Chapters 16-18 Summary

In Chapter 16, "The State Dinner," Tom's servants prepare him for a great banquet that will be attended by a large company of citizens. The author quotes an "ancient chronicler," who describes the gorgeous banquet room, the food, and royalty in attendance. Tom, who had earlier been worried about the prospect of dining in public, is now more relaxed and happy, and he gets through the ceremonious meal flawlessly. In Chapter 17, "Foo-Foo the First," Miles is on the trail of the missing Edward in Southwark, but he cannot find him. Miles decides the boy might have gotten away from his captors, and could be heading for safety at Hendon Hall. The scene shifts to Edward, who is with the youth but does not know that the ruffian is following them. They go through Southwark to a woods beyond it, where the ruffian...