The New York herald., 1921-10-30


r. DINA FERBER has joined the
r ranks of propagandists. Every
- page of "The Girls" reeks with
Chicagoism. Her characters are Chi
cagoans first and human beings afser-
ward. They are not allowed to forget
that they live In the shadows of Hull
House, the stockyards and Edgar Lee
Masters We even discover that Chi
cago has first families. However, this
localism is unconscious and justified by
the vividness Miss Ferper has achieved.
After all, cosmopolite Chicago is an
epitome of America, and hence the
playground of human instinct and cos
mic forces. 1t seems unfortunate at
times that the cosmos is so small
thriving red booded city like Chi
cago should be the centre of a larger
unit.
Edna Ferber sums up her book by
saying: This story is about great-aunt
Charlotte Thrift, spinster, aged seven
ty-four; her niece and namesake, Lot
tie Payson, spinster aged thirty-two
and Lottie's niece and namesake
Charlie Kenys, aged eighteen and a
half"
These three women meet essentially
the same problem. They all wish free
dom and love. Aunt Charlotte's lover,
Jesse Dick, was beneath her in social
position, and was slain In the civil
war Lottie Payson slaved as her
mothers housekeeper. Charlie be-
| longed to a newer generation. She
| won the fight for a career of her own.
And Charlotte's one act of rebel
lion was significant. She publicly
kissed her lover, Jesse Dick, as he was
marching away. According to the
standards of that community, Char
lotte Thrift had done an outrageous
thing. War in that day was grimmer
though less bloody and wholesale bust
ness than 1t is to-day An army whose
marching song is Where Do We Go
from Here?" attaches small sgnifi
canoe to the passing kiss of hysteri-
cal fiapper, whether the object of the
kiss be buck private or general. But
an army that finds vocal expression in
the Battle Cry of Freedom and
John Browns Body" is likely to take
| it's bussing seriously. The publicly
kissed soldier on his way TO battle
was the publicly proclaimed property
of the kissee. Because of this impul-
sive act Charlotte Thrift was cor
demned to be an old maid.
Lottie Payson in her Junior year at
college became interested in Ruther-
ford Hayes Adler. He was fellow
student Mrs. Payson would not allow
him to become a suitor because of his
race. The fateful interview in which
she tells him so is one of the best i'm
the book.
Charlie becomes interested in a Jesse
Dick. who was the granddaughter of
Charlotte Thrills sweetheart. He
soon won fame as poet. Charlie was
able to defy the family. There was n
slight rift in the lutte when he was not
enthusiastic about the war. However.
he went. as did the other men. Their
farewell at dance was typical of
modern conditions.
They rose and wound their way
among the little green tables TO the
dancing platform. Charlie raised her
eyes TO his as they danced. "Will
you marry me tomorrow. Jesse? Be-
fore you go?"
Mo-
why not?"
That's all right for truck drivers
and for sloppy emotionalists. But it's
poor plan. You're only suggesting
4; because of the music and my near
ness and the fact that I'm leaving day
after tomorrow. I'm no different than
was three months ago. / hate war
as much as ever did. II you think
three months OF camp training"
"wll you marry me tomorrow.
Jesse?"
"No"
I'm afraid. Jesse"
80 am T. But not as scared as
that" His check rested against hers
Her fingers clutched tight fold of
the bunchy cloth of his rough uni
form. She could not bring herself to
name the fear she felt All the way
home she pressed close to the rough
sleeve--the good tangible rough cloth
of the sleeve--and the muscle hard
arm within IT, JOSEPH GOULO
Louise Imogen Quincy. poet, essay
list, recluse said: "The main business
OF the scholar Is to live gracefully.
without mental passion, and To gct OF
alone into a corner for an affectionatc
view Of creation" Alice Brown who
was her friend from childhood, has
.