CHAPTER 10 – LESSONS AND HOW TO USE THEM
The next day, Tom went to meet Scipio near the thicket. He was very eager to meet his tutor and tell him how he had pleased matron. Scipio listened with utmost attention. "You managed to twist your matron around your little finger in just a day's worth of training! Your lessons will get over sooner than I expect." Scipio said, truly surprised. "But don't let this go to your head. It is time for your next lesson."
And so a month went by, Tom went to school and learnt acting from Scipio. At the end of October, Tom had learnt everything about acting and charming people. As a test, he had to put them in use.
"You have to put all your lessons to use and you have to charm someone. I will be observing you. You should not tell anyone your plan. Think about all the little details, what you will say, what you will require. If you need anything, you can ask me." Instructed Scipio.
"Put my lessons to use. Very challenging. I must carefully brew a plan." Tom thought as he walked back to his room.
Over the next five days, Tom came up with an ingenious plan to please Scipio. The plan was sound, but execution depended on the subject of the plan.
"I shouldn't delay with my plan. I must execute it soon or else Scipio may be disappointed in me." Thought Tom. "I will execute it the day after tomorrow. It must work."
Tom's planned required a few items, which he possibly couldn't afford. He didn't own much money. "I must ask Scipio." Tom thought. So he asked Scipio for the items and Scipio told him it would be ready by midnight.
The next day was Sunday. All the children would sit together for all three meals together. So it was the perfect day for execution. Tom woke up with a funny feeling in the pits of his stomach. He did his daily morning rituals, and wore his best dress for breakfast. He also noticed that the parcel from Scipio was ready, on his table.
He went down to breakfast and smiled at matron. All the children noticed this and started whispering amongst themselves. Everyone ate and after that, Tom cleared his throat. All the children and teachers stared at him. "I wish to make an announcement." said Tom in a clear voice. His face was clear of all emotions and his voice sounded slightly passionate and also a bit wounded. "I know you all don't like me because I broke Robbie's nose. I also know you don't like e because I spitefully stole all your items. I just realized that what I did was wrong." He emphasized this with a sigh. "I keep thinking all the time about how little I have. Then it struck me, you have as little as I do. I had a horrible feeling. Like something breaking inside of me." His voice was doleful. He looked at the floor like he was truly ashamed. A few teachers also started pitying him. "I decided that being spiteful would make you all hate me even more. I am giving all your items back to you along with a little surprise. Please accept it and please do give me another chance. I've acted like a silly goose. Forgive me." Tom acted so sad that most of the children forgave him. Then he took the sack he had brought with him and went around giving people back their belongings.
As he gave the children their belongings, Tom also gave them a handful of candy. "Sorry for taking your items. Here. Take this. I hope you will forgive me." He said this to all the kids, with an ashamed-exppression.
They believed him. And Robbie Mellorn gave him a pat on the back. "You aren't half as horrible I thought you were." Tom smiled when he heard this.
And so his plan was successful. He earned the admiration of Scipio by putting his lessons to good use in a large scale and now the children too liked him.
Life couldn't be better for Tom.