Tom Brown's School Days for the favourite in a horse race, Tom is deliberately burned in front of a fire. Tom and East defeat Flashman with the help of Diggs, a kind, comical, older boy. In their triumph they become unruly. In the second half of the book, Dr Thomas Arnold (1795–1842), the historical headmaster of the school at the time, gives Tom the care of George Arthur, a frail, pious, academically brilliant, gauche, and sensitive new boy. A fight that Tom gets into to protect Arthur, and Arthur's nearly dying of fever, are described in loving detail. Tom and Arthur help each other
Harry "Scud" East Harry "Scud" East Harry "Scud" East is a fictional character in the book "Tom Brown's School Days". He is perhaps the closest friend of Tom Brown. His nickname is Scud because he is so quick on his feet. In the book he is referred to as East. In the ITV adaption of "Tom Brown's Schooldays" starring Stephen Fry as Dr. Arnold and Alex Pettyfer as Tom Brown, Harry Michell portrays East. In the 1861 novel "Tom Brown at Oxford" – a direct sequel to "Tom Brown's School Days" – East has joined the Army and serves with the (fictional) 101st