The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-31
"Storm in a Teacup"


body's equal"
1t is about this time that Medora is a
good deal depressed and is wondering if
after all she might not be happier with
man who talks more than he thinks, like
Dingle, or one who perhaps thinks more
than he can ever express, like the admira-
BILE Kellock.
Following the plan of his recent fiction
series, In taking some industry for the
background of his story, everybody-men,
women and children apparently-in
Storm in a TeacNp is engaged in the hand
made paper trade of South Devon. But
although much that is interesting is
learned about paper making and the
reader will come to have more respect for
an expert vatman or beaterman than he
may have for Senator, the paper indus
try is kept in its proper place as back
ground and is not itself fictionized.
All the characters are interesting, most
of them are amusing, and at least one Of
them, Medora's mother, Lydia Trivett, is
wholly admirable except possibly in her
upbringing of Medora. Lydia, while hav
ing charge of the rag room in the factory,
at the same time brings a semblance Of
peace and order 10 her brothers chaotic
and swarming household 1t is said of the
easy going Polly Dolbear that she consid-
cred her duty done when she brought a
child into the world and left all response
bihty for its future upbringing to others
chiefly her excellent sister-in-law. The
Dolbears are an amusing pair, especially
when they try to outwit Providence and
determine the sex Of their rapid success
sion of offspring. After her husband had
read in a paper once that "if a woman
with child ate enough green stuff she
might count on a boy" it is a painful
subject" for Polly, as we read, but she
consents to describe some of her expert
encos to the sympathetic Mr.. Pinhey:
ait was painful at the time admitted
Mrs. Dolbear, because Toms one of the
hopeful men who will always jump at a
new thing like a trout jumps at fly.
And what was the RESULT From the mo-
ment he hit on that cussed paper he fed
me more like COW than a creature with a
soul. Twas green stuff morning, noon and
night-lettuce and spinach-which 1 hate
any time-and broccoli and turnip tops
and spring onions and caulihower, and
Lord knows what mess, till rebelled and
defed the man.. didn't lose my temper;
but said, calm and slow, "Tom," said,
of you don't want me to be brought to a
bed of cabbage next September, stop it.
Gods my judge" said, II won't let
down another herb of the field. want
red meat" told him, 'or else ! won't be
responsible" He argued for it, but I
had my way, and Lydia upheld me-
"'And what was the result in the FAM
lily line, if 1 may venture to askf in
quired Mr. Pinley.
"'The result in the family line was
Jane Ethel answered Mrs. Dolbear."
IT is interesting TO know that after his
wife had broken ''the law of averages by
all accounts" Tom himself strikes and de-
elares: "And Somebody shall see that two
can play at that game IN the future.
Providence have shut down on the boys;
ard III shut down on the girls. 1t amt
going to be all one way"
Although his familiar barrymore"
landscape and types and speech are in
Mr.. Phillpotts's new story, everything is
seen in less sombre light, and into a sit
uatiOn that usually calls for high tragedy
be introduces hIlmor-which, by the way,
may mean that The mistress of the Water
mans ARR may be right, and marriage is
no longer so serious a matter as it once
WIS.
STORM IN A TEACUP. BY EDEN PHIL
POTTS. Macmillan Company.
VIZ L. GEORGE, author of Blind