Publication: Melbourne Herald
Date: 17 June 1922
A FIRESIDE OF THE FUTURE
Victoria women are endeavouring
to obtain the right to sit in the Legis-
lative Assembly, and are clamour-
ing that there should be women mem-
bers of the City Council.
Scene: A Suburban Parlour. Time: Eight o'clock at night. John Smith is seated before the fire, nursing his youngest born. Enter the boon companion, Jim Brown. Jim: Hello, John, dear. Shut at it, John. Ah, a man's work is never done. I've been going all day, and I haven't even got the dishes washed yet. Jim: Poor dear! Where is the wife tonight? John: Oh, she says the House is sit- ting late. I don't know whether to believe her or not. Jim: My wife says she's going to a meeting of the Committee on Drains but I shouldn't be a bit surprised to hear she was at the club. What are you doing this evening? John: As soon as little Eric drops off, I have the dishes to wash, and then— ---Sah! I think he's off. Jim: I'll wipe up for you, dear. (John puts the child to bed, and with Jim's help, washes the dishes. They sit by the fire again.) John: Are you going out tonight, John? There's Mary supper to get. Jim (suddenly): Do you know dear, I've been reading that once upon a time men used to knock about? John (shocked): Knock about? Jim: Yes, like women do now. Go to clubs, and have drinks, and tell stories. John: That must have been long ago. Jim: My grandfather remembers a man who used to smoke cigarettes. John: Like that awful tom-cat Mr Johnson. Jim: Yes; he's they call a reversion to type. (Suddenly) suppose we - John! Let's go out and make a night of it like they used to do in the old days. John (weakly): Oh, Jim, I couldn't. What about our reputations? Jim: Well, I suppose the tom-cats would talk. Still— John: Did you bring your work? they begin stitching Jim: I we only had the courage; we might resurrect those old days and— John: But we haven't dear. Jim: No, we haven't. John: Ah, well. Jim: Ah, well. (They go on stitching.)