In Tom Sawyer, what does the quote "Falling of his Mercury" mean?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mango Man
  • Start date Start date
Im not positive, but i think it means that his anger was going down


Anger is often referenced to the body temperature going up in rage.. in that time all thermometers used mercury to tell the temperature, if it was going up it was hot.. going down means he cooled off.
 
I think it means that sinking stomach feeling. I think it's supposed to bring to mind a mercury thermometer with the mercury dropping fast.
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Here's the context:
"At recess Tom continued his flirtation with Amy with jubilant self-satisfaction. And he kept drifting about to find Becky and lacerate her with the performance. At last he spied her, but there was a sudden falling of his mercury. She was sitting cosily on a little bench behind the schoolhouse looking at a picture-book with Alfred Temple..."
 
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