Life — July 26, 1906 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

100 “Not at all. I’m dead serious. I want to think of you as another chap, that is, 1 want to keep your mind distinct from you. I may call you ‘old man. You wouldn’t mind that?” , She laughed. “Anything,” she said, “to get results. I'll call you Kent.” , if you like,” he said, care- “Very well.” He looked at his watch. “Well, Joe, I must be going. I want to think it over, you know. I'll see you to-night.” “Yes, I expect to be there.” That evening they met at Professor Dart’s. There was good music—there usually is in a college town. Then there were cards for those who cared, and afterward refreshments—a__ generally informal evening. He was asked to fill in at bridge. She as his partner. “Too bad,” he said, “that you didn’t double it. We could have gone out.” “Why, I had no spades,” she said, nd only three little clubs.” “But you held command ip hearts, and look at your diamonds. You missed it. That was bad play.” He turned to hisleft-hand opponent—a man. “Wasn't it?” he asked. His left-hand opponent squirmed. “Why, I—don’t—know,” he said. “It might have been—er—different.” Miss Reed looked at her partner— daggers! ‘I admit it,” she said, “it was bad play. Go on!” For some moments they played in silence. “You should have finessed that queen of diamonds,” she said triumphantly, at the end of another hand “Not at all,” he replied, calmly. .“‘It ic Egg: OLD MAN, ¥: DO AWAY WITIL THAT COUNTENANCE OF YOURS Heard Boiled Egg: 1 ast sicx MOT MATH AND 1 FEEL AS IP EVERYTILING WANT TO CHEER UP AND. JUST MAD A BOILING: INSIDE OF Mr WAS SOLID. = (LelnEAE = would have given me command at the wrong moment. If you like,” he said, “T'll play the hand over again and show you where I was right about that.” She flushed. ‘No matter.” Later on they met in thesupper-room. “Were you mad at me,” he whispered, “because I called you down at cards?” “Yes, but then I remembered.” He smiled. ‘I wouldn’t have done it, of course, if you had been a woman. I treated you just the same as I would any of the boys at the club.” “You were right. Cards are not my strong point.” “Most women play them atrociously. But I was glad I was playing with you.” She smiled. “But,” she protested, “1 play little better than a woman—that is, if they are as bad as you say.” “Don’t you think so? They have no concentration. There is nothing original about them, They learn rules and follow more or less blindly. Of course, you don’t—that is, not in that sense. You haven't played much. It isn’t your strong point.” “You flatter me.” “Not a bit. You play badly enough, heaven knows! But you couldn't be expected to do any better.” She frowned. Then got up. ‘‘Excuse me a moment,” she said. “Where are you going?” “To get some salad.” “Let me” She gave him a look. “Let me,” he said, smiling, ‘go with you. I want some myself.” They helped themselves individually and then sat down again. “I’m going to ask you a rather blunt question, old chap,” he said, looking at her earnestly. “Don’t you find it rather hard to be—a man?” “No.” He looked at her curiously. thought,” he said, “tat the card-table that you were really angry and came almost near forgetting yourself.” “Nonsense !”” At this moment they were joined by the professor. “Well, Miss Reed, how do your valedictory honors sit upon you? I suppose you will be going back home soon?” “Yes, to-morrow. It was worth working so hard to be valedictorian, Professor.” “We are proud of you.”” $ WEATHER FORECAST Showers and Cooter Kent smiled. “Yes,” he said, “we are certainly proud of Miss Reed. By the way,” he continued, turning to her, “T noticed in your essay that you referred to Darwin as being the founder of the theory of evolution, whereas Lamarck, who came before him, discusses it, and even as far back as Heraclitus”—— The professor laid a kindly hand on Kent’s shoulder. ‘Tut, tut,” he said, “a young man like you ought to be more gallant than that. Who cares?” “But,” persisted Kent, ‘we are con- cerned about the truth of this matter. I claim that Miss Reed was wrong in her statement. Honestly, now, Professor, if she was a man, you'd tell her so, wouldn’t you?” The Professor laughed, evasively. “You're too deep for me,” he said, moving away. “Have it out ‘between you.” Kent looked at her frankly. ‘After all,” he said, ‘it’s all relative. You're a pretty girl. You had on a lovely gown, and when you read your essay no one cared or thought about looking at it critically. Why don’t you publish it anonymous!y—at your own expense— comicbooks.com