Leave It to Psmith · Chapter
Psmith Accepts Employment explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Mistaken Identity and Imposture
Psmith admits he is not Ralston McTodd, revealing his impersonation to Lord Emsworth and explaining his motives.
Deception and Manipulation
Psmith's confession and subsequent hiring as secretary involve a strategic manipulation of the situation to secure employment and marriage.
Social Class and Wealth
The chapter highlights the financial concerns of Psmith and Freddie, and the aristocratic setting of Blandings Castle.
Characters to notice
- Lord Emsworth
Droops out of the library window, irritated by Lady Constance's rebuke over Baxter's dismissal; later accepts Psmith's confession and hires him as secretary.
- Lady Constance
Rebukes Lord Emsworth for dismissing Baxter, arguing he will be helpless without a capable secretary.
- Rupert Baxter
Arrives to say goodbye, icily reproaching Lord Emsworth; departs after accusing Psmith of being an impostor.
- Psmith
Confesses to Lord Emsworth that he is not Ralston McTodd, explains his motives, and is hired as the new secretary; reveals his engagement to Eve Halliday.
- Freddie Threepwood
Happy about his thousand pounds, but later crushed when Psmith tells him Eve is engaged to Psmith.
- Eve Halliday
Mentioned as Psmith's bride-to-be; walking on the terrace in pleasant meditation.
Key passages
“вАЬI think you must be mad,вАЭ said Lady Constance bitterly, resuming her remarks and starting at the point where she had begun before. вАЬBaxterвАЩs mad,вАЭ retorted his lordship, also retreading old ground. вАЬHe threw flowerpots at me.вАЭ”
Lady Constance accuses Lord Emsworth of madness for dismissing Baxter, but Emsworth counters that Baxter is mad for throwing flowerpots at him.
This exchange encapsulates the ongoing conflict over Baxter's dismissal.
“вАЬI have come to say goodbye, Lady Constance,вАЭ said Baxter coldly and precisely, flashing at his late employer through his spectacles a look of stern reproach. вАЬThe car which is taking me to the station is at the door.вАЭ”
Baxter formally announces his departure, casting a reproachful look at Lord Emsworth.
Baxter's cold demeanor underscores his resentment at being dismissed.
“вАЬIвАЩve been meaning to tell you about that,вАЭ said Psmith amiably. вАЬIt is quite true. I am not Ralston McTodd.вАЭ”
Psmith calmly admits to Lord Emsworth that he is an impostor.
Psmith's confession is a pivotal moment, revealing the central deception.
“вАЬWhy, then, dash it,вАЭ cried his lordship, paying to that august stronghold of respectability as striking a tribute as it had ever received, вАЬif youвАЩre a member of the Senior Conservative, you canвАЩt be a criminal. BaxterвАЩs an ass!вАЭ”
Lord Emsworth concludes that Psmith's club membership proves his innocence, dismissing Baxter's accusations.
This highlights the social value placed on club membership as a marker of character.
“вАЬThe fact is,вАЭ said Psmith, вАЬI am shortly about to be married, and it is more or less imperative that I connect with some job which will ensure a moderate competence. Why should I not become your secretary?вАЭ”
Psmith explains his need for employment due to his impending marriage and offers to serve as Lord Emsworth's secretary.
Psmith's proposal ties together his romantic and financial ambitions.
“вАЬBe a man, Comrade Threepwood, and bite the bullet. These things will happen to the best of us. Some day you will be thankful that this has occurred. Purged in the holocaust of a mighty love, you will wander out into the sunset, a finer, broader man.вАЭ”
Psmith consoles Freddie about Eve's engagement, advising him to accept the loss with dignity.
Psmith's mock-heroic tone adds humor to Freddie's romantic disappointment.
