[
 {
  "chunk": 108,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "A pen Gowing recommended leaks, and when Pooter bangs it on his desk Mr Perkupp shouts at the noise, supposing it is Pitt; Pitt gleefully says aloud that it is Mr Pooter and has been all morning, and Lupin laughs behind his desk; the shop will not take the pen back.",
  "predicament": "A senior blamed by the employer for a noise is loudly named by a younger colleague, while his own son laughs nearby."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 109,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "Gowing brings an invitation to a Volunteer ball; Pooter serves him a sparkling wine given by Mr James, which Gowing mocks and which is indeed sour; at cards the Pooters lose five shillings between them and Gowing somehow claims to have lost too.",
  "predicament": "An old friend mocks the gift wine his host serves him, and somehow comes out ahead at cards though nobody else won."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 110,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "The neighbours' boys throw bones over the fence and pull faces whenever the Pooters have guests; the servant spoils the sauce. For the ball Pooter has Carrie wear her Mansion House dress in case Mr Perkupp is there, and Lupin says he hears it is a 'bounders' ball'.",
  "predicament": "A couple dress in their best for a function they think fashionable, hoping to meet the employer, while their son says it is common."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 111,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "Arriving an hour late to be fashionable after a long search for the hall, Pooter underpays the grumbling cabman, knows no one among the uniforms, and is glad to be greeted by Padge.",
  "predicament": "A couple arrive late to seem fashionable at a function far from home, find they know nobody, and welcome an acquaintance they dislike."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 112,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "In the empty supper-room Pooter helps Carrie, a new acquaintance, Mrs Lupkin, Padge and several civil strangers to champagne, pie and ices, thinking himself recognised from the City and that civility costs nothing.",
  "predicament": "A guest at a grand function generously helps everyone around him to food and wine, believing it is all provided free."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 113,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "The others go to dance; the waiter refuses Pooter's shilling tip and presents a bill for £3 0s 6d, the invitation not covering refreshments; Pooter turns out his pockets and is nine shillings short, and the manager takes his card.",
  "predicament": "A man who played the generous host at a function is handed the bill for everyone's supper and cannot quite pay it."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 114,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "Deeply humiliated, Pooter hides the bill from Carrie so as not to spoil her evening; Mrs Lupkin presses them to come and stay with her at the seaside and they accept; in pouring rain they find a cab willing to take them only part of the way.",
  "predicament": "A man humiliated by an unexpected bill hides it from his wife so as not to spoil her evening."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 115,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "With no money left for the fare, Pooter is abused by the cabman, who pulls his beard; a policeman says he saw nothing and people should not ride without money; they walk two miles home in the rain and Pooter drafts a letter to the paper. Mrs James decorates the mantelpiece with toy insects as the fashion.",
  "predicament": "A man with no money for his fare is abused and manhandled, and the law standing by says he has only himself to blame."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 116,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "The next-door neighbour accuses Pooter of boring into his cistern and threatens a bill; Cummings, laid up again after a fall, is indignant when Lupin rushes out laughing and complains that once more nobody inquired after him; Carrie takes up manicure on Mrs James's advice.",
  "predicament": "An old friend laid up again reproaches a man for never asking after him, while the man's son runs out laughing at his fall."
 },
 {
  "chunk": 117,
  "story": 17,
  "summary": "Pooter resents Mrs James's influence on Carrie; Mrs Lupkin's letter reveals her pressing invitation was to her own commercial hotel at half price, and Pooter declines with what Carrie calls satire; a suit he chose by gaslight arrives as loud mustard-and-green check, and Carrie giggles.",
  "predicament": "A man discovers that a chance acquaintance's warm invitation to come and stay was really an offer to let him cheap rooms."
 }
]