Mike · Chapter
The Singular Behavior of Jellicoe explained
After Mike's record-breaking innings, he lies exhausted in Psmith's deck-chair while Psmith discusses the day's events and warns that Mr.
What happens
After Mike's record-breaking innings, he lies exhausted in Psmith's deck-chair while Psmith discusses the day's events and warns that Mr. Downing may retaliate. Psmith reveals that Jellicoe borrowed three pounds from him, adding to a previous loan from Mike. That night, unable to sleep, Jellicoe visits Mike's bed, rambles anxiously about the consequences of being sacked, and eventually asks for another loan. Despite his fatigue, Mike gives Jellicoe the postal order he received from his brother Bob.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Mike, despite his exhaustion and the financial sacrifice, gives his brother's postal order to Jellicoe to help him avoid being sacked.
Ambition and Sacrifice
Mike's record innings is a personal triumph, but he pays the price with physical exhaustion and the loss of his postal order.
Characters to notice
- Mike Jackson
Exhausted after scoring 277 runs; lies in Psmith's deck-chair, aching and unable to sleep; gives Jellicoe his brother's postal order.
- Psmith
Discourses on the day's events, warns Mike about Mr. Downing, and reports that Jellicoe borrowed three pounds from him.
- Jellicoe
Borrows three pounds from Psmith and a pound from Mike; later asks Mike for another pound, claiming he will be sacked without it; receives Mike's postal order.
- Mr. Downing
Mentioned as the bowler whose bowling was hit for 28 runs in an over; Psmith predicts he will make things hot for Mike.
- Bob Jackson
Mentioned as having sent a postal order to Mike, which Mike gives to Jellicoe.
Key passages
“One does not make two hundred and seventy-seven runs on a hot day without feeling the effects, even if one has scored mainly by the medium of boundaries”
Scoring 277 runs on a hot day is exhausting, even if most runs come from boundaries.
Highlights Mike's physical state after his innings.
“I am prepared to bet a reasonable sum that he will give no jujutsu exhibition of this kind. In fact, from what I have seen of our bright little friend, I should say that, in a small way, he will do his best to make it distinctly hot for you, here and there.”
I bet Mr. Downing won't praise you; instead, he'll try to make trouble for you.
Psmith predicts Mr. Downing's retaliation.
“You have lit a candle this day which can never be blown out. You have shown the lads of the village how Comrade Downing's bowling ought to be treated.”
Your innings today set an example that will never be forgotten, teaching everyone how to handle Downing's bowling.
Psmith's praise for Mike's batting.
“When all the place was ringing with song and merriment, Comrade Jellicoe crept to my side, and, slipping his little hand in mine, touched me for three quid.”
While everyone else was celebrating, Jellicoe quietly asked me for three pounds.
Psmith describes Jellicoe's unexpected loan request.
“I say, what would your people say if you got sacked?”
What would your family think if you were expelled?
Jellicoe's anxious question to Mike.