# Absent Treatment explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

The narrator, Reggie Pepper, recounts the story of his friend Bobbie Cardew, a charming but forgetful man whose marriage to Mary Anthony, a determined hospital nurse, leads to conflict. Bobbie's chronic forgetfulness strains the relationship, and when Reggie conspires with Mary to teach Bobbie a lesson by pretending he has forgotten their wedding anniversary, the plan backfires. Mary blames Reggie for Bobbie's distress, leaving Reggie as the scapegoat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The central theme explores the challenges of marriage, particularly the clash between Bobbie's carefree nature and Mary's desire for reliability.

### Comedy and Misunderstanding

The plot is driven by humorous misunderstandings, especially the failed conspiracy to teach Bobbie a lesson.

### Deception and Secrets

Reggie and Mary's secret plan to deceive Bobbie about the anniversary backfires, leading to blame and resentment.

## Character check-ins

### Reggie Pepper

The narrator and friend of Bobbie Cardew; he tries to help but ends up blamed by Mary.

### Bobbie Wickham

Bobbie Cardew, a forgetful and easygoing man whose marriage is strained by his poor memory.

### Mary Hill

Mary Anthony Cardew, Bobbie's wife, a hospital nurse with a strong will who tries to reform Bobbie.

## Key lines

> Marriage, the dynamite of the soul; that was what hit Bobbie.

Marriage was a shocking and transformative force for Bobbie.

_Highlights the sudden impact of marriage on Bobbie's character._

> He was a man who acted from the best motives. There is one born every minute.

Reggie reflects that despite his good intentions, he was naive and ended up as the fool.

_The ironic epitaph underscores the theme of misunderstanding and regret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_42_se/chapters/absent-treatment
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_42_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_42_se/chapters