Growing up on a staple of Wodehouse, now as a thirty-something trying to manage a house the person I miss the most and am trying to manifest with all my might is Jeeves. The cook, the maid, the driver and all on one side, a perfect housekeeper, lets say a butler on the other, but to tie them all together wouldnt it be so lovely to have Jeeves in toe! While reading the Empress of Blandings, which happens to be my favourite book whipped up by Wodehouse, I couldn’t help but laugh my heart out heartily. Every tome after that was also something to lighten up the mood and the vibe. In his flowing English English, with matters of marmalade and the ring of a bell, the laid-back nature of the English countryside conjures up in one’s mind, irrespective of which library or hostel dorm room one is perched on.
Having one to be at the beck of a ring is something by 1931 born Grandfather still manages even at the turn of a century, but he has his butler english and generational precedence to thrive on, today the only bell that has me jumping out of my seat is the sound of ringtones from the mobile phone, all without the depth and the alacrity for sure. The beauty of the tingle of the phone is severely unmatched. I would wonder what it would be to have Jeeves watch over my 7 year old. The conversation that is already so delightful would for sure turn spiffy! Jeeves the character is very smart, so is the little fellow, who reminded me this weekend that he isn’t so little anymore. Much the reason to have a prompt butler to seize the day with copious amounts of wit and wisdom.
For one he would very aptly answer all the questions put to me by the child and put out once and very quickly at that, the question of why, that is directed to me all along. The husband very conveniently puts out the why with the act of being deaf and somehow the question why comes straight back at me, also because of the time we spend being idle is a lot more perhaps! Again a reason to have Jeeves at hand, and one who can answer along with the son’s questions, mine too that happen to announce the arrival of the benefits of self reflection! The high competence of Jeeves has me all the time. Infact he would have corrected me just now, decidedly proclaiming that even if around, he would be my valet and not a housekeeper. Well, Oh Jeeves!
Vedasri Siddamsetty 