Life, 1907-12-05 · page 25 of 68
Life — December 5, 1907 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces mocking social hypocrisy and domestic dynamics of the era. **Top section ("Must Wait"):** A woman pressures her widowed friend to place her elderly mother in what appears to be a boarding house or nursing facility, using flattery and appeals to "happiness" while clearly hoping for the mother's death to free up a future spot. The satire targets the callousness disguised as concern—the visitor speaks of loving "old ladies" while actively trying to place someone away. **Bottom left ("Method"):** A heavily laden husband carries all his wife's shopping packages because she won't allow merchants to deliver them. When he has a smudge on his nose, she points it out but prevents him from wiping it (suggesting he'd look foolish in public), forcing him to endure discomfort. The satire mocks wives' control over husbands' behavior and public image. **Bottom right ("What Pa Said When He Papered the Ceiling"):** A brief visual gag showing a child following a parent's literal instruction about only eating candy she touched—illustrating parental carelessness through ironic obedience. All three mock gender dynamics and self-interest masked as propriety.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
to all the sociables—think of it! I don’t believe the night air is good for her, and I’m glad she will have to stay in the house. Oh, she is so much better off there! It is an unspeakable pleasure to realize that whatever comes she will be taken care of for the rest of her life! It is so delightful at the Wil- merding. They have just bought a new rug for the dining- room—it is a beaut The inmates ought to be thankful for such rugs to walk on... “Well, I’m sorry that my efforts in your behalf have all been in vain. . . . Oh, don’t speak of thanks! I am more than glad to serve any one. But I must hasten on, there are so many things claiming my attention.” (Rises.) ‘Do come ahd see me! Bring your mother, too! I love old ladies! I should have asked for her at once if it hadn’t been for the peculiar nature of my business to-d “Well, really, Mrs. Nelson, I think you are very foolish to let this chance slip. There may not be another death there for a long time, and when you are ready to send your mother there will be no place. . . . You won't send her at all? Why, you don’t seem to consider her happiness. We mustn’t be selfish, you know.” (Smiling.) “We ought to give our mothers the best of everything. “Well, if you should come to a different decision after talking it over with your husband, let me know, and I shall be only too happy to use my influence with the trustees. Good-by.” Emma C. Dowd. Must Wait SFE the man. Oh, see how many bundles he is holding! Four in his right hand, and six in his left, to say nothing of several stuck under each arm, And see the lovely lady at his side. Yes, she is his wife. Otherwise she would have permitted the merchants to send the packages home for her. Let us edge a little closer and hear what she is saying to her husband; no doubt she is thanking him for his courtesy in carrying the result of her shopping tour. Listen! “My dear,” she is saying. How affectionate! How cheering to the husband!‘ My dear, you have a speck of soot on your nose.” Observe his helpless look; nay, almost it is anger. But see, the flush of passing wrath fades from his face and with a loving smile he replies: “Well, if there weren't so many people about to be curious over my actions, I would try to brush the speck off with my foot, but as it is I guess I’ll have to leave it on my nose until I get home.” Isn't he the horrid thing? She thinks so, too Method “DESSIE, what are you handling all that candy for?” “Because, mamma, you told me I must eat only the pieces I had touched with my fingers.” WHAT PA SAID WHEN HE PAPERED THE CEILING comicbooks.com