CHAPTER 26 Practice Quiz — The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: CHAPTER 26
Where does Mary Jane offer to let Uncle Harvey (the king) sleep?
In her own room, which was a little bigger than the spare room. She moves in with her sisters and sleeps on a cot.
Where is Huck assigned to sleep at the Wilks house?
In a small cubby up in the garret, with a pallet in it. The king calls it a room for his "valley" (valet).
What does Huck observe about the supper conversation?
Mary Jane criticizes her own biscuits, preserves, and fried chicken to fish for compliments, and the guests oblige with praise — a social ritual Huck sees as "humbug talky-talk."
Who interrogates Huck about England after supper?
Joanna, the youngest Wilks sister, whom Huck privately calls "the hare-lip."
What dead king does Huck claim attends their church in England?
William IV (William Fourth). Huck knows William IV died years ago but lies and says he goes to their church regularly.
How does Huck explain sea baths in landlocked Sheffield?
He claims the water is shipped in barrels, like Americans get Congress-water, and heated in furnaces at the palace.
How many preachers does Huck claim their English church has?
Seventeen. When Joanna asks why so many, he says "they're for style."
What trick does Huck use to buy thinking time when Joanna catches him in a lie?
He pretends to choke on a chicken bone.
What does Joanna make Huck swear on, and what is it actually?
She tells him to "lay your hand on this book and say it." Huck realizes it is a dictionary, not a Bible, so he happily swears on it.
How do Mary Jane and Susan respond when they hear Joanna questioning Huck?
They scold Joanna for being unkind to a stranger and guest, and they make her apologize to Huck.
What resolution does Huck make after seeing the sisters' kindness?
"My mind's made up; I'll hive that money for them or bust."
Why does the duke want to leave the Wilks house immediately?
He is uneasy about the suspicious doctor and thinks they should flee before three in the morning with the gold they already have.
Why does the king insist on staying at the Wilks house?
He wants to sell the Wilks property as well, estimating it at eight or nine thousand dollars' worth. His greed outweighs his caution.
How does the king rationalize staying to sell the orphans' property?
He argues the sale will be invalidated once the fraud is discovered, so the property will revert to the estate and the orphans won't really suffer.
What does the king say about having the doctor against them?
"Cuss the doctor! Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side? and ain't that a big enough majority in any town?"
Where do the king and duke hide the bag of gold?
They shove it through a rip in the straw tick (straw mattress) under the feather bed in Mary Jane's room.
Where does Huck hide when the king and duke enter the room?
Behind a calico curtain that hangs in front of Mary Jane's dresses (frocks), standing perfectly still among the gowns.
What does the duke call the king in their private conversation?
"Capet" — a reference to the French royal family name, since the king claims to be the lost Dauphin of France.
What does Huck do with the money after the king and duke leave?
He takes it from the straw tick, carries it to his cubby, and plans to hide it outside the house where they won't find it.
Why is Chapter 26 considered a turning point in Huck's moral development?
It is the first time Huck takes independent moral action based on his own conscience, choosing to protect the Wilks sisters from the king and duke's fraud.
What theme is illustrated by the contrast between the king's greed and the duke's caution?
The theme of greed as a destructive force — the king's refusal to be satisfied with what they have foreshadows their eventual downfall.
How does Twain use humor in Huck's conversation with Joanna?
Through escalating absurdity: each lie Huck tells becomes more outlandish (sea baths in barrels, seventeen preachers), creating comic satire while also building suspense about whether he will be caught.