The Small Bachelor · Chapter
III explained
Officer Garroway recognizes Mullett as an ex-convict from a photograph in the Rogues Gallery and informs George Finch.
What happens
Officer Garroway recognizes Mullett as an ex-convict from a photograph in the Rogues Gallery and informs George Finch. Mullett confesses his past as a burglar but claims he has reformed for love of Fanny Welch, a pickpocket. George, moved by the power of love, decides to keep Mullett in his employ and then confides his own romantic interest in a mysterious woman he met on East Seventy-Ninth Street.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Mullett's past as a burglar is hidden from George until Officer Garroway exposes it, highlighting the theme of hidden identities and the tension between appearance and reality.
Love and Marriage
Both Mullett and George are motivated by love—Mullett's reformation for Fanny Welch and George's infatuation with the mysterious woman—showing love as a transformative force.
Social Class and Status
The interaction between George, a wealthy employer, and Mullett, an ex-convict valet, underscores class distinctions and the stigma of a criminal record.
Characters to notice
- George Finch
George is confronted by Officer Garroway about Mullett's criminal past, but after hearing Mullett's story of love and reformation, he decides to keep him employed. He then reveals his own infatuation with a woman he met on East Seventy-Ninth Street.
- Mr. Mullett
Mullett is exposed as an ex-convict by Officer Garroway, but he explains that he has reformed for love of Fanny Welch, a pickpocket. He successfully persuades George to let him stay.
- Officer Garroway
Garroway recognizes Mullett from a Rogues Gallery photograph and informs George of his criminal record, though he ultimately defers to Mr. Beamish's judgment.
- Fanny Welch
Mullett mentions Fanny Welch as the love of his life, a pickpocket who has promised to go straight if he does.
- Hamilton Beamish
Mullett was sent to George by Mr. Beamish, and Officer Garroway respects his name enough to drop the matter.
Key passages
“I used to get a place as a valet, sir, and wait till I saw my chance, and then skin out with everything I could lay my hands on.”
Mullett explains his method of theft: he would work as a valet until an opportunity arose to steal and escape.
Mullett confesses his past criminal modus operandi to George.
“I have completely reformed. Religion? No, sir. Love.”
Mullett says he has changed his ways not because of religion, but because of love.
Mullett attributes his reformation to his love for Fanny Welch.
“She said—and I want you to notice this very carefully, Mullett—she said 'Oh, thank you so much!'”
George emphasizes that the woman he met said 'Oh, thank you so much,' which he interprets as a significant sign of interest.
George reads romantic meaning into the woman's words after she thanked him for catching her dog.