Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
XXXI: How the Million Disappeared explained
Monty prepares his final expenditure report for Swearengen Jones, detailing how he spent the entire million dollars.
What happens
Monty prepares his final expenditure report for Swearengen Jones, detailing how he spent the entire million dollars. He collects receipts for every purchase, meets with friends Joe Bragdon and Elon Gardner to arrange his marriage to Peggy the next day, and visits his lawyers Grant & Ripley to present the report. Unbeknownst to Monty, Jones has been unreachable and the lawyers are anxious about a potential disaster.
Themes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Wealth
Monty's detailed report of spending a million dollars on extravagant items like a yacht cruise, a carnival, and dinner parties highlights the absurd lengths of his wealth dissipation.
- Friendship and Loyalty
Joe Bragdon and Elon Gardner support Monty by lending him money for the marriage license and arranging the minister, despite their concerns.
- Love and Sacrifice
Monty plans to marry Peggy even as he becomes penniless, showing his commitment and willingness to start life anew with her.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Prepares his final report of expenditures, arranges marriage to Peggy, and presents the report to his lawyers.
- Peggy Gray
Kissed goodbye by Monty; told to be ready for a drive at 4 o'clock.
- Joe Bragdon
Meets Monty by appointment; lends him money for the marriage license and agrees to be best man.
- Elon Gardner
Meets Monty by appointment; promises to have the minister at the Gray house the next morning.
- Swearengen Jones
Mentioned as the executor; has been unreachable and not seen in Butte since September 3rd.
- Grant & Ripley
Lawyers who receive Monty's report; they are anxious because Jones is missing and telegrams have been returned.
Key passages
“You can’t afford it, Monty,” exploded Joe, fearlessly. “Peggy is too good a girl. By Gad, it isn’t fair to her.””
Joe Bragdon warns Monty that marrying Peggy while broke is unfair to her.
Joe expresses concern that Monty's financial state makes the marriage irresponsible.
“It’s rather broad, you see, gentlemen, but there are receipts for every dollar, barring some trifling incidentals. He may think I dissipated the fortune, but I defy him or anyone else to prove that I have not had my money’s worth.”
Monty defends his spending by claiming every dollar is accounted for with receipts, even if the expenditures seem extravagant.
Monty justifies his actions to the lawyers, emphasizing the receipts as proof of his sincerity.
