Disentangling Old Percy

"Disentangling Old Percy"
Author P. G. Wodehouse
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Series Reggie Pepper
Genre(s) Comedy
Publisher Collier's Weekly
Media type Print (Magazine)
Publication date March 1912

"Disentangling Old Percy" is a short story by English comic writer P. G. Wodehouse and one of seven stories featuring the fictional character Reggie Pepper. It was published in the US magazine Collier's Weekly on 30 March 1912 as "Disentangling Old Duggie".[1] The story was published in The Strand Magazine in the UK in August 1912 as "Disentangling Old Percy".[2]

In the story, Reggie Pepper wants to help his pal Percy Craye when Percy's overbearing sister Florence Craye disapproves of Percy being engaged to a palm reader.

Plot

The well-meaning young gentleman Reggie Pepper advises his friend Percy Craye to consult a palmist named Dorothea. Though initially reluctant, Percy is ultimately happy after meeting Dorothea, who is really a widow named Mrs. Dorothy Darrell. Percy makes money after being encouraged by her optimistic reading and thinks she is wonderful. Three weeks later, Florence Craye, Percy's older sister, tells Reggie that Percy is engaged to the palmist. Florence is class-conscious and strongly disapproves of the match.

Hoping to help Percy, Reggie suggests that if Florence acts as if she approves the match and invites Percy and Dorothea to the family's country house, Percy will realize that he does not belong with Dorothy and will end the engagement. Florence likes the idea and tells Reggie to come to the house with Percy and Dorothy. Reggie informs Percy about the plan; Percy is confident that his love for Dorothy will prevail.

Whatever could have induced me to think that a fellow like poor old Percy stood a dog’s chance against a determined female like his sister Florence I can’t imagine. It was like expecting a rabbit to put up a show with a python.

— Reggie's plan is not successful[3]

At the Crayes' country house, Percy really does change his mind about the engagement under Florence's influence, and Dorothy leaves for London. Back in London, Reggie sees Percy's older brother Edwin, Lord Weeting, who is unusually happy. Florence is upset after learning that Edwin has been spending time with Dorothy, and orders Reggie to talk to Dorothy. Reggie learns from Dorothy that she is becoming close to Edwin to get revenge on Florence, though she is also genuinely helping Edwin learn to enjoy life after being oppressed by Florence. Dorothy does not deny that she is engaged to Edwin. Florence commands Reggie to tell her widowed father, Mr. Craye, Lord Worplesdon, that Edwin is engaged to a palm reader.

Reggie goes to Worplesdon's club and tells him that Edwin is engaged to a palmist, but Worplesdon does not seem to disapprove. Edwin arrives, and Worplesdon sees that Edwin is happier than before. Worplesdon and Edwin have fun in London. To avoid Florence, Reggie goes to Nice in France. He is surprised to find Edwin there, enjoying himself. He also sees Dorothy, who became friends with Lord Worplesdon after helping Edwin enjoy life. Dorothy says that she hopes someday to win Florence over because she wants all her children to love her. This confuses Reggie. Dorothy explains that she considers Lord Worplesdon's children her own since she married Lord Worplesdon.

Differences between editions

The British version of the story, "Disentangling Old Percy", takes place in London, while the American version of the story, "Disentangling Old Duggie", is set in New York. Reggie Pepper's friend is named Percy Craye in the English version and Douglas or "Duggie" Craye in the American version. Another difference is that, in the British version, the elder Craye has the title "Lord Worplesdon" and Edwin is "Lord Weeting", while in the American version, the family lives near Philadelphia and is not part of the British peerage.

Publication history

The American version of the story, "Disentangling Old Duggie", was illustrated by Wallace Morgan in Collier's.[4] The British version, "Disentangling Old Percy", was illustrated by Alfred Leete in the Strand.[5] This version with Leete's illustrations was reprinted in the UK in the periodical Newnes Summer Annual in 1915.[6] In October 1934, "Disentangling Old Percy" was published in Golden Book Magazine in the US.[7]

The American edition of the story, "Disentangling Old Duggie", was featured in the collection Enter Jeeves, published in 1997 by Dover Publications. This collection includes all the Reggie Pepper stories and several early Jeeves stories.[8]

"Disentangling Old Percy" was collected in the 1929 anthology The Legion Book, published by Cassell. "Disentangling Old Duggie" was included in the 1959 anthology A Cavalcade of Collier's, published by A. S. Barnes.[9]

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Wodehouse, P. G. (30 March 1912). "Disentangling Old Duggie". Madame Eulalie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 145, D15.6, and p. 174, D111.1.
  3. ↑ Wodehouse, P. G. (August 1912). "Disentangling Old Percy". Madame Eulalie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  4. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 145, D15.6.
  5. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 183, D133.23.
  6. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 174, D111.1.
  7. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 150, D26.2.
  8. ↑ Wodehouse (1997), pp. ii-v.
  9. ↑ McIlvaine (1990), p. 194, E28, and p. 196, E67.
Bibliography
  • McIlvaine, Eileen; Sherby, Louise S.; Heineman, James H. (1990). P. G. Wodehouse: A Comprehensive Bibliography and Checklist. New York: James H. Heineman Inc. ISBN 978-0-87008-125-5.
  • Wodehouse, P. G. (1997). Enter Jeeves. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0-486-29717-0.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.