“G.B.S.” REBUKED BY WIFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 7

“G. 8.5.” REBUKED BY WIFE

The story of when Mrs Bernard Shaw told her famous husband to stop talking is related, with other personal incidents, in an article in the Sunday Dispatch by tlhe Countess of Oxford and Asquith. J?he writes: — “My hiutband and I lunched with Mr and Mrs Bernard Shaw; with Hie exception of Nir Max Bcerbolm—a lone'y man, and mxquisito writer—l remember none of our fellow-guests. My husband, who had been working late the night before, and preferred lunching at home, left the oonveisation to the others. “The entertainment was not going at all wall till Mrs Shaw—a very wise and lactflul woman —stopped her husband from expounding the, plot of the play he was a hoi) tto produce. She said: Don't tell us ;jny more, my dear, about what you arc writing, hut ask Mrs Asquith what sho thinks of your plays.’ "This, was a remark which filled me with embarrassment, hut having nothing very clover to reply to this, I said—what I. invariably feel about all plays: ‘I thiuik- they are too long.’ I did not mean to' be discourteous, as Mr Bernard Shaw s(- the kindest and friendliest of men, !><it I took refuge in saying what I realty thought. His prompt and brilliant reply delighted everybody: ‘I have no otbw way, dear Mrs Asquith,' by which. .1 can empty the theatre.’ ”