Five Past Ten Summary

Private Peaceful opens with the main character, Thomas Peaceful, finally alone. He is determined not to sleep this night, as he doesn't want to waste any time dreaming. He has nearly eighteen years of yesterdays and tomorrows, and he is determined to remember them all tonight.

Thomas remembers his first day of school. He is worried about school, despite his mother's and his brother's attempts to make him feel better about it. His brother Charlie leads him to school on his first day, and promises to take care of him. When they get to school, Thomas and Charlie are separated, as Charlie is one of the "Bigguns" and Thomas is one of the "Tiddlers." In his "Tiddlers" class, Thomas is the youngest of the children. Thomas learns how to tie his boots and makes a friend in the process...