The Wasp, 1913 · page 109 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 109: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be narrative text rather than a cartoon, presenting a social scene with psychological tension. The passage describes an unnamed character's internal conflict after making an indiscreet remark to someone named James Burnham regarding past "cheatery" in London. The scene establishes a power dynamic: Burnham's presence and gaze unnerve the protagonist, who regrets his loose tongue and questions his own courage. The tension is interrupted when Miss Nash appears and guests are invited to an elaborate breakfast. Without seeing the accompanying illustration or having publication dates and broader context, the specific identities of these figures and the particular scandal being referenced remain unclear. The passage suggests a Victorian-era social setting with undertones of blackmail or social leverage, typical of *The Wasp*'s satirical treatment of San Francisco society and politics, but the precise targets cannot be determined from text alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
106 THE WASP It was of this emotion so closely resembling fear that he was ashamed. He wished this fellow Burn- ham to the lower regions; but he felt no very keen appetite for the task of sending him there. He wished heartily that he had kept a guard on his tongue. At one and the same time he inwardly cursed his lack of discretion and his lack of courage. He was no coward—so he told himself, and it is un- likely that he could have found any other man to believe him—but the eyes of James Burnham played the mischief with his nerves, and always had. Why hadn’t he left the fellow in peace? Why had he referred to that little matter of cheatery that had taken place so long ago in far-away Lon- don? Miss Nash appeared, and her father’s guests were presented to her. Soon after this all passed into another room, where a long table was set for a breakfast of even more than usual profusion. The meal began with several choice varieties of fish and went on to turtle steak, to pepper-pot, Comichooks.com