When Humphrey first enters the room, Tom is confused. He has never met Humphrey and asks who he is. Humphrey, of course, thinks he is talking to Edward, and is surprised he is not recognized.

Tom realizes the delicate situation, and decides to practice talking to people he should know but doesn't really.

An idea came to his relief: accidents like this might be likely to happen with some frequency, now that business urgencies would often call Hertford and St. John from his side . . . he would practice on this boy.

Tom then pretends that he does remember Humphrey, however he still does not understand the concept of a whipping boy.

"Why should he whip thee for faults of mine?"

Tom is confused. When Humphrey tries to explain, Tom tries to put the pieces together but makes false assumptions:

"Thou teachest me in private—then if I fail, he argueth that thy office was lamely done . . ."

Tom is shocked that someone else would receive the blows that have been earned by his own mistakes. Tom thinks:

"I will take my lashings in mine own person, giving God thanks for the change."

Humphrey is upset because now that the Prince is the new King, he will not need to study and therefore has no need for a whipping boy. Humphrey wants to be a whipping boy so he can earn money for his family. Tom promises to keep Humphrey around:

"I will betake me to my books again, and study so ill that they must in justice treble thy wage, so mightily shall the business of thine office by augmented."

Tom figures it will be helpful to have Humphrey around so he can learn from him.