The young boy in this novel has been evacuated to the country during the blitz and is billeted with a crusty old man. Having come from a dreadful home (his mother is mad and maltreats him miserably), Willy still finds adjustment to the country difficult. Mr Tom proves an ally and friend, and even deals with the chronic bed-wetting matter-of-factly. The old man and the boy come to love each other, and after a return to London, when Willy is almost killed by his mother, he and Mr Tom stay together. The enuresis is a small part of the story, but the handling of it shows the best sort of approach. A wonderful novel all round.