# Tom Mason — While the Billy Boils character guide

> Tom Mason in While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mason, Tommy, Presently Tommy

**First appearance:** 0027-an-echo-from-the-old-bark-school

## Who they are

A young boy in a bush school story.

## In the story

### [A Day on a Selection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/a-day-on-a-selection)

The selector's son, responsible for milking and other chores, often lazy and careless, leading to conflicts with his mother.

### [His Father's Mate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/his-father-s-mate)

A silent, hard-working fossicker haunted by the loss of his brother and eldest son to the law, and the death of his wife from shame. He works a wet mine shaft with his young son Isley.

### [The Drover’s Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/the-drover-s-wife)

The eldest boy, aged eleven, who is eager to fight the snake and protect his siblings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters/tom_mason
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters