A Gathering of Cat Specialists explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Psmith enlists Mike's help and seeks Jarvis's loyalty based on shared respect for Billy Windsor.

• Gang Violence and Corruption

  The Three Points gang's aggression and Jarvis's feud with them highlight the pervasive violence.

• Humor and Absurdity

  The elaborate pretense of Mike as a cat expert and the discussion of cat superstitions provide comic relief.

Characters to notice

• Psmith

  Leads the visit to Bat Jarvis, using diplomacy and humor to secure an alliance.

• Mike

  Returns from England and is recruited by Psmith to pose as a cat-fancier.

• Bat Jarvis

  The cat specialist and influential figure, courted by Psmith for protection.

• Pugsy Maloney

  Announces Mike's arrival at the office.

• Billy Windsor

  Mentioned as being in prison for slugging a policeman.

• Kid Brady

  Mentioned as having left to train for a fight, leaving the office unguarded.

Key passages

• “Dere's a guy in dere waitin' ter see youse”

  There is a man in the inner room waiting to see you.

  Pugsy Maloney announces Mike's arrival.

• “I got back this morning. We're playing a game over in Brooklyn tomorrow.”

  I returned this morning. We have a baseball game in Brooklyn tomorrow.

  Mike explains his return to New York.

• “I was reading Cosy Moments in there. You certainly seem to have bucked it up rather. Kid Brady's reminiscences are hot stuff.”

  I was reading Cosy Moments. You have certainly improved it. Kid Brady's memoirs are exciting.

  Mike compliments Psmith's work on the paper.

• “Such is the boost we have given Comrade Brady, that he is now never without a match.”

  Our promotion of Kid Brady has made him so popular that he is constantly booked for fights.

  Psmith explains why Brady left the paper.

• “If you go to a New York policeman and exhibit a black eye, he will examine it and express some admiration for the abilities of the citizen responsible for the same.”

  If you show a black eye to a New York policeman, he will admire the skill of the person who gave it to you.

  Psmith criticizes the police's indifference to violence.

• “He is a person of considerable influence among that section of the populace which is endeavouring to smash in our occiputs.”

  He has great influence among the people who are trying to attack us.

  Psmith describes Bat Jarvis's power over the gangs.