# The Best Laid Plans explained — Just William

> Chapter companion for Just William by Richmal Crompton.

## What happens

William Brown agrees to help Mr. French woo his sister Ethel in exchange for white rats. He feigns illness to get out of shopping, then uses the rats to create chaos—first in church, then in Ethel's bedroom. Mr. French bribes William repeatedly to keep the disasters quiet, while William enjoys the profits at a fair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion and Authority

William defies his parents by keeping rats and causing chaos in church and at home.

### Romance and Infatuation

Mr. French's infatuation with Ethel drives him to bribe William and endure the rat disasters.

### Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

William cleverly exploits Mr. French's desperation to gain white rats and money.

## Character check-ins

### William Brown

Manipulates Mr. French for white rats and money, causes chaos with the rats in church and at home.

### Ethel Brown

Object of Mr. French's affection; terrified by the rat in her bedroom.

### Mr. French

Infatuated with Ethel, bribes William repeatedly to cover up rat-related disasters.

### Jumble

William's dog; accompanies him to the fair and is involved in rat training.

### Mr. Brown

Angry father who threatens to wring the rats' necks after the church and bedroom incidents.

### Mrs. Brown

Anxious mother who scolds William for his behavior and the rat escapades.

## Key lines

> She's—she's a real Botticelli

Mr. French compares Ethel to a Botticelli painting, expressing his admiration.

_Mr. French's romantic idealization of Ethel._

> White rats

William's immediate answer when asked what he wants most in the world.

_William's simple desire for pets drives the plot._

> I can't walk any more, Ethel

William fakes illness to get out of carrying parcels.

_William's manipulative tactic to avoid shopping._

> It was pulling at my hair. It just sat there with its pink nose and long tail. It was perfectly horrible!

Ethel's terrified description of the rat on her pillow.

_Climax of the rat chaos in Ethel's bedroom._

> What'll you give me not to?

William's repeated bribe demand to keep secrets from his family.

_William's entrepreneurial spirit in exploiting Mr. French._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters/xi-the-best-laid-plans
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters