Life, 1923-02-15 · page 7 of 36
Life — February 15, 1923 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical sketch about urban dwellers pretending to enjoy rural life. The scene shows two gentlemen and two ladies in a living room claiming to love "country air," though they're indoors playing cards and drinking brandy and gin—not actually experiencing nature. The satire mocks the affectation of wealthy city people who romanticize country living as healthful and invigorating while merely simulating it through conversation and alcohol. The characters repeatedly praise the "country" while doing nothing but socializing indoors. The illustration depicts them gathered around a card table, and the caption about the dog ("Oh! Veronica, where did you get him?") suggests even their pets are fashionable acquisitions rather than genuine country companions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIF E Fresh Air The Stimulating Effect of Synthetic Country Life CENE: The living-room of a Long Island house. Time: Immediately after lunch. Characters: Two gentlemen and two ladies. First GENTLEMAN There's nothing like country air, is there? Seconp GENTLEMAN Nothing. Thanks, I'll take brandy. First Lapy adore the country in winter. It’s so invigorating. Chartreuse, please. First GENTLEMAN It’s the only place for real health. Yes, a little Benedictine. Seconp Lapy just love the freshness of the country. How about some bridge? ALL Splendid idea ! Chairs are accordingly drawn up _ around a card table, drinks placed in convenient positions, and a game of bridge is begun.) Time: Two hours later. First GENTLEMAN One always feels so well in the country. First Lapy Bracing air, don’t you think? Seconp GENTLEMAN Of course it is. Yes, I'll have another whisky, thanks. Seconp Lapy And you can’t get the same ex- ercise in town. Will you please hand ‘me the cigarettes? First GENTLEMa.i Have another cigar, old man. Seconp GENTLEMAN Good brandy, this. First Lapy Isn't it? I adore good brandy, don’t you? First GENTLEMAN Love it. Think I'll have some after I finish this gin. Seconp Lapy Well, it’s your deal, old dear. Do pour me a drink, will you? (Fourteen more rubbers of bridge are played.) -_** Time: Three hours later. First GENTLEMAN Well, that’s game and rubber. Six hundred and seventy-three. Seconp GENTLEMAN By George! It’s almost time to dress for dinner! First Lapy You can’t mean it! Really! the time passes ! Seconp Lavy It always does in the country. First GENTLEMAN Yes! Nothing like the country. First Lapy There isn’t, is there? First GENTLEMAN No, there’s nothing like country i C.G.S. How “Oh! Veronica, where did you get him? He is the most becoming dog you ever had.” comicbooks.com