Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Contents
CHAPTER XXVI
Overview
Huck, treated kindly by the Wilks sisters after Joanna’s doubts, resolves to thwart the king and duke. Eavesdropping reveals the con men will stay to sell property and have hidden the gold in a mattress. Huck steals the money back and prepares to hide it outside, escalating his quiet rebellion.
Summary
Mary Jane assigns rooms to the supposed uncles and gives Huck the garret cubby. At a large supper, Huck waits on the king and duke while Mary Jane and Susan exchange polite compliments with guests. Later in the kitchen, Joanna (“Hare-lip”) quizzes Huck about England, nearly exposing his lies until Mary Jane and Susan step in to chastise Joanna and make Huck feel welcome.
Moved by the sisters’ kindness, Huck resolves to save their money by stealing it back from the king and duke. He considers telling the doctor or Mary Jane but decides it would risk alerting the frauds. He plans instead to take the money secretly, hide it, and later write Mary Jane with directions.
That night, Huck hides behind Mary Jane’s hanging dresses and eavesdrops as the king overrules the duke’s urge to flee, insisting they stay to sell the remaining property. Worried a servant might find the gold among Mary Jane’s things, they move it, shoving the bag into a rip in the straw tick under the feather bed.
After they leave, Huck retrieves the hidden gold and conceals it in his garret cubby, intending to stash it outside the house when safe. He lies awake until the house is quiet, then slips down his ladder to continue his plan.
Who Appears
- Huckleberry FinnPosing as the duke’s valet; dodges Joanna’s questions, resolves to save the sisters, steals back the hidden gold.
- Mary Jane WilksGracious host who defends Huck and assigns rooms; her kindness spurs Huck to act.
- Joanna (Hare-lip) WilksQuestions Huck’s English stories, nearly exposing him; later apologizes under Mary Jane’s urging.
- Susan WilksSupports Mary Jane, scolds Joanna, and helps make Huck feel welcome.
- The KingInsists on staying to sell property; hides the gold in a straw tick, unwittingly enabling Huck to retrieve it.
- The DukeWants to flee with the gold; suggests moving it from Mary Jane’s room to avoid discovery.