Quick Service

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Quick Service is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in the United Kingdom on October 4, 1940 by Herbert Jenkins, London and in the United States on November 11, 1940 by Doubleday, Doran, New York.

Although it doesn't feature any of Wodehouse's regular characters or settings, it is a typically Wodehousean comedy, featuring impoverished but romantic youths, wealthy but grouchy relatives, charming and resourceful friends, chirpy criminals, country houses, imposters, servants etc.

Plot and characters

Most of the action occurs at Claines Hall in Sussex, the country seat of Mrs and Mr Steptoe of Los Angeles. The story revolves around:

• Howard Steptoe, an ex-boxer, who resolutely resists all attempts at smartening him up by...
• Mabel, his bitter-three-quarters, who is socially ambitious and has with her, acting as factotum...
• Sally Fairmile, her impoverished niece, who is secretly engaged to...
• George, Lord Holbeton, (formerly of the name of Trotter), an exquisitely turned out young man and a confirmed crooner of Trees, whose guardian is...
• Mr James Duff, of Duff and Trotter, owners of Paramount Hams, who was, in his distant youth, engaged to...
• Mrs Chavender, sister-in-law of Mrs Steptoe, apparently having the green stuff in sackfuls, and currently residing in Claines Hall, who has had her imperious self painted by...
• Joss Weatherby, an artist earning his daily bread in the Art section of Duff's establishment, who goes to Claines Hall as a...... ...
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