Tom sulked in a corner…. he knew that in her heart his aunt was on her knees to him, and he was morosely gratified by the (awareness) of it. he would hang out no signals, he would take notice of none. he knew that a yearning glance fell upon him, now and then, through a film of tears, but he refused recognition of it. he pictured himself lying sick unto death and his aunt bending over him beseeching one little forgiving word, but he would turn his face to the wall, and die with that word unsaid. ah, how would she feel then? what does beseeching mean?