Good Night, Mr. Tom Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 4, "Equipped" Summary

Chapter 4, "Equipped" Summary

After the walk, the pair goes to town in a cart pulled by the horse, Dobbs. Noticing that the boy is pale and exhausted, Mr. Tom has him go to the back of the cart and have a nap under a blanket. The boy is troubled by fierce nightmares. On arriving at the town, the pair begins their errands. Mr. Tom buys tobacco at a newspaper shop, and seeing Willie eye the comics, tells him he can have one comic and one candy, and to choose now. Willie is scared, but the shopkeeper talks him through the choice making, a brand-new experience for him. During these interactions, Mr. Tom continues to speak roughly to the child, but surprises himself by offering to read comics to the child after Bible reading at night.

On the way across town, the two observe soldiers leaving on the train, their sweethearts clinging and weeping....
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