The First Book of Eve

by Fowl

—At the Adelphi Theatre.

Here is dear Phyllis Dare singing the song, also Tou-Tou, who made straight for the stage when the play commenced, and some gallant heroes, who see their old but elusive friend materialised at last

All this theatrical publicity has caused Eve’s head to swell right out of her collar. In the first glow of fame she feels she can treat Aunt Matilda, Miss Gush, and the Bore brothers with the indifference she has so long suppressed

The Death
of Tou-Tou.

Now this is the terrible tragedy of Tou-Tou—Eve discovereth him imbibing of strong liquors—and in war time too

So she took the delinquent to hear Sir Edward Clarke’s grave lecture wherein he urged the clergy to set an example to the country by giving up all intoxicants. Tou-Tou’s disgust is evident. Owing to lack of space we have only room to show Sir Edward’s impressive legs

Overcome by Sir Edward’s eloquence, Eve takes Tou-Tou to the police station to sign the pledge

Tou-Tou, accustomed to sly sips of port, stands the monotony of life for some time, but suddenly breaks out and enters on a career of “frightfulness,” which, as is seen in the picture, thoroughly upsets his mistress. The sad result of this outburst is seen in the right-hand corner of our page.

A number of tiny dances were given this springtime for the sake of the dear boys on leave. Hundreds of years ago, before the war, Eve used to get her dance invitations in this way on formal and ceremonial cards. But nowadays they are conveyed in much happier fashion; for instance—

—Reggie (on leave): “Hello! Hello, Eve! Just back, old girl, and a few of us want to strafe some bubbly tonight, so we’ve borrowed a house, and we’re givin’ a hop. Roll up with a few ‘cheeries,’ and bring a bottle with you in case the supply dries up”

The classical picture on the left represents the pre-war Adam taking a demure Eve away from her watchdog for a graceful waltz. On the right you see the modern, cheerful, and unchaperoned conditions. (The Adams and Reggies don’t really dance in uniforms and spurs, but Eve likes drawing them like that)

War-time
Dances.

The arrival at “the ball” in the old days. Haughty wall-propping men, and little Eves wondering whether they were going to get off and detach one of the aforesaid males from his customary support, or also decorate the side benches—

—But nowadays at “the party” each little Eve takes her own young man—sometimes two—with whom she spends the greater part of a delightful evening, so she’s happy, he’s happy, and chaperones, safely ensconced in bed or at the bridge table, are happy too—

—While the final breakfast-supper, when a raid is made on the kitchen to see what can be found, and Reggie or Billy makes the most divine omelettes in the fish saucepan, provides a worthy finish to a delightful evening, which keeps many a festive on-leaver out of mischief