Judge, 1914-02-14 · page 12 of 24
Judge — February 14, 1914 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts a social comedy of manners centered on infidelity at the opera. The scene shows Mr. Aynsley arranging for his wife Julia to leave with Hugh Allard in their motorcar while he pretends to have "an errand at the club." The text reveals Aynsley's deception: he actually follows them by hansom cab to the stage door of the opera house, suggesting an assignation. The satire targets upper-class hypocrisy and the motorcar's role in enabling clandestine affairs. The "swell motor brougham" provides convenient cover for illicit behavior—Aynsley deliberately positions it to usurp the hansom's spot, symbolizing his control over the situation. The broader context is society's obsession with the new Regal Opera House as a status symbol where "the elect in society" gather, yet beneath this veneer of respectability lurk deception and moral compromise. The joke relies on readers recognizing the transparent pretense of the polite excuse and the knowing glances exchanged among the characters.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘ e TERRIFIC, eh?" remarked Aynsley, with a touch of excitement “Ripping!’’ replied Balmar, who turned to Mrs Aynsley with, ‘Don’t you think so?’’ “If you mean the opera, it was stunning,’’ she re- sponded. But from her manner her mind was not on the opera. Hugh Allard, who had joined the trio—all four had led the outpouring audience by the moment or two that means greater convenience in getting away from a mass of people—gave Mrs. Aynsley a significant look that was returned with emphasis. Aynsley’s swell motor brougham had first place on the curb, though a smart hansom was in a position to usurp the right of way. “Here, Hugh,”’ said Aynsley to Allard, ‘‘just drive home with Julia, will you not? I’ve an errand at the club, late as it is."’ . Mrs. Aynsley had been helped into the brougham by her husband. Her face was averted, and she seemed nerv- ous. Allard raised his hat and got in with her, and her countenance at once took on a glow as they drove away. Bese Balmar after a moment with Aynsley - disappeared in the crowd. Aynsley glanced at the departing brougham, gave the driver of the hansom a significant look, leaped into that vehicle, and was driven around the magnificent Regal Opera House to the stage door, through which he disappeared. Although temples of grand opera are catalogued with the luxuries, the Regal was a necessity. The older Cosmopolitan Opera House had become congested. The Diamond Horseshoe that character- ized it had literally overflowed. The elect in society, Fr. The Primitive Wy an By J. &TALDR originally enumerated sfour Hui and social rivalries inmed, to everybody concerned. ‘Tye were varying and changing satyles of v for happiness or misery.'4 this wa The Diamond Horse became when its occupants weritirred ¢ when they got busy seily—jewels its brim. There wassetinuous mond buttons and lessetnkets 0 comicbooks.com