Jeeves Takes Charge

Question

by P. G. Wodehouse

Most of the way down in the train that afternoon, I was wondering what could be up at the other end. I simply couldn’t see what could have happened. Easeby wasn’t one of those country houses you read about in the society novels, where young girls are lured on to play baccarat and then skinned to the bone of their jewellery, and so on. The house-party I had left had consisted entirely of law-abiding birds like myself.

Besides, my uncle wouldn’t have let anything of that kind go on in his house. He was a rather stiff, precise sort of old boy, who liked a quiet life. He was just finishing a history of the family or something, which he had been working on for the last year, and didn’t stir much from the library. He was rather a good instance of what they say about its being a good scheme for a fellow to sow his wild oats. I’d been told that in his youth Uncle Willoughby had been a bit of a rounder. You would never have thought it to look at him now.

When I got to the house, Oakshott, the butler, told me that Florence was in her room, watching her maid pack. Apparently there was a dance on at a house about twenty miles away that night, and she was motoring over with some of the Easeby lot and would be away some nights. Oakshott said she had told him to tell her the moment I arrived; so I trickled into the smoking-room and waited, and presently in she came. A glance showed me that she was perturbed, and even peeved. Her eyes had a goggly look, and altogether she appeared considerably pipped.

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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What is Bertie’s perspective, as revealed by details in the passage?

(1 point)
Responses

He thinks that Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript should be published as it stands.
He thinks that Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript should be published as it stands.

He is afraid that, if he goes along with Florence’s plan, he will be financially cut off by Uncle Willoughby.
He is afraid that, if he goes along with Florence’s plan, he will be financially cut off by Uncle Willoughby.

He thinks it is reasonable for Florence to demand that he intercept Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript.
He thinks it is reasonable for Florence to demand that he intercept Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript.

He loses interest in marrying Florence once he hears her plans for Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript.
He loses interest in marrying Florence once he hears her plans for Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript.

Answer 1

Bertie's perspective, as revealed by the details in the passage, suggests he is somewhat perplexed and concerned about the situation at Easeby, especially regarding his Uncle Willoughby, who is depicted as a serious and quiet man engrossed in his writing. While the options provided do not directly align with specific statements from the passage, the implication is that Bertie is wary of Florence's plans, as they cause him to question her motives and feel uneasy about their relationship.

Among the options given, the most fitting response that captures Bertie's ambiguous feelings towards Florence and his uncle's work is:

He loses interest in marrying Florence once he hears her plans for Uncle Willoughby’s manuscript.

This choice aligns best with his overall sense of concern and confusion about the family dynamics and potential conflicts between him and Florence regarding her intentions.