# John McEachern — A Gentleman of Leisure character guide > John McEachern in A Gentleman of Leisure by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. McEachern, McEachern, old man McEachern **First appearance:** 0004-iii-mr-mceachern ## Snapshot Molly's domineering ex-policeman father, a self-made millionaire who wants a title for his daughter and suspects every Englishman of being a fortune hunter. ## Who they are John McEachern is a former policeman turned wealthy New Yorker, blunt, watchful, and determined to see Molly married into the peerage. He regards Jimmy Pitt with immediate suspicion and is not above hiring a private inquiry agent to keep an eye on the guests at Dreever Castle. His protective instincts and his old professional habits make him a formidable obstacle — and his discovery of the truth about Jimmy threatens to blow the whole romantic plot apart. ## Relationships ### [Jimmy Pitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/jimmy_pitt) _professional_ Jimmy and John have a professional relationship as Jimmy is hired by John to help with a burglary scheme, though it becomes more personal. ### [Spike Mullins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/spike_mullins) _professional_ John and Spike are former associates in criminal activities, with John now trying to distance himself from that life. ### [Molly McEachern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/molly_mceachern) _family_ John is Molly's father, and he is protective of her but also somewhat distant due to his past as a criminal. ### [Lord Dreever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/lord_dreever) _social_ John and Lord Dreever are social acquaintances, with John viewing the young lord as a potential suitor for his daughter. ### [Jimmy Pitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/jimmy_pitt) _professional_ Jimmy and John have a professional relationship as Jimmy is hired by John to help with a burglary scheme, though it becomes more personal. ### [Spike Mullins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/spike_mullins) _professional_ John and Spike are former associates in criminal activities, with John now trying to distance himself from that life. ### [Lord Dreever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/lord_dreever) _social_ John and Lord Dreever are social acquaintances, with John viewing the young lord as a potential suitor for his daughter. ### [Lord Dreever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/lord_dreever) _social_ John and Lord Dreever are social acquaintances, with John viewing the young lord as a potential suitor for his daughter. ### [Molly McEachern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/molly_mceachern) _family_ John is Molly's father, and he is protective of her but also somewhat distant due to his past as a criminal. ### [Jimmy Pitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/jimmy_pitt) _professional_ Jimmy and John have a professional relationship as Jimmy is hired by John to help with a burglary scheme, though it becomes more personal. ### [Molly McEachern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/molly_mceachern) _family_ John is Molly's father, and he is protective of her but also somewhat distant due to his past as a criminal. ### [Spike Mullins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/spike_mullins) _professional_ John and Spike are former associates in criminal activities, with John now trying to distance himself from that life. ## In the story ### [A Gentleman of Leisure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/a-gentleman-of-leisure) The owner of the house Jimmy burgles; a stern and wealthy man. ### [Mr. McEachern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/iii-mr-mceachern) Captain of Police, formerly John Forrest; a large, ambitious man who has built his fortune through graft and is now planning a return to English society for his daughter's sake. ### [IV: Molly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/iv-molly) Reveals his past as an Englishman named Forrest who was expelled for stealing, and announces his plan to move to England to give Molly a better life. ### [Getting Acquainted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/vii-getting-acquainted) The police captain and homeowner, initially threatening but becomes accommodating when he thinks Jimmy is a useful crook; hides his corruption from Molly. ### [X: Jimmy Adopts a Lame Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/x-jimmy-adopts-a-lame-dog) Identified as the police captain whose house Jimmy and Spike burgled; described as a grafter. ### [Making a Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xii-making-a-start) Molly recounts how her father caught a thief attempting to steal Lady Julia's diamond necklace in Paris, earning Sir Thomas's gratitude. ### [Spike's Views](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xiii-spike-s-views) Spotted by Spike in the corridor; he is now a guest at the house after retiring from the police force. ### [Check, and a Countermove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xiv-check-and-a-countermove) Confronts Jimmy and Spike, threatens to expose them, and later writes to a detective agency to hire a sleuth. ### [Mr. McEachern Intervenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xv-mr-mceachern-intervenes) Actively intervenes to push Molly toward Lord Dreever, watching from his bedroom window with opera glasses to ensure his plans proceed. ### [XVI: A Marriage Has Been Arranged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xvi-a-marriage-has-been-arranged) Confronts Molly on the terrace, expresses distrust of Jimmy, and pressures her into accepting Lord Dreever's proposal. ### [XVIII: The Lochinvar Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xviii-the-lochinvar-method) Hired detective Galer to spy on Jimmy; suspected of orchestrating Molly's engagement to Lord Dreever. ### [XIX: On the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xix-on-the-lake) Mr. McEachern is not present in the scene but is a central obstacle: Molly fears his disapproval and recalls his words that Jimmy is 'crooked' and 'here on some game.' ### [XXV: Explanations and an Interruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xxv-explanations-and-an-interruption) Referenced as having warned Molly about Jimmy's crookedness. ### [XXVIII: Spennie's Hour of Clear Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xxviii-spennie-s-hour-of-clear-vision) Sits alone in the billiard room, expecting an engagement announcement, but is shocked to learn the engagement is broken off and that Molly may be interested in Jimmy Pitt. ### [XXIX: The Last Round](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xxix-the-last-round) Is handcuffed by a detective, then freed by Jimmy; agrees to confess his past to Molly. ### [XXX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/chapters/xxx-conclusion) Mentioned as having successfully entered society. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters/john_mceachern - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_gentleman_of_leisure_se/characters