Containing an Incident of a More Heinous Kind, With the Comments of Thwackum and Square
- A while back, Tom sold a beautiful Bible that Squire Allworthy had given him.
- Once more, he wanted to give money to Black George's family.
- He sold it to Master Blifil (who is extremely careful with money and has plenty saved up).
- Master Blifil starts using this Bible all the time in his lessons with Mr. Thwackum.
- Of course, Mr. Thwackum notices that Master Blifil is using Tom's valuable Bible.
- Mr. Thwackum starts punishing Tom for his "sacrilege" (3.9.3).
- He thinks it's sinful that Tom has actually sold his Bible.
- Mr. Square argues that the fact that the book is a Bible should make no difference.
- And Bridget strongly agrees with him.
- In fact, she points out, if Tom has done wrong, then so has Master Blifil in buying the Bible from him.
- As soon as Bridget speaks, Mr. Thwackum shuts up, since he doesn't want to ruin his chances of marrying her.
- Squire Allworthy decides not to punish Tom for selling his Bible—he still remembers Tom's first beating on Black George's behalf.
- Together, Squire Allworthy and Tom go to Black George's house to visit his family.
- Squire Allworthy finds that Black George's wife and children are hungry and unclothed, and he feels really bad for their extreme poverty.
- As they walk away from Black George's house, Squire Allworthy considers hiring Black George back to his estate.
- Tom is so excited that he might have gotten the gamekeeper's job back that he runs back to tell Black George's wife.
- Sadly, this news is premature—there is yet more trouble waiting in the next chapter.