§ 6
It was perhaps two minutes later that Mr. Cootes, sprinting lustily, rounded the corner of the house and burst on to the terrace. Late as usual.
A comic plot centers on Freddie Threepwood, who needs money to pursue a romance and a new venture, and his awkward uncle, who secretly seeks funds to aid a runaway daughter. They conspire to raise cash by stealing the wife’s necklace and recruit the urbane, eccentric Psmith after seeing his advertisement. Psmith’s polished schemes trigger a series of plots and counterplots at a country estate, involving servants, an officious secretary, social gatherings, and eccentric incidents such as poetry readings and flower-pot disruptions. The planned theft fails, but Psmith’s wit and charm reshape relationships and resolve several domestic complications.
It was perhaps two minutes later that Mr. Cootes, sprinting lustily, rounded the corner of the house and burst on to the terrace. Late as usual.