"My great brain has thought of everything," Tom said confidently. "That is why I didn't let any Mormon kids in on this. The Mormons can't drink whiskey because it's against their religion." (7.101)
If there's one thing Tom knows, it's when to exclude people based on their religion. Er… good thinking, Tom?
"Where else could this bottle have come from?" Mrs. Taylor demanded. "You and your boarders are the only people in the block who aren't Mormons, and you know us Mormons never touch alcohol."
"Then you must have a backslider in your midst," Jimmie's mother said. "I would not take in a boarder who drank or smoked." (7.122-123)
These ladies are working up to a real holier-than-thou religious war, all thanks to Tom's devious whiskey-planting plot.
The crowd made a pathway as Mr. Jensen put Tom down. They kept cheering and reaching out to pat my brother on the shoulder as we walked down Cedar Ridge with Mamma and Papa. They even followed us home and stood in the street in front of our house.
I followed Papa, Mamma, Sweyn, and Tom into our parlor. Tom walked to the big bay window and looked out at the crowd in the street.
"I guess I'll have to speak to them," he said. (3.201-203)
If Tom doesn't grow up and go into politics, we're going to be so disappointed.