Pudd'nhead Wilson Chapter 4: The Ways of the Changelings Summary

  • Okay, let's make sure we have this straight. The narrator steps in to clarify that from now on in the story, the name Tom will refer to Roxy's (biological) child and the name Chambers will indicate Percy Driscoll's (biological) son. (Thanks for the heads up, narrator; that could've gotten pretty confusing!)
  • We're told that Tom is turning out to be a huge spoiled brat while Chambers is becoming "meek and docile." Tom is especially nasty to Roxy and looks down upon her for being a slave.
  • Chambers is a lot stronger and more clever than Tom. And, not surprisingly, Tom is way jealous of him for that.
  • Roxy is so fed up with Tom's jerky behavior that she fantasizes about exposing the fact that he is really a slave. That would serve him right, she thinks.
  • Breaking News: Percy Driscoll dies. On his death bed, he sets Roxy free and gives Tom over to Percy's brother, Judge Driscoll and his wife (gee, what an amazing gift). Driscoll also buys Chambers from Percy.
  • Freed from slavery? Roxy's outta here. She sets off for adventure on the high seas, taking a job as a chamber maid on a steamboat.
  • Before she leaves, Roxy runs into Pudd'nhead who offers to give her the fingerprints of the kids as a little memento.
  • Hmm. Roxy's suspicious of the offer and tells Pudd'nhead thanks, but no thanks.