# Steve Dingle — The Coming of Bill character guide > Steve Dingle in The Coming of Bill by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Steve, Mr. Steve Dingle, Dingle, Mr. Dingle **First appearance:** 0001-i-a-pawn-of-fate ## Snapshot A rugged ex-fighter with a soft heart, forever scheming small kindnesses for his friends and losing his nerve around the woman he loves. ## Who they are Steve Dingle is Kirk's loyal, resourceful friend — a man whose fists once did the talking and whose awkward tenderness now does the plotting. He steals a baby to give Kirk a day alone with his son, cooks an extravagant supper in celebration, and turns to fire when anyone insults Mamie, the mouselike nurse he has adored for three years without managing to propose. His mixture of muscle, mischief, and shy devotion makes him the story's warmest engine, pushing Kirk toward the life he keeps failing to seize. ## Relationships ### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield) _friendship_ Steve Dingle is Kirk's loyal, rough-edged friend and ally, often helping him in practical matters and offering comic relief. ### [Mamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/mamie) _romantic_ Mamie is Steve Dingle's love interest and eventual wife, sharing a warm, down-to-earth relationship with him. ### [Bailey Bannister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/bailey_bannister) _rivalry_ Bailey Bannister clashes with Steve Dingle, who often undermines Bailey's schemes and stands up for Kirk. ### [Kid Mitchell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kid_mitchell) _friendship_ Kid Mitchell is a friend and associate of Steve Dingle, sharing in his rough-and-tumble world. ### [Keggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/keggs) _friendship_ Keggs is a friend or associate of Steve Dingle, likely sharing in his working-class milieu. ### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield) _friendship_ Steve Dingle is Kirk's loyal, rough-edged friend and ally, often helping him in practical matters and offering comic relief. ### [Kid Mitchell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kid_mitchell) _friendship_ Kid Mitchell is a friend and associate of Steve Dingle, sharing in his rough-and-tumble world. ### [Mamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/mamie) _romantic_ Mamie is Steve Dingle's love interest and eventual wife, sharing a warm, down-to-earth relationship with him. ### [Bailey Bannister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/bailey_bannister) _rivalry_ Bailey Bannister clashes with Steve Dingle, who often undermines Bailey's schemes and stands up for Kirk. ### [Mamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/mamie) _romantic_ Mamie is Steve Dingle's love interest and eventual wife, sharing a warm, down-to-earth relationship with him. ### [Bailey Bannister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/bailey_bannister) _rivalry_ Bailey Bannister clashes with Steve Dingle, who often undermines Bailey's schemes and stands up for Kirk. ### [Kirk Winfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/kirk_winfield) _friendship_ Steve Dingle is Kirk's loyal, rough-edged friend and ally, often helping him in practical matters and offering comic relief. ## In the story ### [III: The Mates Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/iii-the-mates-meet) A prizefighter friend of Kirk's who regularly spars with him. Mentioned as part of Kirk's daily routine and social circle. ### [IV: Troubled Waters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/iv-troubled-waters) Steve is the physical instructor in the Bannister household, a former boxer who now trains old Mr. Bannister and Bailey. He is conscientious and firm in his duties. ### [Wherein Opposites Agree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/v-wherein-opposites-agree) Sparring partner and friend; recounts a story about a forgetful young man. ### [VIII: Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/viii-suspense) Visits to support Kirk, shares a story about his father's similar experience, and suggests a boxing match to relieve tension. ### [IX: The White Hope Is Turned Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/ix-the-white-hope-is-turned-down) Acts as the reluctant envoy, bungles the mission, and is unnerved by John Bannister's icy politeness. ### [X: An Interlude of Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/x-an-interlude-of-peace) Introduces Mamie to the family, is in love with her but too shy to propose. ### [I: Empty-Handed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/i-empty-handed) Mentioned by Kirk as someone he plans to spar with; Ruth says he is 'splendid.' ### [The Misadventure of Steve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/iii-the-misadventure-of-steve) Feels alienated by the Winfields' new wealth and Lora Porter's influence; visits the nursery hoping to propose to Mamie but fails again. ### [VI: The Outcasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/vi-the-outcasts) Serves as a model for Kirk's advertisement drawing and suggests taking Bill to Connecticut to jolt Ruth. ### [VIII: Steve to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/viii-steve-to-the-rescue) Learns of Kirk's departure from Keggs and resolves to kidnap the child to straighten out the tangle. ### [IX: At One in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/ix-at-one-in-the-morning) The ex-middleweight, acting as a self-described burglar, sneaks into the nursery to kidnap William, successfully persuading the boy to leave with him. ### [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) Takes William Bannister to Kirk's Connecticut house; sends a telegram and leaves a note for Mamie. ### [Pastures New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xiii-pastures-new) Arrives at the Connecticut shack with William Bannister, manages the journey and breakfast, and plans to send a telegram to Kirk. ### [XIV: The Sixty-First Street Cyclone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xiv-the-sixty-first-street-cyclone) Arranged the fight for William and recounts the event with pride; feels sheepish about Mamie's reaction. ### [Mrs. Porter's Waterloo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xv-mrs-porter-s-waterloo) Defends Mamie and announces his intention to marry her, turning the tables on Mrs. Porter. ### [XVI: The White-Hope Link](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/chapters/xvi-the-white-hope-link) Mentioned as having left; his earlier comment about dynamite not waking William is recalled. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters/steve_dingle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_of_bill_se/characters