A Dialogue Between Mr. Jones and the Barber
- Little Benjamin and Tom sit down for their drink.
- Little Benjamin if Tom is Tom Jones?
- It turns out that he and Tom met many years ago, though Tom doesn't remember now.
- Tom immediately trusts Little Benjamin, and starts telling him the whole story of his falling out with Squire Allworthy.
- Little Benjamin is surprised: Tom's crimes don't sound that dire.
- Tom admits that he thinks the "villainous arts" (a.k.a. the lies) of his "enemies" (8.5.4) influenced Squire Allworthy against him.
- Little Benjamin asks about the girl who's at the heart of all of Tom's disasters.
- Tom confesses her name: Sophia Western.
- Little Benjamin is like, what? Little Sophia Western? I knew her dad when he was a kid. Time really flies, huh?
- Little Benjamin promises he'll keep Tom's secrets.
- The two men part for the night.