# III explained — The Small Bachelor

> Chapter companion for The Small Bachelor by P. G. Wodehouse.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_bachelor_se/chapters