# Chapter XLI explained — David Harum

> Chapter companion for David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott.

## What happens

In John's fifth winter in Homeville, the bank's business has grown significantly with new manufactories and merchants transferring accounts from Syrchester. A new railroad has been built, causing a contentious split between the 'nabobs' and 'village people.' David recounts how he neutralized Lawyer Staples' opposition by presenting a subscription paper for funds, effectively silencing him without spending money.

## Themes in this chapter

### Horse Trading and Moral Ambiguity

David's manipulation of Lawyer Staples through a subscription paper exemplifies the shrewd, morally ambiguous tactics used in local politics and business.

### Rural vs. Urban Life

The railroad controversy highlights the tension between local village interests and outside 'nabob' influences, a key aspect of rural-urban dynamics.

### Character and Reputation

Lawyer Staples' reputation as a principled man is undermined by his willingness to abandon his stance when faced with a financial commitment.

## Character check-ins

### David Harum

Narrates the story of how he outmaneuvered Lawyer Staples in the railroad controversy using a subscription paper.

### John Lenox

Cashier at the bank, listening to David's story and noting the growth of the bank's business.

### Peleg Hopkins

Mentioned as having fledged from a callow youth into a competent all-round man in the office.

### Lawyer Staples

The lawyer who switched sides in the railroad dispute after David's intervention with a subscription paper.

### Mr. Smith

Referenced in David's anecdote about a church meeting where a request for a dollar silenced an enthusiastic participant.

## Key lines

> The callow Hopkins had fledged and developed into a competent all-’round man, able to do anything in the office, and there was a new “skeezicks” discharging Peleg’s former functions.

Peleg Hopkins had matured from an inexperienced youth into a capable employee, and a new junior clerk had taken over his old duties.

_Describes Peleg's growth and the expansion of the bank's staff._

> I ast him fer a dollar for For’n Missions, says Brother Jones, ‘an’, wa’al,’ I says to Tenaker, ‘that’s what I done to Staples.’

I asked him for a dollar for Foreign Missions, and that's exactly what I did to Staples.

_David explains his tactic of asking Staples for a financial commitment to silence his opposition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xli
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se/chapters