David Harum · Chapter
XXVII explained
David Harum regales John Lenox with a detailed and humorous account of his formal dinner at the Price household, describing the elaborate table setting, his napkin mishap, and the story of Elder Maybee's gunpowder accident, which he compare
What happens
David Harum regales John Lenox with a detailed and humorous account of his formal dinner at the Price household, describing the elaborate table setting, his napkin mishap, and the story of Elder Maybee's gunpowder accident, which he compares to his own egg disaster at breakfast. The chapter highlights David's rustic charm and wit as he navigates high society with his characteristic humor.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Community
David's dinner at the Price's highlights the contrast between rural simplicity and formal social customs, as well as the community's shared humor.
Horse Trading and Moral Ambiguity
David's clever storytelling and wit, akin to horse trading, navigate social situations with moral ambiguity and charm.
Characters to notice
- David Harum
Tells John about his dinner at the Price's, including his napkin incident and the story of Elder Maybee's powder.
- John Lenox
Listens to David's story, laughs at his anecdotes, and asks about the dinner.
- Aunt Polly
Mentioned as David's sister who criticized his city clothes and is described as conservative.
- Price
Host of the dinner; David interacts with him and his wife during the meal.
- Mrs. Bixbee
Mentioned indirectly as part of the dinner party context.
Key passages
“People don’t dress for dinner in Homeville, as a rule, then,” John said, smiling. “No,” said Mr. Harum, “when they dress fer breakfust that does ’em fer all three meals.”
John remarks that people in Homeville don't usually dress for dinner, and David agrees, saying that dressing for breakfast suffices for all meals.
Highlights the informal rural lifestyle compared to city customs.
“I put ’em on once to show to Polly how city folks dressed—he, he, he, he!—an’ when I come into the room she set forwud on her chair an’ stared at me over her specs. ‘What on airth!’ she says.”
David once wore his city clothes to show Polly, but she was shocked and called him a 'redheaded snappin’ bug' and a 'reg’lar slinkum.'
Illustrates Polly's conservative nature and the humor in David's attempt to impress.
“I set down an’ tucked my napkin into my neck, an’ though I noticed none o’ the rest on ’em seemed to care, I allowed that ’t wa’n’t my shirt, an’ mebbe Price might want to wear it agin ’fore ’twas washed.”
David tucked his napkin into his neck at dinner, reasoning that it wasn't his shirt and Price might want to wear it again before washing.
Shows David's practical and humorous approach to formal dining.
“The elder had a small farm ’bout two miles out of the village, an’ he was great on raisin’ chickins an’ turkeys. He was a slow, putterin’ kind of an ole foozle, but on the hull a putty decent citizen.”
David describes Elder Maybee as a slow, fussy old man who raised chickens and turkeys on his farm, but was generally a decent citizen.
Sets up the character for the gunpowder story.
“I was jest stirrin’ on’t a little, an’ it went o‑f‑f , it went o‑f‑f ,” he says, “ seemin’ly—in—a—minute !” an’ that,’ I says to Mis’ Price, ‘was what that egg done.’”
David compares his egg exploding at breakfast to Elder Maybee's gunpowder accident, saying both went off seemingly in a minute.
Connects the two mishaps with humor, winning over the dinner guests.
