Final answer:
The word 'wonderingly' implies that Tom is reflecting on his past choices with curiosity, indicating that he may not completely grasp their implications or rationale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word wonderingly suggests that Tom is reflecting on his past decisions with a sense of curiosity and perhaps even doubt or confusion. This implies that he may not fully understand the consequences or the reasoning behind his previous choices. He is thinking in a state of wonderment, which indicates a sense of questioning or amazement, often painting a picture of a person who is pondering deeply about something that is not entirely clear or is surprising to them.
In the various provided texts, characters exhibit forms of reflection and consideration of their past actions, similar to Tom's state of being wonderingly. This suggests a contemplative mindset where characters are attempting to comprehend their decisions and experiences.