The Equinox (Volume I, Number X)

REVIEWS I watched the mermaids as they loosed Their lids on aught might be seduced, While earnest starfish strove to cram The strange lore of the pentagram. In brief, it was a busy morn. I took the Poet’s Club in scorn. How, with the banded fountain pen That ran me into one pound ten, With that too finite reservoir, How could I sing this abbatoir? Nay! let me first imbrue mine hands In the dun blood of Mildred Sandys! And so on. A.C. THE SON OF A SERVANT. By AUGUST STRINDBERG. William Rider & Son. Way not “The Soul of a Servant”? The hero is a sort of Scandinavian Neuburg. He is always being “ bullied” and treated with “injustice,” however kind people are to him. Here are two cases, accurately taken from the book, but rendered in dialogue. I. In class: MASTER. What do you know of Gustavus Adolphus ? BOY [wzth gloomy pride that he knows all about G. A.], R—r—r—gr! MASTER. Come now, surely you don’t mind telling us something about him. BOY [stung to madness by this senseless torture}. 1 know ail about Gustavus Adolphus. MASTER. Well, that’s splendid. Let’s see now, who was he? BOY [beyond himself] Tyrant! Monster! Brute! White slaver! Mar— con—ee! IT. In the family circle: JOHN [to his brother]. Now, Albert, I should like you to take some flowers to Mother for a present. ALBERT. All right. [Zhey enter shop.) JOHN. Here’s the money. ALBERT. All right. [They reach home.] JOHN. Now you go in all by yourself and say, “Here are some flowers for you, Mother.” I will wait outside. ALBERT. All right. [Wizthin.] Here are some flowers for you, Mother ! MOTHER. Oh, thank you, Albert, how beautiful! FATHER. Very kindly thought of, my son!