“Hold still!” Mother chided, yanking impatiently at my corset lacing.

“Someday women won’t have to suffer these torturous contraptions!” I lamented.

“That’s absurd! Respectable gentlemen don’t wed thick-waisted ladies,” she retorted. “What’s next, women wearing trousers? Keep these fanciful notions to yourself, otherwise you’ll bring our good name into disrepute!”

Fee Johnstone is a managing editor of a medical journal who favors cats, cheese, and craft beer over most other things.