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Bertie Wooster looked across the dining table at Sir Roderick Glossop and hoped his expression was sufficiently like that of ‘a normal human being’ to satisfy his Aunt Agatha who had instructed him to entertain the eminent nerve specialist.
He was trying to think of something suitable to say, when suddenly Sir Roderick exclaimed, "There it goes again, a sock!”
“I’m sure you must be mistaken,” Bertie said. “Socks don’t just move across the floor by themselves. I’ll just ask Jeeves to ensure all the windows are closed, cut down on the breeze, don’t you know.”
“No, it was most certainly moving under its own propulsion, not being blown about. And it was a purple sock.”
“Purple’s the in colour this season.”
“Not where I come from.”
“No, probably not,” Bertie muttered to himself. Aloud he called, “Jeeves, we seem to have an errant and indeed erring sock in here. Could you come and deal with it.”
Jeeves slid into the dining room. “Certainly sir.” He walked over to the corner, bent down and then retreated as quietly as he had come.
He had not made it out of the door before Sir Roderick shouted, “It’s back!”
“Oh, no, sir!” Jeeves replied. “I have the sock in my hand.” He held up a purple sock.
They all watched as a purple sock once more crossed the dining room floor.
Sir Roderick stood up. “I refuse to remain in an abode which has animated socks and purple ones at that.”
“Of course, sir. Shall I fetch your hat and coat?”
“Don’t bother. I’ll do it myself.”
As soon as Sir Roderick had left, Jeeves bent down and picked up the second sock, gave it a bit of a shake and the Ferret slid out.
“Hello, old fellow,” Bertie said. “Nice to see you again. And thank you for getting rid of that Class A bore. But hang on a minute, he’s bound to tell Aunt Agatha about the socks, and she’ll come steaming over here and will find them.”
“There is one way we could deal with that, sir,” Jeeves said.
“Very well, you may dispose of them. You’d better do it at once before she gets here.”
“Certainly sir.” Jeeves looked very satisfied. “It appears Sir Roderick left before the dessert. Do you still want me to serve it?”
“What is it and is there enough for three?”
“I bought some cream meringues this morning, and yes, quite enough for the three of us.”
“Excellent. Then as soon as you have got rid of the socks, you may serve it out.”
“Very good, sir.”