 To the side of the girl is a table with a burning candle, mirror, powder puff, combs and a trailing ribbon.Behind the man's chair, a scruffy dog can be seen, and to the rear of the picture is a large bed.During the 19th and early 20th centuries viewers believed the scene showed the father of the girl addressing her on the subject of some misdemeanour, while her mother sat patiently beside him, sipping a glass of wine.