Chapter 20, Stories On The Afterdeck Summary

In Chapter 20, we find Robert teaching Elin English, its pronunciation, and spelling, wondering why Americans could not agree on the same pronunciation of their language. He teaches Elin the position of the tongue while pronouncing English words. Their lesson is interrupted by Ulrika, who watches over her daughter when he speaks with her.

When she leaves, Frederik Mattsson appears. Robert asks him to read in English, but he responds that he is tired of it. Frederik also refuses to talk about America because he promised his secrecy to the US president. He was to work in a brothel on a ship, on Mississippi river, shooting those who misbehaved, and as a male prostitute in a male whore house in Chicago.

Robert learns the truth about Frederik from another sail maker. Frederik was born in Sweden...