In Chapter 21 of 'The Bell', the relationship between Toby and Dora is described as a 'sweet tenuous ambiguous bond' and this is seen, to a point, to be true. These two new members of the Imber community have seemingly very little in common at the beginning of the novel but find temporary solace in each other in the later stages of 'The Bell'. Neither of the characters reveals their troubles, but simply enjoy each other's …showed first 75 words of 2281 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2281 total…companion in comparison to the other members of the community who does not 'judge or enclose her', but encourages her and supports her plans, even though he later considers them 'crazy' and 'silly'. Neither of them is aware of the other's motive for friendship, and this is perhaps better for them as they feel the other is interested in them purely for friendship and because they like them, providing them with companionship during hard times.