Life, 1924-07-24 · page 35 of 36
Life — July 24, 1924 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a humorous one-act play satirizing marital dynamics and male ego. Mr. Twitter confidently states that "Charles the Third" died in 929, but his wife doubts him and calls a friend (Helen Luffaker) to verify. Helen confirms the fact—yet it turns out Mr. Twitter was *wrong*. The joke culminates when he bitterly quips that he's called "The Fool" because he "expected to have some respect paid to him in his own family." The satire targets husbands who assert authority without knowledge, and wives who undermine their spouses by seeking outside validation. The mother-in-law's presence amplifies the domestic tension. A caption cartoon below shows a child asking "Mother, what is a nincompoop?"—reinforcing the play's theme. The right page is a Boots Chemists advertisement for personal grooming brushes, unrelated to the sketch.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mr. Twitter Is Right Scent: The sitting-room of Mr. rick is reading the ning paper as his Iy a closed book in her lap. His mother-in-law, Urs. Grinnell, rocks in the offing. Twitter (thoughtfully) : Dear, dear! I do wish 1 had a better memory. Mrs, Grinnett (addressing no one in particular) : Some women with a husband like Fred would be glad of a chance to forget. Me. Twitter (as if noo! vhat's the idea, Emmy? r’s house but his wife had spoken): ¢ been trying to think which King nee it was that was called “Charles the witter (feeling rather pleased with himself): Ts was Charles the Third and he died in 92 Mes. Twitter (paying scarcely any attention to his re= mark): It's a shame we haven't any histories in our library. Really we must get some, Fred. (More to herself than any se.) Dear! Tcan't stand it. I MUST find out. Helen Luffaker would know, She's always up on things like thet. Mx. Twitter (becoming @ Little piqued): But I've al- ready told you! Charles the Third—929, Mes. Grixxeun: Hmpft! . Mrs. Twitter (rising and walking ever to the telephone) : of course, Fred. But you're only guessing. (/nto the ansmitter.) Schuyler 8592. Me. Twitter: I'm not guessing, I tell you! Mrs. Grinnewt. (into space): You were certain when we went to the country last year that you'd told the milk- man to stop sending ny more miik, too. Ma. Twitter (the filial note is lacking from his voice) : Well, there’s no trouble with your memory, Mother Grin- nell, You never seem to forget anything. Mrs. Twitter (into transmitter): Is this Helen? Oh, Emmy Twitter. Helen—you always seem to know —which King of I it that was called Charles the Fool and when did he dic «What! Are you sure?...Thank you ever so much....I just urious all of a sudde -Goodby. (Hangs vp re r.) Well, that's funny. You were right, Fred. Mr. Twitter (vehemently): Of course Now you believe it, I suppose, because Helen Luffaker has told you. Mrs. Twitter (calming him): N worked up. , Fred, Don't get But you know semetimes you get facts just a teeny, weeny bit twisted, Mr. Twitter (feeling intensely injured): For all the good it does, I might just well not know anything. Mrs, Grinnete (assuringly): Well, Fred, don’t worry. One can hardly tell the difference as it i: Mr. Twitter (after @ pause): And for your further information, Charles was called “The Fool” because he ex- pected to have some respect paid to him in his own family, (Curtarn.) “MOTHER, WHAT IS A NINCOMPOOP? “s-s-su! DEAR—HE MAY HEAR YOU.” HERE is an intimacy about brushes that calls for perfection, From the point of your chin to the nape of your neck— brushes play a vastly important part in your daily toilet. Shaving brushes, tooth brushes, hair brushes—all are entirely personal- and essentially your own, Brushes are things that you share with nobody else—intimate friends. See that their intimacy is justified by sound construction and beauty of design, for only such sterling qualities can justify their constant companionship. The courageous choice of the mascu: line—the delicate task of the feminine— each finds complete satisfaction in the range of toilet accessories obtainable at BOOTS THE CHEMISTS. Chief London Branch ¢ 182 Regent Street, W.1. Great Britain. HS. =, throughout BOOTS PURE comicbooks.com SZ — IID ST SIZ, LPT IFA: SLBA. a LD TIE + EID a PA o ZI 2B DRUG C9, LP