Life, 1921-04-28 · page 12 of 36
Life — April 28, 1921 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece by Beatrice Herford depicts a family dinner where multiple relatives conduct conversations simultaneously via telephone—a then-novel technology. The humor targets the chaotic intrusion of telephones into domestic life and family gatherings. The sketch shows a crowded table where the son-in-law speaks to his mother-in-law, the daughter negotiates with a taxi service, the grandfather discusses a new "Channel Tunnel," and others manage various calls—all while supposedly eating together. The satire mocks how this modern convenience fragments family attention and transforms a shared meal into a cacophony of separate transactions. The piece implicitly critiques technology's disruption of traditional social rituals and domestic intimacy, a concern that resonated in the 1920s as telephones became increasingly common household fixtures.
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The table is laid in the year 1923. The members of the family seated at the table are all slaves to the telephone except the great-grandfather—the great-granddaugh- ter, aged five, has highly developed In- fantelephonia, At the right of each plate except that of the great-grandfather is a handsome silver-mounted telephone. The transmitter is of cut glass and the re- ceiver open-work silver over blue glass There is a slender vase attached to each, holding a single rose. HE SON-IN-LAW wiping some coffee from the transmitter): Hello! Is_ this the hangar? Hello! Is that you, Watson? (Turning to his mother-in-law.) Want to take a little fly with me this morning, mother? Tue Motuer: Hold the line please— Yes, dear— Sox Law: Then couldn't you answer before? Mother, it’s that fool Watson. Tue Motner: All right, dear—No, I was speaking to my son—I want the Fish Market—Oh, is that you, Mr. Scales? I shall want six lobsters for my Aviation picnic to-morrow—Are you sure you can send them up? If not, I'll the devil Excuse me, why Breakfast by Telephone By Beatrice Herford have my son fly down and get them. Tue Son (who ts telephoning to his fiancé Oh Hell! Forgive me, Tootsie, I was talking to Mother—I mean —I'll explain when I sce you—There’s so much cating going on I can't hear you— Hang it all, she’s cut me off. Great-cranvratner (from behind his newspaper): I hear the new Channel Tunnel is to open next week, Mother, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER: Tell me some- thing new, old man (!! ! !) Excuse me, Bishop, I was speaking to my hus- band—Yes, I should be delighted to con- tribute something—Would a dollar—? Tue Graxppaucnter: Stingy! Stingy! (Telephoning.) Oh, no, Uncle Charlie, I wasn’t talking to you; I loved the little cheque for a thousand dollars you sent me; it was swect of you! Tue Great-GRANDFATHER; Very inter- esting, this account of the—(as no one pays any attention he turns to the wait- ress) very interesting, this account of the reception for the German President. Tue Wartress: Yes, there was a pic- ture of him in the American I was saving for you. He has a nice face, but cook peeled the tomatoes on it. Tue Davcnter: Hello! I want Tux- edo—Don't talk with your mouth full! Oh, Mother-in-law, I’m so sorry, I was speaking to Baby— (Enter a telephone repairman) Aw (except the Great-grand father): Oh! Good morning; you're just the mas I want to see. Tue Motuer: Come right under here; I hope you can stop that buzzing. Tue Rerarman: Can you remove your foot from the leg, Madam? Tue Mortner (a litile startled): Ob, certainly, Tue Repairman: I may have to re move the leg, Madam, but I'll wait till you've had your breakfast. Tue Morner: finished. ‘The GReAT-GRANDMOTHER (to pairman benevolently): Won't one of these popovers? Warterss (scornfully Great-cranoraTuer: I'll marmalade to top off with. Fatner: Well, I must be of Motner: Why, darling, you have n't eaten a bite of anything. Tue Fatuer: No, but I've settled some mighty important deals. I want to catch the Mercury Limited to Boston, If I get through my business I shall be back for luncheon. I may pass you when you're Thank you, I've just the re- you try : What next? take some comicbooks.com