Why does Alfred run a page of Tom spelling book?

When Tom comes back from the island, Becky is elated, but she is just as quickly infuriated when he passes her over in favor of Amy Lawrence. In order to get back at him, she invites everyone within earshot to a picnic - except Tom and Amy.

When this doesn't work, she begins reading a picture book with the dweeby Alfred Temple.

This does get to Tom, and Becky soon stops associating with Temple. Temple gets angry and ruins Tom's spelling book - while Becky watches - but Becky decides not to tell Tom.

The next day, Tom tries to apologize to Becky, but she won't hear of it.

Becky takes a look at Mr. Dobbins's anatomy book, but she rips a page when Tom comes up behind her. She begins to cry, because she knows she will be beaten for ripping the book.

When Mr. Dobbins starts asking who ripped the page, and Becky begins to fold under pressure, Tom stands up and takes credit for the misdeed. Tom is whipped, and Becky falls helplessly back into love.