# II explained — Just William

> Chapter companion for Just William by Richmal Crompton.

## What happens

William continues his schemes involving Mr. French, the dancing rat Rufus, and the rat Cromwell. After a fair outing funded by hush money from Mr. French, William brings Rufus to church, where it escapes and causes chaos. Ethel discovers Mr. French's deception and snubs him, ending William's hopes of future riches.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion and Authority

William defies church decorum and family expectations by training a rat during the service.

### Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

William cleverly extorts money from Mr. French and attempts to train rats in secret.

### Hypocrisy and Moralizing

Mr. French's secret payments and Ethel's outrage highlight the gap between public propriety and private behavior.

## Character check-ins

### William Brown

Attempts to train rats, extorts Mr. French, and causes a church scandal.

### Ethel Brown

Angry at William and Mr. French after the church incident.

### Mr. French

Pays William hush money to conceal his schemes and is snubbed by Ethel.

### Jumble

Kills the rat Cromwell and proudly presents the remains to William.

### Mrs. Brown

Scolds William for his fair outing and is mortified by the church incident.

### Mr. Brown

Has the rat Rufus land on his head during church, angering him.

## Key lines

> William, who was something of a philosopher, accepted failure, and the loss of any riches a future allied with Mr. French might have brought him.

William, being a practical thinker, resigned himself to the failure and the loss of potential wealth from his alliance with Mr. French.

_Shows William's pragmatic acceptance of setbacks._

> Glorious vistas opened before William's eyes He decided finally that Mr. French must join the family. Life then would be an endless succession of half-crowns and two-shilling pieces.

William imagined a wonderful future and concluded that Mr. French should become part of the family, ensuring a constant flow of money.

_Highlights William's mercenary view of Mr. French's courtship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters