Tom Jones Book 3, Chapter 8

A Childish Incident, In Which, however, Is Seen a Good-Natured Disposition in Tom Jones

• Remember that little horse that Squire Allworthy gave to Tom to apologize for his unfair beating a couple of chapters ago?
• Well, Tom keeps the horse for six months and then sells him at the fair.
• When Mr. Thwackum asks what Tom has done with the money from the sale, Tom refuses to say.
• Mr. Thwackum is about to beat Tom (again, honestly, what is this guy's problem?!) when Squire Allworthy comes in.
• Squire Allworthy asks Tom about the money.
• Tom reassures Squire Allworthy that he honestly loved his little horse.
• The only reason that he sold it was because he felt so bad for this unfortunate family in the area.
• Tom is talking about the family of Black George, the gamekeeper, whom Squire Allworthy fired over the partridge incident.
• Since Black George lost his job, his family has been close to starving.
• Squire Allworthy feels bad, and tells Tom in the future to come to him when he wants to give charity.
• Afterwards, Mr. Thwackum says that Squire Allworthy should still have beaten Tom for his disobedience. (Gosh, will this guy never let anything go? Seriously.)