The Prince and the Pauper Chapter 10 Summary

The Prince in the Toils

  • Back to the "real" prince.
  • We last left Edward with John Canty, who was dragging him home into Offal Court.
  • On the way there, someone tries to save the prince, but John Canty smacks this person in the head, and he isn't bothered anymore.
  • Finally, John and Edward make it to the Canty household. Prince Edward sees Tom's mom, sisters, and old grandma.
  • John Canty seems to think that the prince is pretty funny, and he tells Grandma Canty to ask the prince who he is. You already know the answer.
  • While Grandma and Dad seem to think this is the funniest thing they have ever heard, Tom's mom and sisters have a different reaction. They are worried about the kid's mental health, and they're sad that he doesn't remember them.
  • When John Canty gets tired of the prince's "jokes," he and Grandma start to beat him until they are exhausted.
  • When that's all over, Tom's mom has an idea: what if he isn't her son? She tries not to think about it, but she eventually figures out a way to test her theory.
  • Tom's mom tests the prince not once, not twice, but three times. She's certain that this kid is not her son. Well, kind of certain, anyway.
  • Tom 's mom cries herself to sleep thinking that the prince has to be Tom. That's the only thing that makes sense, right?
  • Later, the prince wakes up from his dream and finds himself in Tom Canty's place again. He's not too happy, and things are about to get worse. Someone knocks at the door and tells them that John Canty actually killed Father Andrew.
  • Even if you don't know much about 16th-century justice, you can probably guess that people didn't smile on the murder of priests.
  • In less than five minutes, the Cantys all run out of the house. John Canty makes a plan to flee to the London Bridge, change his name, and get out of London.
  • But remember that party Tom was having? Well, everyone in London is partying, too, so the streets are full of people, and it's hard to run away.
  • John runs into a big burly guy who forces him to drink from the Loving Cup. The prince takes his chance to get the heck out of there and disappears into the crowd.
  • Edward's got other problems to deal with—you know, like Tom Canty usurping the throne. At least that's what he thinks is happening.