The story revolves around the misadventures of Bertie Wooster, a young gentleman who is known for his carefree and often chaotic lifestyle. In this particular tale, Bertie has been invited to speak at a school for young ladies, where he hopes to impress the headmistress, Miss Tomlinson. However, things quickly go awry as Bertie's speech is met with a cacophonous chant from the students, which leaves him flustered and struggling to regain his composure. Despite this, he manages to stumble through a few words of advice before being interrupted by Miss Tomlinson, who suggests that he tell a story instead. Bertie attempts to spin a yarn about a stockbroker and a chorus girl, but it falls flat, and the students are soon singing their school song. Bertie makes his escape, fleeing the scene in his car with Jeeves, his trusty valet, at the wheel. As they speed away from the school, Bertie is still reeling from the disaster of his speech, and he begs Jeeves to get him out of there as quickly as possible. However, their hasty departure is soon discovered by Miss Tomlinson and a French lady, who are searching for Bertie after discovering that some of the students have been smoking cigarettes. In the end, Bertie manages to escape the school grounds without incident, but not before making a few more embarrassing remarks about Miss Tomlinson. The story concludes with Bertie reflecting on his experience and appreciating the soothing routine of his daily life with Jeeves. Throughout the tale, Wodehouse's signature wit and humor shine through, as he pokes fun at the conventions of high society and the absurdities of Bertie's situation. The story is a classic example of Wodehouse's comedic style, with its lighthearted tone, clever wordplay, and humorous characterizations.
By P. G. Wodehouse · First published 1912 · Genre: Humor, Comedy, Short Stories