Benedict and Helen share the story of how they came to Kure, and Aldred shares to a lesser degree. When asked what he plans do with all of his experiences and explorations, Aldred tells the siblings about the book he hopes to write and offers an explanation of the events that have brought him to this time and place. He remembers a child, Charlotte, whom he had known when he was a boy and believes that she is the cause for his open-mindedness toward new experiences. This is a trait that serves Aldred well as he continues to explore the countryside and its people. In spite of his open-mindedness in some regards, though, Aldred was a child of one war and a soldier of another; he has experienced a great deal and has become cynical.
Twain uses irony and sarcasm to characterize the king and duke in such a way that communicates his belief that pretending to be something you are not (for the sake of appearances) is both ridiculous and embarrassing.
