Judge — December 9, 1916 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a social satire cartoon from *Judge* magazine depicting a formal social gathering. Two observers, Suzanne and Hightop, comment on a woman's hostile expression toward a man named Hawkins. The humor relies on the phrase "husband once removed"—a play on kinship terminology. Rather than literally meaning a relative, it's a witty euphemism suggesting the woman and Hawkins were formerly married. The phrase mimics genealogical language ("cousin once removed") to humorously reference their past romantic/marital relationship. The cartoon satirizes high-society social awkwardness: the tension of encountering an ex-spouse at a formal event, and the observant gossip of attendees noting such uncomfortable encounters. The woman's aggressive demeanor toward her "once removed" husband provides the comedic conflict.