Life, 1924-02-21 · page 10 of 36
Life — February 21, 1924 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical diary entry from "Mrs. Pepis" (a play on Samuel Pepys, the famous historical diarist). The illustration shows a woman in hunting attire with a horse and dog, with dialogue: "I didn't know you were a huntress, Marjorie!" / "I'm not. Good gracious! I wouldn't kill anything for the world. This beastly gun goes with the costume." The satire mocks fashionable women who adopt sporting costumes and affectations without genuine interest in hunting or outdoor pursuits—they wear the outfit for appearance only. The diary entries from February document mundane domestic matters (shopping, lunch, hats from Paris) presented in mock-heroic style, further satirizing the trivial concerns of society women. The joke targets superficial upper-class fashion consciousness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WERE A HUNTKESS, MARJORIE!” ANYTHING “L DIDN'T KNOW YoU “VM NOT. GooD GRACIOUS! 1 WOULDN'T KILL PO THE WORLD, TIS BEASTLY GUN GOES WITH THE COSTUME.” Nes Rei Diar yr All the morning gone in writing letters, and then to luncheon at an inn with Cora Lans- downe, and I marked that she was a bit dis trait when she ordered two sauces for the same course, but 1 said naught Up exceedingly betimes to learn if Samuel had nor had he, for my break- February 14th my many blessings, not the least is a spouse who is un- forgotten the day, fast tray bore a brave bunch of violets. Of February 15th grudgingly conscious of the calendar, for such a man is nor did the waiter, so our food was as in more contributery to woman's happiness than the comic But the poor wretch did writers make out. So up and off to a great shop to buy housewares, being careful to carry my stick, which I dis- coherent as Cora’s conversation finally tell_me th, and did ask iy opi that she has b en her troth with Edgar nan the matter. Lord! in covered during my last lumbago to be a great asset ina throng. For if I do lean on it ever so lightly, strangers clear ath for me and assign me to a point of vantage in elevators and railway trains, and crossing the street is almost a pleasure now, since the veriest brigand of a taxi driver slows up at sight of me and traffic officers wait till I have achieved the opposite kerb before blow- ing their whistles. I did buy a great array of articles for our kitchen, un- duly delighted with a wooden mould that turns out butter in thin, flower-stamped pats, and I do trust that cook will allow me to operate it at times. UA “UG =O] LI x iS, HM WA SHINGTON La SQUARE such a situation adventitious comment availeth naught, almost invari- So I did respond in effect yet is ably courted. that having loved and changed one’s mind is better than never having loved at all, making an assumption therein which I pray God the facts in this case bear out, otherwise it were poor solace. Reading in the publick February prints of some new straw 16th hats from Paris, I did announce this morning my intention of inspecting them, whereupon my hus- band regarded me gravely and threat- (Continued on page 31) comicbooks.com