Judge — March 30, 1918 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Grateful Hostess" This cartoon satirizes a woman threatening burglars with police action—not for the break-in itself, but for damaging her window sash while entering. The humor derives from misplaced priorities: she's outraged about minor property damage (the painted window frame) yet treats the actual criminals ("dears") with surprising courtesy. The satire likely targets either: 1. The absurdity of wealthy homeowners' complaints about trivial damages amid actual crime 2. A specific incident involving burglars and property disputes 3. The contradictions of upper-class politeness extended inappropriately to criminals The woman's elaborate dress and the home's furnishings (plates, shelving) indicate she's affluent. Her concern about "budging that sash since the painters were here" reveals she cares more about household aesthetics than security—a humorous inversion of reasonable priorities.