The Wasp — 1894 — page 110: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts two women in a physician's private office with a "PRIVATE" door visible. The caption identifies them as **Miss Standuff** and **Miss Sittdown**, who are rivals competing for the attention of **Dr. Bolus**. The humor centers on their cattiness toward each other. Miss Standuff suggests Miss Sittdown is a "hateful" flirt exploiting the doctor's sympathies, while Miss Sittdown counters that Standuff is a deceptive girl who "pretends" sweetness. The final line notes both are "Competitors for the Doctor's affections"—establishing this as commentary on women pursuing romantic interest in a professional man, mocking their jealous competitiveness and manipulative tactics. The satire targets both the women's behavior and perhaps the doctor's gullibility.