Love Among the Chickens · Chapter
After the Storm explained
Ukridge returns to the farm to find his creditors have looted the property.
What happens
Ukridge returns to the farm to find his creditors have looted the property. He reveals that he and his wife went to London to secure funds from Aunt Elizabeth. After surveying the damage, Ukridge delivers a fiery speech to the creditors, dispersing them with Beale's shotgun. Later, he cheerfully proposes a new scheme: a duck farm without water.
Themes in this chapter
Comedy of Misadventure
Ukridge's return to a looted farm and his subsequent speech provide a humorous climax to the creditors' invasion.
Friendship and Loyalty
Garnet's efforts to protect the farm and his support for Ukridge highlight their enduring bond.
Optimism vs. Reality
Ukridge's immediate shift from despair to proposing a duck farm without water exemplifies his relentless optimism against harsh reality.
Marriage and Domesticity
Mrs. Ukridge's loyalty and her defense of her marriage to Aunt Elizabeth underscore the domestic partnership.
Characters to notice
- Jeremy Garnet
Narrator who tried to manage the creditors and now observes Ukridge's return and speech.
- Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge
Returns from London with money from Aunt Elizabeth; delivers a scathing speech to the creditors and later proposes a duck farm.
- Mrs. Stanley Ukridge
Returns with Ukridge; explores the damaged house and expresses dismay at the looting.
- Beale
The hired retainer who fought the creditors and fetches the shotgun to disperse them.
- Aunt Elizabeth
Mentioned as the source of the money; called Ukridge a gaby and a guffin.
- Bob
Ukridge's dog, accompanies him on a walk after the speech.
Key passages
“I have been entertaining a little meeting of your creditors. And now they are entertaining themselves.”
Garnet explains that the creditors have taken over the farm and are helping themselves to Ukridge's property.
Garnet's dry humor in describing the creditors' invasion.
“You remember Aunt Elizabeth? The old girl who wrote that letter. I know. She called you a gaby. And a guffin.”
Ukridge and Garnet recall Aunt Elizabeth's insulting letter, where she called Garnet a fool.
A call-back to earlier events, highlighting Aunt Elizabeth's sharp tongue.
“I'm afraid that proverb doesn't apply to me, Aunt Elizabeth, because I haven't repented!”
Mrs. Ukridge defends her marriage, saying she has no regrets.
Shows Mrs. Ukridge's loyalty and defiance against her aunt's criticism.
“You—you—you—you scoundrels! You blighters! You worms! You weeds!”
Ukridge begins his speech by angrily denouncing the creditors.
Ukridge's dramatic and colorful language as he confronts the looters.
“I'm going to start a duck farm! A duck farm, laddie! And run it without water.”
Ukridge announces his new plan to raise ducks on land to make them fat quickly.
Ukridge's characteristic optimism and absurd business idea after the disaster.
