Tom Brown's School Days on his pony, serves as a contrast with the hellish experiences in his first years at school. His first school year is at a local school. His second year starts at a private school, but due to an epidemic of fever in the area, all the school's boys are sent home, and Tom is transferred mid-term to Rugby School. On his arrival, the eleven-year-old Tom Brown is looked after by a more experienced classmate, Harry "Scud" East. Tom's nemesis at Rugby is the bully Flashman. The intensity of the bullying increases, and, after refusing to hand over a sweepstake ticket
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