Book Eight

Chapter 9 - 15

Summary

Jones & Partridge travel at night discussing love, cold, hunger and other matters. According to Partridge, they should turn back and go to Gloucester instead of roaming in the dark. We are here given an understanding of Partridge's mind. He believes that he should hang around with Tom so that he might benefit from him later. He does not know the seriousness of Squire Allworthy's estrangement from Tom.

Partridge & Tom reach the bottom of a hill. Tom wishes to climb up to the summit. Partridge sees a glimmering light and urges Tom towards it. It is a cottage and for some time nobody responds when they knock on the door. An old woman finally appears & Partridge is superstitious enough to believe that she might be a witch. Partridge believes that if a woman lives alone in a forest like this she must be a witch. The old woman lets the two into the house, but then pleads with them to leave the house early. She knows that her master would not like to find them there, on returning home. But, Jones postpones their departure, as he is curious about the man who owns this house.

In Chapter 15, the old man talks about the different places in Europe and the myriad kinds of people. Jones thanks the old man for taking the trouble of narrating his life history. Tom and the old man talk for some time, and discuss the workings of fate. When morning dawns, the old man invites Jones for a walk with the sight of some very fine prospects. Meanwhile Partridge falls asleep.

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