Very true... Tom, it seems, can know of things that are happening far away, and can come quickly to help when called! And help was needed... either Old Man Willow, or the river, or the whole forest were conspiring to lull them to sleep.
Sam sat down and scratched his head, and yawned like a cavern. He was worried. The afternoon was getting late, and he thought this sudden sleepiness uncanny. Theres more behind this than sun and warm air, he muttered to himself. I dont like this great big tree. I dont trust it. Hark at it singing about sleep now! This wont do at all!
To be honest with you I found this part positively delicious. Imagine being hot, tired & drowsy; you plop down against a tree, which then seems to cradle you as it sings sweet lullabies about sleep.............sigh.............sounds good to me........