Life, 1922-07-20 · page 12 of 36
Life — July 20, 1922 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous marital sketch where Mr. and Mrs. Benedict argue in their bedroom. Mrs. Newleigh (a guest) has criticized Benedict's intelligence after he failed an "intelligence test," comparing him unfavorably to a twelve-year-old child. The sketch satirizes early-20th-century marriage dynamics and gender relations. Benedict grows defensive about his masculinity and competence, while Mrs. Newleigh reinforces domestic stereotypes—she mentions him bringing home bacon and references his poor performance on formal tests. The accompanying cartoon shows a child biting her aunt; the caption suggests the aunt was holding both the child's arms, implying the child found a creative workaround. It's a simple joke about childhood mischief and physical helplessness. Both pieces rely on domestic conflict humor typical of the era's comedic sketch format.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE Twin Bed-Time Stories Benedict Is Below Par CENE: The Bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Bene- dict Newleigh. They have retired but thoughts of sleep have as yet not entered Mrs. N.’s head, although Benedict is doing the best he can. Mrs. New.etcn (after giving Benedict a hard look, as penctrating as it can be in the gloom): You imbecile! Benepicr (he is too surprised to feign slumber) : What under the sun’s the trouble now, Leila? Mrs. Neweicu (indignantly): I was never so hu- miliated in all my life! 3ENEDICT: That ought to be a record. there. Mrs. Newrercn: And now that horrid Mrs. Coakley will go around saying I'm married to a half-wit. Benepicr: Light begins to glimmer through the dark- ness of our bedroom. Are you talking about those fool intelligence tests she tried on the bunch to-night? Mr EWLEIG Of course. But they weren't fool tests. They’re modeled on the ones they use in the army. Benepict (losing interest): The army does lots of things that don't impress me. Mrs. NEwLeIGH: Oh, you exasperating person! I believe you did poorly out of sheer obstinacy. You cer- tainly have more intelligence than a twelve-year-old child. 3ENEDICT: Don’t forget I married you! Mrs. Neweicu (lier tear ducts preparing for busi- ness): Oh—oh—to think my own husband could talk to m-me like that— Go on from Benepicr (hastily): There, honey,—I just meant that you should remember I’m your husband when you're be- littling me like that— Mrs. New u (restraining the fresket): But the intelligence test—Benedict—you didn’t do half of the things right or quickly enough— Benepicr: What's the use of fretting about that so long I can sell bonds? What's more important— membering how many fool things are on a tray or bring- ing home the bacon every Saturday night? Mrs. Newceiciu: Oh dear, you’re so material. I don’t want people to think I’m married to a moncy- making moron. BENEDICT (impatiently): Don’t be a chump. Why Coakley himself could only remember four things on that tray when I asked him. You haven't forgotten that? Mrs. Newreicu (emphatically): I should sa haven’t. Neither has Mrs. Coakley. I think that wa very ungentlemanly thing of you to do. Benepictr: Oh—well—good night! Mrs. Newreicu: And the way you laughed at him! Benepict (suddenly): Say, let's forget tHat intelli- gence test. It proves just as much about a person’s in- tellect as what I'm going to say now. I'll bet Lire wasn't out last week. Will you do what I ask if I’m wrong? Mrs. Newretcu: Certainly I will. I saw it mysel 3ENEDICT (turning): All right, I'm wrong. I win so let me go to sleep. (Curtain) TH: L, “Estelle, why did you bite your sister?” “I couldn’t help it, Auntie; she was holding both my arms.” comicbooks.com