Life, 1922-09-14 · page 16 of 40
Life — September 14, 1922 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous domestic sketch about a husband (Benedict) suffering from insomnia while his wife Mrs. Newleigh offers unsolicited advice. The joke centers on marital frustration: while she suggests mind-over-matter techniques like self-hypnosis and repeating "I'm getting sleepier," Benedict grows increasingly exasperated by her talking, which ironically prevents *him* from sleeping. The accompanying illustration shows a formal social gathering with a woman at a piano, captioned "Don't you think she should have her voice cultivated?" / "Yes, plowed under"—a period insult suggesting the woman's voice is unpleasant and should be silenced. Both pieces mock nagging spouses and unpleasant female voices, reflecting early 20th-century domestic humor stereotypes.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Twin Bed-Time Stories Benedict Has Insomnia CENE: The Bedroom of the Newleighs. The twin beds seem to be a little farther apart than usual. Mrs. NEWLEIGH: asleep yet? Benepict: No. I'll tell you when I am. Mrs. NewtetcH: I wonder what could have given you that dreadful insomnia? Benepict: Simple enough—it's your talk- ing to me every night just when I’m trying to drop off. Mrs. NEWLEIGH: You disagreeable thing! I was just going to tell you something surprising, too. Benepict: It would surprise me more if you kept perfectly quiet and didn’t tell me anything! Mrs. NEwLeicH: You're SO exasperating. But I'm going to tell you anyway—so there! I know how you can cure your insomnia! BEneEDIcT (with but faint interest): How? Mrs. NEwLEIGH: Power of mind over matter. Benepict: Insomnia’s a thing where the will doesn't matter. Mrs. NEWLEIGH: I've been reading say on. sleep. Benedict, are you No, but you're wrong. This book all you have to do is to concentrate Keep repeating to yourself, “I’m getting sleepier and sleepier. Now I’m going to sleep.” And [ give you thought waves at the same time. Benepict: I don’t want any waves. sleep my own way. Mrs. New ercH: Isn't that just like you, though! You admit you can’t get to sleep yourself and you won't try anything I suggest. Benepict: But what's the use of saying, “I’m feeling sleepier and sleepier,” when it isn’t so? Mrs. Newtetcu: Well, just try it, idiot. be the truth. Benepict (sighing): Oh, all right! to argue all night about it, I'll TRY it! with a flop.) Let me get to Maybe it'll If you're going (He turns over (There is a long pause.) Mrs. NewLeicH: Are you saying it, Benedict? Benepicr: I’m saying something—but it isn’t fit to be heard. (There is another long pause.) Are you still trying to hypnotize me, Leila? Mrs. NEWLEIGH (sweet! Yes, Benedict. In a few minutes you'll be asleep. “The mind is much stronger than the body.” Benepict (frantically): Well for Pete’s sake STOP it. You've got me so fidgety now that it'll be morning before I can get to sleep. (The curtain should be dropped quickly before Mrs. Newleigh begins to weep.) T. “Don’t you think she should have her voice cultivated?” “Yes, plowed under.” comicbooks.com