Fibble, D.D.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27154

Title

Fibble, D.D.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Irvin S. Cobb's satirical novella follows the Reverend Roscoe Titmarsh Fibble, a well-meaning but socially awkward young curate who retreats from his parish duties after a series of embarrassing misunderstandings. Blending wit, humor, and local color, the story chronicles Fibble's awkward attempts to mentor local boys, his chaotic European tour with a group of impressionable young women, and a disastrous romantic encounter that nearly ends in tragedy. Ultimately, a misunderstanding involving a practical joke and a misdirected kiss resolves into...

Summary up to 500 words

In Irvin S. Cobb's humorous novel *Fibble, D.D.*, the narrative follows Reverend Roscoe Titmarsh Fibble, a thirty-eight-year-old assistant to the elderly Dr. Tubley at St. Barnabas'. Charged with guiding the unruly boys of the parish, Fibble earnestly attempts to replace their rough baseball games with the orderly sport of cricket and to instill a love for nature study. However, his efforts to elevate the lads' character are met with indifference, as the boys prefer their customary boisterous pastimes. Fibble's personal journey takes a dramatic turn when he embarks on a European tour with a group of young ladies, including Miss Hilda Slicker. Despite his intentions to provide intellectual enrichment, the trip is frequently thwarted by the girls' desire for shopping and socializing. A particularly chaotic episode occurs at the Louvre in Paris, where Fibble momentarily loses his charges. He discovers them not in the art galleries, but distracted by a nearby glove shop, highlighting the clash between his high-minded educational goals and the girls' frivolous interests. In Paris, Fibble also witnesses Miss Slicker interacting with French officers, initially suspecting them to be suitors, only to learn they are her cousins. The plot thickens significantly when Fibble falls in love with Hildegarde Hamm, the niece of her formidable uncle, a renowned marksman. During a private confession of his feelings, Fibble impulsively kisses Hildegarde. Due to her sudden movement, he strikes her nose instead of her lips. Rather than reacting with anger, Hildegarde responds with hysterical laughter. The situation escalates when her uncle, armed and furious, prepares to shoot Fibble for the insult to his niece's modesty. Fibble flees through an open window, suffering a broken ankle in the fall. The story concludes with a revelation that dissolves all tension. Hildegarde reveals the entire incident was a prank; the kiss was not intended to be offensive, and her laughter stemmed from the absurdity of the misdirected blow. Her uncle, realizing the joke, forgives Fibble. The couple is united, and Fibble reflects on his transformation from a bumbling novice to a man who has found love, maintaining the lighthearted, observational tone characteristic of Cobb's work.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Humor