# Mrs. Beale — Love Among the Chickens character guide

> Mrs. Beale in Love Among the Chickens by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Beale, Mrs. Beale

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-the-arrival

## Snapshot

The Ukridges' unflappable cook, who makes seductive cat-noises up chimneys and delivers philosophical verdicts on fate while dinner for five hangs in the balance.

## Who they are

Mrs. Beale presides over the chaotic kitchen of the chicken farm, the one practical presence in a household where nothing goes to plan. Her running battle with Edwin the cat, who will not come down while he thinks Bob is about, captures the farm's blend of domestic farce and genuine disorder, and her resigned 'what must be must be' is the sanest voice in the room. She matters because her struggles to produce a meal from an empty larder expose just how precarious the whole Ukridge enterprise really is.

## In the story

### [The Arrival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/iv-the-arrival)

The hired man; returns with a gun and rabbits, explains he never received Ukridge's letter.

### [Buckling To](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/v-buckling-to)

The hired man; sent to fetch wire and sugar boxes; builds coops with a critical eye; shows tireless energy.

### [Mr. Garnet's Narrative—Has to Do with a Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/vi-mr-garnet-s-narrative-has-to-do-with-a-reunion)

The hired man who works with Garnet on the wire-netting while Ukridge supervises.

### [A Little Dinner at Ukridge's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/viii-a-little-dinner-at-ukridge-s)

Hired retainer, reports Edwin's escape up the chimney with calm amusement.

### [X: I Enlist the Services of a Minion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/x-i-enlist-the-services-of-a-minion)

Hired retainer; consulted about the chickens' illness, he suggests snuff as a remedy, but his advice is dismissed.

### [The Brave Preserver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xi-the-brave-preserver)

Provides hot water and a lunch of roast chicken, contributing to the hospitality for the professor.

### [XII: Some Emotions and Yellow Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xii-some-emotions-and-yellow-lupin)

The Hired Retainer, takes life tranquilly, helps paint chicken throats, views Ukridge as an amiable lunatic.

### [XIV: A Council of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xiv-a-council-of-war)

Mentioned as consuming many eggs for cooking, including omelettes.

### [XVI: A Chance Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xvi-a-chance-meeting)

Soured cynic due to lack of cooking opportunities; serves chicken repeatedly.

### [The Calm Before the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xxi-the-calm-before-the-storm)

The hired man who informs Garnet of Ukridge's departure and agrees to stay on despite unpaid wages.

### [The Calm Before the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xxi-the-calm-before-the-storm)

Mentioned as Beale's wife; she also agrees to remain at the farm.

### [The Storm Breaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xxii-the-storm-breaks)

Defends the farm by fighting creditors; reluctantly goes indoors when asked by Garnet.

### [After the Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/chapters/xxiii-after-the-storm)

The hired retainer who fought the creditors and fetches the shotgun to disperse them.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/characters/mrs_beale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/love_among_the_chickens_se/characters