Aunt Polly had told Tom to paint the whole fence  in front of the house. He thought of the other boys out for the day enjoying themselves and he felt very unhappy. Then he had an idea! He picked up the brush and started painting slowly and carefully. Soon, his friend Ben Rogers appeared, eating an apple. Tom pretended   not to see him. "Tom!" Ben said. "Why are you working?" "Oh, it's you, Ben,"Tom said, "I didn't notice you." "I'm gong for a swim," Ben said, "but you don't' want to come. You want to work, don't you? It's much nicer!" Ben laughed loudly. Tom looked seriously at Ben and said. "What is work? What do you call work?" "Isn't that work?" Ben asked. "Well, no. Does a boy get the _ to paint a fence every day? You've never painted a fence, have you? Auntie says I have to do it with great care!' "Pleas, Tom. Let me do a little," said Ben. "No, Ben. If you do, you'll do it wrong. You can't paint very well. If it was the back fence wouldn't mind, but it isn't." "I won't do it wrong. I'll be really careful. I'll give you my apple." Tom gave him the brush and paint with a sad face, but in his heart he was glad, His trick had worked. After Ben got tired and left, other boys came along and Tom said the same things to them. Soon, the whole fence was painted white, but not by Tom. He felt very clever because he had discovered something important about the way people are. People only want what they can't have or want to do what they shouldn't do. Why did Tom pretend not to see Ben?
Because he wanted Ben to believe that the was enjoying the work. Because he would like to try his best to attract Ben's attention. Because he did not want Ben to see the fact that he had to work. Because he was afraid that Ben might laugh at him if the saw him.