QUESTION

Well, this is a difficult question to answer because there isn't really a definite answer to it. However, as I hate not knowing the answer to something like this, and although it may seem minor to someone else it would drive me mad trying to work it out, i'll attempt to give you an answer.

I assume from your post that you are actually asking three questions...Why did he buy the meat? Why did he sit it in his lap until the blood drenched his pants and then go home? Didn't he know that would provoke his father?

The answer to the first is easy enough and i believe it is mentioned in the film, Tom's dad had ordered the lamb and asked him to pick it up, i think it was some sort of occasion but i'm not sure as it's been a while since I last saw it and didn't really study that aspect to any great degree.

The second question is harder, the probable answer is that Tom knew what may be waiting for him at home and was simply trying to kill time. He found a seat, sat down and started brooding. The kneading of it with his fingers was probably due to his nervousness at going home and he may not have been aware of what he was doing to the meat, as he was clearly pre-occupied.

Lastly, he knew it would provoke his father, but if didn't then something else would. In the scene when he does get home he tries to hide the blood stains and further offers to was his clothes himself to try and calm/sort out the situation.

Hope that helps, anything further then ask away and i'll try to help.