# Concerning a Cheque explained — Psmith in the City

> Chapter companion for Psmith in the City by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Mike learns that Mr. Waller cashed a forged cheque for £100 from Sir John Morrison while distracted by his son Edward's illness. To protect the cashier, Mike falsely claims he cashed the cheque himself. The next day, Mr. Waller is cheerful again as Edward recovers, but Psmith shifts his attention from reforming Bristow to targeting Mr. Bickersdyke.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Mike takes the blame for the forged cheque to protect Mr. Waller, demonstrating deep loyalty.

### Work vs. Idleness

Psmith shifts his focus from reforming the idle Bristow to targeting Bickersdyke, highlighting the contrast between purposeful work and distraction.

## Character check-ins

### Mike Jackson

Takes the blame for the forged cheque to protect Mr. Waller.

### Mr. Waller

Distraught after cashing a forged cheque due to worry over his son Edward's illness; later relieved as Edward recovers.

### Psmith

Decides to abandon reforming Bristow and focus his attention on Mr. Bickersdyke.

### Mr. Bickersdyke

Present during the confrontation about the forged cheque; described as wanting to get rid of Mr. Waller.

### Sir John Morrison

The victim of the forged cheque; furious about the forgery.

### Bristow

Mentioned by Psmith as having given up hope of reform due to his flashy attire.

## Key lines

> It was a forgery. And a clumsy one. Oh it’s hard. I should have seen it on any other day but that. I could not have missed it.

Mr. Waller laments that he would have spotted the crude forgery on any normal day, but his mind was elsewhere.

_Highlights Waller's distraction due to his son's illness._

> I shall be dismissed. I shall lose my place. I shall be dismissed.

Mr. Waller repeats his fear of being fired, showing his despair.

_Emphasizes the high stakes of the forgery for a bank clerk._

> I was at the counter when it was brought in. I cashed it.

Mike falsely claims he was the one who cashed the forged cheque.

_Mike's decisive act of self-sacrifice to protect Waller._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xx-concerning-a-cheque
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters