In the 1920s Dorothy Parker was establishing a reputation as a witty woman with a sharp tongue (the actress Mrs Patrick Campbell called her My pretty pretty cobra ) At the same time Clare Booth Luce was becoming a respected journalist and well-known playwright While both women were highly talented their numerous political philosophical and personal differences resulted in a strained relationship One day Parker was about to step through a doorway when she came face-to-face with Luce As the story goes Mrs Luce stepped aside extended the palm of her hand and said coyly Age before beauty Parker glided through the door saying ever-so-sweetly Pearls before swine

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