Judge, 1916-09-30 · page 14 of 28
Judge — September 30, 1916 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical society story about social embarrassment and infidelity. A man named Reynall invites his friend Bigge to a country house party, where Bigge encounters a woman he knew years ago in London—a woman he apparently abandoned suddenly. The twist: the woman is now **Mrs. Reynall**, Bigge's host's wife. Their awkward reunion reveals Bigge's history of romantic entanglements (he's also been linked to "Lady Beringer" and was apparently investigated by a gossip columnist called "The Bubbler"). The humor targets the hypocrisy of high society—people maintaining respectable facades while engaging in affairs and romantic scandals. The inserted joke at bottom about serving "in France" as "president" of Somme appears to be separate wordplay about WWI service. The embedded cartoon about "Bashful youth" and "Dolly Grey" humorously plays on romantic pretense and female agency regarding physical intimacy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SOCIETY NOTE “*Gentleman Jake’ took first prize at Mrs. Plunk de Plunk’s bridge party last evening.” “My secretary, Miss Marigold,” said Reynall. “Mr. Bigge, Miss Marigold.” There was nothing sccretarial-looking about the young woman, who seemed to have been dressed for competition in a fashion show. Reynall carefully indicated the train ¢, and entered a car with Miss Marigold just as the engine made a warning noise. Bigge arrived at his host's country place at an hour when the guests were enjoying themselves afield. But Reynall had wired a chauffeur to meet Bigge at the station, and had given him a word of introduction to Mrs. Reynall scribbled on 4. The place was so charming that Bigge lost no time in inspecting its nearer beau- ties. He was treated with fine courtesy by the servants, one of whom indicated a picturesque walk that might be taken be fore the hostess returned. Bigge was passing out of a driveway when he encountered a very pretty young woman modishly dressed as an equestri- enne sitting under a great tree with a rest built about it. Bigge and the young woman started with one impulse of sur- prise, and there was embarrassment on both sides. She took his extended hand diffidently. “This is amazing!” she said, resum- ing her seat with a forced smile. “Oh! Isit? Tome, surely. My friend Reynall sent me down, you know. a guest. Hope I don’t intrude! Just ¢ over. Been in France with the army “Oh!” “You left London so suddenly two years ago, with no word! I was disa pointed. you know. Pardon me, please Bashful youtk—You look cold sitting here alone, Miss Grey. Shall | coat and put it round you? Dolly Grey—You may put your coat round me, if you like, but—er—I see no reason to take it off. er—take off my His glance expressed something beyond mere admiration. “T had cause to leave.” “Yes? I'm awfully sorry thought “You thought you could continue a mere flirtation indefinitely?” “A flirtation! 1 never was so pro foundly in carnest in my life!” She laughed. “Were you also pro- foundly in carnest—I suppose you still are —with Lady Beringer? She is charm- ing. [ will admit, though a widow!” “Lady Beringer! Idle gossip. 1 felt like prosecuting The Bubbler for the report it published. There was no engagement And [ broke with her two days after | really. 1 nd now—the pleasure of seeing you -the possibility of—say an lerstand ing—I suppose you are a guest here also?” “Lam Mrs. Reynall.” They Also Serve Cuptious City Editor—You say in this story that he served as president Somme. Where? In France comicbook é a