begin, sir, by telling you that you have been my greatest enemy'
'I, your enemy?' said Tom, amazed.
'Please don't be angry, sir, for you were just a baby and did not
mean to harm me. I think you will understand everything when
I tell you my name. Have you ever heard, sir, the name of
Partridge? A man who was honoured to be called your father,
and who was ruined by that honour?'
'I have heard that name,' said Tom,'and I have always believed
that I am that man's son.'
'Well, sir, I am Partridge, but you are not my son!'
Chapter 12 An Angel Appears to a Woman in Trouble
Partridge was sure that this extraordinary meeting with the
person who caused all his bad fortune was a sign that good
fortune was coming, so he was determined to follow Tom.
Tom said he would do everything in his power to help the
unfortunate man. 'But,' he added, 'perhaps you think I will be
able to pay you, Mr Partridge, but really I cannot. 'And he showed
Partridge his purse.
Now Partridge firmly believed that Tom was Mr Allworthy's
son, and he could not imagine why that good man would send
his son away. He therefore believed that Tom had made up the
story, and that he was actually running away from his father. If
Partridge could persuade Tom to return to his father, Mr
Allworthy would certainly reward him well.
He said to Tom, 'I see you have very little money now, sir, but
things will change in the future. I am not asking for payment. Just
let me travel with you as your friend.'
And so, taking a few clean shirts and leaving the rest of Tom's
things locked up in Partridge's house, they set off.