The Quiet Corner
THE QUIET CORNER / counsel thee, shut not thy heart nor thy library.—C. Lamb. "Doctor, you are a poet," said Miss Brynmarian, "and as such, how would you describe my new stockings?" Dr....
...Not only is poetry being demoralized by these feminine articles of apparel, but the heretofore dignified procedure of our judicial system as well," complained the Doctor...
...They lead to chronic red noses and laryngitis...
...Investigation developed that the women jurors have become accustomed to draw their feet back under the chairs when changing positions during long trials...
...Woodland Rose—dusky roses in forest depths...
...The Librarian...
...Shadow—grey and mysterious, like a night in Venice...
...Mauve-Taupe —mauve one moment, taupe the next...
...Hum—I see...
...or a woman.' "And which shade do your stockings represent...
...Rolling has nothing to do with the case," said Miss Brynmarian...
...Now, Doctor, be honest," said Miss Brynmarian, sticking one foot out for him to inspect...
...but the court is now planning to install more comfortable chairs for the women jurors, as well as a foot-rail on which to rest their feet.1 "What dire times we are come upon," concluded the Doctor, "when women are allowed to upset the orderly procedure of our courts and our judges are compelled to give their valuable time to hearing complaints relative to the tearing of silk stockings...
...It is shocking...
...The Doctor returned to the pamphlet for reference...
...Green as the crest of a wave...
...Would you really like to see my new Sea Spray stockings replaced by black cotton ones...
...Read this advertisement that came with my new stockings, and tell me your opinion— viewed, I mean, from the poetical angle...
...The complaint was then filed, and so were the bolts...
...Well, it doesn't say that the women jurors asked for one, does it...
...asked the Doctor...
...I chose that shade because spring is here, and I always feel on the crest of the wave at this season—and feelings and looks should always match...
...And perhaps the judge felt he could see the new hosiery shades better that way...
...And then stockings which, as every woman knows, can either make or mar the costume...
...changeable as a chameleon...
...Rose Marie—pink roses, bathed in sunlight...
...The judges probably enjoy it—for doesn't the report state that a foot-rail for the women jurors to rest their feet upon has been installed...
...The rolling waves and the rolled stockings—very pretty association of ideas...
...Here is a clipping from a recent newspaper which states— " 'The annual upkeep of silk stockings among jurywomen in the court house at Mays Landing has risen to such alarming proportions, it is reported that women jurors have complained to court officials for relief...
...The Doctor, who prides himself on being equal to any occasion, blinked only once before replying— "Easter finery, I presume...
...Ah, yes," commented the Doctor, gravely...
...The stockings or the advertisement...
...Moreover, I admit that poetry appears to be in a decadent stage, wasting its golden fire on the advertising of hosiery...
...Bluette—a hazy blue, like the sky in June...
...Seven colors: Sea Spray—green as the crest of a wave or the new tendril of a vine...
...asked the Doctor, looking up over his scholarly glasses...
...No, stocking," corrected Miss Brynmarian...
...asked Angelicus...
...If you did, you would realize that the channels your honorable craft has been wont to follow through the centuries, are in grave danger of being diverted from aesthetic ones to those of mere vulgar publicity...
...Dear Doctor, you are so behind the times," said Miss Brynmarian, patronizingly...
...Many of the chairs had protruding bolts on the chair rungs which tore holes in the stockings...
...It is sacrilege to mention poetry and advertising in the same breath," said the Doctor severely, "and only one of your flippant generation would dare do so...
...What of that...
...Ah, but then you don't read the advertisements," said Miss Brynmarian...
...These sheer silk stockings are all stuff and nonsense, anyway," said the Doctor...
...For answer Miss Brynmarian thrust a pink-tinted pamphlet under his nose, and Doctor Angelicus read— " 'The Dyes of March: New fabrics, wierdly delightful, new colors of prismatic brilliance to go with the kinetic silhouette...
...Well," said the Doctor guardedly, as he watched the sunlight playing over the silken sheen, "as long as you have them—I suppose you may as well wear them...
...Not at all," said Miss Brynmarian...
...Angelicus, startled, looked up from his book to see Miss Brynmarian pointing to hosiery that was undeniably resplendent...
...Gone is the generation of sensible women who realized this, and wore heavy cotton or wool hose—severely black in tone...
...Moonlight—a soft, vague, yet radiant grey...
...I don't see anything the matter with it, but neither do I see the connection between poets and hosiery...
...I chose," said Miss Brynmarian, eyeing with approval one silken ankle, "Sea Spray...
Vol. 3 • March 1926 • No. 21
