Tending to Refute the Popular Prejudice against the Present of a Pocket-Knife
- Mr. Tulliver’s condition has gotten worse and the doctor, Mr. Turnbull, is concerned.
- The sale of the Tulliver’s furniture occurs and Mr. Tulliver is insensible during it. The family stay upstairs during the sale.
- The maid then comes to get Tom, since he has a visitor downstairs.
- The visitor is Bob Jakin, who Tom doesn’t recognize at first.
- Tom is sad to see all the family belongings gone, except for the family Bible and a few pieces of furniture.
- Bob is a little chatterbox and he rambles on about how he liked Tom a bunch when they were kids and still considers him a friend.
- Maggie comes downstairs now and is dismayed to see all the family belongings gone. She is particularly upset to see that most of the books were sold.
- Bob rambles on some more and explains that he heard about the Tulliver’s troubles and decided to come to help them. Bob works as a packman, which is basically a traveling salesman. He recently earned a good bit of money and he tries to give the Tullivers some of it.
- Tom and Maggie are deeply touched, but they tell Bob that they really can’t take his money.
- Bob is disappointed, but says that he’ll always be their friend and to let him know if they need anything.