28 APRIL 1923, Page 23

Though there were signs of something better in " Hepple-

stall's,' in the present volume Mr. Brighouse shows himself a deft concocter of trifles. The ladder by which two appar- ently insignificant dispensers in the branch of a multiple chemist's climb to wealth and position lacks many of its rungs. On the other hand, one does not feel that Mr. Brighouse intended very much notice to be taken of the story in itself. The comedy of situation and character is where his talent shows itself, but a number of extremely amusing passages are not sufficient excuse for having written a play in the form of a novel.