mrs.Forrester,”saidJoe,“whatwereallycameaboutisthatAlanand
mearegoinguptoLakeLauderdaletodaywithmyfathertofish.Andwewon’tbebacktilltomorrownight,sowewonderedifyou’dmakesureBillyeatsthewormstodayandtomorrow.It’snotthatwedon’ttrustBilly,Mrs.Forrester—”
“No,”saidBilly’smother,smiling.“—butit’salwaysbetterifthere’sareferee.Youknow,likeMr.Simmons
saysatschool:tosaveargumentsandhardfeelings.Webroughtthetwoworms.”Heheldupapaperbag.“Weboiledthemalready,soyoucanjustkeepthemintherefrigerator.”
“Well,”saidBilly’smother.“Thisisquitearesponsibility.AreyousureI’llbeneutralenough?Iamhismother.”
“Yeah,wethoughtofthat,”saidJoe,“butwefigured,well,you’reusuallyprettyfair,andbesides,parentsalmostnevercheatkidsifit’sjustsomethingbetweenkids.They’reusuallyprettyfairuntiltheygetintoit.”
Billy’smotherlaughed.“Andhowdoesheeatthem?Justcoldboiled?”“Well,webeenfryingthem,Mrs.Forrester.Werollthemincornmealand
thenfrythemlikeafish.Buthecandowhateverhewants.ExceptthatAlanandmehavedecidedit’snotfairtomakesoupoutofthemorchopthemalluplikehashorachicken-saladsandwich.He’sgottoeatthempiecebypiece.”
“Whosaid?”yelledBilly.“Whenwasthateverintherules?”“Wesaid!”shoutedAlan.Billyjumpedup,kickinghischairover.“Well,thenIwin!Becauseit’s
cheatingtomakeupnewrulesinthemiddle.”“Oh,yeah?”shoutedAlan.“Thenyoulose!Becauseanybodyknowsit’d
becheatingtohashitup.”“Youthinkyou’regoingtoweaseloutofitafterI’vealreadyeatennine!”“Who’sweaseling?You’recheating!”“Yeah?”“Yeah!”“Boys!Boys!Billy!Alan!”Silence.“Please.NowBilly,Ithink—no,letmespeakfirst.IdothinkAlanand
Joeareright.Itwouldn’tbefairtocutthewormallup.Youcanjustthinkofsomeotherwayoffixingit.Thankyou,Joe.”
Shetookthepaperbagandlookedinside.“Pew.Billy,areyousure—”“Mom,you’veeateneels;youateeelslastsummerinLongIsland.These
arejustsmaller.They’rethesamething.”“Well.”Sheputthepaperbagintherefrigerator.“IguessifDr.McGrath
saysit’sallright.Nowwhydon’tyouallgooutside?”“Iwouldn’tgoacrossthestreetwiththosefinks,”saidBilly.“Theycan
—”“Yeah?”shoutedAlan.“Well,who’dwanttogoanywherewithyou,
either?”“Yeah?”shoutedBilly.“Boys!”criedMrs.Forrester.“Stopit!Allright.AlanandJoe,youhad
bettergo.”Thescreendoorbangedbehindthem.“Pffffft!”saidBillyscornfully.Joe’sfaceappearedatthescreen.“Thanksforsayingyou’llhelpout,Mrs.
Forrester.”
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XXI
TheTenthWorm
WHAT’Sfordinner?”saidBilly’sfather,comingintothekitchen.“Well,”saidBilly’smother.“YouandIandEmilyarehavinghamburgers
andstringbeansandmashedpotatoes.Billyishavingafriedworm.”“Moreworms?Thebet’sstillon?”“Look.”ShetookasmallplatecoveredwithSaranWrapoutofthe
refrigerator.“Andyou’veeatennineofthesealready,Billy?”Hepokedtheworms
curiously.“Whatdoyoudo,usealotofketchupandmustard?”Billynodded.“Andhorseradishandotherthings.Andwefrythem.”Billy’sfatherliftedacorneroftheSaranWrapandsmelledtheworms.
“Helen,yououghttobeabletodobetterthanfried.Useyourcookbooks.”“I’mnotthecook.I’mjustthereferee.”“Oh,comeon.Thinkofthechallenge.”Hetookacookbookfromtheshelfunderthespicerack.“Let’ssee.
MasteringtheArtofFrenchCooking.”Heleafedthroughthecookbook.“Here.HowaboutPoachedEelsonToast?”
“No,”saidBilly’smother.“Itcallsforchoppinguptheeelinlittlepieces,andthatwouldbeagainsttherules.”
“HowaboutSpaghettiwithWormballsthen?OraSavoryWormPie?CreamedWormsonToast?SpanishWorm?WormloafwithMushroomSauce?”
“Wait,”saidBilly’smother,puttingdownhercookingspoon.“Itmightjust—”Shetookthecookbookandturnedtotheindex.“Here.”Sheread:“AlsatianSmotheredWorm:dredgethewormwithseasonedflour.Sauteinthreetablespoonsdrippingsuntilbrowned.Coverwithslicedonions,pouroveronecupthicksourcream,coverpotclosely,andbakeinaslowovenuntiltender.”
“Bravo,”saidBilly’sfather.“Putthehamburgersbackintherefrigerator.We’llallhavewormtonight.”
“Iwon’t,”saidEmily.“Ha,”saidBilly,grinninginthemidstofchewing.“Boy,AlanandJoe
thoughttheyweredoingmeinwhentheycametoyou,Mom,butthisisbetterthansteak.Itreallytastesgood.”
“Yug,”mutteredEmily,makingaface.“Letmehaveataste,”saidBilly’sfather.“No,no,”saidhismother.“Billyhastoeateverybithimself.Alanand
Joewereveryfirmaboutthat,andI’mthereferee.”“Boy,”saidBilly.“Idon’tmindifittasteslikethis.”
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XXII
TheEleventhWorm
HOW’Dyoudoit?”saidBilly.“What’sitcalled?”“Myword,”saidhisfather.“Gosh,Mrs.Forrester,”gaspedTom.OnasilverdishinfrontofBillylayanice-creamcakebathedinfruit
syrups—peach,cherry,tutti-frutti,candiedorange—toppedwithwhippedcreamsprinkledwithjellybeansandalmondslivers.
“It’scalledaWhizbangWormDelight,”saidBilly’smotherproudly.“I
madeitup.”“Isthewormreallyinthere?”saidBilly,pokingaboutwithhisspoon.
Andthen,scrapingawayabitofwhippedcreamatoneend,heglimpsedtheworm’ssnoutprotrudingfromthecenterofthecake.
“Snugasabuginarug,”saidhismother.“Istillwouldn’teataworm,”saidEmily,eyeingtheWhizbangWorm
Delightwithenviousdistaste.“Iwould,”saidTom.“Atleast,maybeIwould.”
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XXIII
AdmiralsNagumoandKusakaontheBridgeoftheAkaiga,December6,1941
ITwon’twork.”“Look,”saidJoe,“evenifheremembersthewormwhilewe’reatShea,
hecan’tgetone.Where’sanyonegoingtofindawormatSheaStadium?Don’tworry,we’llsay,you’vewon;we’llfindawormafterwegethome.Andwekeeprightonstuffinghim:peanuts,hotdogs,hamburgers,CrackerJack,icecream,orangesoda,gum,MarsBars.Youknowhowhelovestoeat.Youeverseenhimrefusesomethingtoeat?Bythetimewestarthomehe’llbebloated,drowsy,belching.Rememberthelasttime?Whenhisfathertookus?HewasasleepbythetimewehitPeekskill.Yourfather’llcarryhiminfromthecar;hismotherandfather’llputhimtobed;nextmorninghe’llwakeup—TOOLATE!You’vewon!Fifteenwormsinfifteendays!Hemissedaday!”
Alangnawedathisthumbnail.“WhataboutTom?”“We’llaskhimalongandthenjustnotpickhimup.Wecantellyour
fatherandBillythatTom’smothercalled,hewassick,hisgrandmotherdied,anything,justsowedon’thavetobringhimwithus.”
Alansighed.“Geez,it’llprobablycostmeeightdollarsjusttobuyallthatfood—CrackerJack,hamburgers—”
“Yeah,butit’llcostyoufiftydollarsifhewins.”“Yeah,well—ohGeez,how’dIevergetintothis?Ifmyfatherfindsout
—”Alanslumpedontheporchsteps,gazingdownathissneakers,gnawing
histhumbnail.“Comeon,”saidJoe,slappinghimontheshoulder.“Cheerup.You
haven’tlostyet.Goaskyourfather.”
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XXIV
TheTwelfthWorm
YOUthinkAlanreallymeantitwhenhesaidhe’dgivenup?”askedBilly,turningdowntheflameunderthefryingpan.Hewascookingatoasted-cheese-and-wormsandwich.
“Idon’tknow,”saidTom,lookingintherefrigerator.“Isupposeso.HeaskedustotheMetsgame—Say,isthatchocolatepudding?”
“Yeah,butdon’ttakeany.It’sforsupper.”“Icouldjustscrapesomeoffthetop,andthenyoucouldtellyourmother
itfelloutupsidedownonthefloorbymistakewhileyouweregettingthecheeseout,soyouscrapedthedirtypartoffintothegarbage.”
“Welllll—”saidBillydoubtfully.“ThomasGrout,”saidBilly’smother,cominginfromthehall.“I’m
surprisedatyou.”“Aw,Mrs.Forrester,Iwouldn’treallyhavedoneit.Iwasjust,youknow,
talking.Everybodytalks:myfather,Billy’sfather,Billy,mysistersAnnie,Charlotte,Polly—”Hewasbackingtowardthedoor.“—Betty,Agnes,Columbus—”
“Ididn’tknowyouhadasisternamedColumbus,Tom,”saidBilly’smother.“Wouldyoulikesomechocolateicecreaminstead?”
“Oh,sure,Mrs.Forrester,”saidTom,relieved.Hesatdownatthetable.“It’smycousinwho’snamedColumbus.”Hegrinned.“ColumbusOhio.He’sacapitalfellow,Mrs.Forrester.”
Andthenhehadtograbtheedgeofthetabletokeepfromrollingoffhischairlaughingathisownjoke.Billylookeddisgusted.Hismotheropenedtherefrigerator,shakingherhead.
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XXV
PearlHarbor
THEcarslidquietlytoastopunderthestreetlightoutsideBilly’shouse.“Shhh,”whisperedAlantohisfather.“Billy’sasleep.”HisfatherglancedbackatBilly,snoringpeacefullyinthebackseat,his
plumpcheeksstickywithorangesoda.“Alan,runuptothehouseandtellthemI’mbringingBillyin.”Billy’sfathermetthematthefrontdoor,andtakingBilly,whisperedhis
thanks.Alanandhisfatherwentdownthewalk.Behindthemtheporchlightclickedoff.
***
InthebackseatofthecarJoeandAlanwrestledgleefully.“Wedidit!”“We’vewon!”“He’llneverwakeupnow!”AlanstruggledoutofJoe’sgripandaskedhisfatherwhattimeitwas.“Late.Almostmidnight,Ithink.”JoepulledAlan’sheaddownandtriedtositonit.“Hecouldn’tdoitnowevenifhewokeup.Howcouldhefindandcook
andeataworminthedark?Hee,hee.We’vewon!We’vewon!”
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XXVI
Guadalcanal
BUTslumpedonthebathroomstool,hismotherholdinguphischinwhileshewashedhisface,Billywaswaking.
“Holdstill,dear.Didyouhaveagoodtime?You’recertainlyhomelate.Isthispartofwinningthebet?”
Billy’seyesblinkedsleepily.Hehadagnawingfeelinghehadforgottensomething.Hehiccupped,gazingdopilydownatthefuzzybluebathmat…yawned…He’drememberinthemorning.Itcouldn’tbethatim—
BET!?!
BET!?!
Hehadn’twonyet!Therewerestillthreetogo!Fifteen!Fifteenwormsinfifteendays!Todaywas…
Hejumpedup.“Mom,Ihaven’teatenmywormtoday!”Andsuddenlyitallcametohim.Thewholetrip…allthecandybars,hot
dogs,hamburgers,popcorn.“Whattimeisit,Mom?Quick!”“Aboutquartertotwelve.”“Itwasatrick!”Hesnatchedhispantsoffthefloor.“Theyweretryingto
makemeforget!”Hetumbledandsliddownstairs,throughthediningroom,hisshirttailflying,yankedopenthedrawerinthekitchentable,snatchedouttheflashlight,thedrawerspillingoutwithaclatterandcrashontothefloor,andslammedoutthebackdoor.
“Thefinks!”HescuttledacrossthebackfieldtowardTom’shouse,searchingthe
groundwiththeflashlightashewent.“There!Darn,astick!Geez,supposeIcan’tfindone?”
Hestopped.“Therewon’tbetimetocookit!”Heranon.“Andnoketchup.”Hestopped.“I’llbetTomwasn’tsickatall.”Heranon.Thenightwasmoonlessandclose.Hepausedtoheaveovera
rottenloginthehigh,dewygrass—mealybugsandscooters—clamberedoverthestonewallintoTom’sbackyard…andwasallofasuddenwrestlingwithapuptent.
Muffledgruntsandthrashings.“Tom!”heyelled.“Tom!It’sme!Billy!They’retryingtotrickus.”TomandhisyoungerbrotherPetecrawledoutfromunderthepuptent.“Itwasatrick,”pantedBilly.“AlanandJoeweretryingtomakeme
forget.Fifteenwormsinfifteendays.IfIdon’teatoneinthenexttenminutes,Alan’llsayhe’swon.It’salmostmidnight.”
“AndtheyleftmehomesoIwouldn’tremindyou?”Billynodded.“Haveyougotaworm?”“We’llhavetofindone.”Tomdugbackintothepuptentandcameupwithtwoflashlights.They
zigzaggedbackandforthacrossthelawn,bentover,searching.
“Igotone!”criedPete.“Shhh.”“I’llhavetoeatitraw,”saidBilly.Hethrewbackhishead.“Wait,”whisperedTom,grabbinghisarm.“YoushoulddoitwhereAlan
andJoecanseeyou.Pete,runandgetyoursirenoutofthegarage.”
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XXVII
TheThirteenthWorm
UNDERthestreetlightinfrontofAlan’shouseTomandPetekneltoverthesiren.Billystoodbesidethem,thenightcrawlersquirminginhisfingers.
“Nowwaittilllotsoflightscomeonallover,inallthehouses,”saidTom.“Thenchompitdown.Ready,Pete?Now.”
Thesirengrowled,windingslowlyupandupuntilitSCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHED!acrossthesleeping
neighborhood,sendingbirdssquawkingandchirpingintotheairfromtreesandrooftops;dogsbegantobark;windowslitup;therewereconfusedshouts,bangsofwindowsslammingup.
“Ladiesandgentlemen,”shoutedTomthroughthedyingwhineofthesiren,“AlanPhelpsandJosephO’Hara,throughtheirfinkinessandcheating,theirliesanddirty—”
“Comeon,”mutteredBilly,hisheadthrownback,danglingthewormoverhisopenmouth.“Wehaven’tgotmuchtime.”
“AlanPhelpsandJosephO’Hara,”shoutedTom,“haveforcedustowakeyouallupsothatyoumaynowwitness,ta-ratta-ta-ratta-ta-ratta-ta-ta:THEEATINGOFTHETHIRTEENTHWORM!”
Hedroppedtohisknees;thesirenwoundslowlyuptoaSCREECH!Billydroppedthecrawlerintohismouthandchewedfuriously,hiseyesclosed;felltohisknees,stillchewing,hisfaceturningbeet-red;toppledoveronhisside,stillchewing;rolledandwrithedaboutthesidewalk,clutchinghisstomach,stillchewing—TomandPetekneelingbythestreetlight,workingthescreamingsiren….
Billythrewopenhisarmsandlaystillonhisbackundertheglareofthestreetlight,hismouthwideopen.
“TAAA—RAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaa!”announcedTom,springingupandpointingtoBilly.
Thethreeboysranoffintothedarkness.Astheywent,Tomyelled,“Remember:AlanPhelpsandJosephO’Hara.”
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XXVIII
Hello,We’re….
Aconfusedmurmuraroseupanddownthestreet.SuddenlyaboyshoutedfromthePhelps’shouse.
“Finks!”Alan’sfatherdraggedhimbackfromthewindow.“IsthatwhyyouwerestuffingBillywithcandyandjunkallday?”“Leavemealone.Yeah.Weweretryingtotrickhim.Thefink.FINKS!”
heyelledatthetopofhisvoice,lungingtowardthewindow.“Quiet!”Hisfathersathimdownhardinachair.Joepeeredfurtivelyoutthroughthefringeofthebedspread.Assoonas
hehadheardthesirenandTom’syells,hehadcrawledunderthebed.“Andthat’swhyBillywokethewholeneighborhoodup?toshowyouhe
hadn’tbeentricked?”“Yes.”HisfatherletgoofAlan’spajamacollar.InthedoorwayAlan’smother
threwupherhandsandwentofftothebathroomtotaketwoaspirin.ThenextdayAlanandJoetrampedfromhousetohouseinthe
neighborhood,knockingoneachdoorandthenrecitinginchorus:“Hello.We’reAlanPhelpsandJosephO’Hara.We’rethereasonyou
werewakedupinthemiddleofthenightlastnight,andwe’resorry.”Breath.“You’llbehappytoknowourparentshavepunisheduswecan’tlookattelevisionorhaveanydessertforamonthandourallowanceshavebeentakenawayfortwoweekswepromisethatitwillneverhappenagain.”
“Atleastnotinthisneighborhood,”mutteredJoeasthelastdoorclosedbehindthem.
“AndAlan,”saidhisfatheratdinnerthatnight,“Idon’twanttohearthattherehasbeenanyrepetitionofthisincidentatBilly’sorTom’shouseor
anywhereelse.Doyouunderstandthat?”“Butwecan’tletthemgetawaywithit,Mr.Phelps,”calledJoefromthe
livingroom,wherehewaswaitingforAlantofinishdinner.“Therewillbenorepetitionofthisincidentoranythinglikeit,”repeated
Mr.Phelps.“YoutriedtotrickBillyandlost.Thatwillbetheendofthematter.”
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XXIX
YOUknowwhatyouare?”saidAlan,hisnosealmosttouchingBilly’s.“You’reabastard.”
“Andyou’reanother,”sneeredBillythroughclenchedteeth.“Andacheating,lying,dirty,snot-nosed,cheating,lyingone.”
“Ifyousaytwomorewords,”saidAlan,“youknowwhat?I’llbeatyourheadin.”
Billybreathedhard.“I’mrightbehindyou,”mutteredTom,peeringgrimlyoverBilly’s
shoulder,hisfistsclenched.“Yeah?”saidJoefrombehindAlan.“Sowhat?Wecanlickbothofyou
withourhandstiedbehindourbacksandpaperbagsoverourheads.”“Youcouldn’tlickaflea.”“Yeah?”“Yeah.”
Spiffle!
Whack!
Thump!
“Someone’schoking!Nofair!”
Thwomp!
Gouge!
Joecrawledoffbehindatree,nosebleeding.
Womp!
“He’spullinghair!”“He’sscratching!”
Twist!Tsiwt!
Alancrawledweepingbehindabush.Thump!Whack!Donk!“Billy!It’sjustyouandme!”
“Where’retheothers?”TomandBillyuntangledandsatup,bruised,scratched,dusty,shirtstorn,
hairtousled.Tom’snosewasbleeding,Billy’sshoehadcomeoff.“Yaaaaaaaya!”sassedAlanandJoefrombehindthetree.Billystartedtoshakehisfistatthemandclamberup,butthensankback.
Tompantedbesidehim,bleary-eyed.“Yaaaaaaaya,allwornout?Can’tfightanymore?”
AlanscoopedupahandfulofmudandflungitatTomandBilly.ThenJoedidthesame.Billyand
Tomscrambledupandpeltedback.Mudsplatteredagainsttreesandbushes.Alanbegantocry.ArockhitBillyovertheeye.Hesatdownbackwardinthemud,coveringhisheadwithhisarms,sobbing.JoeandTomstoppedthrowing.JoegrabbedAlan.“Comeon.”
TomkneltbesideBilly.“Lemmesee,Billy.Isitbad?TakeyourarmsawaysoIcansee.”HetriedtopullBilly’sarmsapart.Billywrenchedaway.
“Comeon,”saidTominascaredvoice.“I’lltakeyouhome.Comeon.Yourmothercantakeyoutothedoctor.”
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XXX
ThePeaceTreaty
ALANandJoesatonthesofa,TomandBillyontwostraightchairsoppositethem.
“Now,”saidAlan’sfather.“What’sthisallabout?”Thefourboysallbegantalkingatonce,accusing,recounting,explaining.“Allright,”saidAlan’sfatherafterawhile.“That’senough.Nowwe
knowit’sgotsomethingtodowiththisbetAlanandBillymade,butMr.O’HaraandIaren’tgoingtogetinvolvedinthat.You’llhavetosettlethatamongyourselves.”
“Youfourboyshavebeenfriendstoolongtostartfightingnow,”saidMr.O’Hara.“Youreallyhurteachother.Lookatyourselves,yourfacesallbruisedandmuddy.Talkitover,workthingsout,andthenyoucanshakeandbefriendsagain.”
Joemutteredunderhisbreath,“Icouldn’tbefriendswiththoserats.”“We’llbeoutinthekitchen,”saidAlan’sfather.“Whenyou’vesettledit,
callus,andwe’llallgodowntoFriendly’sforsomeicecream.Okay?”BillyandAlanandTomnodded.Thetwofatherslefttheroom.Theboys
gazedsilentlyateachother.Afterawhile,Alansaid,“Itwasn’tusthatscratchedTom.Billydidit.”
Anothersilence.“Didyouhavestitches?”BillyaskedAlan.“Naw.Didyou?”Billyshookhishead.Moresilence.“Youtriedtocheat,”saidBilly.“Thatwasn’tcheating.Wewerejusttryingtotrickyou.”“Yeah,butbeforethat.Whenyougluedthetwowormstogether.Thatwas
cheating.”
“Youwouldhavecheated,too,ifyou’dbeenlosing.”Billythoughtaboutit.“Okay.Butlook,nomorecheating.I’vealreadyeatenthirteenworms;
youknowIcaneattwomore.Heck,ifIbuyGeorgeCunningham’sbrother’sminibike,wecanalluseit—we’llallhavefunwithit.”
JoeandAlanglancedateachother.“Okay,”saidJoe.“Youwin.Hewins,Alan.”“Yeah,but—”“What’stheuse?”saidJoe.“We’vetriedeverything.I’msickofit.Geez,
we’vedonenothingelseforalmosttwoweeks.”Alanscratchedhiseyebrow,glancingatJoe.“Yeah,but—”Joestoodup.“Comeon.Atleastwe’llgetamilkshakeoutofit.”
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XXXI
TheLetter
BILLYliftedthewormoutofthefryingpanwiththecookingtongsandcurleditbackandforthonhispeanut-buttersandwich.
“Ibettheytrysomething,”hesaid,“Joewon’tgiveup.Alanmight,butJoewon’t.”
Tomwascarvinghisinitialsinthelegofthekitchentable.“Yeah,butit’snotJoe’sbet.Whatdoeshecare?”
“JustthesameIbethetriessomething.”Billysatdownatthetable,turningthesandwichthiswayandthat,
lookingforthebestspottotakethefirstbite.Emilycameinfromthediningroom.“Youandmomgotaletter.”Chewing,Billyopenedit.
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XXXII
Croak
HIShandtrembling,Billylaidthepeanut-butter-and-fried-wormsandwichdownonthetable.
“Doyouthink—”“Wow,”whisperedTom.Thescreendoorbanged.Billy’sfathercameintothekitchen,histieloosened,hisjacketoverhis
arm.Helaidhisbriefcaseonthetable.“It’shot,”hesaidcheerfully.Billystaggeredtothesinkandfeeblydrewhimselfaglassofwater.TomandEmilywatchedhim,awestruck.“What’sthematter?”askedBilly’sfather.WaterdribbleddownBilly’schinandontohisT-shirtashedrank.His
mindswam.Poison?Paralysis?Extremelussitude?“Tom,”saidBilly’sfather,“what’sgoingon?”Tompointedattheletterlyingonthetable.Billy’sfatherreadit,smiled,glancedatBilly,andgettingabeeroutofthe
refrigerator,satdownatthetable.“Well,”hesaidtoBilly.“Soitfooledyou,eh?”“Fooledme?”croakedBilly.
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XXXIII
TheFourteenthWorm
BUThowcouldAlanandJoeknowallthosemedicalwords,Mr.Forrester?”saidTom.“Lumbricuscoreopsis?Fulmar?”
“Doyouknowwhatfulmarreallymeans?”TomandBillyshooktheirheads.“Itmeansabird,aseabird,Ithink.”“Boy,”saidBilly,disgusted.Hesatbackdownatthetableandpickedup
hissandwich.“Theycouldbearrested,Mr.Forrester,”saidTom.“Couldn’ttheybe
arrestedfordefraudingthemails?Couldn’tthey?”Billygrinnedandbitdownonthepeanut-butter-and-fried-worm
sandwich.
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XXXIV
TheFifteenth….
STANDINGonarustypail,Billypeeredthroughacrackintothehorsebarn.Joewaswanderingaboutlashingatcobwebswithastick;Alanwasslumpedonabarrel,gnawinghisthumbnail.
Billywentaroundtothedoor.“Hi,”hesaid.Alandidn’tlookup.“Hi,”saidJoe.Billyglancedaroundsuspiciously.“Takeiteasy,”saidJoe.“Weconcede.AtleastIdo.He’sstilltryingto
thinkupsomething.”HepointedatAlanwiththestick.“Where’sTom?”saidBilly.“Hewouldn’teathislunch,sohismotherkepthimin.”Billyleanedovertheplatterontheorangecrateandsmelledthesteaming,
Southern-friedworm.“Hewantedtoloaditwithredpepper,”saidJoe,“butIwouldn’tlethim.”Billyforkedketchup,mustard,andpiccalilliontotheplatter,cutapiece
ofworm,dippeditintheglop,stuckitinhismouth,chewednervously…swallowed…cutanotherpiece….Thewormtastedbetterthanusual,sortoflikekidneybeans,Southern-friedkidneybeans.
“Where’dyougetthisone?”“DownbehindBannerman’s,”saidJoe.“Fromthemuck!”yelledAlan.“Themuck!Gooey,slimy,stagnantmuck!”Billygrinned.“Yeah?You’llhavetoshowme.Thisisthebestoneyet.”Alanjumpedupandkickedthebarrelclatteringintoastall.Joeshrugged
atBilly,grinning.Billyheldupthelastbite.“Ta-rahhhh.”Heswallowedit.
“Okay,lemmelook,”saidAlan.“Comeon.”HepeeredintoBilly’smouth.
“Oh,no.Comeon.There’ssomestillstuckbetweenyourteeththere.”Billysuckednoisilyathisteeth.“Okay?”Alan’sshouldersslumped.“Ican’tgetthemoneytilltomorrow,”hesaid.“Oh,geez.YouknowI’ll
havetoworkSaturdaysforsixmonthstopayitback.”Hetrudgedslowlytowardthedoor.“Comin’,Joe?”“Yeah,maybeyourfatherwon’tactsobadifI’mtherewhenyoutell
him.”Alanstoppedinthedoor.“Tomorrow?”hesaidwithoutturning.“Teno’clock?”Hesoundedasifhewasgoingtocry.“Yeah,sure,”saidBilly.“Makeitlaterifyouwant.”“Naw.It’snotgoingtodoanygoodputtingitoff.Comeon,Joe.”
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XXXV
Burp
LEFTaloneinthebarn,Billyhuggedhimself.“Iwon!Iwon!Fiftydollars.Ha,ha.”Hesatdownonthecrate,grinning.“Heck,IknewIcoulddoit.Ha.Iwassoscaredatfirst,waking
everybodyupinthemiddleofthenight.”Heburped—beans.“Ishouldhavemadeitthirtywormsandonehundreddollars.Thatstupid
letter.Joeknewwhenhewaslickedthough.Ha.Geez.”BEANS?!!?Hestoodup.Howcomethatburphadtastedlikebeans?He’dhadahamburgerfor
lunch.Andaglassofmilk.Thentheworm.Say…theycouldn’thave…?Hesnatcheduptheplatter.Nothingleft,justafewcrumbsofcornmeal.
Craninghisneck,hiseyesbuggingout,straining,he…he…burped:beans!Again:beans!Heburstoutofthebarn,stumblingoverthesill,yelling.Acrossthefield
JoeandAlanturned.Alanstartedtorun;Joegrabbedhisarm.“Itwasafake!”pantedBilly,cominguptothem.“Youfakedit!Itwasn’t
arealworm!”“Realworm?”saidJoe.“What’reyoutalkingabout?”“Youmadeaworm!”yelledBilly.“Outofbeans!Thentomorrowyou
weregoingtosayI’dlost,Ihadn’teatenfifteenworms—thelastonewasfake.”
“Oh,geez,”saidAlan.“Comeon,willya?”“Hedidn’tdoitwhileIwasaround,”saidJoe.“Yousure?What’dyou
haveforlunch?”“Ahamburgerandmilk.”
“Yeah,butwhere’dyougetthehamburger?”“Idon’tknow.Mymotherboughtit.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?”“Yeah,well,alotofthehamburgyougetthesedayshasstuffmixedinit.
Youknow,sausagemeat,soybeans,breadcrumbs.Sothebutchermakesmoremoney.”
“Yeah,yeah,yeah,”saidBilly.“Sure.Butanyway,youcomeonback.Justtomakesure,I’mgoingtoeatanotherworm.”
“Geez,suityourself.Eatfourmore.Comeon,Alan,let’sgo.Lethimeatwhathewants.”
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XXXVI
TheFifteenthWo….
BILLYthrewbackhishead,loweredtheworm…Alanchargedaroundthedoor!leapedonBilly’sback!flunghimtotheground!punching!yelling!…jumpedup!grabbedBilly’sfeet!draggedhimbump-bump-bumpacrosstheroughchaffyfloortothetoolcloset!bundledhiminside!slammedthedoor!lockedit!
Silence.Watertricklingintothetroughoutside,Alanpanting….“What’reyougonnadowithhim?”Joeaskedhoarselyfromthedoorway.
“IFHE’SINTHECLOSET,HECAN’TEATTHEWORM,CANHE?”“You’recrazy.He’llstarttoyell.Hisparents’llhearhim.”“YEAH?YEAH?”Alan’shairwasmussed;hisshirttailhungout.“Yeah,”saidJoe,eyeinghim.“Hewill.He’llstarttoyellandhis
parents’llhearhim.”Alanglancedwildlyabout…startedtowardthedoor…turned….“Notifweputhimdownthecistern.”“Thecistern?”Joewipedhismouth.“Alan,cutitout.It’sonlyfifty
dollars.Comeon.Faceit.You’velost.Youcan’tputBillydowninthatcisternallbyhimself.Supposethere’swaterinit?It’sfifteenfeetdeep.”
“Wecanlowerhimdownwitharope.”BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!Billywaskickingthetool-closetdoor.“LEMMEOUT!HELP!LEMMEOUT!IT’SCHEATING!HELP!I
wannagetout,Iwannagetout,Iwannagetout—”BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!Hechantedrhythmically,kickingthedoorwithbothfeetintimewithhis
chant.Alanranacrossthebarnandgrabbingholdofabeam,skiddingtoastop,
begantokickasidethehayandtrashwhichlitteredtheplanksovertheoldcistern.
BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!“Iwannagetout,Iwannagetout,Iwannagetout—”“Comeon!”AlanyelledatJoe.“Helpme!Wewerealldowninitlast
year.How’sitgonnahurthim?Comeon.It’llwork.I’llsplitwithyou.Getsomerope.”
BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!“Iwannagetout,I—”
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XXXVII
OutoftheFryingPanintotheOven
ONhisknees,yankingattheplankswhichcoveredtheoldcistern,thinking,I’vegothim.I’vegothim.Iwin.He’llnever…Alanfeltahandgriphisshoulder,glancedup….
“WHATTHEDEVILISGOINGONINHERE?”Mr.Forrestershouteddownathim.
BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!“Iwanna—”
***
Aconfusedbabbleofvoices,dyingoutsuddenly.“Now,”saidMr.Forrester.“AlanandJoe:home!Scoot.”AlanandJoecrowdedoutthedoor.“I’vewon!”crowedBilly.Hedancedtowardtheplatter.“Nothingcan—”“Billy!Uptoyourroom!”“Ijustgottoeatthisworm,Dad.Ho,ho,I’vewon!I’vewon!”“BILLY!UptoyourROOM!”“Dad,I—”Hisfatherpointed.“Dad,ifIdon’teatwhat’sleft,I’lllose;Alan’llwin.It’sjusttwo—”“Now.Thebetisover.YouknowwhatI’vetoldyouaboutthatcistern.
NOW!”“Dad,I’lllose!I’lllose!Alan’ll—”“Thenyouwilllearnsomething.March!”“YoumeanIcan’teveneatthatlastlittlebit?Howlongcouldittakeme?
Whatcould—”“Billy.Now.”
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XXXVIII
$%//!?Blip*/&!
BILLYkickedthebed.He’dwon.Allhe’dhadtodowaseattwomorebites,twobites.Hekickedthewall.What’dhisfathergottensomadfor?Alanhadstartedopeningthecistern,
nothim.Geez,hehadn’tevenlethimexplain.Twice.Twicehe’dwonandthen
somethinghadhappened.Andnowhewasgoingtolose?Afterallhe’dgonethrough?Nightmares,
fights,thinkinghe’dbeenpoisoned?Allfornothing?Hekickedthebed.
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XXXIX
TheUnitedStatesCavalryRidesovertheHilltop
MRS.FORRESTER?”saidTom,peeringthroughthescreendoor.“CouldIseeBillyforaminute?”
“He’supinhisroombeingpunished,Tom.HeandJoeandAlanwereverynaughtythisafternoon.”
“Yeah?”saidTom.“Nokidding?What’dtheydo?”
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XL
TheFifteenthWorm
BILLYkickedthewallagain.Twominutes.Whatdifferencecouldtwominuteshavemade?Heleanedhisforeheadagainstthewindowpane,gazingdejectedlyout
intothebackyard.
That’swhatalwayshappened—somebody…Tom’syoungerbrotherPeteappearedsuddenlyaroundthecornerofthe
house,running,holdingupalittleyellowEasterbasket…gesturing?THEWORM!TOM!Petehadbroughthimaworm!Thefifteenthworm!Billyslammedupthewindow.“Catch!”yelledPete.“Hurry!Tom’stalkingtoyourmother!”HeheavedabrickwithastringtiedtoituptoBilly;Billycaughtit,
hauledthestringuphandoverhand,thebasketcamebobbingupthesideofthehouse.AlanandJoeplungedoutofthebushes….BillysnatchedthetincanoutoftheEasterbasket,pluckedoutahuge,squirmingnightcrawler…
“MRS.FORRESTER!MRS.FORRESTER!”AlanandJoeshoutedatthetopoftheirlungs,dancingaboutonthelawn,
wavingtheirarms.
“MRS.FORRESTER!MRS.FORRESTER!”“TOOLATE!”yelledBillygleefully.Throwingbackhishead,hedroppedthesquirmingnightcrawlerintohis
mouth…chewedandchewed.TomandMrs.Forresterappearedaroundthecornerofthehouse.
“Tooglate!”Billyyelled,stillchewing.“Tooglate!Igwin!”Hedisappearedfromthewindow…adoorslammedinsidethehouse,a
tramplingonthestairs…heburstoutthekitchendoor…aflyingleapoffthebacksteps.Herolled,scrambledup,yelling,“Iwin!Iwin!Iwin!”grabbedTom’shands.Theydancedroundandroundandround,Petecavortingbesidethem.
JoeandAlanslunkoffthroughthebushes.…roundandroundandround…Billy’smotherlaughedandwentintothekitchen.…roundandroundandround…tilltheycollapsedontheirbacksinthe
grass.“Iwin,”gaspedBillytotheblue,cloudlesssky.“Iwin.”
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XLI
Epilogue
BILLYleanedtheminibikeagainstatreeandstarteddownthepaththroughthewoods.TomandJoewerealreadysittingbyasmolderingtrashfireontheriverbank,openingtheirlunchbags.
“Where’sAlan?Atthestore?”askedBilly,floppingdownbyTom.“Yeah,”saidJoe.“He’sstillgottwoweekstogo.”“Whathaveyougotforlunch?”askedTom.Billylookedembarrassed.“Worm-and-eggonrye.”“Heck,”saidTom.“Whycan’tyoueverbringsomethingsomebodyelse
likes,soyoucantrade?”Billyfrowned.Heopenedhislunchbag.“Idon’tknow.Ijustcan’tstop.Idon’tdaretellmymother.Ievenlikethe
tastenow.”Hescratchedhishead.“Doyouthinkthere’ssomethingthedoctorsdon’tknow?DoyouthinkIcouldbethefirstpersonwho’severbeen
AbouttheAuthors
ThomasRockwellistheauthorofanumberofbooksforyoungreaders.HewastherecipientoftheMarkTwainAward,theCaliforniaYoungReaderMedal,andtheSequoyahAwardforHowtoEatFriedWorms.HelivesinPoughkeepsie,NY.
EmilyArnoldMcCullywontheCaldecottMedalforMiretteontheHighWire,andhasillustratedoveronehundredbooksforyoungreaders.Hernonfictionworkforyoungadults,IdaM.Tarbell:TheWomanWhoChallengedBigBusiness--andWon!,wasafinalistfortheYALSAAwardforExcellenceinNonfiction.EmilydivideshertimebetweenNewYorkCityandChatham,NewYork.
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Copyright©1973byThomasRockwellIllustrations©1973byEmilyMcCully
Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTICandassociatedlogosaretrademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofScholasticInc.
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Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
Firstedition,1973FirstScholasticebookedition,2016
CoverdesignbyElizabethB.Parisi
e-ISBN978-1-338-13282-3
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