The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-01-14
SOCIETY AS 1T is.

SOCIETY AS 1T is.
Characters: Frank blair, a husband: Mrs.
Blair and Alan Kemble, friends; Laura
Kemble, a wife,
Scene veranda at "Nolleys," Blair's
country residence. Time After lunch.
Temperature 50 degrees in the shade. Mrs.
Blair and Alan Kemble are discovered in
wicker chairs.
Kemble (glancng at the tennis
court)-What energyi but there, at 20,
one is willing to playtennis under any
conditions. Myself, I am
Mrs. Blair Canning herself) u should
say, 40, if you are a day.
Ksmble (starting nervously, but re-
covering himself quickly)-I was not
meditating any reference to my age,
but for the sake of accuracy, if you will
refer to your Browning Birthday Book,
you will discover that I was 35 on the
1st of April last.
Mrs. Blair (doubtfully) y)-Thirty-
Kemble-The perfect age! In the full
bloom of manly-of manhood!
Mrs. Blair-Thank you! If desire
an impression, will consult Laura.
Kemble (hastily)-Do no such thing.
No man is hero to his-wife.
Mrs. Blair (laughing)-Looka at those
dear old sillies!
(Kemble looks. Sees his wife and
Frank Blair through an open window;
the two figures sitting at the further
end of dimly-lit room are just dis
tinguishable. They are engaged in o
game of chess)
Mrs. Blair-I draw the line at playing
chess with Blair.
Kemble-Chess is Laura's pet nui-
sance.
Mrs. Blair-Nuisance?
Kemble-Yes, it is q cultivated vice.
do not play myself, but being perfect
husband
Mrs. Blair--A man who periodically
realizes that wife may possibly have o
wish she would like gratified.
Kemble Creating the remark with the
contempt he thinks 1t deserves)- But,
being perfect husband. do not care
that she shall pine away for want of her
favorite recreation. This is the sole
reason Of my coming to the "Nolleys"
SO often.
Mrs. Blair-You mean it il why I
tolerate the frequency OF your visits.
We are of mutual assistance to one an
other.
Kemble-Exnctly.
Mrs. Blair-"A weeks che1 for
Frank" scribbled on my mental diary
completely subdues any feeling that ne
may have been hurt by my
Kemble (murmuring)-Neglect.
Mrs. Blair (frowning)-Compulsory
attendance to the demands Of social
life.
Kemble husiastically)-And Lau-
ra. she is such quiet little thing, with
perfect simplicity Of tastel She cares
little for the glamor of London sea-
son. much preferring her country home,
and completely happy in the society of
Mrs. Blair (quickly)-Now. Frank, he
would positively go nowhere unless I
made-unless he thought it would give
me pleasure.
Kemble (who wanted to have finished
his sentence)-I wonder what man Of
his disposition saw In you?
Mrs. Blair-Probably what man gen.
orally sees in the woman he falls head
over ears in love with.
Kemble-In that case, nothing; his
powers Of perception are temporarily
removed.
Mrs. Blair with becoming blush)--
You cannot expect me to fathom tho
mystery.
Kemble-I suppose not. Anyhow, you
are fortunate; he is Q good chess player.
Mrs. Blair-How should I know? I
have only played few games with him
soon after we met.
Kemble-Ah! I remember your in
fatuatiop for the game that week; the
next you were engaged.
Mrs. Blair thinking 1t IL time to-
change the subject)-Frank thinks
Laura sensible woman.
Kemble--I have fairly good opinion
of her myself.
Mrs. Blair-And It il 10 convenient
that they agree 30 well; the old dears
are simply started with chess, q mi
croscope or cribbage, and we are left
entirely free to-
KemblevDiscuss politics.
Mrs. Blair-And the agricultural
QUESTION. Not one little bit of anxiety
! can even have girls like Alma Stat
ford in the house.
+ Kemble-Yes. Laura and Blair give
absurdly little trouble.
Mrs. Blair (thoughtfully) = They
would not have been badly matched.
Keplble Ridiculous! Married people
should never be OF q similar tempcra-
/. nent. They would wish TO be always
together. When IL q woman. TO know
!. Ui,et perfeet freedom is unless II n
When shs = married.