And Takes Steps explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Psmith takes decisive action to help Mike, demonstrating loyalty and a willingness to intervene on his friend's behalf.

• Authority and Rebellion

  Psmith's plan to confront Mr. Bickersdyke in the Turkish Baths represents a subtle rebellion against managerial authority.

• Humor and Absurdity

  The setting of the Turkish Baths and Psmith's self-satisfied admiration of his own appearance in towels injects a comedic tone into the serious situation.

Characters to notice

• Psmith

  Psmith follows Mr. Bickersdyke into the Turkish Baths to discuss Mike's situation, acting on his maxim of seizing the moment.

• Mike Jackson

  Mike returns to the bank after confessing, feeling subdued and wanting to be left alone.

• Mr. Waller

  Mr. Waller is relieved not to be dismissed but is shaken by the reprimand and seeks information from Psmith about Mike's fate.

• Mr. Bickersdyke

  Mr. Bickersdyke is the target of Psmith's intervention; he is observed entering the Turkish Baths.

• Rossiter

  Rossiter appears briefly, prompting Psmith to return to his ledger.

Key passages

• “Though waiving his claim to the copyright of the maxim, he nevertheless had a high opinion of it, and frequently acted upon it in the conduct of his own life.”

  Psmith didn't claim to have invented the saying, but he believed in it strongly and often used it in his own life.

  Psmith reflects on his maxim about seizing opportunities, which he now applies to following Mr. Bickersdyke.

• “He rather fancied himself in towels. There was something about them which seemed to suit his figure. They gave him, he thought, rather a debonnaire look.”

  Psmith thought he looked quite stylish in the Turkish bath towels, feeling they flattered his appearance.

  Psmith's vanity and humor are highlighted as he admires himself before confronting Mr. Bickersdyke.