Evening star., 1932-05-08

etc. New York: The Book League of
America.
'MAIDs AND MIsTREssEs' is the Book
iVi Leagues choice of a novel for May.
Its author is the wife of William Kean Sey-
mour, poet. England is the home Of these two.
Not story, much as a study. strange
one at that. In specific point it is study of
marital relations thrown into unbalance and
disharmony and ultimate domestic disaster
through inedequacy of one the other in the
partnership of two to fulfill the purely wifely
OF husbandy role. Two families are involved
here. The Yorkes are passionately in love with
each other. But from some source Mildred
Ycrke had embraced the gospel that marriage
was for the single purpose of procreat.on. A
baby year was about the program set by her.
Obviously this left Mr.. Yorke counting Just
about zero very much the larger part of the
time. Resentment, disgust, indifference dis
like marked the steps by way of which this
husband betook himself to America, and out
OF the picture permanently. The Hansons
are also devoted pair. But George Hanson
was incapacitated by the war for service at
home. And the wife, loving her husband.
instmctiVely. nevertheless, sought another
mate. Tragedy. the outcome. The maid"
Sally. serving one of these households and
then the other. is of most uncommon devotion
to both husbands and wives in the two
families. Quiet understanding. loyal pretty
and ladyiike. Sally moved from below stairs
to the place of parlor maid, pretty close 10
that OF friend besides Sallys next move after
the breaking up of these two families, was tn
the service Of woman who had son. person.
able and. in respect to Sally solicitous And
Tor the first time in her life the retiring and
discreet Sally fell in love. But the lad was
only playing. And his mother made short
shrift of Sally, who went next to the home
OF a scholarly man of some years and many
indiscretions He was good to Sally And her
war he
lied to her. And Sally-but this study has
gone as far as 1t can go without doing damage
TO the really admirable person of the entire
group Unfortunate people, pitiful people
caught in one or another of the labyrinthine
mazes Of matrimony. In perfect sincerity Mrs
Seymour studies these quite possible situations
OF marital unbalance. In great delicacy she
pictures oehavio-s sourced in certain causes
Ior dlsunion and unfulfillment The writing
is often beautiful. Always it is honest toward
one OF the most important of themes
AT NINE BELLS" By Samuel Emery. author
OF The House That Whispered" etc New
York: E. p Dutton & Co., Inc
(Reviewed by Charles Degges1
II AVE you ever crept down to a water front
TO watch ships that go down to green
water? Have you ever walked reverentlv and
not on mere earth at all among stacks of
tinioers and oil casks and fish boxes lust Il,
ora" Joy from the scents you find there? Have
you watched spellbound as some deep-draftsd
snip Is towed from her dock and aimed sea-
"ard oy putting, rope-bearded tugs? And do
you get goose pimpes" when brass whistle
on some squat stack belches a deep blast that
cracks the air around you?
Ii you do these things and if you don't know
TOO mucn about ships and the men who man
find J,
Emery's AT Nine Bells" Henry Paxton Was
just such fellow as you are He worked in an
once and when he'd hear a throaty whistle
plast he'd get up from his desk and go to the
window and watch black hull slide out into
the stream
But Henry-and there's description in that
hame-nad things most of us lack: doctor
VINO was a prophet for understanding and a
poSs VINO appreciated his longing even to send
ing him to sea on a tanker
NOW Emery has handled this introduction t.
fantastic tale well-sympathetically, that is,
ana Win the knowledge Of a man who himself
has sought solace on a water front. But once
ne gets Henry aboard the tanker this author
seems never quite certain whether he will deal
with situations dramatically or humorouslv
henry Is comical figure; a caricature If YOU
please, OF an office-bound family man, and his
personality prevails so strongly that you're
never sure you too, are not being kidded You
iaugn even when poor Henry finds himself III
the presence Of eerie murder and, in the midst
OF mutiny, when angered men press closely fer
a crack at harmless Henry, you are likely to be
surprised to find tina. Mr.. Emery is drawing a
genuine sea rebellion and not a stunt enacted
by an accommodating crew for the edihcation
oil the romantic soul Of Henry Paxton This
story, you see, is a sort of nautical detective
yarn.
But despite these things, when you come to
realize the author Is serious, you can sum UP a
deal OF enjoyment in reading Eat Mine Bells
H. that Is, you don't know too much about your
sea. . '1't'f -#sf-isss@ a3sa