thereafter, the books became more respectful of law and authority. villains no longer smoked or drank, and scenes involving guns and shoot-outs were removed. the boys, too, become more respectful of rules and law: they drove within the speed limit, for example, even in pursuit of a villain. the hardys became upscale and lost touch with the typical boy who bought their books. they became "members and agents of the adult ruling class, acting on behalf of that ruling class."