The Code of the Woosters

by P.G. Wodehouse

‘Well, Mr Wooster, it seems that after all you will have to pay the penalty of your folly.’

that helmet I stole from Constable Oates.’

Spode stole the helmet?

You remember I told you I once stole a policeman’s helmet at Oxford.

I could make nothing of what had occurred.

Was it you who egged Spode on to take the rap?’

‘I was merely thinking, sir, that were you to threaten such an action, Sir Watkyn, in order to avoid unpleasantness, might see his way to ratifying the betrothals of Miss Bassett and Mr Fink-Nottle and Miss Byng and the Reverend Mr Pinker.’

“The lark’s on the wing, the snail’s on the thorn—”’