The Wasp, 1913 · page 108 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 108: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts a confrontation between two men: James Burnham (the dominant figure) and young Stanton (an ensign, likely military). Burnham is intimidating Stanton, apparently over a gambling dispute ("cheated you in play"), and challenges him to a duel in the garden after breakfast. The satire targets Stanton's social powerlessness and cowardice. Burnham mockingly suggests Stanton could appeal to the governor for protection, implying such an appeal would be shameful and futile—that Stanton's word means nothing on "this island" compared to Burnham's. The forced toast afterward adds humiliation: Burnham drinks with "ironic" and "sardonic" contempt while Stanton drinks mechanically, "confused with shame and rage and...fear." The scene likely satirizes either a specific historical incident or the broader code of honor duels that governed gentlemanly disputes, exposing how such systems could be weaponized by powerful men against weaker ones.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SoS SL ee THE WASP 105 time thrusting his face within eight inches of that of the indignant ensign. “You are invited, most humbly, to make a mighty effort and try to behave like a person of breeding,” he continued. “Of course, if your courage fails you, run to the gov- ernor for protection. Cry out that I cheated you in play—and then prove it. Aye, prove it! See if your word is better than mine on this island!’ Stanton trembled and lost color, and his glance shifted from James Burnham’s terrific regard. To look into Burnham’s eyes just then was to look into a hell of ice and white fire. “T’ll follow you to the garden,” he stammered. : “After breakfast,” said Burnham, laughing - pleasantly. ‘And now I must insist on your trying a glass of this punch. Sam, the gentleman will drink—and I will join him ina glass. To our next meeting, sir!” They both drank, Burnham with an ironical bow and a sardonic leer, young Stanton mechanically and hurriedly. Stanton was confused with shame --and rage and something very much like fear. Comichooks.com