Life, 1923-04-12 · page 10 of 40
Life — April 12, 1923 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate humor pieces satirizing marriage and social customs of the era (appears to be early 20th century): **"My Husband Says"** mocks the narrator's husband's social expectations and her frustration with them. The satire targets how husbands control wives' social participation and judge their appearance and behavior. References to card games, medical operations, and domestic staff suggest upper-middle-class concerns. **"Love à la Mode"** is a poem critiquing romantic sentimentality in popular literature, suggesting lovers exchange clichéd compliments rather than genuine emotion. The bottom cartoon depicts a man asking a woman's name at what appears to be a social event (possibly a car), with her witty response about her middle name changing frequently—likely a joke about married women losing their identity or frequently marrying.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE My Husband Says HAT he thinks I should go to lots of social things, to meet other ladies. He says he likes a change, too. SalI went to Mrs. King’s bridge yes- terday. Our minister thinks cards are sin- ful, and I don’t care much for them, anyway. My husband says if Dr. Devine knew what a rotten game I play, he would have me excommunicated. But I got a prize. It was a stunning little celluloid nut- pick, tied with a heavenly green satin ribbon. Mrs. King said she was glad I liked it, for she had had me in mind when she made the selection. She took the first prize. It was a lovely centerpiece with her monogram embroidered on it. She served the daintiest sandwiches; she is ever so ar- tistic, and she can cut things awfully thin. While we were eating them, all the ladies talked so in- terestingly about their operations, and the trouble they had with their maids. Nearly everyone had had a lovely operation, and sev- eral of the ladies had awfully expensive things removed. I felt embarrassed, because I have never had one. Of course, I know my husband would buy me one if I wanted it. Aunt Julia says he is criminally indulgent. Mrs. Ace said she was without a maid. She simply had to let her go. And the maid felt so bad, and she said she would rather work for Mrs. Ace for nothing, because Mrs. Ace was so sweet to her. I felt so uninteresting, because I couldn't think of any- thing disagreeable to tell about Katie. And I said she was faithful, and could make heavenly things to eat, and she had just had a week's vacation; and my husband said she deserved it, and he wished he had her chance. Mrs. Packe said that was just the trouble. She said that some people who had small houses spoiled their maids with such silly nonsense, and made it hard for ladies to keep a maid in her place. L. Blanche Simpson Love a la Mode WEETEST of dollies, I’ve liked you a lot, dear Often I’ve said so in verse and in prose. My love has been ardent and frequently hot, dear, I've proved it, I hope with the orchid and rose. Your knickers I’ve never considered amusing, I never laughed loud at them as at a gag; Nor yet, when your hair was all bobbed and confusing Did I ever go out and collect me a jag. Your lipstick, your earrings, the roll-your-own stocking, What exotic fashions have I not endured! Yet I never rushed up to remark, “That is shocking!” Recall it, and grant that my love’s seemed assured. There's only one reason would keep us from mating, A reason that’s making me rather a wreck: Woman, the fate of a spinster you're baiting, When a batik bandanna you wear ’round your neck! A.C. M. Azoy . He: Is my memory correct as to your last name? She: You'd better try to remember my middle one, The last one changes so often. comicbooks.com