Chapter 3
Little Tom is staying in his room alone since he was as small as three. For no child wanted to stay near him. He was not sure what exactly he did but his earliest memory was the girl of his next bed who used to whining all the time suddenly chocked to unconsciousness one day. And Mrs Cole literally had thrown him in this room. At the beginning Tom had been scared. No he didn’t miss the room filled with annoying whinny children but being alone in a room had frightened him. The darkness of night seemed to engulf him. Many nights he spent crying , shivering and calling out for anyone to help, for anyone to be there. But nobody listened, none ever came. Everyone was busy to attend other children who are in their opinion normal. Gradually little Tom learnt only weak children cry and beg for help. Strong child helps himself. And Tom stopped crying. He grew accustomed with being a loner. Now it feels rather normal to him.
So when Mrs. Cole informed someone will share his room little Tom had been taken aback and quite annoyed. He can’t stand presence of any nagging child near him let alone sharing his room with one. He would sure drive them away by any means had anyone attempt to trespass his room. But when Mrs Cole said this person was an adult little Tom was shocked. And to tell the truth a bit scared. He had heard older children talking about some orphanage letting adults doing unspeakable things to children in exchange of pounds. But that never happened here and whatever faults Mrs. Cole had she doesn’t seem that sort of person. So why she was letting an Adult in? Was it some sort of punishment for the accident David had few days back? But hadn’t Tom told her he didn’t push him? He really didn’t, he only wished to after that brat mocked him. But it was quite enjoyable seeing him falling of stairs, seeing the confusion and fear in his eyes but sure Mrs. Cole hadn’t believed Tom. When did she ever listen to him? But didn’t Tom have done all the extra chores alone that day? Why will Mrs. Cole punish him now? Tom was confused. And driving an adult away was not easy as doing it to children around his age. Especially when Mrs. Cole ordered him behave properly around the man if he doesn’t want to skip his meal first day of Year.
When the said Mr. Thomas enters Little Tom was tensed. But the adult didn’t attempt to come near him even after closing the door. Little Tom observes him carefully. He looks like those gentlemen little tom had seen travelling in motors or carriage or in wealthy shops while roaming in London street and doesn’t look harmful to him. So little tom turns to face him. The stranger looks very good, with dark hairs and tall, strong figure like those actors in movie posters. But to little Tom it seemed he had known the man earlier but he can swear he is meeting the adult for first time.
And then the man talked to him with a deep voice that again felt like known to him. He also talked. But when he spoke his name he found the expression of the man’s face changing. The man looked startled and all blood had been drained from his face. That confused little Tom further. He didn’t intend to scare this man.
Does his name hold such an impact?