Tom Jones Book 8, Chapter 2

In Which the Landlady Pays a Visit to Mr. Jones

• Once the lieutenant leaves, Tom can't go back to sleep.
• He orders up some tea, and the landlady herself brings it to him.
• The landlady finally gets her first look at Tom.
• Since the lieutenant has assured her that Tom is a gentleman, she thinks that Tom has money.
• So she wants to make sure that he is as comfortable and happy as possible.
• The landlady promises Tom that he's worth much more than all those soldier fellows.
• Tom mentions the name "Sophia."
• The landlady answers as though she knows Sophia personally.
• This is all the encouragement Tom needs.
• He launches into a long rant about Sophia's perfections and his own grief at ever having caused her pain.
• And then, Tom goes on about Squire Allworthy and how Tom has disappointed him.
• He holds out his empty wallet to her as an explanation of his plan to join the army.
• Tom's sudden explosion of feelings shuts up the landlady for a bit.
• But she hears what (to her) is the most important part: Tom has been disinherited.
• So Tom has no money.
• The landlady flounces out of the room.