David Harum · Chapter
XVI explained
David Harum discusses John Lenox's progress at the bank with Aunt Polly, revealing a test of John's honesty involving counterfeit bills.
What happens
David Harum discusses John Lenox's progress at the bank with Aunt Polly, revealing a test of John's honesty involving counterfeit bills. John refuses to pass the bad money and burns it instead, earning David's respect as an honest man.
Themes in this chapter
Horse Trading and Moral Ambiguity
David tests John's honesty with counterfeit bills, a morally ambiguous scheme that reveals John's integrity.
Character and Reputation
John's refusal to pass counterfeit money and his willingness to absorb the loss demonstrate his strong character, earning David's respect.
Characters to notice
- David Harum
Sits reading his paper, teases Aunt Polly, and recounts his experiment with John Lenox regarding counterfeit bills.
- Aunt Polly
Sews a towel, expresses concern about John's loneliness, and criticizes David's scheme with the counterfeit money.
- John Lenox
Mentioned as having taken over bank duties, struggled with handling money, and refused to pass counterfeit bills, burning them instead.
- Chet Timson
Mentioned as having neglected bank work, requiring John to straighten things out.
Key passages
“I’ve ben lookin’ fer an honest man fer quite a number o’ years, an’ I guess I’ve found him; yes’m, I guess I’ve found him.”
David declares that after years of searching, he believes he has finally found an honest man in John Lenox.
David's reflection on John's integrity after the counterfeit incident.
“He jest backed into the britchin’, an’ I couldn’t do nothin’ with him.”
David says John was stubbornly set in his decision, and he could not change his mind.
David describes John's firm refusal to pass the counterfeit bills.