Unexpectedly, the encroaching war makes Tom the person best qualified to play organ for the choir. Tom has not played organ since his wife died, which implies that he gave it up as part of his larger grief-stricken retreat from society. Due to the war, however, the community now needs Tom’s talents. And due to Willie’s influence, Tom has sufficiently reentered village life and is willing to lend his talents to the community. That Tom’s infant son, who died of scarlatina (also known as scarlet fever), was named William, too, emphasizes that Willie has become a second son to Tom. Tom reacts to Willie’s bigger role in the play by giving him a reward, “extra sweet” tea, which implicitly contrasts him with Willie’s abusive mother, who thinks that the theater is sinful.