# Mr. Arnold Abney — The Little Nugget character guide

> Mr. Arnold Abney in The Little Nugget by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Abney, Abney, Sometimes Mr. Abney

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

The headmaster of Sanstead School, a man of dignified routine whose orderly institution becomes the unlikely battleground for a kidnapping war.

## Who they are

Mr. Abney presides over Sanstead with the solemn self-importance of a schoolmaster who believes his school is above the vulgarities of the world outside. That belief is tested when professional criminals, a disguised detective, and a fortune in the form of a small boy all converge on his premises. His obliviousness to the chaos brewing under his nose is part of the novel's comedy, and his school is the stage on which every faction must play its hand.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Headmaster of Sanstead House; meets Peter at his club and hires him as classical master.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Headmaster of Sanstead House; frequently runs up to London; warns Peter about Ogden's peculiarities.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Headmaster of Sanstead House; tries to discipline Ogden and is deceived by the genial visitor.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iv)

Headmaster of Sanstead House, shows Peter around the school and discusses the boys.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Head of Sanstead House; leaves the study early, leaving Peter with Glossop.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Schoolmaster; flustered and issuing futile directions, he scolds the boys and Ogden for smoking.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/vi)

Headmaster of Sanstead House, overseeing the school and its students.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

The headmaster, confined to bed with a cold; his strict orders against playing in the snow have kept the boys indoors.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Suffering from a cold, is startled awake by Buck's prodding.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Distressed by the disappearance of the boys and the raid; sends Peter to London.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Headmaster of Sanstead House; insists that White accompany Peter to London after learning White is a detective.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xi)

Handles the runaways' return with oratory, subduing Augustus and moving Ogden's bed for security.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Headmaster of Sanstead House; participates in the evening coffee ritual.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Mr. Abney, the schoolmaster, is called to London on urgent business and asks Peter to stay as his deputy. He is shocked by Sam's accusation and expels Peter after reading the incriminating letter.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xv)

Headmaster who expels Peter after the incident with Mrs. Drassilis.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/arnold_abney
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters