LordPeter List Literary Contest

"The lady who came from the dining room is unmarried, logical and orderly in her thought, observant, modern in feeling and independent but aware of custom, deplores the whole scene, but understands that those who play the game that's going on in here more or less know what they are doing."

"She just walked in and sat down. How can you possibly know that?"

"The lady came through the door which leads between this room and the dining room. It would not be convenient to use that door from elsewhere. In any case, as she entered, she was placing that blue counterfoil meal receipt in her purse. She wears no wedding ring, yet follows convention, since she placed an order immediately as she sat down, despite having just eaten a meal.

"She showed no hesitancy in choosing a place or ordering, despite her being clothed in a style not quite in keeping with others in the room, which indicates her independence. The clothes themselves indicate a freedom from the chains of fashion which is very modern indeed. The quick movements of her head about the room show that she is here to observe what is going on. She has examined each of the entertainers carefully, and then proceeded to look at each of the guests in turn, moving right around the room, an orderly and logical way to proceed."

"But how do you know she deplores the scene. Perhaps she is in agreement with it?"

"Not at all, my good friend. Didn't you notice what happened when a bit of feather flew off the fan of the lady at the next table and landed on hers? She picked up the fluff, rolled it in her fingers, and shook her head with a tiny half-laugh, almost unconsciously stroking her own side where there were no stays, worn by most of the other ladies."

"Yes, but you can't know that that she thinks it's all a game."

"Why else would she flick the ball of fluff into the ashtray, light a cigarette, broaden her smile, and sit back with the air of anticipation shown only by the audience at the beginning of a play or concert. No, no, I do not admit I can be wrong. We shall meet the lady in good time, and I shall be proved right."

-- Rachel Levy

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