. What evidence is there that Mr. St. Clare, despite his good intentions, cannot view Tom as an individual?

After being told that Tom has an extraordinary head for business, Mr. St Clare responds;

"Bad, bad, very bad; knows altogether too much!" said the young man, with the same mocking smile playing about his mouth. "Never will do, in the world. Your smart fellows are always running off, stealing horses, and raising the devil generally. I think you'll have to take off a couple of hundred for his smartness."