Something New · Chapter
III explained
Aline Peters and Joan Valentine discuss Joan's plan to pose as Aline's lady's maid to steal the scarab from Blandings Castle.
What happens
Aline Peters and Joan Valentine discuss Joan's plan to pose as Aline's lady's maid to steal the scarab from Blandings Castle. Joan convinces a reluctant Aline, revealing she has worked as a lady's maid before. Later, George Emerson presses his suit with Aline, who gently rejects him, mentioning her engagement to Freddie Threepwood and praising Joan Valentine. Mr. Peters discovers Lord Emsworth has taken the Cheops scarab and rages, blaming the absent-minded earl. At the Senior Conservative Club, Lord Emsworth chats with steward Adams about Mr. Peters, the engagement, and his own painting of furniture.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Servitude
Joan's plan to pose as a lady's maid highlights class distinctions and the fluidity of social roles.
Wealth and Its Discontents
Mr. Peters' rage over the missing scarab and his obsession with collecting illustrate the anxieties of wealth.
Comedy of Manners and Mistaken Identity
Joan's disguise as a lady's maid and Lord Emsworth's absent-minded conversations create comedic misunderstandings.
Characters to notice
- Aline Peters
Aline is persuaded by Joan to take her as a lady's maid to Blandings Castle; later she gently rejects George Emerson's advances.
- Joan Valentine
Joan devises a scheme to pose as Aline's lady's maid to steal the scarab, revealing her past experience as a lady's maid.
- George Emerson
George dines with Aline and presses his romantic suit, but she refuses him, citing her engagement to Freddie.
- J. Preston Peters
Mr. Peters discovers the Cheops scarab missing and angrily accuses Lord Emsworth of theft.
- Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth dines at the Senior Conservative Club, chats with Adams about Mr. Peters and the engagement, and is observed in his absent-minded manner.
- Freddie Threepwood
Freddie is mentioned as Aline's fiancé and as the subject of Lord Emsworth's conversation with Adams.
Key passages
“I need that money. I need it in my business. I need it worse than anybody has ever needed anything. And I'm going to have it!”
Joan insists she must have the money, more than anyone else has ever needed anything, and she is determined to get it.
Joan's determination to secure the reward for the scarab.
“The darned old sneak thief!”
Mr. Peters calls Lord Emsworth a sneaky thief for taking the scarab.
Mr. Peters' angry reaction to the missing scarab.
“That man is digging his grave with his teeth.”
Lord Emsworth comments that Mr. Simmonds is harming his health by eating too quickly.
Lord Emsworth's observation about Mr. Simmonds' eating habits.