Life, 1918-08-22 · page 8 of 34
Life — August 22, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about wartime domestic life, likely from WWI era based on references to "the duration of the war." **"It Had to Be"** depicts a husband and wife negotiating household economies. The husband complains about contributing to war relief efforts while his wife insists they must sacrifice together. The satire targets the tension between maintaining middle-class comfort and patriotic duty during wartime. **"Why Not?"** is a humorous list proposing "built-in" kitchen conveniences (built-in stoves, sinks, bathtubs, etc.), culminating in a joke about "patent built-in cooks"—mocking the era's enthusiasm for labor-saving domestic innovations. The accompanying illustration shows a child asking their mother to come home, likely commenting on women's expanded wartime responsibilities outside the home.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIVING UP TO THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS’ WORTH OF LITERATURE It Had to Be “PVE had a hard day,” said Wilbur ot that 1 mind giv- ing up my all—it’s the least I can do, of course—but I don’t want to become a charge on the community.” “[ve had a hard day myself.” re- plied Mrs. Wilbur. “But go on dnd tell what happened to you.” “This morning T hadn't gotten ont ‘ore I was tagged for Then the policeman on to his wife. of the house | the hospita the corner held me up for the Knights two hoy On the way of Columbus, and scouts tackled me for their fund. back the need of the new local ambu- lance was presented to me by a delega- tion of women waiting at the station, Oh, these are only a few! I just can’t begin to tell you—” “T've had the same thing happen to said Mrs. Wilbur. “You! What did you do?” “T went to town to shop. I, have had to contribute to all of these things—and_ more.” too, The wretched man before her cov- cred his face with his hands. “My dear.” he whispered, groan, “we little know the with a this great world calamity. I you and I cannot afford to live apart. Why, for the duration of the war we will simply be obliged always to go out together.” en now Why Not? have the built-in. sideboard, W : Built-in cupboards, built-in sink, Built-in wash trays, built-in bathtubs, Built-in bottles for the ink, Built-in dressers, built-in tables, Built-in cases for the books. Why not design the kitchens With patent built-in cooks? tent of » “Mother, dear mother, come home with me now”