E. J. Rath

[from dust jacket flap 1930 Grosset & Dunlap reprint]

"I'll guarantee to take any old-fashioned business, put it on its feet, and increase its earning capacity in a year," was what the Efficiency Expert said with pardonable pride.

"I know one thing you can't reform," retorted his well-pleased customer, "the business of running an American household!"

Whereat the Expert, after a blank moment, took him up -- and here you have the result.

The purpose of the young man who represented "The Economy and Efficiency Corporation, Limited," was to reorganize the household of John W. Brooke on the same basis as his business had been reorganized. As John W. Brooke's children saw it -- here was a fool who rushed in where angels feared to tread. And yet H. Hedge E. E. took the job. Naturally the result is amusing. It is more than that, it is riotously funny. And interwoven through this narrative is a charming love story where the various phases of efficiency finally meet and mingle for happiness.

[from inside flap of Grosset & Dunlap dj]

Trumbull's nerves were shot to pieces and his doctor had prescribed a sea-trip. But Trumbull didn't want to go. His interests were centered on a young lady in the Adirondack Mountains. Trumbull engaged his old classmate Trask to go in his place. And so begins this mad masquerade. If he was to impersonate a sick man, he'd really be sick. He'd fool doctors and nurses alike.

The day comes when Trask gets tired of the sham. He wants to get well. He wants to walk the decks and dance with the adventure girl. But hovering over him is the brawny might of his male nurse, the ex-prize fighter Keller. Keeler is gentle, but Keeler is firm.

Imagine all the humorous situations that might arise in such a case, and you won't imagine half that E. J. Rath has put into this story.