“‘Mr. Oakley, with the declaration of war imminent…’ Tom waved his hand. ‘I knows all that. Git to the point. What d’you want?’”

Tom is initially gruff and impatient, bordering on rude, which is illustrated in how he interrupts the billeting officer who stops at his house. Tom’s early characterization contrasts with his later character development through his relationship with Will; he becomes more gentle and kind, as well as more joyous and vivacious. Furthermore, the exposition immediately characterizes the impending threat of war, which has necessitated the evacuation of millions of British children.

“Bit ‘igh fer you. I’d best put in a low peg.”

Tom seems gruff, but his inherent kindness is hinted at through his immediate accommodation of Will’s needs, such as noting that he will need to install a lower peg so that Will can comfortably hang his coat. Tom’s role as a caring and loving father figure is subtly foreshadowed.

“On the top two shelves, neatly stacked, were blankets and sheets, and on the third various belongings of Rachel’s that he had decided to keep. He glanced swiftly at them. A black wooden paint box, brushes, a christening robe she had embroidered, some old photographs, letters and recipes. The christening robe had never been worn by his baby son, for he had died soon after his mother.”

Tom’s grief at losing his wife and son is introduced in the exposition through their possessions, which he has kept. The role Will will play in helping Tom to confront this grief is foreshadowed; Tom gives Rachel’s paints to Will after the boy shows an interest in art, which will help Tom to explore and heal from his long-suppressed grief.