It Happened One Night Scenes 20 and 21 Summary

  • Peter suggests that Ellie wire her father, but she refuses.
  • Peter tells Ellie they don't have any money left, since Ellie gave it all to the boy, and so they won't be able to eat.
  • Peter gives Ellie a piggyback ride across a river and criticizes the piggybacking techniques of the rich.
  • The two travelers find some haystacks to sleep on near a farm.
  • Ellie complains of hunger and says she's scared. Peter says if she's really scared, then she can't be hungry at the same time. She says she's both.
  • Peter prepares a bed for Ellie but is frustrated and snaps at her before going in search of food.
  • Ellie doesn't realize that Peter's gone to look for food, so she keeps talking, saying that she can get along just fine on her own. Then she turns to find that he's gone, and she thinks he's left for good.
  • When Peter returns, Ellie's overwhelmed with relief. She's also too scared now to be hungry, and so doesn't want the watermelon Peter has found.
  • This frustrates Peter, who then delivers a monologue about all that's wrong with the rich. Peter says that what's important isn't money or "manufactured values," but just "peace and calm."
  • Ellie listens silently.