Summary

Chapter XIX, The Ninth Worm – The next worm Billy is given is very long, which makes Billy suspicious because Alan has rolled the worm in cornmeal and fried it, and because Joe stands in the barn doorway pretending not to be paying attention. Tom looks in from the window. Billy announces he will eat his worm plain, but Alan says this is not fair. As Billy scrapes off the cornmeal, he discovers that two worms have been glued together. Tom rushes into the barn and confirms that the worm is indeed glued together. Billy calls Alan and Joe cheaters. Tom upholds the bet, however, because Billy didn’t actually eat the worm.

Chapter XX, Billy’s Mother – Alan and Joe appear at Billy’s at breakfast. They speak about the bet, which Billy’s mother did not think was still going on...