The whole story has an undercurrent of subtle humour. Hughie attempts to work and earn money. When he fails at everything, he gives up his efforts. He decides to live on a meagre allowance given to him by an old aunt. These things evoke humorous reaction in the readers. Hughie’s conversation with Alan Trevor is also humorous. Without knowing the real identity of the beggar model, Hughie gives him the only sovereign he had.
When he comes to know that the beggar is Baron Hausberg, he thinks he has made a fool of himself. Alan’s jokes about Hughie’s generosity are hilarious. Baron Hausberg’s reaction when Hughie gives him the sovereign, his benevolent nature and the way in which he sends the wedding present, are all examples of subtle humour in the story.
