Jamesian

THE INCOMPETENTS--R. E. Spencer--Knopf ($2.35).

Author Spencer's first novel. The Lady Who Came to Stay, was a Jamesian ghost story, reminiscent of The Turn of the Screw (TIME, Oct. 12, 1931). The Incompetents, more obviously imitative of James's more obviously puttering manner, may well disappoint expectant readers.

When Mrs. Barrett's only child Angela got married, Mrs. Barrett did not think much of the young man but she was relieved to have her daughter settled. Now she could turn her mind to getting settled herself. For years she had refrained from divorcing her husband, a selfish little creature of whom she was very tired, simply on Angela's account. Now she did it. But Angela took pity on him, invited him to come and stay. Hugh, Angela's husband, put up with her father for a while, but when Angela wanted to make the arrangement permanent Hugh took to spending most of his time away from home. When Mrs. Barrett came back from abroad she found Angela's marriage heading for the rocks. All other expedients having failed, Mrs. Barrett did the sacrificial thing, took selfish old Mr. Barrett back again.

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