Containing Two Letters in Very Different Styles
- It turns out that Mr. Square is sick.
- (Remember, in Book 16, Chapter 7, when we find out that Mr. Square has gone to Bath for his health? We told you it was a plot point!)
- Mr. Square has turned to the Bible now that he is facing death.
- Mr. Square now realizes that he has been unjust to Tom.
- As a dying man, he swears: "[Tom] is innocent" (18.4.5).
- Mr. Square emphasizes that Tom has always loved Squire Allworthy.
- Tom is not ungrateful, no matter what some people might say.
- Mr. Square asks that Squire Allworthy forgive him for his sins.
- Squire Allworthy finishes this letter and then turns to another one, which arrived at the same time.
- This letter is from Mr. Thwackum.
- He is "not at all surprized" (18.4.8) to hear that Tom has murdered someone.
- He accuses Squire Allworthy of being weak, and of ruining Tom's character.
- He claims that he could have fixed Tom if Squire Allworthy hadn't stopped him from beating the boy when he had the chance.
- Mr. Thwackum then scolds Squire Allworthy for not giving him the job as curate of Westerton.
- Yes, he already has a position. But why shouldn't he have more than one?
- This high-handed tone Mr. Thwackum takes towards Squire Allworthy turns out to be a disaster for the man.
- Squire Allworthy has always disliked Mr. Thwackum.
- But he also thinks that Mr. Thwackum is a good scholar and a dedicated teacher.
- Now, though, their professional relationship is over.