Life, 1925-08-27 · page 9 of 36
Life — August 27, 1925 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical bedroom dialogue between Mrs. and Mr. Newleigh, with accompanying sketch illustrations. The humor centers on marital discord over clothing and appearance. Mrs. Newleigh pressures her husband to compliment a new dress, while he resists and makes critical comments. The satire mocks conventional domestic expectations—specifically, the wife's desire for validation and the husband's reluctant, grumbling compliance with social niceties. The sketch shows the couple in their bedroom, capturing the awkward tension of the exchange. A separate illustration titled "Vanishing Cream" depicts a cat, likely a visual pun on the cosmetics/beauty theme. Below is another titled "Fast Work," unrelated to the main piece. The humor reflects early 20th-century gender dynamics and marital stereotypes common to Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Twin Bed-time Stories Mrs. Newleigh Encourages Frankness The bedroom of the Bene- cleighs, Both have retired. ScENE dict N RS. NEWLEIGH several times): (after cough- ing Are you awake, Benedict? Bexemet: Might just as well be if New eicu: I've just been won- yg whether you thought that new dress | bought was becoming, You know [ could still take it back. Bexemct (sleepily) : ‘Course it's be- coming. Good night, honey. Mes. Newneicu: Now don't go to again. I want to know how you like it. Bexenict: I've already told you— fine. Now honestly I need some sleep, dear. Mas. so provoking. Newtetcu: Benedict, you are If you would only tell me how you really liked it, it would You know I'd like to get things that please you. Sexepict: If I did say it didn't you'd get sore—think I didn’t love you and all that sort of thing. I know Mks, Newcercu: It’s horrid of you to say that. I wouldn't think of act- be a big help to me. please m VANISHING ing that way, Tell me honestly now— how can [ ever know, if you don't? Bexepict: Well, to tell you the truth, [ wasn't crazy about it—too bright a green, for one thing. Mrs. Newtricn (tremulously) : 1-1 knew it. [ knew you didn’t like it. oi my clothes. 1 it's me you don’t like and just blame it on my clothes, CREAM Bexepict; Now don't be foolish, Leila, I like that dress all right. I was just kidding. Thought you'd let me go to sleep if I said what you were trying to get me to. Mrs. Newtricn (wailing): Oh, no you weren't. I know. Oh, it’s too cruel after all these years together. (After an interval of sobs.) T-tell me what kind of dresses you w-twould like to have me get. Bexemict (cautiously): 1 know. Mrs, : You must—now. Bexenict: Well, I think something like that blue gown Mrs. Perkins had on to-night at the bridge party would look well on you. (Alarmed at the increased of sobs.) Good heavens—what's the trouble now? Mrs. Newtetcu: Y-you've proved you don’t love me. Beneoict (irritatedly) : Well, of all the— Mrs. Newteicu: Mrs, Perkins’ dress was exactly like one I had two years ago and you told me repeatedly that you didn't like it. Oh, oh, OH-H-H. (Now, Benedict, go to sleep if you dare!) don’t outburst Curtain Tracy Hammond Lewis. Fast Work IM (at the depot): Number 19 was on time to-day. Ezra: Jim, I believe th’ world’s The Child: MOTHER, WHEN SHALL I BE GROWN-UP ENOUGH TO HAVE MY HAIR CUT OFF? gone crazy ‘bout speed! comicbooks.com