Life, 1918-12-05 · page 62 of 76
Life — December 5, 1918 — page 62: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story satirizes the emerging tension between traditional courtship and early-20th-century business culture. The humor centers on Miss Hopeson, a successful businesswoman who treats romantic proposal with the same clinical efficiency she applies to commerce. When Mr. Canton proposes marriage, she refuses to answer emotionally, instead directing him to her *office* the next morning "at ten o'clock"—treating his proposal like a business appointment. She maintains a filing system tracking his background ("card-envelope system"), negotiates marriage terms like a contract, and imposes strict conditions: he cannot interfere with her business, cannot visit her office, and must accept her continued independence. The satire targets both the rigidity of professional business culture and the challenge posed by educated, economically independent women to traditional gender roles. Her insistence on maintaining her own establishment and refusing an "idle man" around the office reflects anxieties about women's economic power in this era. The cartoon's title, "Strictly Business," underscores how completely commercial logic has replaced romantic sentiment—reducing marriage itself to a negotiated contract between equals.
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DAN , will you be mine?” The young girl thus spoken to looked in great agitation at the man who uttered the words “Mr. Canton,” she said, “1 cannot give You should not have You you my answer row. asked me this question at this time. should have consulted me first.” He smiled rapturously “May I consult you now? She shook her head You forget that T am a busi- he asked. “No, no. ness woman with an establishment of my ‘At present my prejudices would not I might accept you when it would not be wise. Now know I have no In ordinary circumstances you father. Under the pres- ent circumstances you will kindly call at my office to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, and For the own. be safe. you parents. would consult my we will then go over the matter present you must leave me.” James Canton was no fool, He instantly the wisdom of her statement “Miss Geraldine,” he replied, “you are right. To-morrow morning, then, at ten.” realized It is almost needless to say that A boy stood sentry. Miss Hope- he was on time. “You wish to ne” “Will you write your name and this. see son the nature of your business on ard?” “I will write my na The boy was polite, but firm. “Miss Hopeson will not see any- one unless the nature of the busi- ness is specified,” he s: And so Canton wrote “ Y) and the card was taken in, He had to wait about ten minute: him, urself, as someone else was hefore Finally, however, the door of the private office opened, and he was permitted to enter. Miss Hopeson looked up. “Ab, Mr. C you waiting. Be seated. Now about this little affair of ours.” She touched a bell, and nton, sorry to keep the boy appeared. “Get the papers relative to Can- You will find them in the sec- ton. tion marked ‘ Private. In a moment the boy returned with a package of envelope: “You see, Mr. Canton, I en looking you up for some time. The day you began your calls I started a card-envelope about you.” have system “CHRISTMAS LIFE: Strictly Business “ Good. of. “So it very good. were rather wild.” “T still have inclinations that way, but restrain them,” “Ah! And you have been quite success- ful. My commercial agency informs me that you are very well off. Still, that would not greatly matter.” She smiled at lim rather proudly. “T have a fairly prosperous business my- self. Of course I wouldn't marry a molly coddle, Still, it isn’t a matter of money.” ‘anton leaned forward. He was getting I have nothing to be ashamed would appear. Your record is During your college days you uneasy. Look Miss “this is a matter of business, according to here, Hopeson,” he said you. You have really placed yourself in the same position that your father, if he were Very Now, joking at this matter from a strictly busi- ive, would occupy. well ness standpoint, is there any reason why shouldn't marry your—I was going to say daughter? Ts there any why, as a matter of reason romance and sentiment, and all THE DRAGGING HOURS BILLY'S IMPRESSION JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS that sort of ‘thing, T shouldn't marry your’ “If you are willing to accept the condi« tions.” “And what are they? “Tam a business woman, and you conform to my rules. housekeeping. I shall keep on conducting my business. Second, you mustn't call on me at my office. I could not bear the idea of an idle man hanging around the office. It wouldn't do. Third, you mustn't inter. fere with me in any way. I must do as] please.” Canton got up. He bowed. In the first place, no “Thank you for granting me the inter ppreciate that are a busy Sorry to have taken up so much Mt your time, Good morning.” view, I you woman Where are you going?” She gazed at him in surprise. “Out. Your terms don’t interest me. I am strictly business myself.” He started to go. “Wait a of course, is a She stopped him Mr. matter of Insiness cannot afford to let tomer momen Canton. This, as such, 1 excuse me, any person w whom I had dealings—that is, cannot afford to have the plea ant relationship of the past broken up. without knowing the have reason What would you suggest?” “Well, 1 terms. As a wt are your terms?” Canton shook his head. “Tam afraid there is no chanee of our getting together.” She smiled, have given you business proposit “Now, now, that isn’t good bs etme know what your mands are,” He leaned forward. “Very well,” he replied. “ My de- mands are that you be my wife io the good old-fashioned way; that we live together in a real home; that you keep house for me, and that I make love to you—in short that barred alto gether from this time forth, and the firm of nton & C Sweethearts, unlimited, be immedi: ately incorporated with a perpetual franchise, Those are my terms, and no compromise.” And as she sank into his arms, she whispered: “T accept. But who would have thought that 1 would so soon s° into the hands of a receiver?” business be out