Huckleberry Finn quote. "taking responsibility for actions"

"But mind, you said you wouldn' tell – you know you said you wouldn' tell, Huck."

"Well, I did. I said I wouldn't, and I'll stick to it. Honest INJUN, I will. People would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum – but that don't make no difference. I ain't a-going to tell, and I ain't a-going back there, anyways. So, now, le's know all about it." (8.52, 8.53).

Although he enjoys making up tales, Huck places a great deal of value on keeping his word. In fact, it appears that keeping his word to Jim is more important to Huck than the fate of his own reputation, or abiding the law.