# First Aid for Dora explained — Ukridge Stories

> Chapter companion for Ukridge Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

The narrator encounters Ukridge helping a young woman named Dora Mason onto a bus, revealing Ukridge's uncharacteristic interest in the opposite sex. Ukridge explains that Dora is his aunt's secretary-companion and he feels sorry for her. Later, the narrator wins money on a horse race and decides to help Dora by visiting Ukridge's aunt, but Ukridge later informs him that Dora has her own savings and a partnership opportunity, making the visit unnecessary.

## Themes in this chapter

### Romance and Marriage

Ukridge's unexpected interest in Dora Mason and his courtly behavior suggest budding romantic feelings, contrasting with his usual financial preoccupations.

### Poverty and Impecunity

Ukridge's financial struggles are evident as he cannot afford tea after the theatre, and the narrator's own financial situation is highlighted by his win on a horse race.

### Social Class and Appearances

The narrator feels out of place at Heath House, noting his shabby clothes and the butler's disdain, emphasizing class distinctions.

## Character check-ins

### Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge

Shows unexpected romantic interest in Dora Mason; arranges a theatre outing for her and expresses concern for her wellbeing.

### Dora Mason

Ukridge's aunt's secretary-companion; described as having a grey life with few pleasures; later revealed to have savings and a partnership opportunity.

### Julia Ukridge

Ukridge's aunt; a novelist and president of the Pen and Ink Club; initially mistaken by the narrator for a hawk-faced woman but is actually small and pleasant-looking.

### Miss Watterson

A hawk-faced woman present during the narrator's visit to Miss Ukridge; she is arranging details for the Pen and Ink Club dance.

### Corky

The narrator and Ukridge's boyhood chum; he wins money on a horse race and plans to help Dora, but the plan becomes unnecessary.

## Key lines

> Never in the course of a long and intimate acquaintance having been shown any evidence to the contrary, I had always looked on Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, my boyhood chum, as a man ruggedly indifferent to the appeal of the opposite sex.

The narrator had always believed Ukridge was uninterested in women, based on their long friendship.

_Sets up the surprise of Ukridge's romantic interest in Dora._

> Hers is a grey life. She has few pleasures. It's an act of charity to give her a little treat now and then.

Ukridge describes Dora's life as dull and joyless, justifying his kindness.

_Reveals Ukridge's sympathy for Dora and his motivation for helping her._

> I was one of the finest fellows I had ever known. Nevertheless, there was no getting away from it, my trousers did bag at the knee.

The narrator feels noble for planning to help Dora, but is self-conscious about his shabby appearance.

_Highlights the narrator's mixed feelings of altruism and social anxiety._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se/chapters/first-aid-for-dora
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ukridge_stories_se/chapters