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—
