Holes: Part 1, Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Stanley thinks the shade of the oak trees feels wonderful, and he wonders if this is how condemned men feel on their way to the electric chair. Stanley is surprised to see holes all around the Warden's house as Mr. Sir knocks on the door. The Warden frostily invites Mr. Sir and Stanley into the air conditioning. She sits down and asks Stanley to tell her what happened. Stanley does, and Mr. Sir explains that he thinks that Stanley is covering up for another boy.

The Warden points Stanley to a dressing room of sorts and asks him to fetch a small flowered case. He does as he's told and when the Warden opens it, he realizes it's a makeup case. She pulls out a bottle of dark red nail polish and explains that she has to make the color herself with rattlesnake venom. She begins painting her nails and says that it's only toxic when it's wet. When she's finished painting both hands, she approaches Stanley and touches his face. One nail brushes Stanley's injury and a sting of pain sends Stanley backwards.

The Warden turns to Mr. Sir. As he begins to explain again what he thinks happened, she strikes him across the face, leaving three red marks. After a moment, Mr. Sir screams and clutches his face. The Warden tells him that she doesn't care about his sunflower seeds; she preferred his smoking. Turning to Stanley, she sends him back to his hole. Stanley has to step over Mr. Sir on his way out. The Warden tells Stanley that, unfortunately for him, Mr. Sir won't die.