The Wasp, 1913 · page 229 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 229: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a romantic dialogue with no visible cartoon or illustration—it appears to be a serialized short story or dramatic piece from the magazine. The text depicts an emotional conversation between a man and woman about a third person named James. The man attempts to dissuade the woman from romantic feelings toward James, suggesting men are generally unworthy of women's love despite superficial displays of bravery and courtesy. The woman responds innocently that men seem honorable to her. The man becomes flustered, apologizes for "talking like a fool," and impulsively kisses her hand before departing. Without the original publication date or illustration context, the satirical target remains unclear—though the piece may mock Victorian courtship conventions or male hypocrisy regarding honor and worthiness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
224 THE WASP “No,” she replied, the star-shine shimmering in her eyes. “Did you love him?” “YVes—for an hour, after first reading his letter.” His shoulders moved with the sigh of relief that escaped him. “T am glad of that,” he said. “James is a brave man; but—well, he is no more worthy of your—of a woman’s—love than most men are.” “Are men so unworthy ?” she asked, with a flicker of white lids upon starlit eyes and a twitch of her perfect lips. —““They all seem brave and honorable and wondrous polite to me.” “We are well enough in our way, I have no doubt,” he said gravely; “but—but you would not understand. Most of us are brave, and, if we hap- pen to be gentlemen, we have good manners; but— well, I talk like a fool. You will forgive me, I hope. You are kind.” He stooped suddenly, lifted her right hand, and pressed his-lips to it. He let it fall; turned and walked swiftly away. ? Comichooks.com