Tom and Becky's Relationship Dynamics

Tom struggles to focus in class and finds solace in playing with a tick alongside his friend Joe. They create a game that distracts them until the teacher intervenes. Later, Tom and Becky plan a secret meeting and discuss engagement, but Tom's mention of a previous engagement with Amy Lawrence upsets Becky. Tom tries to reconcile with her, offering a brass knob as a token, but Becky rejects it, leaving Tom feeling remorseful.

What does Tom find difficult to do at the beginning of the chapter?

• Eat his lunch

• Talk to Becky

• Play with his friends

• Concentrate on his book

What does Tom take out of his pocket to entertain himself?

• A coin

• A piece of candy

• A tick

• A marble

How do Tom and Joe Harper decide to play with the tick?

• By drawing a line on the slate

• By putting it in a jar

• By racing it against a beetle

• By letting it crawl freely

What happens when the teacher catches Tom and Joe playing?

• They are given extra homework

• They are made to stand in the corner

• They are punished with a whack

• They are sent home

What plan do Tom and Becky make after school?

• To visit the river

• To meet secretly at the school

• To run away together

• To play in the park

What does Tom ask Becky during their secret meeting?

• If she likes rats

• If she wants to go to the circus

• If she wants to play with the tick

• If she wants to be engaged

How does Becky react when she learns about Tom's previous engagement?

• She ignores it

• She starts crying

• She gets angry

• She laughs it off

What does Tom offer Becky to make amends?

• A flower

• A marble

• A brass knob

• A piece of candy