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
The Life of Nancy Daniel Carew: Tom Aldis’ friend who hurts his ankle while the two are in East Rodney, Maine. We never hear him speak. The first section of the story is centered on the relationship between Nancy Gale and Tom Aldus throughout their lives. It begins in Boston several months after Tom spent time with Nancy’s family in East Rodney, Maine. Tom was forced to spend time on the island as his friend sprained his ankle and could no longer travel. Tom and Nancy share a deep connection, which hints at romance but is never explicitly stated (Tom spends much time emphasizing