Question

What trick did Tom play on Ben Rogers

Answer 1

Tom pretends that actually whitewashing is a lot of fun, and sth that a boy doesn't get the chance to do very often. This makes Ben and the other boys envious, so that they actually want to do it instead of him. Tom retires in triumph to watch them. Moreover, he get marbles and various other bits of ''wealth'' from them, in return for letting them perform this great task.