Zelda seems more determined than ever of snagging Dobie by bringing both her family and his family into the mix. As such, Dobie is more determined than ever to get Zelda off his trail. He figures that part of the problem is that no one else seems interested in Zelda, which she herself admits. So Dobie decides what he has to do is make other guys interested in her by spreading a rumor about her that will make her irresistible to most guys, most specifically a rich, snooty guy like Chatsworth Osborne, Jr., while also making them think that they are pulling one over on Dobie himself by snatching her away from him. As the rumor takes on a life of its own, Dobie may not be able to enjoy fully the fruits of his labor.
—Huggo