The many tales in the Jeeves series by P. G. Wodehouse involve the dynamic between the young, wealthy, idle, and often feckless aristocrat, Bertie Wooster, and his unflappable valet Jeeves. “Leave It to Jeeves” was the first story in the series, published in 1916. Here Bertie’s American friend, Corky, has found a girl he would like to marry but must broach the delicate matter with his rich uncle, his only means of support. He strives to be a painter of portraits but has yet to land a commission. He turns to Bertie for help with his quandary, and Bertie turns immediately to Jeeves.  An excerpt from the story will give a good sense of the tempo and wit of the piece…

Jeeves is a tallish man, with one of those dark, shrewd faces. His eye gleams with the light of pure intelligence.

“Jeeves, we want your advice.”

“Very good, sir.”

I boiled down Corky’s painful case into a few well-chosen words.

“So you see what it amount to, Jeeves. We want you to suggest some way by which Mr. Worple can make Miss Singer’s acquaintance without getting on to the fact that Mr. Corcoran already knows her. Understand?”

“Perfectly, sir.”

“Well, try to think of something.”

“I have thought of something already, sir.”

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