# Keggs — A Damsel in Distress character guide

> Keggs in A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Keggs, butler Keggs

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

The Marshmoreton butler, a scullery Machiavelli who trades loyalties like chess pieces and delivers betrayal with impeccable manners.

## Who they are

Keggs runs Belpher Castle's below-stairs world with the gravity of a diplomat and the ethics of a card sharp, having quietly rearranged the servants' lottery so that he, not young Albert, draws the interesting gentleman. He nurses a fine contempt for the boy's scruples—or lack of them—while presenting himself to George as a disinterested friend of romance. His willingness to plot against his own employers, so long as the plotting is done with proper formality, makes him the hinge on which several of the novel's clandestine meetings swing.

## Relationships

### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/albert)

_professional_

Albert and Keggs are fellow servants in the household, with a dynamic of rivalry and cooperation.

### [Lord Marshmoreton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/lord_marshmoreton)

_professional_

Keggs is the butler serving Lord Marshmoreton, with a formal and respectful dynamic.

### [George Bevan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/george_bevan)

_professional_

George and Keggs interact as guest and butler, with Keggs sometimes aiding or obstructing George's plans.

### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/albert)

_professional_

Albert and Keggs are fellow servants in the household, with a dynamic of rivalry and cooperation.

### [Lord Marshmoreton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/lord_marshmoreton)

_professional_

Keggs is the butler serving Lord Marshmoreton, with a formal and respectful dynamic.

### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/albert)

_professional_

Albert and Keggs are fellow servants in the household, with a dynamic of rivalry and cooperation.

### [George Bevan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/george_bevan)

_professional_

George and Keggs interact as guest and butler, with Keggs sometimes aiding or obstructing George's plans.

### [George Bevan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/george_bevan)

_professional_

George and Keggs interact as guest and butler, with Keggs sometimes aiding or obstructing George's plans.

## In the story

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/viii)

Keggs leads the tour group, pointing out the Lely portrait and Leonard's Leap.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xi)

Keggs is mentioned as the butler who started the sweepstake and is arranging for temporary waiters.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xii)

Fussy and irritable butler who briefly interacts with George during his entry into the castle.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xiv)

Keggs deduces the truth about George and blackmails Albert into giving him his sweepstake ticket.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xviii)

The butler deduces Albert's betrayal and visits George to offer his services as an intermediary, arranging a meeting in a barn.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxii)

The butler lectures Albert, reveals he arranged a meeting between Maud and Bevan, and advises Lord Belpher on a strategy to end the romance.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxiii)

The butler whose presence and voice calm George; offers sherry or hock.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/keggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters