There are three couples to be got together or kept together at Blandings Castle, and one to be kept apart, the Honourable Galahad Threepwood has his work cut out for him. Galahad Threepwood must save his brother from a fate even worse than domineering sisters and efficient secretaries; marriage!
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Millionaire Tipton Plimsoll and pianist Wilfred Allsop wake up in a New York police cell having met at a party the night before where they discovered that Tipton was engaged to Wilfred's cousin, Veronica Wedge. This led to drinking and ended in arrest. Talking now it emerges that Wilfred is in love with Monica Simmons who works as pig keeper at Blandings Castle, the home of Veronica's Uncle Lord Emsworth. Wilfred has been hired by Dame Daphne Winkworth to teach music at a girl's school. So both he and Tipton do not want anyone to find out about their spell in prison. They both borrow bail money from Lord Emsworth, in town for his sister Constance's wedding.
At Blandings, Lord Emsworth's brother Galahad Threepwood talks with Emsworth's new secretary, Sandy Callender, whom he knows as she used to work for his friend Chet Tipton (Tipton Plimsoll's Uncle). He discovers that Sandy has broken up with Sam Bagshott (son of another friend of Galahad's) and resolves to reunite them.
Galahad visits Sam to find out why he had Sandy broke up. Sam explains that he needs £500 to be secure when they are married, and has a chance to win it in the Drones Club marriage sweep in which he has drawn Tipton Plimsoll as the next member of the club to get married. He considers this a sure thing but Sandy is less sure and is angry that he turned down an offer of £100 to buy the ticket. Galahad arranges to bring Sam to Blandings so the couple can talk.
Lord Emsworth arrives back from America to find he has a new secretary in the shape of Sandy Callender and that his sister Hermione has moved into Blandings with her husband Egbert and nephew Wilfred. Galahad has still worse news for his brother, Hermione has invited Dame Daphne Winkworth (and her horrible son Huxley) to whom Emsworth was once engaged. Hermione hopes to get them back together. Lord Emsworth seeks solace with his prize pig, the Empress of Blandings and his copy of On the Care of the Pig by Augustus Whipple.
Owing to a misunderstanding Lord Emsworth leads the Wedges to believe Tipton has lost all his money. Hermione heads for London to tell Veronica to break her engagement to Tipton by mail.
At the Emsworth Arms Sam chases after Sandy and accidentally steals a gold watch belonging to Beach, the Blandings Castle butler, in the process. He is arrested by Constable Evans but is so angry at having his pursuit of Sandy interrupted that he punches the constable and steals his bike. He sends a message to Galahad for help. Galahad gets Sam into Blandings by pretending he is Augustus Whipple.
Tipton arrives at Blandings and mentions to Monica Simmons that Wilfred loves her. The feeling is mutual and Tipton volunteers to tell Wilfred the good news. Wilfred remains nervous and Tipton suggest he have a flask of alcohol with him when he speaks to Monica. Wilfred agrees despite the presence of his prospective employer Dame Daphne who disapproves of alcohol.
Meanwhile Egbert Wedge has learnt that Plimsoll is not broke, but Veronica's letter ending their engagement has already been sent. Egbert asks Galahad to steal the letter.
Huxley sees Wilfred drinking from his flask and threatens to tell his mother, causing Wilfred to drop the flask in the Empress's sty. This works out well for Sam who recognises the Empress as being drunk and thus convinces Lord Emsworth that he is pig expert Whipple. Unfortunately Beach recognises the man who stole his watch and tells Lady Hermione that Sam is an imposter. When Hermione confronts Galahad he threatens to give Tipton Veronica's letter.
Sam is caught by Constable Evans who locks him in the potting shed for safe keeping. He is found by Sandy who, after a chat with Galahad, is eager to get back with him. While Sam is out of the way, Hermione searches his room for the letter and tells Wilfred to sing if anyone approaches. Unfortunately this leads Dame Daphne to believe that Wilfred is drunk and he loses his job.
Elsewhere the letter has been accidentally delivered to Tipton but Galahad manages to talk him around and also convince him to give Wilfred a job. Wilfred, Monica and Tipton head for London to meet Veronica for a double wedding.
Sam's sweep ticket turns out to be worthless so he needs another source for the £500. To make matters worse, with the letter no longer an issue, Hermione renews her threat to reveal Sam. Galahad hurries to Lord Emsworth and suggests that he hire Sam (whom Emsworth still thinks is Whipple) to replace Monica. But Lady Hermione reveals the truth before Galahad can secure the money. Now he reminds Lord Emsworth that Sam needs the £500 to marry Sandy and if he does so she will no longer be Lord Emsworth's secretary. Emsworth pays up. He is also rid of Dam Daphne since the hungover Empress bites her son Huxley. All is well at Blandings.
Best part of story, including ending:
This is one of the most complex but also one of the funniest of the Blandings Castle stories by P. G. Wodehouse.
Best scene in story:
Galahad telling his sister that the man whose engagement to her daughter she has been trying to end is not in fact broke, as she thought it a very satisfying and funny scene.
Opinion about the main character:
As ever, the honourable Galahad Threepwood is a delightful character because of he is endlessly resourceful and never happier than when helping couples in love.
