The Mysterious Benedict Society: Chapter 39 Summary & Analysis

Mr. Curtain escapes the island, but Mr. Benedict successfully convinces governmental officials to raid the Institute. His claims are finally credible now that Milligan remembers the government passwords of his days as a secret agent; further, Kate stole Mr. Curtain’s journal from the Whispering Gallery during their escape. Most importantly, the Whisperer is no longer broadcasting Mr. Curtain’s messages. The Emergency ends, and “minds closed to truth were opening again.” Government officials frequently come through Mr. Benedict’s house in search of clues, but Mr. Benedict believes Mr. Curtain is too smart to be captured by adults. Only children could ever have beat him. With Mr. Curtain removed, Mr. Benedict and his associates begin helping the victims of brainsweeping: “recruited” children, Helpers, and many Executives. Milligan leads the search for these people, and Mr. Benedict modifies the brainsweeping machines to restore memories.

Mr. Benedict insists that the children are the true heroes of the adventure. A few weeks after leaving the Institute, everyone sits down to have their first proper dinner since the children returned home. Kate asks how Mr. Benedict found the secret exit, and Mr. Benedict explains Milligan found it. Kate teases that “it’s always about entrances and exits” with Milligan, and he responds with a hearty laugh. Milligan spent years in sadness after “exiting” his life as a father, and now he has “entered” it again.

At the other end of the table, Reynie is puzzling over what to call Miss Perumal, who is sitting beside him. His absence in the past weeks made Miss Perumal realize how much she loved him, and immediately upon his return, Miss Perumal asked to adopt him. He gave his consent with a tearful hug. Reynie decides to call Miss Perumal something in Tamil, her native language, and he plans to ask Sticky about Tamil words for mother. Sticky is also at the table. He seems to be the only unhappy member of the group, though he tries to hide it. He asks how Mr. Benedict disabled the Whisperer, and Mr. Benedict explains he finished what the children began. He convinced the Whisperer he was Mr. Curtain and gave it orders that confused it beyond function.

Rhonda brings out a cake for Constance’s birthday, and it is then that the other children learn that Constance is turning three years old. They realize this is why she is so stubborn and so prone to naps—she is only a toddler. Constance insists that she is not stubborn.

The next day, Mr. Benedict pulls Sticky aside to inform him that his parents have arrived. Mr. Benedict explains that after Sticky ran away, Sticky’s parents became ashamed of how they had treated him. Influenced by Mr. Curtain’s messages, they convinced themselves Sticky was “better off” without them. Sticky recalls hearing this phrase, which he had taken to mean his parents were better off without him. Mr. Benedict continues to explain that the Washingtons realized they needed Sticky even if he didn’t need them, so they have put all their resources into locating their son. They began their search before the Whisperer was disabled, indicating that their love was powerful enough to resist the broadcasts. Sticky starts to cry and runs to his parents. They reunite, and the household throws an impromptu party in celebration.

During the party, Number Two finds Mr. Benedict asleep on his desk with an expression of pure joy. He has asked Constance if she would be “willing to adopt [him] as [her] family,” and she accepted. Later, Kate and Reynie discuss how all the children are finding their families. Constance in particular is getting a father and two sisters, since Mr. Benedict already adopted Number Two and Rhonda years ago.

The children are engaged in a snowball fight while their families watch happily. Mr. Benedict is so happy that he laughs himself to sleep over and over until the sun sets. Number Two wakes him and asks him to call the children inside for dinner. Mr. Benedict says that they should be allowed to play. If only for the moment, the four members of the Mysterious Benedict Society get to be children.