The Prince and the Pauper: Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

That same morning, Tom Canty wakes up convinced that everything that’s happened was a dream. He calls to Nan and Bet to tell them about it, but instead a servant comes. Tom asks the servant who he (Tom) is and the servant replies that he is the king. Tom is saddened to hear this and he tells the man to leave. Tom falls back asleep and has a dream about a dwarf who tells him to dig by a stump every seventh day because he’ll find pennies there. In the dream Tom is overjoyed and rushes home to give his mother the pennies. One of the servants interrupts this dream and wakes Tom up. Tom realizes that he’s unfortunately still “a captive and a king.” He gets out of bed and stands there while a train of people pass his new clothes around, dress him, and help him wash himself.

Tom’s officers lead him into the throne room where Hertford waits to help him through the day’s business. The business is just a form since a Protector hasn’t been assigned to Tom yet. Tom is startled to learn that Henry won’t be buried until the middle of the next month, but Hertford calms him down. The ministers describe the crowns debts and Tom makes the mistake of suggesting they cut down the servants and move into a small house, but he stops talking after Hertford presses his arm. The ministers also mention that Henry wanted to give Hertford a ducal title and go over some other business Henry didn’t have time to complete on paper. Tom wonders if he can give his mother a title but he realizes he’s not a real king and nobody believes his mother exists. Tom gets bored listening to the ministers and falls asleep.

That afternoon, Tom enjoys some free time until the guards admit a boy to the room. Tom asks who the boy is and what he wants. The boy is surprised he and explains that he’s the whipping boy, Humphrey Marlow. Tom explains that his mind is clouded by grief. Out loud, Humphrey sympathizes with Tom but he thinks to himself that the king really is insane. Humphrey tells Tom that it’s been two days since Tom made several mistakes during his Greek lesson, and the master swore to whip Humphrey as usual. Humphrey asks if Tom will tell the master not to whip him in light of Henry’s death. Tom readily agrees. Humphrey expresses his fear that he’ll be fired now that Tom is king. Tom assures Humphrey that he can keep his position; in fact, Tom says the position will be permanent and even extend to Humphrey’s heirs.

Humphrey is very grateful, and Tom realizes he can use Humphrey to learn more about the palace. He and Humphrey talk for a while; Tom is happy to learn more about the palace and Humphrey is proud to think he’s helping the king regain his memory. Finally, Tom dismisses Humphrey but he says Humphrey is welcome back in Tom’s private rooms whenever he’s not busy with matters of state. After Humphrey leaves, Hertford enters and explains that the council wants Tom to dine publicly after a couple of days of mourning. Hertford and the council believe this will dispel any rumors about the king’s sanity. Hertford describes the practices Tom will have to observe and is delighted to see that Tom doesn’t need much help. Hertford expresses his joy and mentions that Tom might know where the Great Seal is now. Tom asks what it looks like and Hertford changes the subject.