Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Fortune-Minded Introduction
Sir Reginald Ford is presented as an idle, penniless baronet. He is introduced to Kitty McCarthy because her fortune is expected to help his family.
Key Events
-
Reginald Lives Idly — Reginald is introduced as an idle baronet without money or concern. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford
Location: The Ford family estate
-
Family Seeks A Fortune — Reginald is introduced to Kitty in hopes of accessing her fortune. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford
Location: The Ford family estate
-
Kitty Meets Reginald — Reginald and Kitty meet through the family's marriage scheme. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Fortune News Arrives — Kitty learns that she has lost her fortune. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
The Map Chase Comedy
Kitty learns that she has lost her fortune, while Arabian oil field maps in the house become the object of pursuit. The guarded plans trigger a comic sequence in which everybody chases everybody else.
Key Events
-
Oil Maps Become Target — The maps for Arabian oil fields become the target of a scheme. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Maps Guarded Inside — The oil maps are kept in the house under detective protection. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Detective Guard Begins — Two detectives guard the maps inside the house. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Chase For The Plans — A comic pursuit develops as people try to obtain the plans. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Everyone Chases Everyone — The map subplot turns into an amusing chain of mutual chases. Characters: Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
Love Beyond Fortune
Reginald realizes that he loves Kitty for herself rather than for her money. A pessimistic passer-by warns them, but is called in as a witness when they marry.
Key Events
-
Reginald Reconsiders Love — Reginald realizes that his feelings for Kitty are not based on money. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Fortune No Longer Matters — Reginald accepts Kitty despite her loss of fortune. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: The family house
-
Pessimist Gives Warning — The couple encounters a pessimistic passer-by who warns them. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy, Pessimist
Location: A public place
-
Marriage Witness Called — The couple calls the Pessimist in as a witness to their marriage. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy, Pessimist
Location: A public place
-
Reginald Marries Kitty — Reginald and Kitty marry despite the warning and financial uncertainty. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy, Pessimist
Location: A public place
A Costly Married Life
Marriage does not make the couple financially secure because the old family home is expensive to maintain. Kitty buys a pub, where she and Reginald enjoy serving the regulars together.
Key Events
-
Life Requires Money — The married couple discovers that maintaining the family home is expensive. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: The old family pile
-
Kitty Buys A Pub — Kitty buys a pub as the couple seeks a workable livelihood. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: A pub
-
Couple Serves Regulars — Reginald and Kitty enjoy serving the pub's regular customers. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford, Kitty McCarthy
Location: The pub
The Idle Wealthy Enterprise
Reginald develops a way to earn money from other idle aristocrats. He establishes a home where wealthy guests pay to perform useful household jobs.
Key Events
-
Reginald Finds A Scheme — Reginald finds a way to make money from idle aristocrats. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford
Location: The old family pile
-
Idle Wealthy Arrive — Idle wealthy guests come to stay at the new establishment for a fee. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford
Location: The old family pile
-
Aristocrats Take Jobs — The guests work as butlers, gardeners, and chauffeurs in the profitable home. Characters: Sir Reginald Ford
Location: The old family pile
