Ukridge Stories · Chapter
The Début of Battling Billson explained
Ukridge reveals his latest scheme: Battling Billson will fight Tod Bingham for a cash prize.
What happens
Ukridge reveals his latest scheme: Battling Billson will fight Tod Bingham for a cash prize. To motivate Billson, Ukridge orchestrates a fake letter from Billson's fiancée, Flossie, claiming she loves another man—Tod Bingham. The narrator attends a dinner with George Tupper, where Ukridge brings Flossie to soften her up for the scheme. The chapter ends with the narrator at the Shoreditch Empire, awaiting the fight.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Ukridge manipulates Billson by faking a letter from his fiancée to provoke jealousy and motivation for the fight.
Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
Ukridge's plan to win the prize money from Tod Bingham's challenge is a classic get-rich-quick scheme.
Characters to notice
- Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge
Orchestrates the scheme to motivate Battling Billson by faking a letter from his fiancée.
- Battling Billson
The boxer being trained for a fight against Tod Bingham; unknowingly targeted by Ukridge's manipulation.
- Florence Burns
Billson's fiancée, a barmaid, who writes the fake letter under Ukridge's direction.
- George Tupper
Hosts a dinner party where Ukridge brings Flossie, causing social embarrassment.
- Corky
The narrator who observes and comments on Ukridge's schemes.
Key passages
“Stay four rounds! cried Ukridge. Why, he could stay four rounds with a fellow armed with a Gatling-gun and a couple of pickaxes.”
Ukridge boasts that Billson can easily last four rounds against any opponent, even one with heavy weapons.
Ukridge's overconfidence in Billson's endurance.
“I don't mind telling you in confidence, old horse, that in a year from now I expect to be pulling in hundreds a week.”
Ukridge confides that he expects to earn a large income within a year.
Ukridge's grandiose financial expectations.
“It'll give poor old Billson a bit of a jar for the time being, I suppose, but it'll make him spread himself on Saturday night.”
Ukridge acknowledges the letter will upset Billson temporarily but believes it will motivate him to fight harder.
Ukridge's justification for the deception.