A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Chapter 12 Summary

Slow Torture

  • The Yankee and Demoiselle Alisande la Carteloise head out into the countryside, a journey that starts out comfortably but soon grows hot as the sun rises in the sky.
  • The Yankee struggles with his armor, since he can't easily remove his helmet to mop his brow; his increasing perspiration causes him to itch.
  • He finally tells Alisande to remove his helmet and fill it with water. He drinks from the helmet—gross—and has her pour the rest inside his armor.
  • The Yankee further laments the lack of good smoking tobacco and the difficulties in mounting his horse in the armor: Alisande isn't strong enough to help him.
  • In the midst of their travels, the Yankee begins calling Alisande Sandy; he claims that he finds her good-hearted, but that she talks way too much.