# The Misadventure of Steve explained — The Coming of Bill

> Chapter companion for The Coming of Bill by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Steve Dingle feels increasingly out of place at the Winfields' new Fifth Avenue home, where Lora Delane Porter's strict, antiseptic regimen for baby William has replaced the easygoing atmosphere of the old studio. Keggs the butler complains about the pampering, and Steve, hoping to propose to Mamie, visits the nursery. He finds the room transformed into a sterile hospital-like space, and Mamie sprays him with boric acid. Their quiet moment is interrupted by the approaching voices of Lora Delane Porter, causing panic.

## Themes in this chapter

### Parenthood and Child Rearing

The chapter contrasts the old, free-range upbringing of William at the studio with Lora Porter's new, antiseptic, overprotective regimen.

### Class and Bohemianism

Steve's discomfort in the formal Fifth Avenue home versus his ease at the bohemian studio highlights the clash between wealth and artistic simplicity.

## Character check-ins

### Steve Dingle

Feels alienated by the Winfields' new wealth and Lora Porter's influence; visits the nursery hoping to propose to Mamie but fails again.

### Keggs

Complains to Steve about Lora Porter's pampering of William and the antiseptic nursery.

### Mamie

Nurse to William; sprays Steve with boric acid and fears Lora Porter's wrath when she hears voices approaching.

### Mrs. Lora Delane Porter

Dominates the household with her strict, antiseptic methods; her voice is heard approaching the nursery, causing panic.

### William Bannister Winfield

The baby, asleep in his sterile nursery; his godfather Steve visits but does not wake him.

## Key lines

> I’ve ’ad the privilege of serving in some of the best houses in England,” said the butler one evening, as they sat smoking in the pantry, “and I’ve never seen such goings on. I don’t hold with the pampering of children.

Keggs tells Steve that despite his experience in fine English homes, he's never seen such excessive coddling of a child.

_Keggs criticizes Lora Porter's methods, reflecting the theme of parenthood and child rearing._

> It’s boric acid,” explained Mamie. “I shouldn’t wonder. Is this all part of the Porter circus?” “Yes.”

Mamie sprays Steve with boric acid as part of Lora Porter's sterilization routine, which Steve sarcastically calls 'the Porter circus.'

_Highlights the extreme hygiene measures imposed by Lora Porter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/iii-the-misadventure-of-steve
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters