How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Birdy Morris was the last to put in an appearance. He came out on the porch, shuffling in a pair of old fleece slippers, and stared up the road over his humped shoulder. He recognized Tom and Drew right away, and even from as far as he still was Tom could see the grin come on Birdy's face.
"Get down and visit a while," he invited. (36.17-18)
When Tom is pulling up to Birdy's, he thinks it looks "as lonely as the Widow Breen's" (36.16). First, there's the fact that Birdy's place is over a mile away from the nearest neighbor. There's also the sense that Birdy is alone in other ways, since he doesn't have any family alive or close by. Birdy never complains about being lonely, but he does perk up when Tom is around, and Tom broadens Birdy's social circle, getting him to interact with other men like Mr. Hook and the folks at the barn-raising.
Quote #8
[…] he could see how pleased and excited Birdy was at having company. He went to fetch their own lunch pails.
Polly Ann was handing down her lunch basket when he came back and Mr. Hook was holding up a hand to help her down over the wheel. She took it, though she needed steadying about as much as a bird on the limb of a tree. (40.19-20)
Birdy, Mr. Hook, and Polly Ann have all grown close because of Tom. Each of those characters was able to survive on his or her own before Tom's actions brought them together, but there's the sentiment that life is way better and more enjoyable when there are other people around to share it with. Especially with the occasional hand-hold thrown in. Scandalous!
Quote #9
After Hawkinville, he and Polly Ann and Drew ought to have the towpath all to themselves. They met no one, and the only lights they saw came from the windows of two small houses, about a quarter of a mile apart, where the Barton brothers lived. Both the Bartons were over seventy. They lived by themselves, never having worked up enough never to get married. They never spoke to each other, either. But at the same time neither one of them had thought of moving somewhere else. Tom got to thinking how queer some men could get to be. (49.7-8)
Being alone makes a person kinda cuckoo (and not just for Cocoa Puffs), at least in the opinion of Tom. Like the Widow Breen, the Bartons are old people who keep to themselves. Tom finds this to be really odd. And maybe it is, or maybe it's just different from what Tom's used to. Though Tom is no extrovert, he's always had the pleasant companionship of his mom and sisters and likes being around other people. It may be tempting sometimes, but living in the same house as your siblings and never exchanging words does seem a bit off.