# George Albert Balmer — Short Fiction character guide

> George Albert Balmer in Short Fiction by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** George Balmer, George, The George, the George, Robert

**First appearance:** 0000-when-papa-swore-in-hindustani

## Snapshot

A struggling writer scraping by in a New York boarding house, George Balmer finds his heart torn between an absent grey-eyed girl and the mascot who adores him.

## Who they are

George Balmer earns half a dollar a year and clings to the hope that his writing will one day make a home for Alice Halliday, the grey-eyed girl whose photograph sits on his mantelpiece. Into that waiting life comes Peggy, a round-eyed chorus girl who calls herself his mascot and whose jealousy of the photograph erupts into a confession and a slammed door. His helplessness before both women, and his inability to work once Peggy stops visiting, make him the story's study in divided loyalty and the quiet damage of being loved by someone you cannot love back.

## In the story

### [In Alcala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/chapters/in-alcala)

Falls in love on the promenade, setting off a chain of romantic and comedic events.

### [The Tuppenny Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/chapters/the-tuppenny-millionaire)

Protagonist who inherits a thousand pounds, travels to Roville, falls in love with Lady Julia Waveney, and later gambles at boule.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/george_albert_balmer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters