# Psmith — Leave It to Psmith character guide > Psmith in Leave It to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** major **Also known as:** V Psmith, R. Psmith, IV Psmith, Baroness Psmith, Mr. Psmith, Shropshire Psmith **First appearance:** 0000-i-dark-plottings-at-blandings-castle ## Snapshot A monocled, silver-tongued impostor who talks his way into Blandings Castle by impersonating a poet, and finds the girl of his dreams already there. ## Who they are Psmith arrives at Blandings posing as the visiting poet Ralston McTodd, armed with nothing but nerve, a good tailor, and an inexhaustible gift for elegant nonsense. He is a man who solves problems by conversation — recruiting a butler, inventing a valet, and proposing marriage as a 'sighting shot' — while quietly pursuing the blue-eyed Eve Halliday he met at an employment bureau. His charm is his weapon and his flaw: he'd rather improvise than explain, and every improvisation digs him deeper into a house full of people with secrets of their own. ## Relationships ### [Eve Halliday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/eve_halliday) _romantic_ Eve and Psmith share a playful, flirtatious dynamic that evolves into mutual romantic interest and partnership. ### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/freddie_threepwood) _friendship_ Freddie and Psmith are allies and co-conspirators, with Freddie often relying on Psmith's schemes. ### [Lord Emsworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/lord_emsworth) _friendship_ Lord Emsworth is charmed by Psmith's wit and often enlists his help, viewing him as a clever ally. ### [Edward Cootes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/edward_cootes) _rivalry_ Cootes and Psmith are adversaries, with Psmith outwitting Cootes in the theft plot. ### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/rupert_baxter) _rivalry_ Psmith and Baxter are antagonists, with Baxter suspicious of Psmith's motives and schemes. ### [Ralston McTodd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/ralston_mctodd) _rivalry_ Psmith impersonates the poet Ralston McTodd, creating a competitive dynamic with the real McTodd. ### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/freddie_threepwood) _friendship_ Freddie and Psmith are allies and co-conspirators, with Freddie often relying on Psmith's schemes. ### [Eve Halliday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/eve_halliday) _romantic_ Eve and Psmith share a playful, flirtatious dynamic that evolves into mutual romantic interest and partnership. ### [Eve Halliday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/eve_halliday) _romantic_ Eve and Psmith share a playful, flirtatious dynamic that evolves into mutual romantic interest and partnership. ### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/rupert_baxter) _rivalry_ Psmith and Baxter are antagonists, with Baxter suspicious of Psmith's motives and schemes. ### [Edward Cootes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/edward_cootes) _rivalry_ Cootes and Psmith are adversaries, with Psmith outwitting Cootes in the theft plot. ### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/freddie_threepwood) _friendship_ Freddie and Psmith are allies and co-conspirators, with Freddie often relying on Psmith's schemes. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Psmith is introduced through his advertisement in the Morning Globe, offering to handle any job (except fish). Freddie decides to contact him. ### [Enter Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii-enter-psmith) Calls on Mrs. Jackson but is turned away; meets Mike Jackson on the street and goes for tea. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Visits Mike Jackson's home, is turned away, meets Mike on the street, discusses quitting his fish job and his advertisement. ### [III: Eve Borrows an Umbrella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii-eve-borrows-an-umbrella) Observes Eve from the Drones Club, borrows an umbrella from the Honourable Mr. Walderwick, and gallantly offers it to her. ### [Painful Scene at the Drones Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv-painful-scene-at-the-drones-club) Returns to the Drones Club, smooths his hair, retrieves his hat, and calmly explains his borrowing of Walderwick's umbrella. He then visits the International Employment Bureau. ### [Psmith Applies for Employment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v-psmith-applies-for-employment) Visits the employment bureau, interacts with Eve and Miss Clarkson, and applies for any job not involving fish. ### [Lord Emsworth Meets a Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vi-lord-emsworth-meets-a-poet) Retrieves letters from Box 365, receives a cryptic meeting request, obtains a pink chrysanthemum, and is mistaken for Ralston McTodd by Lord Emsworth, accepting an invitation to Blandings Castle. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Protagonist who receives a mysterious letter and goes to the Piccadilly Palace Hotel to meet the writer, wearing a pink chrysanthemum. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Arrives at the hotel wearing a pink chrysanthemum, engages in witty banter with Freddie, and agrees to consider the proposal to steal a necklace. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Dines at the Senior Conservative Club, reflects on Eve Halliday, and observes Lord Emsworth and his companion. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Enters the smoking-room after lunch, politely inquires about the vacant chair, listens to McTodd's complaints, and then orders coffee while thinking of Eve Halliday. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Continues impersonating Ralston McTodd; accepts Lord Emsworth's invitation to Blandings Castle; sees Eve Halliday again and is smitten. ### [Baxter Suspects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vii-baxter-suspects) Impersonates Ralston McTodd; travels with Lord Emsworth; agrees to help Freddie with the necklace scheme; writes an autograph for Miss Peavey. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Impersonates Ralston McTodd on the train to Blandings; converses with Lord Emsworth about poetry and gardens; later moves compartments and wakes Freddie Threepwood. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Impersonating McTodd; agrees to help Freddie steal the necklace for Phyllis and Mike Jackson. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Arrives at Blandings Castle posing as Ralston McTodd; signs Miss Peavey's autograph-book with a line of poetry; deflects Baxter's suspicion with charm. ### [Confidences on the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/viii-confidences-on-the-lake) Rowing with Eve, learns of McTodd's marriage to Cynthia, advises Freddie, and throws a flowerpot to announce Eve to Baxter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Claims Miss Halliday as an old friend, accompanies Lord Emsworth to the garden. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Sits on the terrace wall, advises Freddie on dealing with suspicions and love, and leaves to brood. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Meets Eve at the station, guides her through the grounds, and displays his characteristic confidence and wit. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Leads Eve away from Freddie, introduces her to Baxter by throwing a flowerpot, and is mistaken for the poet McTodd by Lord Emsworth. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Impersonating Ralston McTodd, he invents a story about Cynthia's misconduct to avoid reconciliation and win Eve's sympathy. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vi) Receives Freddie's warning about Baxter's suspicions but resolves to continue the deception. ### [Psmith Engages a Valet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ix-psmith-engages-a-valet) Relaxes under the cedar, tries to persuade Eve to join him, then confronts and dismisses the impostor Cootes. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Lazes under the cedar, attempts to lure Eve from work, naps, and later meets the arriving Ralston McTodd. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Psmith, posing as Ralston McTodd, confronts and dismisses the impostor Cootes, then goes to find Eve in the library. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Referred to as the man with an eyeglass who is passing himself off as Ralston McTodd at the castle. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Psmith is confronted by Miss Peavey and later by Edward Cootes, whom he introduces as his valet to gain entry to the castle. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vi) Disarms Cootes, reflects on hiding the necklace, and instructs Beach to prod Cootes. ### [Sensational Occurrence at a Poetry Reading](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/x-sensational-occurrence-at-a-poetry-reading) Proposes to Eve after being confronted about Cynthia; reads poetry at Blandings. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the man Cootes forced to get him into the castle; he is to give a poetry reading that evening, which serves as the backdrop for the theft scheme. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Proposes to Eve on the terrace, defends his deception, and later reads poetry before the lights go out. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Referenced indirectly via the overturned flowerpot he caused earlier. ### [Almost Entirely About Flowerpots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xi-almost-entirely-about-flowerpots) Psmith observes Baxter's flowerpot-throwing, converses with Lord Emsworth, and enjoys the summer morning. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Referred to as the pseudo-McTodd, he is suspected of being involved in the necklace theft. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Calmly agrees to intervene with Baxter; dresses neatly before going. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Observes Baxter's flowerpot-throwing, converses with Lord Emsworth, and deduces the necklace's hiding place. ### [More on the Flowerpot Theme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xii-more-on-the-flowerpot-theme) Accompanies Eve to his cottage, prattling amiably; unaware of the necklace's significance, he continues his humorous marriage proposal. ### [Psmith Receives Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xiii-psmith-receives-guests) Reveals his friendship with Phyllis Jackson and his role in the necklace plot; retrieves the necklace from a stuffed bird before being interrupted by Cootes and Peavey. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Referred to as the impostor McTodd; Eve believes he intends to keep the diamonds. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Discovered by Eve at the end of the chapter, seated on the ruined sofa and toying with an automatic pistol. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Remains in the cottage to guard the necklace; explains his friendship with Mike Jackson and his role in the plot. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Maintains calm and uses witty dialogue to stall the criminals; seizes the opportunity when Freddie falls through the ceiling to disarm Cootes and recover the necklace. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Humming, buries a dead bat, discusses Miss Peavey's thievery, and accepts Eve's decision to marry. ### [Psmith Accepts Employment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xiv-psmith-accepts-employment) Confesses to Lord Emsworth that he is not Ralston McTodd, explains his motives, and is hired as the new secretary; reveals his engagement to Eve Halliday. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/psmith - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters