Tom and Will’s developing relationship benefits each character enormously, allowing them to recover from past wounds and traumas through the unconditional positive regard of the other. Initially, Tom is depicted as a gruff individual. He is impatient, bordering on rude, in his manner, and is viewed by his community as an anti-social recluse. This is established in the exposition when the Billeting Officer talks to Tom about taking in Will: “‘Mr. Oakley, with the declaration of war imminent…’ Tom waved his hand. ‘I knows all that. Git to the point. What d’you want?’” (9). Tom agrees to take on Will but continues to speak with impatience, as is illustrated by his “harsh” tone: “‘Come on in,’ repeated Tom harshly. ‘I ent got all day’” (10).

Tom is forced to confront the impact of his gruff manner when he sees Will’s obvious terror of him, such as when he handles the branch in the graveyard: “Willie automatically flung his arm across his face and gave a cry, but the blow he was expecting never came” (17). Tom’s inherent kindness and gentleness emerge through his gruff exterior as he comes to realize the extent of Will’s trauma.