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Tom Jones Book 3, Chapter 8 Summary

A Childish Incident, In Which, however, Is Seen a Good-Natured Disposition in Tom Jones

  • Remember that little horse that Squire Allworthy gave to Tom to apologize for his unfair beating a couple of chapters ago?
  • Well, Tom keeps the horse for six months and then sells him at the fair.
  • When Mr. Thwackum asks what Tom has done with the money from the sale, Tom refuses to say.
  • Mr. Thwackum is about to beat Tom (again, honestly, what is this guy's problem?!) when Squire Allworthy comes in.
  • Squire Allworthy asks Tom about the money.
  • Tom reassures Squire Allworthy that he honestly loved his little horse.
  • The only reason that he sold it was because he felt so bad for this unfortunate family in the area.
  • Tom is talking about the family of Black George, the gamekeeper, whom Squire Allworthy fired over the partridge incident.
  • Since Black George lost his job, his family has been close to starving.
  • Squire Allworthy feels bad, and tells Tom in the future to come to him when he wants to give charity.
  • Afterwards, Mr. Thwackum says that Squire Allworthy should still have beaten Tom for his disobedience. (Gosh, will this guy never let anything go? Seriously.)