Tom moves to King’s Lorton to study with the Reverend Walter Stelling. Tom, who had wanted to leave school and take over his father’s business, is not happy about continuing his education. Tom is accustomed to schools full of boys he can play with, but Stelling’s school is more of a private tutoring organization than an institution. The intensely academic ambience of Stelling’s school intimidates him, making him self-conscious when asked to answer questions.

Mr. Stelling is a young man whose ambitions to be a successful preacher and respected intellectual are buoyed by taking on pupils. It is implied that if he can make a scholar out of Tom Tulliver, then other boys from Tom’s town might also join the school, in turn bringing in more profit. Mr. Stelling is tough on Tom, but he doesn’t realize that his jokes embarrass Tom. Tom is smart in more practical ways, but Mr. Stelling forces vague philosophies and geometry onto Tom, deriding him for not applying himself. Stelling’s treatment of Tom humiliates Tom and makes him feel like a girl—stupid and looked down upon. He finds some consolation in helping to look after Mr. Stelling’s daughter, Laura, who reminds him of Maggie.