The Chequer Board. By Sybil Grant. (Hodder and Stoughton. 6s.)—Lady
Sybil Grant's book of short stories contains some extremely clever work, and if it is written from a rather cynical point of view no one can say that this is not the fashion. But the most charming story in the book is not in the least cynical and is perhaps rather less remarkable for brilliance than are its com- panions. The name of this sketch is "Jobiska and the Wagon," and Lady Sybil is careful to inform us that the heroine is really called after the aunt of the "Pobble who had no toes." The charm of caravanning has never been more sympathetically described,
and it is a pity that a rather commonplace love interest should be introduced in the last pages. The humours of "Edward," the invaluable man-of-all-work, are surely enough entertainment for one short sketch, and the rather tomboyish Jobiska, who yet feels the charm of her surroundings so strongly, is a delightful creation. The last story in the book degenerates into farce, which the author does not manage quite as well as pure comedy.
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