Leave It to Psmith · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Leave It to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse.
Chapter 1
Dark Plottings at Blandings Castle
Lord Emsworth is melancholy after mislaying his glasses, and his day worsens when his sister Lady Constance and secretary Baxter remind him he must travel to London to fetch the Canadian poet Ralston McTodd. Meanwhile, Freddie Threepwood eavesdrops on his uncle Joseph Keeble's financial troubles and proposes a scheme to steal Lady Constance's necklace to raise money for Keeble's stepdaughter Phyllis Jackson and for Freddie himself.
Chapter 2
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 3
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 4
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 5
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 6
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 7
Enter Psmith
Psmith calls on Mrs. Jackson but is turned away as she is hosting a private tea with old school friends. He meets Mike Jackson on the street and they go for tea together. Meanwhile, Eve Halliday visits Phyllis Jackson, and they discuss Eve's upcoming trip to Blandings Castle to help Freddie Threepwood, as well as the mysterious Mr. Smith (Psmith) whom Phyllis wanted Eve to meet.
Chapter 8
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 9
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 10
III: Eve Borrows an Umbrella
Eve Halliday visits her friend Miss Clarkson at the Ada Clarkson International Employment Bureau, discussing the troubles of their mutual friend Cynthia and reminiscing about their own hard lives. After leaving, she is caught in a rain shower and takes refuge under the awning of Thorpe & Briscoe. Psmith, observing her from the Drones Club, borrows an umbrella belonging to the Honourable Mr. Walderwick and gallantly offers it to Eve, who accepts it with amusement.
Chapter 11
Painful Scene at the Drones Club
Psmith returns to the Drones Club after giving away Comrade Walderwick's umbrella to a young woman in the rain. He defends his actions with characteristic eloquence, comparing himself to Sir Walter Raleigh. Later, he visits the International Employment Bureau to see Miss Clarkson, where he encounters Eve Halliday.
Chapter 12
Psmith Applies for Employment
Psmith visits an employment bureau and encounters Eve Halliday, who had borrowed his umbrella earlier. After a series of misunderstandings about names, Psmith learns Eve's true identity from Miss Clarkson and expresses interest in her. He then formally applies for employment, giving a whimsical account of his background and stipulating that he wants any job not involving fish.
Chapter 13
Lord Emsworth Meets a Poet
Psmith retrieves responses to his newspaper advertisement, finding mostly financial offers and circulars, but one intriguing letter arranges a meeting at the Piccadilly Palace Hotel. He obtains a pink chrysanthemum as instructed and attempts to identify his contact in the crowded lobby, first trying the password on a young man and then on a jovial man who mistakes him for an old friend. The latter turns out to be Lord Emsworth, who invites Psmith (believing him to be the poet Ralston McTodd) to Blandings Castle. Psmith accepts, seeing an opportunity to further his acquaintance with Eve Halliday.
Chapter 14
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 15
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 16
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 17
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 18
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 19
Baxter Suspects
Psmith travels to Blandings Castle with Lord Emsworth, successfully impersonating the poet Ralston McTodd. On the train, he learns from Freddie Threepwood about a scheme to steal Lady Constance's necklace to help Freddie's step-sister Phyllis. Upon arrival, Psmith meets the guests, including Miss Peavey, and writes an autograph in her book. Baxter grows suspicious of Psmith's identity.
Chapter 20
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 21
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 22
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 23
Confidences on the Lake
Psmith and Eve row on the lake, where Eve confronts him about his supposed marriage to Cynthia. Psmith is shocked to learn of McTodd's marital status. Later, Psmith advises Freddie on love and suspects a housemaid of being a detective. Freddie confesses his love for Eve. Psmith and Eve encounter Freddie embracing the housemaid, and Psmith throws a flowerpot through the library window to announce Eve to Baxter.
Chapter 24
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 25
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 26
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 27
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 28
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 29
VI
Eve Halliday, after a restless night, descends the stairs at half-past five in the morning to retrieve the necklace she had hidden in a flowerpot by the front door. She feels exhilarated and confident, having successfully evaded detection earlier. However, upon reaching the hall, she discovers the flowerpot is gone.
Chapter 30
Psmith Engages a Valet
Psmith lounges under a cedar tree, disappointed that Eve Halliday insists on cataloguing the library instead of spending the afternoon with him. He reflects on the oppressive heat and the absence of the castle's inhabitants, who have gone to a memorial unveiling. Meanwhile, Edward Cootes, a crook posing as the poet Ralston McTodd, is discovered by Psmith. Psmith confronts him, learns his plan to steal Lady Constance's necklace, and dismisses him. Separately, Aileen Peavey, walking back to the castle, encounters Cootes on the road and recognizes him as an old partner, leading to a reunion.
Chapter 31
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 32
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 33
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 34
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 35
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 36
VI
Eve Halliday, after a restless night, descends the stairs at half-past five in the morning to retrieve the necklace she had hidden in a flowerpot by the front door. She feels exhilarated and confident, having successfully evaded detection earlier. However, upon reaching the hall, she discovers the flowerpot is gone.
Chapter 37
Sensational Occurrence at a Poetry Reading
Eve confronts Psmith about his deception regarding Cynthia, who has written that her husband is in Paris. Psmith proposes to Eve, but she is furious. Later, during Psmith's poetry reading, the lights go out and Lady Constance's diamond necklace is thrown from the window. Eve hides it in a flowerpot.
Chapter 38
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 39
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 40
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 41
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 42
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 43
VI
Eve Halliday, after a restless night, descends the stairs at half-past five in the morning to retrieve the necklace she had hidden in a flowerpot by the front door. She feels exhilarated and confident, having successfully evaded detection earlier. However, upon reaching the hall, she discovers the flowerpot is gone.
Chapter 44
Almost Entirely About Flowerpots
In the early morning, Psmith encounters Baxter, who has been digging in the garden and throwing flowerpots. Baxter explains he thought Lady Constance's necklace was in a flowerpot, leading Lord Emsworth to believe his secretary is mad. Lord Emsworth decides to dismiss Baxter, while Psmith enjoys the morning and reflects on the situation.
Chapter 45
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 46
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 47
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 48
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 49
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 50
VI
Eve Halliday, after a restless night, descends the stairs at half-past five in the morning to retrieve the necklace she had hidden in a flowerpot by the front door. She feels exhilarated and confident, having successfully evaded detection earlier. However, upon reaching the hall, she discovers the flowerpot is gone.
Chapter 51
More on the Flowerpot Theme
The aftermath of the necklace theft divides the Blandings house-party into two camps: the gloomy (Lady Constance, Mr. Keeble, Freddie, Lord Emsworth, Baxter) and the joyful (the younger set). Mr. Keeble promises to buy Lady Constance a new necklace, then learns from Eve that the necklace was hidden in a flowerpot that has vanished. Miss Peavey, in the Yew Alley, soliloquizes and later confers with her ally Mr. Cootes, deducing that Eve was on the terrace during the blackout and must have hidden the necklace in Psmith's cottage. Eve, accompanied by Psmith, visits the cottage and, left alone, frantically searches the flowerpot for the necklace, finding only mould.
Chapter 52
Psmith Receives Guests
As Blandings Castle prepares for the County Ball, Eve Halliday, furious at having been deceived by Psmith, walks on the terrace. Freddie Threepwood joins her, and they discuss the necklace. Psmith arrives, and after a tense exchange, Eve learns that Psmith is a friend of Phyllis Jackson and is also working to retrieve the necklace for Mr. Keeble. Psmith reveals the necklace hidden in a stuffed bird, but they are interrupted by Edward Cootes and Aileen Peavey, who take the necklace at gunpoint. Psmith attempts to stall them with conversation, but the pair prepare to leave.
Chapter 53
I
Eve Halliday, furious at being deceived by Psmith, plans to retrieve the stolen necklace from his cottage with Freddie Threepwood's help. Freddie reveals he recruited Psmith to steal the necklace for his uncle Joseph Keeble, but Eve realizes Psmith intends to keep the diamonds for himself. Meanwhile, Blandings Castle bustles with preparations for the County Ball.
Chapter 54
II
Eve and Freddie search the cottage for the missing diamond necklace, tearing it apart in the process. Freddie refuses to go into the cellar due to a fear of beetles, so Eve searches it herself and finds nothing. As she prepares to search upstairs, she hears a cough and discovers Psmith sitting on the ruined sofa, holding an automatic pistol.
Chapter 55
III
Psmith is surprised to find Eve Halliday in his cottage, having skipped the County Ball to guard against Cootes. Eve demands the necklace, but Psmith explains he is keeping it for his friend Mike Jackson's wife Phyllis, at the request of Mr. Keeble. Eve reveals she is also working for Keeble and is a friend of Phyllis. Their mutual trust is established, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Edward Cootes, who points a pistol at them.
Chapter 56
IV
Mr. Cootes and Miss Peavey confront Eve and Psmith at gunpoint, revealing their criminal intentions to steal the necklace. Psmith engages them in conversation to buy time, and a distraction occurs when Freddie Threepwood falls through the ceiling, allowing Psmith to disarm Cootes. Psmith then forces the pair to return the necklace, and they flee.
Chapter 57
V
After Miss Peavey and Cootes depart, Eve and Psmith share a quiet moment in the cottage. Eve reflects on her feelings and decides to accept Psmith's proposal, joking about his eccentricity and future titles. They briefly remember Freddie, still trapped, but Eve dismisses the need to free him immediately.
Chapter 58
Psmith Accepts Employment
On a perfect summer morning at Blandings Castle, Lord Emsworth broods over the departure of his efficient secretary Rupert Baxter, whom he dismissed after the flowerpot incident. Lady Constance rebukes him for losing Baxter, but Baxter himself arrives to say goodbye. After Baxter leaves, Psmith confesses to Lord Emsworth that he is not really Ralston McTodd, explaining he impersonated the poet to save Emsworth embarrassment. Emsworth, satisfied by Psmith's membership in the Senior Conservative Club, accepts Psmith's offer to become his new secretary. Psmith reveals he is to marry Eve Halliday. Later, Freddie Threepwood learns from Psmith that Eve is engaged to Psmith, dashing Freddie's hopes.
