6.ThankYou,Jeeves英文版課件講解

THANKYOUJEEVES[187-066-4.3]By:P.G.WODEHOUSECategory:FictionHumorSynopsis:Nosynopsisavailable.

HERBERTJENKINSLIMITED:3YORKSTREET?ST.JAMES'SLONDONS.W.,flflflCONTENTSI.JEEVESGIVESNOTICE.--- 7II.CHUFFY21III.RE-ENTERTHEDEADPAST--- 30IV.ANNOYINGPREDICAMENTOFPAULINESTOKER- 42V.BERTIETAKESTHINGSINHAND-- 55VI.COMPLICATIONSSETIN 66VII.AVISITORFORBERTIE 92VIII.POLICEPERSECUTION 103IX.LOVERS'MEETINGS----- 120X.ANOTHERVISITOR 134XI.SINISTERBEHAVIOUROFAYACHT-OWNER- 145XII.STARTSMEARING,JEEVESt--- l6lXIII.AVALETEXCEEDSHISDUTIES... 175XI?THEBUTTERSITUATION IQ3XV.DEVELOPMENTOFTHEBUTTERSITUATION- 207XVI.TROUBLEATTHEDOWERHOUSE... 229XVII.BREAKFAST-TIMEATTHEHALL--- 240XVIII.BLACKWORKINASTUDY---- 251XIX.PREPARATIONSFORHANDLINGFATHER-- 264XX.JEEVESHASNEWS- 278XXI.JEEVESFINDSTHEWAY---- 287XXII.JEEVESAPPLIESFORASITUATION"--: 307THANKYOU,JEEVESCHAPTERIJEEVESGIVESNOTICEIWASashadeperturbed.Nothingtosignify,really,butstilljustaspotconcerned.AsIsatintheoldflat,idlytouchingthestringsofmybanjolele,aninstrumenttowhichIhadbecomegreatlyaddictedoflate,youcouldn'thavesaidthatthebrowwasactuallyfurrowed,andyet,ontheotherhand,youcouldn'thavestatedabsolutelythatitwasn't.Perhapstheword"pensive"aboutcoversit.Itseemedtomethatasituationfraughtwithembarrassingpotentialitieshadarisen."Jeeves,"Isaid,"doyouknowwhat?""No,sir.""DoyouknowwhomIsawlastnight?""No,sir.""J.WashbumStokerandhisdaughter,Pauline.""Indeed,sir?""Theymustbeoverhere.""Itwouldseemso,sir."*"Awkward,what?""IcanconceivethatafterwhatoccurredinNewYorkitmightbedistressingforyoutoencounterMissStoker,sir.ButIfancythecontingencyneedscarcelyarise."Iweighedthis."Whenyoustarttalkingaboutcontingenciesarising,Jeeves,thebrainseemstoflickerandIrathermissthegist.DoyoumeanthatIoughttobeabletokeepoutofherway?""Yes,sir.""Avoidher?""Yes,sir."Iplayedfivebarsof"OldManRiver"withsomethingofabandon.Hispronouncementhadeasedmymind.Ifollowedhisreasoning.Afterall,London'salargeplace.Quitesimplenottorunintopeople,ifyoudon'twantto."Itgavemeratherashock,though.""Icanreadilyimagineso,sir.""AccentuatedbythefactthattheywereaccompaniedbySirRoderickGlossop.""Indeed,sir?""Yes.ItwasattheSavoyGrill.Theywereputtingonthenosebagtogetheratatablebythewindow.Andhere'sratherarummything,Jeeves.ThefourthmemberofthepartywasLordChuffnell'saunt.Myrtle.Whatwouldshebedoinginthatgang?"*'PossiblyherladyshipisanacquaintanceeitherofMr.Stoker,MissStoker,orSirRoderick,sir.""Yes,thatmaybeso.Yes,thatmightaccountforit.Butitsurprisedme,Iconfess.""Didyouenterintoconversationwiththem,sir?""Who,me?No,Jeeves.Iwasoutoftheroomlikeastreak.ApartfromwishingtododgetheStokers,canyouseemewantonlyanddeliberatelygoingandchattingwitholdGlossop?""Certainlyhehasneverprovedaverycongenialcompanioninthepast,sir.""IfthereisonemanintheworldIhopenevertoexchangespeechwithagain,itisthatoldcrumb.""Iforgottomention,sir,thatSirRoderickcalledtoseeyouthismorning.""What!""Yes,sir.""Hecalledtoseeme?""Yes,sir.""Afterwhathaspassedbetweenus?""Yes,sir.""Well,I'mdashedI""Yes,sir.Iinformedhimthatyouhadnotyetrisen,andhesaidthathewouldreturnlater.""Hedid,didhe?"Ilaughed.Oneofthosesardonicones."Well,whenhedoes,setthedogonhim.""Wehavenodog,sir.""ThenstepdowntotheflatbelowandborrowMrs.Tinkler-Moulke'sPomeranian.PayingsocialcallsafterthewayhebehavedinNewYorkIIneverheardofsuchathing.Didyoueverhearofsuchathing,Jeeves?""Iconfessthatinthecircumstanceshisadventoccasionedmesurprise,sir.""Ishouldthinkitdid.GoodLordIGoodheavens!GoodgoshIThemanmusthavethecrustofarhinoceros."AndwhenIhavegivenyoutheinsidestory,Ithinkyouwillagreewithmethatmyheatwasjustified.Letmemarshalmyfactsandgotoit.Aboutthreemonthsbefore,notingacertainlivelinessinmyAuntAgatha,IhaddeemeditprudenttopopacrosstoNewYorkforaspacetogivehertimetoblowover.Andabouthalf-waythroughmyfirstweekthere,inthecourseofabeanoofsomedescriptionattheSherry-Netherland,ImadetheacquaintanceofPaulineStoker.Shegotrightinamongstme.Herbeautymaddenedmelikewine."Jeeves,"Irecollectsaying,onreturningtotheapartment,"whowasthefellowwhoonlookingatsomethingfeltlikesomebodylookingatsomething?Ilearnedthepassageatschool,butithasescapedme."JEEVESGIVESNOTICEII"Ifancytheindividualyouhaveinmind,sir,isthepoetKeats,whocomparedhisemotionsonfirstreadingChapman'sHomertothoseofstoutCortezwhenwitheagleeyeshestaredatthePacific.""ThePacific,eh?""Yes,sir.Andallhismenlookedateachotherwithawildsurmise,silentuponapeakinDarien.""Ofcourse.Itallcomesbacktome.Well,that'showIfeltthisafternoononbeingintroducedtoMissPaulineStoker.Pressthetrouserswithspecialcareto-night,Jeeves.Iamdiningwithher."InNewYork,Ihavealwaysfound,onegetsoffthemarkquicklyinmattersoftheheart.This,Ibelieve,isduetosomethingintheair.TwoweekslaterIproposedtoPauline.She/jacceptedme.Sofar,sogood.Butmarkthesequel.Scarcelyforty-eighthoursafterthatamonkeywrenchwasbungedintothemachineryandthewholethingwasoff.ThehandthatflungthatmonkeywrenchwasthehandofSirRoderickGlossop.Inthesememoirsofmine,asyoumayrecall,Ihavehadoccasiontomakesomewhatfrequentmentionofthisoldpotofpoison.Abald-旾domed,bushy-browedblighter,ostensiblyanervespecialist,butinreality,aseverybodyknows,nothingmorenorlessthanahigh-pricedloony-doctor,hehasbeencroppingupinmypathforyears,alwayswiththemostmomentousresults.AnditsohappenedthathewasinNewYorkwhentheannouncementofmyengagementappearedinthe/papers.WhatbroughthimtherewasoneofhisperiodicalvisitstoJ.WashbumStoker'ssecondcousin,George.ThisGeorgewasamanwho,afteralifetimeofdoingdownthewidowandorphan,hadbeguntofeelthestrainabit.Hisconversationwasodd,andhehadatendencytowalkonhishands.HehadbeenapatientofSirRoderick'sforsomeyears,anditwasthelatter'spracticetodashovertoNewYorkeveryonceinawhiletotakealookathim.HearrivedonthepresentoccasionjustintimetoreadoverthemorningcoffeeandeggthenewsthatBertramWoosterandPaulineStokerwereplanningtodotheWeddingGlide.And,asfarasIcanascertain,hewasatthetelephone,ringingupthefatherofthebride-to-be,withoutsomuchasstoppingtowipehismouth.Well,whathetoldJ.WashbumaboutmeIcannot,ofcourse,say:but,ataventure,Iimagine,heinformedhimthatIhadoncebeenengagedtohisdaughter,Honoria,andthathehadbrokenoffthematchbecausehehaddecidedthatIwasbarmytothecore.Hewouldhavetouched,nodoubt,ontheincidentofthecatsandthefishinmybedroom:possibly,also,ontheepisodeofthestolenhatandmyhabitofclimbingdownwaterspouts:windingup,itmaybe,withadescriptionoftheunfortunateaffairofthepuncturedhot-waterbottleatLadyWickham's.AclosefriendofJ.Washbum'sandamanonwhosejudgmentJ.W.relied,ItakeitthathehadlittledifficultyinpersuadingthelatterthatIwasnottheidealson-in-law.Atanyrate,asIsay,withinamereforty-eighthoursoftheholymomentIwasnotifiedthatitwouldbeunnecessaryformetoorderthenewsponge-bagtrousersandgardenia,becausemynominationhadbeencancelled.Anditwasthismanwhowashavingthecoolwhat's-the-wordtocomecallingattheWoosterhome.Imean,IaskyouIIresolvedtobeprettytersewithhim.Iwasstillplayingthebanjolelewhenhearrived.ThosewhoknowBertramWoosterbestareawarethatheisamanofsudden,strongenthusiasmsandthat,wheninthegripofoneofthese,hebecomesaremorselessmachine-tense,absorbed,single-minded.Itwassointhematterofthisbanjolele-playingofmine.SincethenightattheAlhambrawhenthesupremevirtuosityofBenBloomandhisSixteenBaltimoreBuddieshadfiredmetotakeupthestudyoftheinstrument,notadayhadpassedwithoutitscoupleofhours'assiduouspractice.AndIwastwangingthestringslikeoneinspiredwhenthedooropenedandJeevesshovelledinthefoulstrait-waistcoatspecialisttowhomIhavejustbeenalluding.IntheintervalwhichhadelapsedsinceIhadfirstbeenapprisedoftheman'sdesiretohavespeechwithme,Ihadbeenthinkingthingsover:andtheonlyconclusiontowhichIcouldcomewasthathemusthavehadachangeofheartofsomenatureanddecidedthatanapologywasduemeforthewayhehadbehaved.Itwas,therefore,asomewhatsoftenedBertramWoosterwhonowrosetodothehonours."Ah,SirRoderick,"Isaid."Goodmorning-NothingcouldhaveexceededthecourtesywithwhichIhadspoken.Conceiveofmyastonishment,therefore,whenhisonlyreplywasagrunt,andanindubitablyunpleasantgrunt,atthat.Ifeltthatmydiagnosisofthesituationhadbeenwrong.Rightoffthebull's-eyeIhadbeen.Herewasnosquare-shootingapologizer.Hecouldn'thavebeenglaringatmewithmoreobviousdistasteifIhadbeenthegermofdementiapraecox.Well,ifthatwastheattitudehewasproposingtoadopt,well,Imeantosay.Mygenialitywaned.Idrewmyselfupcoldly,atthesametimeraisingastiffeyebrow.AndIwasjustabouttoworkofftheoldTo-what-am-Ii籹debtedforthis-visitgag,whenhechippedinaheadofme."YououghttobecertifiedI""Ibegyourpardon?""You'reapublicmenace.Forweeks,itappears,youhavebeenmakinglifeahellforall/yourneighbourswithsomehideousmusicalinstrument.Iseeyouhaveitwithyounow.Howdareyouplaythatthinginarespectableblockofflats?InfernaldinI"Iremainedcoolanddignified."Didyousay'infernaldin'?""Idid.""Oh?Well,letmetellyouthatthemanthathathnomusicinhimself..."Isteppedtothedoor."Jeeves,"Icalleddownthepassage,"whatwasitShakespearesaidthemanwhohadn'tmusicinhimselfwasfitfor?""Treasons,stratagems,andspoils,sir.""Thankyou,Jeeves.Isfitfortreasons,"stratagems,andspoils,"Isaid,returning.Hedancedasteportwo."Areyouawarethattheoccupantofthe,lktbelow,Mrs.Tinkler-MouIke,isoneofmy^patients,awomaninahighlynervouscondir.^on.Ihavehadtogiveherasedative."A"Iraisedahand.s'"Sparemethegossipfromtheloony-bin,"..|('籥iddistantly."MightIinquire,onmyside,'llyouareawarethatMrs.Tinkler-MouIkeownsPomeranian?"Don'tdrivel."I"Iamnotdrivelling.Thisanimalyapsallandnotinfrequentlyfarintothenight.l6THANKYOU,JEEVESSoMrs.Tinkler-MouIkehashadthenervetocomplainofmybanjolele,hasshe?HaILetherfirstpluckoutthePornwhichisinherowneye,"Isaid,becomingabitscriptural.Hechafedvisibly."Iamnotheretotalkaboutdogs.Iwishforyourassurancethatyouwillimmediatelyceaseannoyingthisunfortunatewoman."Ishookthehead."Iamsorrysheisacoldaudience,butmyartmustcomefirst.""Thatisyourfinalword,isit?""Itis.""Verygood.Youwillhearmoreof.this.""AndMrs.Tinkler-MouIkewillhearmoreofthis,"Ireplied,brandishingthebanjolele.Itouchedthebuzzer."Jeeves,"Isaid,"showSirR.Glossopout!"IconfessthatIwaswellpleasedwiththemannerinwhichIhadcomportedmyselfduring.thisclashofwills.Therewasatime,youmustremember,whenthesuddenappearanceofoldGlossopinmysitting-roomwouldhavebeenenoughtosendmeboltingforcoverlikearabbit.ButsincethenIhadpassedthroughthefurnace,andthesightofhimnolongerfilledmewithanamelessdread.Withagooddealofquietself-satisfactionIproceededtoplay"TheWeddingofthePaintedDoU,""Singin'IntheRain,""ThreeLittleWords,""GoodNight,Sweetheart,""MyLoveParade,""SpringIsHere,""WhoseBabyAreYou,"andpartof'/IWantanAutomobileWithaHornThat"GoesToot-Toot,"intheordernamed:anditwasasIwasapproachingtheendofthislastnumberthatthetelephonerang.Iwenttotheinstrumentandstoodlistening.And,asIlistened,myfacegrewhardandset."Verygood,Mr.Manglehoffer,"Isaidcoldly."YoumayinformMrs.Tinkler-MouIkeandherassociatesthatIchoosethelatteralternative."Itouchedthebell."Jeeves,"Isaid,"therehasbeenaspotoftrouble.""Indeed,sir?""UnpleasantnessisrearingitsuglyheadinBerkeleyMansions,W.I.Inotealsoalackofgive-and-takeandanabsenceoftheneighbourlyspirit.Ihavejustbeentalkingtothemanagerofthisbuildingonthetelephone,andhehasdeliveredanultimatum.HesaysImusteitherchuckplayingthebanjoleleorclearout.""Indeed,sir?""Complaints,itwouldseem,havebeenlodgedbytheHonourableMrs.TinklerMouIke,ofC.6;byLieutenant-ColonelJ.J.Bustard,D.S.O.,ofB.5;andbySirEverardandLadyBlennerhassett,ofB.7.Allright.Sobeit.Idon'tcare.Weshallbewellridofthese%ikler-Moulkes,theseBustards,andtheseBl8THANKYOU,JEEVESBlennerhassetts.Ileavethemwithoutapang.""Youareproposingtomove,sir?"Iraisedtheeybrows."Surely,Jeeves,youcannotimaginethatIeverconsideredanyothercourse?""ButIfearyou"willencounterasimilarhostilityelsewhere,sir.""NotwhereIamgoing.Itismyintentiontoretiretothedepthsofthecountry.Insomeoldworld,sequesterednookIshallfindacottage,andthereresumemystudies.""Acottage,sir?""Acottage,Jeeves.Ifpossible,honysuckle-covered."Thenextmoment,youcouldhaveknockedmedownwithatoothpick.Therewasabriefpause,andthenJeeves,whomIhavenurturedinmybosom,sotospeak,foryearsandyearsandyears,gaveasortofcoughandthereproceededfromhislipstheseincrediblewords:"Inthatcase,IfearImustgivemynotice."Therewasatensesilence.Istaredattheman."Jeeves,"Isaid,andyouwouldn'tbefaroutindescribingmeasstunned,"didIhearyoucorrectly?""Yes,sir.""Youactuallycontemplateleavingmyentourage?""Onlywiththegreatestreluctance,sir.Butifitisyourintentiontoplaythatinstrumentwithinthenarrowconfinesofacountrycottage..."Idrewmyselfup."Yousay'thatinstrument,'Jeeves.Andyousayitinanunpleasant,soupyvoice.AmItounderstandthatyoudislikethisbanjolele?""Yes,sir.""You'vestooditallrightuptonow.""Withgravedifficulty,sir.""Andletmetellyouthatbettermenthanyouhavestoodworsethanbanjoleles.AreyouawarethatacertainBulgarian,EliaGospodinoff,onceplayedthebagpipesfortwenty-fourhourswithoutastop?Ripleyvouchesforthisinhis*BelieveItOrNot.'""Indeed,sir?""Well,doyousupposeGospodinoff'spersonalattendantkicked?Alaughableidea.TheyaremadeofbetterstuffthanthatinBulgaria.IamconvincedthathewasbehindtheyoungmasterfromstarttofinishofhisattemptontheCentralEuropeanrecord,andIhavenodoubtfrequentlyralliedroundwithicepacksandotherrestoratives.BeBulgarian,Jeeves.""No,sir.IfearIcannotrecedefrommyposition.""But,dashit,yousayyouarerecedingfromyourposition."'"Ishouldhavesaid,IcannotabandontheStandwhichIhavetaken."Imusedawhile."Youmeanthis,Jeeves?""Yes,sir.""Youhavethoughtitalloutcarefully,weighingtheprosandcons,balancingthisagainstthat?""Yes,sir.""Andyouareresolved?""Yes,sir.Ifitisreallyyourintentiontocontinueplayingthatinstrument,Ihavenooptionbuttoleave."TheWoosterbloodboiledover.CircumstancesofrecentyearshavesoshapedthemselvesastoplacethisblighterinapositionwhichyoumightdescribeasthatofadomesticMussolini:but,forgettingthis'andstickingsimplytocoldfact,whatisJeeves,afterall?Avalet.Asalariedattendant.Andafellowsimplycan'tgoontruckling-doImeantruckling?Iknowitbeginswitha"t"-tohisvaletforever.TherecomesamomentwhenhemustrememberthathisancestorsdiddashedwellattheBattleofCrecyandputtheoldfootdown.Thismomenthadnowarrived."Then,leave,dashit'.""Verygood,sir."CHAPTERIICHUFFYICONFESSthatitwasinsombremoodthatIassembledthestick,thehat,andthelemon-colouredsomehalf-hourlaterandstrodeoutintothestreetsofLondon.ButthoughIdidnotcaretothinkwhatexistencewouldbelikewithoutJeeves,Ihadnothoughtofweakening.AsIfumedthecornerintoPiccadilly,Iwasathingoffireandchilledsteel;andIthinkinaboutanotherhalf-jiffyIshouldhavebeensnorting,ifnotactuallyshoutingtheancientbattlecryoftheWoosters,hadInotobservedontheskylineafamiliarform.Thisfamiliarformwasnoneotherthanthatofmyboyhoodfriend,thefifthBaronChuffnell-thechap,ifyouremember,whoseAuntMyrtleIhadseenthepreviousnighthobnobbingwiththehellhound,Glossop.ThesightofhimremindedmethatIwasinthemarketforacountrycottageandthatherewastheverychaptosupplysame.IwonderifIhaveevertoldyouaboutChuffy?StopmeifIhave.He'safellowI'veknownmoreorlessallmylife,heandselfhavingbeenatprivateschool,EtonandOxfordtogether.Wedon'tseeafrightfullotofoneanothernowadays,however,ashespendsmostofhistimedownatChuffnellRegisonthecoastofSomersetshire,whereheownsanenormousgreatplacewithaboutahundredandhftyroomsandmilesofrollingparkland.Don'trunaway,however,onthestrengthofthis,withtheimpressionthatChuffyisoneofmywealthiercronies.He'sdashedhardup,poorbloke,likemostfellowswhoownland,andonlylivesatChuffnellHallbecausehe'sstuckwithitandcan'taffordtoliveanywhereelse.Ifsomebodycametohimandofferedtobuytheplace,hewouldkisshimonbothcheeks.Butwhowantstobuyahousethatsizeinthesetimes?Hecan'tevenletit.Sohesticksontheremostoftheyear,withnobodytotalktoexceptthelocaldoctorandparsonandhisAuntMyrtleandhertwelve-year-oldson,Seabury,wholiveattheDowerHouseinthepark.AprettymouldyexistenceforonewhoattheUniversitygavebrightpromiseofbecomingoneofthelads.ChuffyalsoownsthevillageofChuffnellRegis-notthatthatdoeshimmuchgood,either.Imeantosay,thetaxesontheestateandalltheexpensesofrepairsandwhatnotcometoprettynearlyasmuchashegetsoutoftherents,makingthethingmoreorlessofawashout.Still,heisthelandlord,and,assuch,wouldDoubtlesshavedozensofcottagesathisdisposalandprobablyonlytoogladofthechanceofeasingoneofthemoffontoareputabletenantlikemyself."You'retheverychapIwantedtosee,Chuffy,"Isaidaccordingly,afterourinitialwhat-ho-ing,"ComerightalongwithmetotheDronesforabiteoflunch.Icanputabitofbusinessinyourway."Heshookhishead,wistfully,Ithought."I'dlikeit,Bertie,butI'mdueattheCarltoninfiveminutesI'mlunchingwithaman.""Givehimamiss.""Icouldn't.""Well,bringhimalong,then,andwe'llmakeitathreesome."Chuffysmiledratherwanly."Idon'tthinkyou'denjoyit,Bertie.He'sSirRoderickGlossop."Igoggled.It'salwaysabitofashock,whenyou'vejustpartedfromBlokeA.,tomeetJBlokeB.andhaveBlokeB.suddenlybringBlokeA.intotheconversation."SirRoderickGlossop?"?"Yes.""ButIdidn'tknowyouknewhim."<?"Idon't,verywell.Justmethimacoupletimes.He'sagreatfriendofmyAuntrtle.";Ah!thatexplainsit.Isawherdininghimlastnight.""Well,ifyoucometotheCarlton,you'llseemelunchingwithhimtoday.""But,Chuffy,oldman,isthiswise?Isthisprudent?It'sanawfulordealbreakingbreadwiththisman.Iknow.I'vedoneit.""Idaresay,butI'vegottogothroughwithit.Ihadanurgentwirefromhimyesterday,tellingmetocomeupandseehimwithoutfail,andwhatI'mhopingisthathewantstotaketheHallforthesummerorknowssomebodywhodoes.Hewouldhardlywirelikethatunlesstherewassomethingup.No,Ishallhavetostickit,Bertie.ButI'lltellyouwhatIwilldo.I'lldinewithyouto-morrownight."Iwouldhavebeenallforit,ofcourse,hadthecircsbeendifferent,butIhadtorefuse.Ihadformedmyplansandmademyarrangementsandtheycouldnotbealtered."I'msorry,Chuffy.I'mleavingLondontomorrow.""Youare?""Yes.ThemanagementofthebuildingwhereIresidehasofferedmethechoicebetweenclearingoutimmediatelyorceasingtoplaythebanjolele.Ielectedtodotheformer.Iamgoingtotakeacottageinthecountrysomewhere,andthat'swhatImeantwhenIsaidIcouldputbusinessinyourway.Canyouletmehaveacottage?""Icangiveyouyourchoiceofhalfadozen."''"Itmustbequietandsecluded.Ishallbelayingthebanjoleleagooddeal.""I'vegottheveryshackforyou.OntheedgeoftheharbourandnotaneighbourwithinamileexceptPolice-SergeantVoules.Andheplaystheharmonium.Youcoulddoduets.""FineI""Andthere'satroupeofniggerminstrelsdowntherethisyear.Youcouldstudytheirtechnique.""Chuffy,itsoundslikeheaven.Andweshallbeabletoseesomethingofeachotherforachange.""Youdon'tcomeplayingyourdamnedbanjoleleattheHall.""No,oldman.ButI'lldropovertolunchwithyoumostdays.""Thanks.""Don'tmentionit.""Bytheway,whathasJeevesgottosayaboutallthis?Ishouldn'thavethoughthewouldhavecaredaboutleavingLondon."Istiffenedalittle."Jeeveshasnothingtosayonthatoranyothersubject.Wehavepartedbrass-rags.""What!"Ihadanticipatedthatthenewswouldstaggerhim."Yes,"Isaid,"fromnowon,Jeeveswill:ethehighroadandI'lltakethelowroad.HehadtheimmortalrindtotellmethatifIdidn'tgiveupmybanjolelehewouldresign.Iacceptedhisportfolio.""You'vereallylethimgo?""Ihave.""Well,well,well!"Iwavedahandnonchalantly."Thesethingshappen,"Isaid."I'mnotpretendingI'mpleased,ofcourse,butIcanbitethebullet.Myself-respectwouldnotpermitmetoaccepttheman'sterms.YoucanpushaWoosterjustsofar.'Verygood,Jeeves,'Isaidtohim.'Sobeit.Ishallwatchyourfuturecareerwithconsiderableinterest.'Andthatwasthat."Wewalkedonforabitinsilence.'"Soyou'vepartedwithJeeves,haveyou?"saidChuffy,inathoughtfulsortofvoice."Well,well,well!Anyobjectiontomylookinginandsayinggood-byetohim?""Nonewhatever.""Itwouldbeagracefulact.""Quite.""I'vealwaysadmiredhisintellect.""Metoo.Noonemore.""I'llgoroundtotheflatafterlunch.""Followthegreenline,"Isaid,andmymannerwasairyandevencareless.ThispartingofthewayswithJeeveshadmademefeelabitasifIhadjuststeppedonabombandwastryingtopiecemyselftogetheragaininableakworld,butweWoosterscankeepthestiffupperUp.IlunchedattheDronesandspenttheafternoonthere.Ihadmuchtothinkof.Chuffy'snewsthattherewasatroupeofniggerminstrelsperformingontheChuffnellRegissandshaddefinitelyweighedthescaledownonthesideoftheadvantagesoftheplace.ThefactthatIwouldbeinapositiontoforgatherwiththeseexpertsandpossiblypickupahintortwofromtheirbanjoistonfingeringandexecutionenabledmetobearwithfortitudetheprospectofbeinginaspotwhereIwouldprobablyhavetomeettheDowagerLadyChuffnellandhersonSeaburyprettyfrequently.IhadoftenfelthowtoughitmustbeforpooroldChuffyhavingthispairofpustulespoppinginandoutallthetime.AndinsayingthisIamlookingstraightatlittleSeabury,achildwhoshouldhavebeenstrangledatbirth.Ihavenopositiveproof,butIhavealwaysbeenconvincedthatitwashewhoputthelizardinmybedthelasttimeIstayedattheHall.But,asIsay,Iwaspreparedtoputupwiththiscoupleinreturnfortheprivilegeofbeinginclosecommunicationwithareallyhotbanjoist,andmostoftheseniggerminstrelchapscanpickthestringslikenobody'sbusiness.Itwasnot,therefore,thethoughtofthemwhich,asIreturnedtotheflattodressfordinner,wasfillingmewithastrangemoodiness.No.WeWoosterscanbehonestwithourselves.WhatwasgivingmethepipwasthereflectionthatJeeveswasabouttogooutofmylife.ThereneverhadbeenanyonelikeJeeves,Ifelt,asIclimbedsombrelyintothesoupandfish,andthereneverwouldbe.Awaveofnotunmanlysentimentpouredoverme.Iwasconsciousofapang.AndwhenmytoiletwascompletedandIstoodbeforethemirror,surveyingthatperfectlypressedcoat,thosesuperblycreasedtrousers,Icametoaswiftdecision.Abruptly,Iwentintothesitting-roomandleanedonthebell."Jeeves,"Isaid."Aword.""Yes,sir?""Jeeves,"Isaid,"touchingonourconversationthismorning.""Yes,sir?""Jeeves,"Isaid,"Ihavebeenthinkingthingsover.Ihavecometotheconclusionthatwehavebothbeenhasty.Letusforgetthepast.Youmaystayon.""Itisverykindofyou,sir,but...areItwasenough.Inoddedhaughtily."Verygood,Jeeves.Thatisall.Iwill,ofcourse,giveyouanexcellentrecommendation.""Thankyou,sir.Itwillnotbenecessary.ThisafternoonIenteredtheemploymentofLordChuffneU."Istarted."DidChuffysneakroundherethisafternoonandscoopyouin?""Yes,sir.IgowithhimtoChuffnellRegisinaboutaweek'stime.""Youdo,doyou?Well,itmayinterestyoutoknowthatIrepairtoChuffnellRegistomorrow.""Indeed,sir?""Yes.Ihavetakenacottagethere.WeshallmeetatPhilippi,Jeeves.""Yes,sir.""OramIthinkingofsomeotherspot?""No,sir,Philippiiscorrect.""Verygood,Jeeves.""Verygood,sir."Such,then,isthesequenceofeventswhichleduptoBertramWooster,onthemorningofJulythefifteenth,standingatthedoorofSeaviewCottage,ChuffnellRegis,surveyingthescenebeforehimthroughthearomaticsmokeofameditativecigarette.CHAPTERIIIYOUknow,thelongerIlive,themoreIfeelthatthegreatwheezeinlifeistobejollywellsurewhatyouwantandnotletyourselfbeputoffbypalswhothinktheyknowbetterthanyoudo.WhenIhadannouncedattheDrones,myl