Polite Satires: Containing The Unknown Hand, The Volcanic Island, Square Pegs

"Polite Satires" by Clifford Bax is a compilation of three short plays that are The Unknown Hand, The Volcanic Island, and Square Pegs. Clifford Lea Bax (1886 – 1962) was a versatile English writer, known particularly as a playwright, a journalist, critic, and editor, and a poet, lyricist, and hymn writer.

Excerpt:

"THE UNKNOWN HAND

SCENE. A Room in JULIET'S Flat. Back centre, a fire. To its right, a chair; to its left, an easy chair and a small table. Two envelopes and a new novel lie on the table. JULIET is seated in the easy chair, looking into the fire.

JULIET (dreamily). Hans Andersen, when he was old and frail,

Said that his life had been a fairy-tale.... (Looking up.)

That's what mine is! Think of it—by a freak

Of Fortune to be famous in one week,

And with my first book! Would it have made quite

Such a commotion had I dared to write

Under my name? Who knows? But if you've penned

A merciless portrait of your dearest friend… "