His mother, encouraged by the success of Bobby, thought that Tom might do something of the kind, and she had provided him the money to buy his stock of books.
Bobby had not much confidence in this story.

He had been deceived once; besides, it was not consistent with his previous narrative, and he had not before hinted that he had obtained his mother's consent.
But Tom was eloquent, and protested that he had reformed, and meant to do well.

He declared, by all that was good and great, Bobby should never have reason to be ashamed of him.
Our little merchant was troubled.

He could not now get rid of Tom without actually quarrelling with him, or running away from him.

He did not wish to do the former, and it was not an easy matter to do the latter.