Tell me, Jeeves, I said. Suppose you were in a shop taking out of the lending library and a clergyman's daughter came in and without so much as a preliminary 'Hullo, there' said to you, 'Has he brought it yet?' what interpretations would you place on those words?He pondered, this way and that dividing the swift mind, as I have heard him put it.'Has he brought it yet,' sir?Just that.I should reach the conclusion that the lady was expecting a male acquaintance to have arrived or to be arriving shortly bearing some unidentified object.
In this excerpt from P.G. Wodehouse's "Aunts Aren't Gentlemen," the protagonist asks Jeeves, his astute valet, how he would interpret a specific phrase spoken by a clergyman's daughter. The phrase, "Has he brought it yet?" piques his curiosity, prompting him to consider the implications behind the words. The protagonist is intrigued by the potential meanings and context surrounding this inquiry.
Jeeves, known for his analytical thinking, reflects on the statement and concludes that it suggests the lady is anticipating a visit from a male friend who is expected to arrive with an unspecified item. This exchange showcases Wodehouse's humor and the dynamic relationship between the protagonist and Jeeves, highlighting Jeeves' sharp intellect and the light-hearted nature of the narrative.