Short Fiction · Chapter
The Test Case explained
Reggie Pepper recounts his near-marriage to Ann Selby, who doubts his worth due to his idle wealth.
What happens
Reggie Pepper recounts his near-marriage to Ann Selby, who doubts his worth due to his idle wealth. To prove himself, he visits his friend Harold Bodkin, whose sentimental devotion to his first wife Amelia is ruining his marriage to Hilda. Reggie's plan to cure Harold backfires when he accidentally locks the butler Ponsonby in the meditation room, causing Ponsonby to quit and Ann to dismiss Reggie as a practical joker, ending their relationship.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Reggie's proposal to Ann is contingent on him proving his capability; Harold's marriage suffers from his lingering attachment to his first wife.
Comedy and Misunderstanding
Reggie's well-intentioned plan to reform Harold leads to a farcical mix-up with the butler, resulting in his own romantic failure.
Characters to notice
- Reggie Pepper
Narrator and protagonist; attempts to win Ann Selby by reforming Harold Bodkin, but his plan fails.
- Ann Selby
Strong-minded woman who doubts Reggie's potential; breaks off with him after the butler incident.
- Harold Bodkin
Sentimental widower whose devotion to his first wife Amelia causes marital strife with Hilda.
- Amelia
Harold's deceased first wife; her memory is honored with daily meditations and flowers.
Key passages
“Well-meaning chappies at the club sometimes amble up to me and tap me on the wishbone, and say 'Reggie, old top,'—my name's Reggie Pepper—'you ought to get married, old man.'”
Friendly acquaintances at my club often approach me and suggest I should marry.
Opens the chapter with a lighthearted take on social pressure to marry.
“I am extremely angry with Harold. He is making Hilda perfectly miserable.”
I am very upset with Harold because he is causing Hilda great unhappiness.
Ann explains Harold's problematic behavior to Reggie.
“Wasn't it Shakespeare or somebody who said that the road to Hell—or words to that effect—was paved with good intentions?”
Didn't Shakespeare or someone note that good intentions often lead to disastrous outcomes?
Reggie reflects on the failure of his plan, quoting a common proverb.