To adopt the technical language of Miss Stern's new story,
The Back Seat is an admirable light comedy in one act and two scenes. No better picture has ever been given of the state of mind of the successful actress who sees middle age creeping upon her, and the book may be called " straight comedy," inasmuch as the reader's laughter is not unmixed with a sense of very real pity for the dramatis personae. Over and above our amusement at the dexterity with which the little story is managed, it furnishes a valuable comment on a controversy recently held in our columns, " Should Married Women Work ? " There is a delightful scene in which Robert, the unsuccessful husband of Leonora, the actress, discusses the whole situation with his wife. She assures him that he has no need for jealousy.
" I'm far too fond of you and home and the kiddies.' I've tried to be a good wife to you.' And this was, perhaps, the most bitter thing that Robert had ever said.
' If you're the in-person and I'm the out-person,' Leonora argued slowly, it's just the same thing, after all, as though it were the other way round.' No. That's the funny part of it. It ought to be, but it isn't. It never is. It never will be. Men this and women that—prejudice, if you like, but '—he shrugged his shoulders—' there you are ! ' "
Possibly the effect of centuries of tradition is to make the husband who fails to support his wife feel it bitterly if she becomes the breadwinner ; but this should not apply when both are contributing.
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