# Mr. Penway — The Coming of Bill character guide

> Mr. Penway in The Coming of Bill by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Penway

**First appearance:** 0011-xi-stung-to-action

## Snapshot

A highball-mixing, cigar-borrowing fixture of Kirk Winfield's studio, Mr. Penway is the kind of friend who never leaves and never helps.

## Who they are

Mr. Penway drifts through Kirk's Bohemian household with the ease of a man who has no other address, cadging drinks, dodging responsibilities, and offering commentary no one requested. He is a parasite of the pleasantest sort, and his presence underscores just how loose and undemanding Kirk's bachelor life has become. When crisis arrives — Steve's abduction of the boy, Mamie's frantic visit — Penway is shooed outside to commune with nature, a comic reminder of the world that is about to be left behind.

## Relationships

### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield)

_professional_

Mr. Penway interacts with Kirk as part of his service to Mrs. Porter, maintaining a polite, helpful demeanor.

### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield)

_professional_

Mr. Penway interacts with Kirk as part of his service to Mrs. Porter, maintaining a polite, helpful demeanor.

### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield)

_professional_

Mr. Penway interacts with Kirk as part of his service to Mrs. Porter, maintaining a polite, helpful demeanor.

## In the story

### [X: Accepting the Gifts of the Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/x-accepting-the-gifts-of-the-gods)

Present at the studio, briefly interacts with Mamie and Kirk before being asked to leave.

### [Mr. Penway on the Grill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xi-mr-penway-on-the-grill)

Lies to protect Kirk but is easily broken by Mrs. Porter's interrogation; later reflects on his own health after her criticism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/mr_penway
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters