The Prince and the Pauper, Chapter 18 summary
Chapter 18 of 33 · 12 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 18, the King refuses to help Hugo deceive a stranger, exposes his theft, and escapes while the stranger pursues Hugo. Rejected at farmhouses and frightened by the lonely night, he hides in a barn, where a calf turns his fear into companionship and gives him warmth enough to sleep.
What happens
- The vagabonds march through cold weather, bully travelers, and force a farming family to feed them.
- Sent into a village with Hugo, the King refuses to beg, steal, or assist a staged fit.
- The King exposes Hugo’s theft, and the stranger’s pursuit lets him escape in the opposite direction.
- Two farmhouses reject him, and he walks through the cold night until he finds a barn.
- Hidden inside, he gathers horse blankets and fears an unseen creature whose touch interrupts his sleep.
- He discovers a calf, welcomes its company, and sleeps warmly beside it through a storm.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Prince and the Pauper, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
In this chapter
What to notice
The King values gentle company over royal distinction. His decision changes the barn from a place of terror into a refuge.
Quick check
What allows the King to escape from Hugo?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of The Prince and the Pauper, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
