Tom Jones Book 12, Chapter 9

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.