Vanessa has come to bring Bertie on to the straight and narrow path of no smoking or drinking and learning to appreciate fine literature which is why she has brought him an autographed book by the poet Sprockett. But then her father approaches and Vanessa quickly hides in the kitchen because she does not want him to see her with Bertie. Mr Cook comes in and, recognizing him from an earlier encounter as Alpine Joe, directly accuses him of trying to steal his cat on order of Colonel Briscoe. Then he sees the book Vanessa brought in and realizes his daughter must be in. Bertie sees no other option than to take a large picture from the wall, bringing it forcefully down over mr. Cook's head and wrapping him up in a tablecloth while dazed from the blow, after which he goes to find Orlo at the Goose and Grasshopper.