Chapter V and VI Summary

In Chapter V, Agnes writes of the children's Uncle Robson, whom she dislikes. He regards Mary Ann as a favorite and flatters her. He praises and laughs at the faults of both Tom and Mary Ann, causing them to act worse than ever. Robson encourages Tom to dominate his sisters and to be cruel to animals, insects and birds. One day Tom brings a whole nest full of five baby birds to the house that he and his Uncle have found. Tom intends to torture the birds, but Agnes drops a stone on them so they will not have to bear this torture. Mrs. Bloomfield later chides Agnes for taking away Tom's fun. She reasons her son is not wrong in torturing the creatures, since she believes that all animals were made for humans to do whatever...