Life, 1915-11-11 · page 41 of 44
Life — November 11, 1915 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a humorous short story satirizing academic pomposity and romantic pretense. A university professor attempts to propose to a young woman using the same methodical, pedantic teaching style he employs in the classroom—treating her response like a recitation exercise, complete with corrections and review questions. The joke targets the professor's absurd formality: he quizzes her on their previous interactions ("where did we leave off?") and coaches her on proper expression, demonstrating that his professorial manner is so ingrained he cannot shift into genuine human emotion for romance. The punchline subverts expectations: despite his careful "instruction," the girl rejects him because she's already involved with a wealthy young man (referenced as having "a George Ade vocabulary"—likely meaning unsophisticated speech). The professor's obsession with precision and classroom decorum has left him completely oblivious to actual courtship. The page also includes period advertisements for Hansen Gloves and Cook's Extracts, typical of Life's commercial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Recitation “AYJILL you give me your attention, please?” The gentleman who spoke had for some years been a prominent professor in one of our leading universities. He was a single man, but some weeks be- fore this charming story opened he had met a beautiful girl and was now, during the propitious interval of- fered by an evening call, about to pro- pose in his best class-room manner. Standing before her, he continued, adjusting his glasses: Cook's knows no other duty than to please ou Popular but Not Ordinary— Universal but Not Common HEN you wear a Hansen you are secure in the consciousness of per- fect fit with eleSance and com- plete freedom of wrist and finger. The motorist finds Areater skill at the wheel when his hands have Hansen flexi- bility and warmth, The Hansenbile Washable for semi-dress is an example of that elejance called the “foreign touch.” It can be washed in soap and water without affecting the drain. Write for Free Book—describing many of the 500 styles for every Alove demand. If your dealer is not supplied, write us. O. C. HANSEN MANUFACTURING CO.,102-V Detroit Street, Milwaukee, Wis. JANSEN GLOVE “Before proceeding further we will review the previous work done. May I ask you to tell me where we left off?” “You were holding my hand, I be- lieve.” “Exactly. And upon what. article of furniture were we sitting? Please confine your reply to a simple state- ment, as we have a great deal of ground to cover during this period.” “Let's see. I think it was—a sofa?” “Don't hesitate so much or mouth your words, You might say that over again. It was a sofa.” “Tt was a sofa.” “Much better. And with what ex- pression was I looking into your eyes?” “Rape.” “Ah! That is very promising. Now we will begin the real lesson. Atten- tion, please! You must concentrate That is our great national fault—one Iam doing my best to overcome. Look into my eyes steadily. Iam now about to ask you will you marry me. Be prepared with your answer. Are you ready? Will you marry m “Never!” The professor, who was holding her hand, suddenly dropped it. “Can it be possible,” he exclaimed, “that you mean what you say? Has all my instruction been for naught?" The beautiful girl blushed. “T fear it has, professor,” she mur- mured. “While you have been giv- ing me the benefit of your best class- room manner I have been idling away my time out of hours witha young tleman who has nothing to commend him but a George Ade vocabulary and ten thousand a year. Here he comes now! So please excuse m NEW YORK HE CENTER OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE METROPOLIS 1000 OUTSIDE ROOMS JOHN MEE. BOWMAN, paesioenr comicbooks.com