Judge — January 13, 1917 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration depicts a domestic scene where a man sits by a window, holding what appears to be a small animal or object, while gazing at a woman visible through the window curtains. The caption "How It Started" suggests this is the beginning of a romantic or illicit encounter. The satire likely comments on courtship rituals or the origins of romantic relationships—possibly mocking how casual or trivial beginnings can lead to significant consequences. The voyeuristic framing through the window, combined with the man's absorbed attention, suggests humor about male infatuation or the somewhat undignified nature of how relationships commence. Without additional context about Judge magazine's specific date of publication, the precise social commentary remains unclear, though it appears to be satirizing romantic behavior conventions of its era.