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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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XV

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

scrambledafterhim.

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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

hookedonworms?”

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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.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

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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