Does Tom not look down as he first move along the ledge in Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney, Tom does not initially look down as he moves along the ledge. His focus is on the task at hand—retrieving the sheet of paper with his important work notes. This decision reflects his determination and the adrenaline of the moment, as he prioritizes his goal over the fear of the height. However, as the tension builds, he eventually confronts the reality of his precarious situation.