Leave It to Psmith · Chapter
Lord Emsworth Meets a Poet explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Mistaken Identity and Imposture
Lord Emsworth mistakes Psmith for the poet Ralston McTodd, leading Psmith to accept an invitation to Blandings Castle under false pretenses.
Comedy of Errors and Miscommunication
Psmith's attempt to use the password 'There will be rain in Northumberland tomorrow' leads to humorous misunderstandings with a young man and then a fortuitous misidentification by Lord Emsworth.
Characters to notice
- Psmith
Retrieves letters from Box 365, receives a cryptic meeting request, obtains a pink chrysanthemum, and is mistaken for Ralston McTodd by Lord Emsworth, accepting an invitation to Blandings Castle.
- Lord Emsworth
Mistakes Psmith for the poet Ralston McTodd in the hotel lobby, greets him warmly as an old friend, and invites him to Blandings Castle, mentioning a train at five from Paddington.
- Eve Halliday
Mentioned by Lord Emsworth as traveling to Blandings in a day or two; Psmith looks forward to meeting her there.
- Ralston McTodd
Referenced as the poet Psmith is mistaken for; Lord Emsworth believes Psmith is McTodd, who had previously declined an invitation to Blandings.
Key passages
“There will be rain in Northumberland tomorrow.”
It is going to rain in Northumberland tomorrow.
The password Psmith is instructed to say to identify his contact at the hotel.
“Good for the crops.”
That will be beneficial for the crops.
The expected reply to the password, indicating the correct contact.
“Don't forget that our train leaves Paddington at five sharp. You take your ticket for Market Blandings.”
Remember that our train departs from Paddington at exactly five o'clock. You should buy a ticket to Market Blandings.
Lord Emsworth reminds Psmith (as McTodd) of their travel plans to Blandings Castle.