Tom's wart was gone in a fortnight, but not so Benjy's rheumatism, which laid him by the heels more and more.

And though Tom still spent many an hour with him, as he sat on a bench in the sunshine, or by the chimney corner when it was cold, he soon had to seek elsewhere for his regular companions.
Tom had been accustomed often to accompany his mother in her visits to the cottages, and had thereby made acquaintance with many of the village boys of his own age.

There was Job Rudkin, son of widow Rudkin, the most bustling woman in the parish.

How she could ever have had such a stolid boy as Job for a child must always remain a mystery.

The first time Tom went to their cottage with his mother, Job was not indoors; but he entered soon after, and stood with both hands in his pockets, staring at Tom.