# A Housing Problem explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh is in a social dilemma when Bobbie Chermbacon insults the marchioness, calling her a 'moth-eaten old hen,' causing her to threaten to leave. However, Bobbie is a wealthy potential match for Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh's daughter Margaret, so she cannot simply send him away. Mrs. Pallitson offers to host Bobbie and Margaret at her house until the marchioness leaves, but soon faces a similar problem when Bobbie offends the Bishop of Sokotra. The two women argue over the telephone, each unwilling to take Bobbie back, and ultimately Bobbie and the marchioness leave together by train. Bobbie later marries the widowed marchioness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Status

The story revolves around the social importance of a marchioness and a bishop, and the lengths to which hostesses go to maintain their favor.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

Both Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh and Mrs. Pallitson pretend to be gracious hosts while scheming to offload the troublesome Bobbie onto each other.

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The frantic shuffling of guests and the exaggerated reactions to minor insults highlight the ridiculousness of social etiquette.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh

The hostess desperate to keep both the marchioness and Bobbie Chermbacon at her house-party.

### Mrs. Pallitson

A guest who initially offers to host Bobbie and Margaret, but later demands Bobbie's removal after he offends the bishop.

## Key lines

> The more one tries to make one's house-parties a success, the more one seems to court failure.

The harder you try to host a perfect party, the more likely it is to go wrong.

_Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh's opening lament sets the tone for the farcical social complications that follow._

> The telephone is the coward's weapon.

Using the telephone to deliver bad news is a sign of cowardice.

_Mrs. Duff-Chubleigh's bitter reflection after Mrs. Pallitson hangs up on her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-housing-problem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters