# A Gathering of Cat Specialists explained — Psmith, Journalist > Chapter companion for Psmith, Journalist by P. G. Wodehouse. ## What happens Psmith and Mike visit Bat Jarvis to enlist his help against the Three Points gang, using Mike's pretended expertise in cats to win Jarvis's favor. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ > What Comrade Jackson does not know about cats is not knowledge. Comrade Jackson knows everything there is to know about cats. _Psmith exaggerates Mike's expertise to impress Jarvis._ > Why's catnip called catnip? Why is catnip called catnip? _Jarvis asks a question about catnip's etymology._ > I had a cat oncest dat ate beetles and got thin and used to tie itself into knots. I once had a cat that ate beetles, became thin, and would tie itself into knots. _Jarvis shares a peculiar anecdote about his cat._ > Dey's lucky, cross-eyed cats is. You has a cross-eyed cat, and not'in' don't never go wrong. Cross-eyed cats are lucky. If you have one, nothing ever goes wrong. _Jarvis explains a superstition about cross-eyed cats._ > It's a real skiddoo, is a cat wit one blue eye and one yaller one. Puts you in bad, surest t'ing you know. A cat with one blue eye and one yellow eye is very unlucky. It will bring you bad luck for sure. _Jarvis describes the bad luck associated with odd-eyed cats._ > Mr. Windsor caught me cat. Mr. Windsor caught my cat. _Jarvis explains his loyalty to Billy Windsor._ > Dose T'ree Points, dey're to de bad. Dey're fresh. Those Three Points are bad. They are insolent. _Jarvis expresses his dislike for the Three Points gang._ > Started some rough woik in me own dance-joint. They started some rough work in my own dance hall. _Jarvis complains about the Three Points causing trouble at Shamrock Hall._ > We are all to de good. We are all good. _Jarvis affirms his goodwill toward Psmith and Mike._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters/xxiv-a-gathering-of-cat-specialists - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/psmith_journalist_se/chapters