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Uncle Fred

Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, 5th Earl of good old Ickenham.  A good-hearted soul whose only aim in life is "to spread sweetness and light."  Unfortunately, Uncle Fred's ideas on how to go about this frequently caused quite a bit of mischief.  As Uncle Fred himself said, "I always strive, when I can, to spread sweetness and light. There have been several complaints about it."  In fact, one of the members of the Drones makes a statement about Uncle Fred which is repeated, for good effect, in every Uncle Fred book: "I don't know if you happen to know what the word 'excesses' mean, but these are what Pongo's Uncle Fred from the country, when in London, invariably commits."  Indeed, Uncle Fred commits these excesses anytime the wife lets him away from the homefront and especially at Blandings Castle.   But not to worry.  After all, these are Wodehouse books, and all works out in the end.  The right bloke ends up with the right girl, and everyone is happy.  Well, perhaps not the aunts.  But at least they aren't raising a fuss any longer.

Pongo Twistleton

Pongo, member of the Drones Club, is frequently his Uncle Fred's unwilling partner in the spreading of sweetness and light.  Not quite the stout-hearted chap that his Uncle Fred is, Pongo can often be found having an attack of nerves at the mere thought of what his Uncle Fred might do.  Nevertheless, Pongo admires and always aids his Uncle Fred in the end. "Pongo lit a reverent cigarette; he did not approve of his Uncle Fred, but he could not but admire his work." 

Valerie Twistleton

Valerie is Pongo's sister.  A somewhat sterner soul than her brother and uncle (not an uncommon characteristic of Wodehouse women), she disapproves of the their doings.

Hugo Carmody

Hugo is a wealthy man engaged to Valerie.  Pongo often wants to borrow money from Hugo.  In fact, many members of the Drones frequently want to borrow money from Hugo, usually to no avail.  Although not as tight as, say, Oofy Prosser, Hugo is not one to throw his money around either.  But as long as Valerie is happy and not breaking their engagement, Hugo is happy as well.

Jane Twistleton

Jane is Uncle Fred's wife, a woman from America.  Although we hear about her, she never makes an actual appearance.  She tries to keep her sprightly husband under control.  Uncle Fred describes her as thus: "American girls try to boss you.  It's part of their charm."  But Uncle Fred periodically manages to escape her control and spread his sweetness and light.

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