Well, I don't tease anybody but the men. I don't tease father or mother or you,—but men are fair game; they are such thumby, blundering creatures, and we can confuse them so.

Since these activities are considered illegal in the United States, young men were often used as lookouts (a.k.a. looksees), guards and enforcers (a.k.a. hatchetmen) of house rules to assure smooth operations.

“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

Symptoms appeared, during last winter, of the Brephomania or Fever of Rejuvenescence which took possession of many persons of both sexes, well on towards their grand climacteric.