Containing Little More Than a Few Odd Observations
- After an hour, Tom grabs Partridge.
- Tom has hired the post-boy, Sophia's former guide, to take him to the same inn where he left Sophia and Mrs. Fitzpatrick (the one just past the River Severn).
- So Tom, Partridge, and Sophia's former guide (who we are now just going to call "the guide") set off on horseback.
- Partridge is excited not to be traveling on foot any longer.
- They reach a midway point on their trip, and Tom immediately calls for more horses to keep going on the road.
- But there are no other horses available, and it's getting dark.
- A man calls out Tom's name.
- It's the lawyer, Mr. Dowling, from Book 8, Chapter 9.
- He greets Tom and advises him not to travel right now; the roads are bad.
- Tom wants to keep going, even if it's on foot.
- Mr. Dowling then turns to the guide, insisting that the guide (and his borrowed horses) continue on with Tom.
- Finally, the guide agrees, but only if the horses are given a chance to rest properly.
- Tom and Mr. Dowling sit down for a glass of wine while they wait.